The King's School, Grantham
Encyclopedia
The King's School is a British grammar school
located in the market town
of Grantham
, in Lincolnshire
, England
, and one of the oldest schools in the UK.
, although its history can be traced back to 1329. Nicholas Pevsner in his Buildings of England, dates the original School building to 1497. Foxe was born and raised locally. He entered into the service of Henry Tudor
, while Henry was in exile in Brittany
. When Henry took the throne of England
as Henry VII, Foxe became his secretary, and later founded Corpus Christi College, Oxford
(1517) and Taunton Grammar School
(1522). In the 16th century the School became known as the Free Grammar School of King Edward VI. Scholars numbered perhaps a few dozen at foundation, and there were still fewer than one hundred until the 20th century.
Isaac Newton was a King's School scholar between 1655 and 1660. As was customary in his time, he carved his signature on the wall of what is today's school library, although the signature has never been confirmed as authentic; visitors from around the world come to view this indication of Newton's education. A replica of the signature is on display in Grantham Museum.
In 1998, a comprehensive illustrated history of the School was published by former King's School mathematics teacher, S J Branson: The King's School Grantham - 660 years of a Grammar School.
since the implementation of the 1944 Education Act
.
The School adheres to long-held traditions: a prefect system to assist teachers in maintaining school discipline, the wearing of uniforms by sixth formers, the denotation of lower and senior School status by uniform, and the award of "Colours" for academic and sporting achievement. Students are allocated to one of six School houses: Burghley, Curteis, Foxe, More, Newton, and School. Five are dedicated to famous former benefactors or scholars. School House was originally for students residing in a boarding house which closed in 2004. Team competitions between houses include Rugby and Music, and those at Sports Day.
A new building project, developed on a neighbouring plot of land, was opened in 2007. Called The Isaac Newton Block or, simply, the Newton Block, it was designed for teaching business studies, languages, geography, and art. Part of the project was the refurbishment of the former Vicarage Block, previously used for teaching Geography; this building became a Sixth Form Centre providing for A-Level study. Buildings dating from before the time of Newton remain part of the site despite modern development.
, cricket
and association football. Since the early 1980s, it has excelled in water polo
, contributing a large number of players at local, regional, national and international schools level.
Recently, a King's School team reached the national finals in the BSGA Gymnastics
competition, the Under 13's table tennis team finished fourth in the country at a major tournament, and one of the School's Year 11 students was chosen to join the UK Under 16 Rugby Squad.
In early 2008, the School cricket team toured Australia and Singapore, competing in 6 games. It played Singapore Cricket Club
, Trinity Grammar School, Mentone Grammar School
, and Oxley College
.
, have shared teaching resources for sixth form
study in certain subjects. Since 2006-2007, timetables for this study have been co-ordinated between both schools to aid learning.
The School has been awarded Business and Enterprise College
status in partnership with The Grantham Church (VA) High School, and has achieved Language College
status.
(CCF). Its military connection goes back around 200 years before that of the CCF (and indeed the Officers' Training Corps as it became in 1904). Records in the County Archives
detailing the awarding of the rank of "Drum Major" to a King's School scholar in the early 19th century, suggest that the School had a military tradition long before that of the CCF.
The CCF unit of 180+ cadets is commanded by an RAF Squadron Leader
and currently consists of Army and RAF sections. Students can join the Contingent from the September they enter Year 9; they are issued with uniforms, but are usually not permitted to attend out-of-school activities until they pass training examinations.
The Army section of the CCF, the larger of the two, regularly sends teams to the Combat Cadet Competition and National Cadet First Aid Competition. The RAF section has sent teams to the CCF/RAF National Ground Training Competition
held at nearby RAF Cranwell
, and in 2011 at RAF Halton
. In 2007 and 2011 the section was placed first, and in 2010, third.
,) surmounted by a Bishop's Mitre. This use of the "garter motto" is almost unique for an institution as it is normally only used by holders The Most Noble Order of the Garter
.
Students wear white shirts with black trousers, and black jackets, not blazers, with blue and maroon striped ties (years 7-11), or maroon jackets with blue ties (years 12-13). Jackets bear the School crest on the breast pocket. School uniform is also worn by 6th form students.
Grammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
located in the market town
Market town
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city...
of Grantham
Grantham
Grantham is a market town within the South Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England. It bestrides the East Coast Main Line railway , the historic A1 main north-south road, and the River Witham. Grantham is located approximately south of the city of Lincoln, and approximately east of Nottingham...
, in Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and one of the oldest schools in the UK.
History
The King's School has an unbroken history on the same site since its re-endowment in 1528 by Richard FoxeRichard Foxe
Richard Foxe was an English churchman, successively Bishop of Exeter, Bath and Wells, Durham, and Winchester, Lord Privy Seal, and founder of Corpus Christi College, Oxford.-Life:...
, although its history can be traced back to 1329. Nicholas Pevsner in his Buildings of England, dates the original School building to 1497. Foxe was born and raised locally. He entered into the service of Henry Tudor
Henry VII of England
Henry VII was King of England and Lord of Ireland from his seizing the crown on 22 August 1485 until his death on 21 April 1509, as the first monarch of the House of Tudor....
, while Henry was in exile in Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
. When Henry took the throne of England
Throne of England
The Throne of England is the English term used to identify the throne of the King of England. The term can refer to very specific seating, as in King Edward's Chair, which has been used in the coronations of British kings for eight centuries...
as Henry VII, Foxe became his secretary, and later founded Corpus Christi College, Oxford
Corpus Christi College, Oxford
Corpus Christi College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom...
(1517) and Taunton Grammar School
Taunton Grammar School
Taunton Grammar School, was an English educational institution in Taunton, Somerset. It was founded by Bishop Richard Foxe, in 1522, and remained in operation until 1870. The building remains today as Taunton's Municipal Hall.-References:...
(1522). In the 16th century the School became known as the Free Grammar School of King Edward VI. Scholars numbered perhaps a few dozen at foundation, and there were still fewer than one hundred until the 20th century.
Isaac Newton was a King's School scholar between 1655 and 1660. As was customary in his time, he carved his signature on the wall of what is today's school library, although the signature has never been confirmed as authentic; visitors from around the world come to view this indication of Newton's education. A replica of the signature is on display in Grantham Museum.
In 1998, a comprehensive illustrated history of the School was published by former King's School mathematics teacher, S J Branson: The King's School Grantham - 660 years of a Grammar School.
Famous early scholars
- William CecilWilliam Cecil, 1st Baron BurghleyWilliam Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley , KG was an English statesman, the chief advisor of Queen Elizabeth I for most of her reign, twice Secretary of State and Lord High Treasurer from 1572...
(ca.1530s); - Henry MoreHenry MoreHenry More FRS was an English philosopher of the Cambridge Platonist school.-Biography:Henry was born at Grantham and was schooled at The King's School, Grantham and at Eton College...
(ca.1620s); - Isaac NewtonIsaac NewtonSir Isaac Newton PRS was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist, and theologian, who has been "considered by many to be the greatest and most influential scientist who ever lived."...
(1655–1659); - Colley CibberColley CibberColley Cibber was an English actor-manager, playwright and Poet Laureate. His colourful memoir Apology for the Life of Colley Cibber describes his life in a personal, anecdotal and even rambling style...
(1682–1687).
Notable scholars
- Oliver Anderson, writer
- James AtlayJames AtlayJames Atlay was the 98th Anglican Bishop of Hereford, from 1868 to 1894.James Atlay was the son of Rev Henry Atlay and Elizabeth Rayner Hovell. Educated at Oakham School, he entered St John's College, Cambridge, where he held a fellowship from 1846 to 1859...
, Bishop of HerefordBishop of HerefordThe Bishop of Hereford is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Hereford in the Province of Canterbury.The see is in the City of Hereford where the seat is located at the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary and Saint Ethelbert which was founded as a cathedral in 676.The Bishop's residence is...
from 1868-94 - Albert BallAlbert BallAlbert Ball VC, DSO & Two Bars, MC was an English fighter pilot of the First World War and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British or Commonwealth armed forces...
VCVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
DSODistinguished Service OrderThe Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
MCMilitary CrossThe Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(1896–1917), World War I RFCRoyal Flying CorpsThe Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
flying aceFlying aceA flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more... - Frederic BarkerFrederic BarkerFrederic Barker was the second Anglican bishop of Sydney.- Early life :Barker was born at Baslow, Derbyshire, England, fifth son of the Rev. John Barker and his wife Jane, née Whyte. He was educated at The King's School, Grantham and Jesus College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1831, M. A....
, Anglican Bishop of Sydney from 1854-82 - Andy Bond, Chief Executive from 2005-10 of AsdaAsdaAsda Stores Ltd is a British supermarket chain which retails food, clothing, general merchandise, toys and financial services. It also has a mobile telephone network, , Asda Mobile...
- Prof Eric Bradshaw MBE, Professor of Electrical Engineering from 1951-62 at the University of ManchesterUniversity of ManchesterThe University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
, and founder of the Bulletin of Electrical Engineering Education in 1948 which became the International Journal of Electrical Engineering Education (Manchester University PressManchester University PressManchester University Press is the university press of the University of Manchester, England and a publisher of academic books and journals. Manchester University Press has developed into an international publisher...
) - Andy Clarke, Asda Chief Executive since 2010
- Noel Cox OBE, Warden of the Royal Academy of MusicRoyal Academy of MusicThe Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
- Sir John Cust, 3rd BaronetSir John Cust, 3rd BaronetSir John Cust, 3rd Baronet PC was a British politician. He served as Speaker of the House of Commons from 1761 to 1770....
, Speaker of the House of Commons from 1761-70 and MP from 1743-70 for GranthamGrantham (UK Parliament constituency)Grantham was a Parliamentary constituency in Lincolnshire, England.The constituency was created in 1468 as a parliamentary borough which elected two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of England until the union with Scotland, and then to the Parliament of Great Britain... - Johnny Haddon DownesJohnny Haddon DownesJohnny Downes DFC was an English Royal Air Force flyer and television producer.Born in Great Easton, Leicestershire, Downes attended The King's School, Grantham...
DFC, BBC television producer - Prof Kenneth Durrands CBE, Vice-Chancellor from 1992-5 of the University of HuddersfieldUniversity of HuddersfieldThe University of Huddersfield is a university located in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England.- History :The University traces its roots back to a Science and Mechanic Institute founded in 1825...
(Rector from 1970-92 of Huddersfield Polytechnic) - Michael GarnerMichael GarnerMichael Garner is an English theatre and television actor.-Education:Galliard Road Primary School, Edmonton. The Kings School, Grantham...
, actor - Prof Vernon C. GibsonVernon C. Gibson-Early life:He was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, the son of Dennis and Pamela Gibson. He attended the King’s School in Grantham , then studied at Sheffield where he graduated in 1980. After gaining a D.Phil...
, Chief Chemist of BPBPBP p.l.c. is a global oil and gas company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest energy company and fourth-largest company in the world measured by revenues and one of the six oil and gas "supermajors"...
plc since 2008, Sir Edward Frankland BP Professor of Inoprganic Chemistry from 2001-8 at Imperial College LondonImperial College LondonImperial College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom, specialising in science, engineering, business and medicine...
, and married to Professor Susan Gibson (also a Professor of Chemistry at Imperial College) - Jason Haynes, cricketer
- Prof Lionel Charles KnightsLionel Charles KnightsLionel Charles Knights was an English literary critic, an authority on Shakespeare and his period. His essay How many children had Lady Macbeth? is a classic of modern criticism. He became King Edward VII Professor of English Literature at the University of Cambridge in 1965.-Early life:He was...
, King Edward VII Professor of English LiteratureKing Edward VII Professor of English LiteratureThe King Edward VII Professorship of English Literature is one of the senior professorships in literature at the University of Cambridge, and was founded by a donation from Sir Harold Harmsworth in 1910 in memory of King Edward VII who had died earlier that year.-King Edward VII Professors:* Arthur...
from 1965-73 at the University of CambridgeUniversity of CambridgeThe 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...
, and Winterstoke Professor of English from 1953-64 at the University of BristolUniversity of BristolThe University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is... - Philip Knights, Baron KnightsPhilip Knights, Baron KnightsPhilip Douglas Knights, Baron Knights CBE QPM is a retired British police officer.Knights was educated in Grantham. He joined Lincolnshire Police as a police cadet in 1938, becoming a constable in 1940. In the war, he served in the RAF from 1943-5. He returned to Lincolnshire, reaching the rank of...
CBE, Chief Constable from 1975-85 of West Midlands PoliceWest Midlands PoliceWest Midlands Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England.Covering an area with nearly 2.6 million inhabitants, which includes the cities of Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton and also the Black Country; the force is made up...
, and from 1974-5 of South Yorkshire PoliceSouth Yorkshire PoliceSouth Yorkshire Police is the territorial police force responsible for policing South Yorkshire in England.The police force covers an area of approximately 1,554 square kilometres which is made up of the county's three boroughs , along with the City of Sheffield. The resident population is 1.2...
, and President from 1978-9 of ACPOAssociation of Chief Police OfficersThe Association of Chief Police Officers , established in 1948, is a private limited company that leads the development of policing practice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.ACPO provides a forum for chief police officers to share ideas and coordinates the strategic... - Henry MoreHenry MoreHenry More FRS was an English philosopher of the Cambridge Platonist school.-Biography:Henry was born at Grantham and was schooled at The King's School, Grantham and at Eton College...
, 17th century philosopher; - Mark A. O'NeillMark A. O'NeillMark A. O'Neill is an English biologist and computer scientist with interests in artificial intelligence, systems biology, complex systems and image analysis...
, biologist and computer scientist - Pinch (drummer)Pinch (drummer)Pinch is the current drummer in punk band The Damned. He has been with the band since 1999. He attended the King's School in Grantham, where he was a founder member of the English Dogs....
- Sir William Tindal RobertsonWilliam Tindal RobertsonSir William Tindal Robertson , was an English physician. He represented Brighton in Parliament from 29 Nov 1886 - 25 Oct 1889....
, Conservative MP from 1886-9 for BrightonBrighton (UK Parliament constituency)Brighton was a parliamentary constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 until it was divided into single-member seats from the United Kingdom general election, 1950... - Norman ShrapnelNorman ShrapnelNorman Shrapnel , was an English journalist, author, and parliamentary correspondent.Shrapnel was born in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, and was educated at The King's School, Grantham. In 1947, after war service in the RAF, he joined the Manchester Guardian as reporter, book reviewer, and theatre critic...
(1912–2004), political correspondent and author, Parliamentary Correspondent from 1958-75 of The Guardian - Bernard Smith, geologist, Director of Geological Survey of Great Britain from 1935-6
- Prof Stanley Parker Smith CBE, electrical engineer
- John StillJohn StillJohn Still , bishop of Bath and Wells enjoyed considerable fame as a preacher and disputant. He was formerly reputed to be the author of the early English comedy drama Gammer Gurton's Needle .-Career:...
, former Bishop of Bath and WellsBishop of Bath and WellsThe Bishop of Bath and Wells heads the Church of England Diocese of Bath and Wells in the Province of Canterbury in England.The present diocese covers the vast majority of the county of Somerset and a small area of Dorset. The Episcopal seat is located in the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew in...
from 1593-1608 - Joseph Harcourt TombsJoseph Harcourt TombsJoseph Harcourt Tombs VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-VC action:...
, VCVictoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
(1884–1966); - George M H Walker, editor, publisher and engineer, former Editor of The Industrial PioneerThe Industrial PioneerThe Industrial Pioneer was an official publication of the Industrial Workers of the World from 1921 to 1926. Published in Chicago, it pulished the first biography of Joe Hill. The complete publication is available on microfiche....
- Rt Rev William Wand, Bishop of LondonBishop of LondonThe Bishop of London is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of London in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers 458 km² of 17 boroughs of Greater London north of the River Thames and a small part of the County of Surrey...
from 1945-55, Bishop of Bath and WellsBishop of Bath and WellsThe Bishop of Bath and Wells heads the Church of England Diocese of Bath and Wells in the Province of Canterbury in England.The present diocese covers the vast majority of the county of Somerset and a small area of Dorset. The Episcopal seat is located in the Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew in...
from 1943-5, and Archbishop of BrisbaneAnglican Diocese of BrisbaneThe Anglican Diocese of Brisbane is based in Brisbane, Australia. The diocesan bishop's seat is St John's Cathedral, Brisbane. The current Archbishop of Brisbane is the Most Reverend Phillip Aspinall, who is also the Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia.The diocese stretches from the inner...
and Metropolitan of Queensland from 1934-43
Today
The King's School has just over 1000 pupils, and has been a selective state grammar schoolGrammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
since the implementation of the 1944 Education Act
Education Act 1944
The Education Act 1944 changed the education system for secondary schools in England and Wales. This Act, commonly named after the Conservative politician R.A...
.
The School adheres to long-held traditions: a prefect system to assist teachers in maintaining school discipline, the wearing of uniforms by sixth formers, the denotation of lower and senior School status by uniform, and the award of "Colours" for academic and sporting achievement. Students are allocated to one of six School houses: Burghley, Curteis, Foxe, More, Newton, and School. Five are dedicated to famous former benefactors or scholars. School House was originally for students residing in a boarding house which closed in 2004. Team competitions between houses include Rugby and Music, and those at Sports Day.
A new building project, developed on a neighbouring plot of land, was opened in 2007. Called The Isaac Newton Block or, simply, the Newton Block, it was designed for teaching business studies, languages, geography, and art. Part of the project was the refurbishment of the former Vicarage Block, previously used for teaching Geography; this building became a Sixth Form Centre providing for A-Level study. Buildings dating from before the time of Newton remain part of the site despite modern development.
Sport
The King's School has a long history of participation in rugby union footballRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
, cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
and association football. Since the early 1980s, it has excelled in water polo
Water polo
Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
, contributing a large number of players at local, regional, national and international schools level.
Recently, a King's School team reached the national finals in the BSGA Gymnastics
Gymnastics
Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...
competition, the Under 13's table tennis team finished fourth in the country at a major tournament, and one of the School's Year 11 students was chosen to join the UK Under 16 Rugby Squad.
In early 2008, the School cricket team toured Australia and Singapore, competing in 6 games. It played Singapore Cricket Club
Singapore Cricket Club
The Singapore Cricket Club is one of the premier sports and social clubs in Singapore. Its clubhouse is located at the Padang in Singapore's central business district....
, Trinity Grammar School, Mentone Grammar School
Mentone Grammar School
Mentone Grammar School is an independent, Anglican co-educational grammar school in Mentone, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.-History:...
, and Oxley College
Oxley College (Burradoo, NSW)
Oxley College is an independent, co-educational, secondary day school, founded on Christian principles.The college takes its name from the early Australian explorer John Oxley and nestles at the foot of a hill named after him...
.
School links
King's and another Grantham grammar school, Kesteven and Grantham Girls' SchoolKesteven and Grantham Girls' School
Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School is a grammar school for girls in Grantham, Lincolnshire, established in 1910.-Admissions:It has over 1000 pupils ranging from ages 11–18, with its own sixth form based on site in the Harrowby House building...
, have shared teaching resources for 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,...
study in certain subjects. Since 2006-2007, timetables for this study have been co-ordinated between both schools to aid learning.
The School has been awarded Business and Enterprise College
Business and Enterprise College
Business and Enterprise Colleges were introduced in 2002 as part of the Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enables secondary schools to specialise in certain fields...
status in partnership with The Grantham Church (VA) High School, and has achieved Language College
Language College
Language Colleges were introduced in 1995 as part of the Specialist Schools Programme in the United Kingdom. The system enables secondary schools to specialise in certain fields, in this case, modern foreign languages...
status.
Combined Cadet Force
The King's School is one of a small number of state schools to run a Combined Cadet ForceCombined Cadet Force
The Combined Cadet Force is a Ministry of Defence sponsored youth organisation in the United Kingdom. Its aim is to "provide a disciplined organisation in a school so that pupils may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self reliance,...
(CCF). Its military connection goes back around 200 years before that of the CCF (and indeed the Officers' Training Corps as it became in 1904). Records in the County Archives
Lincolnshire Archives
Lincolnshire Archives is the county record office of Lincolnshire, England. It was established as a county service in 1948 by the Lincolnshire Archives Committee, which had been formally constituted on 24 October 1947 with Sir Sir Robert Pattinson as chairman...
detailing the awarding of the rank of "Drum Major" to a King's School scholar in the early 19th century, suggest that the School had a military tradition long before that of the CCF.
The CCF unit of 180+ cadets is commanded by an RAF Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
and currently consists of Army and RAF sections. Students can join the Contingent from the September they enter Year 9; they are issued with uniforms, but are usually not permitted to attend out-of-school activities until they pass training examinations.
The Army section of the CCF, the larger of the two, regularly sends teams to the Combat Cadet Competition and National Cadet First Aid Competition. The RAF section has sent teams to the CCF/RAF National Ground Training Competition
Ground Training Competition
The Ground Training Competition, or The Air Squadron Trophy Competition as it is has recently been renamed, was created in 1998 as a way for CCF sections to contest the Air Squadron Trophy.-The Regional & National Stages:...
held at nearby RAF Cranwell
RAF Cranwell
RAF Cranwell is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire close to the village of Cranwell, near Sleaford. It is currently commanded by Group Captain Dave Waddington...
, and in 2011 at RAF Halton
RAF Halton
RAF Halton is one of the largest Royal Air Force stations in the United Kingdom, located near the village of Halton near Wendover, Buckinghamshire.HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is the Honorary Air Commodore of RAF Halton.-History:...
. In 2007 and 2011 the section was placed first, and in 2010, third.
Uniform
The King's School uniform includes a Badge: the emblem of Bishop Foxe surrounded by a garter containing the motto Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense,( "shame upon him who thinks evil upon it", or "evil to him who evil thinks") (Order of the GarterOrder of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
,) surmounted by a Bishop's Mitre. This use of the "garter motto" is almost unique for an institution as it is normally only used by holders The Most Noble Order of the Garter
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
.
Students wear white shirts with black trousers, and black jackets, not blazers, with blue and maroon striped ties (years 7-11), or maroon jackets with blue ties (years 12-13). Jackets bear the School crest on the breast pocket. School uniform is also worn by 6th form students.