Langley Park School for Boys
Encyclopedia
Langley Park School for Boys is a boys' comprehensive
secondary school
in Beckenham
in the London Borough of Bromley
, with a mixed-gender sixth form
. On 31 March 2011 the school converted from a Foundation School to an Academy and its current status is that of an "Academy Converter"
and the Bethlem Royal Hospital
, close to the boundary of Bromley with Croydon. Initially the school was built to accommodate 700 pupils although it currently has over 1600 pupils many housed in a ramshackle arrangement of annexes and wooden outbuildings, although the school is due to move to new purpose built premises for the start of Spring term in 2012.
In 2010 the u16 Hockey team were crowned National Champions, the first comprehensive school to achieve this.
Langley teaches a wide range of sports, including rugby and hockey, from Year 7.
The new buildings for the school will provide private hockey facilities for the school that are currently being shared with Langley Park School for Girls
. Other sports include cricket, tennis and rugby.
After the new school build is completed,the old buildings will be knocked down and will be replaced by a modern sports hall and facilities.
(Cantab)
. By 1954 it was called Beckenham and Penge Grammar School for Boys. An increase in size meant the school moved to new buildings in High St, Penge
in 1931. It moved from Penge to its present location in Eden Park
, Beckenham
in January 1969, at which point it adopted its current name. The school has outgrown its present accommodation and a completely new building is currently under construction adjacent to the existing school and is due to open in January 2012.
, B.Litt. (Oxon)
.
In December 1989, Phythian was succeeded by R.V.P. Sheffield, who was in the post until 1999, leaving the school under allegations of financial irregularities. The deputy headmaster, Keith McGregor, BA
(Cantab)
, took over as acting headmaster until the appointment of Robert Northcott, MA
.
Keith McGregor left the school at the end of the spring half term, 2011.
In early November 2006 Bromley Council granted Langley Park Boys a sum of £32.3-million as part of the Building Schools for the Future
programme for a complete rebuild of the school, including state of the art facilities that would've served as for Bromley Youth Music Trust, which is currently using facilities at the Ravensbourne School.
Headteacher Rob Northcott, said at the time, "The rebuilding of our facilities will bring real benefits to the whole community. Future and current pupils will obviously gain immensely from this project, but we want to ensure that the benefits are felt even more widely."
It is being built on the site of the current rugby fields and construction started in early 2010. Originally the building was planned to begin construction 2008 for completion late 2009, however this was delayed due to legal issues with the neighbouring Langley Park School for Girls
the building works was delayed, citing that the new construction would interfere with access to their own buildings.
Comprehensive school
A comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
in Beckenham
Beckenham
Beckenham is a town in the London Borough of Bromley, England. It is located 8.4 miles south east of Charing Cross and 1.75 miles west of Bromley town...
in the London Borough of Bromley
London Borough of Bromley
The London Borough of Bromley is a London borough of south east London, England and forms part of Outer London. The principal town in the borough is Bromley.-Geography:...
, with a mixed-gender sixth form
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
. On 31 March 2011 the school converted from a Foundation School to an Academy and its current status is that of an "Academy Converter"
Location and admissions
It is situated near Eden Park railway stationEden Park railway station
Eden Park railway station serves Eden Park in the London Borough of Bromley in south east London, in Travelcard Zone 5. The station and all trains serving it is operated by Southeastern on the Hayes line...
and the Bethlem Royal Hospital
Bethlem Royal Hospital
The Bethlem Royal Hospital is a psychiatric hospital located in London, United Kingdom and part of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. Although no longer based at its original location, it is recognised as the world's first and oldest institution to specialise in mental illnesses....
, close to the boundary of Bromley with Croydon. Initially the school was built to accommodate 700 pupils although it currently has over 1600 pupils many housed in a ramshackle arrangement of annexes and wooden outbuildings, although the school is due to move to new purpose built premises for the start of Spring term in 2012.
Sport
Langley Park is one of the few state schools that plays hockey, and is one of the top three schools in the country, having competed in the last four national finals.In 2010 the u16 Hockey team were crowned National Champions, the first comprehensive school to achieve this.
Langley teaches a wide range of sports, including rugby and hockey, from Year 7.
The new buildings for the school will provide private hockey facilities for the school that are currently being shared with Langley Park School for Girls
Langley Park School for Girls
Langley Park School for Girls is a girls' secondary school in Beckenham in the London Borough of Bromley, with a mixed-sex sixth form....
. Other sports include cricket, tennis and rugby.
After the new school build is completed,the old buildings will be knocked down and will be replaced by a modern sports hall and facilities.
History
The school was originally the Beckenham Technical Institute, opening in 1901 and situated in what is now the Studio, Beckenham. The school went through a variety of name changes in its early days: the Technical Day School, Beckenham; Beckenham Secondary School; Beckenham County School for Boys; Beckenham and Penge County School for Boys; in 1944 it was the Beckenham and Penge County Grammar School under headmaster L.W. White, MAMaster of Arts (Oxbridge)
In the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Dublin, Bachelors of Arts of these universities are admitted to the degree of Master of Arts or Master in Arts on application after six or seven years' seniority as members of the university .There is no examination or study required for the degree...
(Cantab)
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
. By 1954 it was called Beckenham and Penge Grammar School for Boys. An increase in size meant the school moved to new buildings in High St, Penge
Penge
Penge is a suburb of London in the London Borough of Bromley. It is located south east of Charing Cross.-History:Penge was once a small town, which was recorded under the name Penceat in a Saxon deed dating from 957...
in 1931. It moved from Penge to its present location in Eden Park
Eden Park, London
Eden Park is a place in the London Borough of Bromley, England. It is a suburban area between West Wickham, Elmers End and Shirley.The Bethlem Royal Hospital is found nearby.-Recent developments:...
, Beckenham
Beckenham
Beckenham is a town in the London Borough of Bromley, England. It is located 8.4 miles south east of Charing Cross and 1.75 miles west of Bromley town...
in January 1969, at which point it adopted its current name. The school has outgrown its present accommodation and a completely new building is currently under construction adjacent to the existing school and is due to open in January 2012.
Headmasters
Five terms after the school relocated to its current site headmaster David A. Raeburn retired, and was replaced by B.A. Phythian, MAMaster of Arts (Oxbridge)
In the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Dublin, Bachelors of Arts of these universities are admitted to the degree of Master of Arts or Master in Arts on application after six or seven years' seniority as members of the university .There is no examination or study required for the degree...
, B.Litt. (Oxon)
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
.
In December 1989, Phythian was succeeded by R.V.P. Sheffield, who was in the post until 1999, leaving the school under allegations of financial irregularities. The deputy headmaster, Keith McGregor, BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
(Cantab)
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, took over as acting headmaster until the appointment of Robert Northcott, MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
.
Keith McGregor left the school at the end of the spring half term, 2011.
New buildings
In early November 2006 Bromley Council granted Langley Park Boys a sum of £32.3-million as part of the Building Schools for the Future
Building Schools for the Future
Building Schools for the Future is the name of the previous UK Government's investment programme in secondary school buildings in England. The program is very ambitious in its costs, timescales and objectives, with politicians from all English political parties supportive of the principle but...
programme for a complete rebuild of the school, including state of the art facilities that would've served as for Bromley Youth Music Trust, which is currently using facilities at the Ravensbourne School.
Headteacher Rob Northcott, said at the time, "The rebuilding of our facilities will bring real benefits to the whole community. Future and current pupils will obviously gain immensely from this project, but we want to ensure that the benefits are felt even more widely."
It is being built on the site of the current rugby fields and construction started in early 2010. Originally the building was planned to begin construction 2008 for completion late 2009, however this was delayed due to legal issues with the neighbouring Langley Park School for Girls
Langley Park School for Girls
Langley Park School for Girls is a girls' secondary school in Beckenham in the London Borough of Bromley, with a mixed-sex sixth form....
the building works was delayed, citing that the new construction would interfere with access to their own buildings.
Notable alumni
- Rory AllenRory AllenRory Allen is an English ex-professional football player.A striker, Allen made his professional football debut for Tottenham Hotspur on 4 September 1996 as a substitute in a 1-0 defeat at Wimbledon ....
, former Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth F.C.Portsmouth F.C.Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
footballer - Harold Sydney BrideHarold Sydney BrideHarold Sydney Bride became the junior wireless officer on board the maiden voyage of the ocean liner RMS Titanic. The Titanic struck an iceberg at 11:40 pm 14 April 1912 and sank two hours and forty minutes later. Working with Jack Phillips, Bride helped inform Titanics Captain Smith about the...
, Wireless operator on the RMS Titanic - Norman HunterNorman Hunter (author)Norman George Lorimer Hunter was a British children's author, best known for his novels' character Professor Branestawm.-Career:Hunter wrote popular books on writing for advertising, brain-teasers and conjuring among many others...
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, Kent captain and former England cricketer - Henry MeeHenry MeeHenry Mee is a British painter. He read Fine Art at the University of Leeds awarded a place by Professor Sir Lawrence Gowing, graduating in 1979....
, Artist - John TyndallJohn Tyndall (politician)John Hutchyns Tyndall was a British politician who was prominently associated with several fascist/neo-Nazi sects. However, he is best known for leading the National Front in the 1970s and founding the contemporary British National Party in 1982.The most prominent figure in British nationalism...
, right-wing politician and writer - David CaseDavid CaseAir Commodore David Case is the highest ranking black officer in the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom, and as of 2000, at the age of 47, he became the highest ranking black officer ever to serve in Britain's armed forces. He was born in Guyana, and immigrated to Britain at the age of 5...
, Air Commodore, highest ranking black officer in the British Forces
Beckenham and Penge County Grammar School
- Hugh BeanHugh BeanHugh Cecil Bean CBE was an English violinist.He was born in Beckenham. After lessons from his father from the age of five, he became a pupil of Albert Sammons when he was nine years old. Later, he attended the Royal College of Music , where at age 17 he was awarded the principal prize for violin...
CBE, Professor of Violin at the Royal College of MusicRoyal College of MusicThe Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
1954–2003 - Carey BlytonCarey BlytonCarey Blyton was a British composer and writer best known for his song Bananas In Pyjamas which later became an Australian children's television series, and for his work on Doctor Who....
, Composer of Bananas in PyjamasBananas in PyjamasBananas in Pyjamas is an Australian children's television show that premiered in July 1992 on ABC Television. It has since become syndicated in many different countries, and dubbed into other languages. In the United States, the "Pyjamas" in the title was modified to reflect the American spelling... - Air Vice-MarshalAir Vice-MarshalAir vice-marshal is a two-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force. The rank is also used by the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence and it is sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in...
Ronald Dick CB, Station Commander of RAF HoningtonRAF HoningtonRAF Honington is a Royal Air Force station located south of Thetford near Ixworth in Suffolk, England. Although used as a bomber station during the Second World War, RAF Honington is now the RAF Regiment depot and home to the Joint CBRN Regiment.-RAF use:...
1978–80, and Head of British Defence Staff – US 1984–8
- Michael FinnissyMichael FinnissyMichael Finnissy is an English composer and pianist. His music is characterised by the range of extremes often found in his work; opposing binary structures are found commonly, often seen as juxtaposing textures, register and tempi...
, composer and Professor of Composition since 1999 at the University of SouthamptonUniversity of SouthamptonThe University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed... - Patrick GroundPatrick GroundReginald Patrick Ground, QC is a British Conservative politician.He served as a councillor on the London Borough of Hammersmith from 1968 to 1971 representing Parson's Green ward, and later chaired the Fulham Society....
, Conservative MP for Feltham and Heston 1983–92 - John Miles, typographer, who designed all the covers of Which?Which?Which? is a product-testing and consumer campaigning charity with a magazine, website and various other services run by Which? Ltd ....
1968-88 (with Colin BanksColin BanksColin Banks co-founder of Banks & Miles, designers and typographers, founded in London in 1958 with partner John Miles...
) and designed the logos for the Royal MailRoyal MailRoyal Mail is the government-owned postal service in the United Kingdom. Royal Mail Holdings plc owns Royal Mail Group Limited, which in turn operates the brands Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide...
and the former British TelecomBT GroupBT Group plc is a global telecommunications services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is one of the largest telecommunications services companies in the world and has operations in more than 170 countries. Through its BT Global Services division it is a major supplier of...
, and all the current lettering of London UndergroundLondon UndergroundThe London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and some parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Essex in England... - John Clifford StrongJohn Clifford StrongJohn Clifford Strong was Governor of the Turks and Caicos from August 1978 to September 1982. Strong was succeeded by Christopher J. Turner in October 1982.-References:...
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1978–82 - Derek UnderwoodDerek UnderwoodDerek Underwood MBE is an English former international cricketer, and a former President of the MCC....
, Kent and England bowler (known as 'Deadly' by the Australians) - Bill WymanBill WymanBill Wyman is an English musician best known as the bass guitarist for the English rock and roll band the Rolling Stones from 1962 until 1992. Since 1997, he has recorded and toured with his own band, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings...
, musician, ex-member of the Rolling Stones