Dartford Grammar School
Encyclopedia
Dartford Grammar School is a selective secondary (ages 11–18) foundation school for boys in Dartford
, Kent
, England, which admits girls to its sixth form (ages 16–18). All of the students joining the school are from the top 25% of the ability range. The students come from Dartford, neighbouring towns and villages, and nearby London
boroughs, as well as an increasing number of students from Essex
. The current roll is 1242, including 461 in the sixth form. The school was founded in 1576 and has seen several different locations since this date. The current headteacher is Mr Oakes, who succeeded Mr Smith, who retired on 2 April 2009 after 23 years service at the school. The school currently has two deputy headteachers, Mr Tibbott, and Dr Kingham who was appointed as Mr Oakes' replacement.
Due to the school's 'Outstanding' Ofsted inspection in 2008, the school was given the opportunity to choose a third specialism, following Language College Status and the IB Programme; the school chose Science, which will result in an increased budget available next financial year. In 2011, the school chose to adopt the status of an Academy, which would provide extra funding to the school, although no name change was required.
In 2009 and 2010, a combined total of 30 students in the sixth form gained posts at Oxbridge Universities. The average IB diploma score has been 34 for the last two years which is equal to 3 A*'s at A Level.
The school has been included in Ofsted
's website as one of England's most successful schools and colleges, having been judged to be outstandingly successful in each of the two Chief Inspector's reports, receiving 100% (outstanding in all categories) in the 2008 Ofsted inspection. Only 123 secondary schools in England have achieved this, and only three in Kent.
As of 2007, the school has been awarded the right to teach the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, becoming the first school in Britain and the first state school in the world to teach the course.
The Financial Times
ranks the school 734th in the country
who was an assistant architect to Arthur Blomfield
, the main architect who designed the building. The original field is now used to house the building additions, which started with the Science block in 1928 (now named the Stephenson building after the late head of Science Dr Brian Stephenson), followed by most of the remaining buildings in 1940. The three-floored classroom building is named after Major Harold Pochin, Headmaster from 1920 to 1946.
Other buildings include the Gwyn building, named after Edward Gwyn, one of the school founders, containing technology and business teaching rooms, as well as the Kaika (Sixth Form) centre, where in 2008, 5 new teaching rooms were opened, mainly for sixth form use, named the 'John Field Suite' after the late chair of the governors, John Field. The Beckets Sports centre is shared with the public in agreement with the school, in the same way as The Mick Jagger Centre
, a £2.2 million development financed with National Lottery funding by the Arts Council of England. The Mick Jagger Centre was opened in March 2000 by The Duke of Kent
, hosts a number of performing arts events. From Summer 09 to Spring 10, the Mick Jagger Centre and part of the Pochin and Stephenson blocks went under a major redevelopment, which provided a brand new drama studio, a new science lab, a food technology lab, a new staff room, new art rooms and classrooms.
The Keyes Building, named after the aforementioned Sidney Keyes
contains many classrooms and also the large Learning Resources Centre (School Library). The current school field is located next to Dartford Technology College, where the pavilion was extended and refurbished in 2008, and dedicated to Arthur Jones, a previous student of the school.
The House system was introduced in 1916 with four Houses (Gwyn House being added in 1997). D’Aeth, Gwyn and Vaughan are named after the three founders of the School: lawyer William D'Aeth, merchant Edward Gwyn and William Vaughan
, a landowner and philanthropist. Havelock is named after the British General Henry Havelock
, a former student at the school, and Wilson is named after another distinguished former pupil, Sir Erasmus Wilson
.
Dartford
Dartford is the principal town in the borough of Dartford. It is situated in the northwest corner of Kent, England, east south-east of central London....
, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
, England, which admits girls to its sixth form (ages 16–18). All of the students joining the school are from the top 25% of the ability range. The students come from Dartford, neighbouring towns and villages, and nearby London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
boroughs, as well as an increasing number of students from Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
. The current roll is 1242, including 461 in the sixth form. The school was founded in 1576 and has seen several different locations since this date. The current headteacher is Mr Oakes, who succeeded Mr Smith, who retired on 2 April 2009 after 23 years service at the school. The school currently has two deputy headteachers, Mr Tibbott, and Dr Kingham who was appointed as Mr Oakes' replacement.
Due to the school's 'Outstanding' Ofsted inspection in 2008, the school was given the opportunity to choose a third specialism, following Language College Status and the IB Programme; the school chose Science, which will result in an increased budget available next financial year. In 2011, the school chose to adopt the status of an Academy, which would provide extra funding to the school, although no name change was required.
Academic performance
In 2010, 99% of Year 11 gained 7+ grades A*-C in GCSE exams. The school came second in the School Rankings for the new English Bacc in 2010. Most of Year 13 students proceed to university, with a majority gaining their first or second choice of university.In 2009 and 2010, a combined total of 30 students in the sixth form gained posts at Oxbridge Universities. The average IB diploma score has been 34 for the last two years which is equal to 3 A*'s at A Level.
The school has been included in Ofsted
Ofsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....
's website as one of England's most successful schools and colleges, having been judged to be outstandingly successful in each of the two Chief Inspector's reports, receiving 100% (outstanding in all categories) in the 2008 Ofsted inspection. Only 123 secondary schools in England have achieved this, and only three in Kent.
As of 2007, the school has been awarded the right to teach the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, becoming the first school in Britain and the first state school in the world to teach the course.
The Financial Times
Financial Times
The Financial Times is an international business newspaper. It is a morning daily newspaper published in London and printed in 24 cities around the world. Its primary rival is the Wall Street Journal, published in New York City....
ranks the school 734th in the country
Locations and buildings
The school currently is located on Shepherds Lane, Dartford at the top of West Hill, having moved since lessons were initially given in the high street above the Corn Market house, which was demolished in 1769. The school moved to its present location in 1864. The original school house (facing Dartford Road) is now referred to as the Hardy Building, named after the novelist Thomas HardyThomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy, OM was an English novelist and poet. While his works typically belong to the Naturalism movement, several poems display elements of the previous Romantic and Enlightenment periods of literature, such as his fascination with the supernatural.While he regarded himself primarily as a...
who was an assistant architect to Arthur Blomfield
Arthur Blomfield
Sir Arthur William Blomfield was an English architect.-Background:The fourth son of Charles James Blomfield, an Anglican Bishop of London helpfully began a programme of new church construction in the capital. Born in Fulham Palace, Arthur Blomfield was educated at Rugby and Trinity College,...
, the main architect who designed the building. The original field is now used to house the building additions, which started with the Science block in 1928 (now named the Stephenson building after the late head of Science Dr Brian Stephenson), followed by most of the remaining buildings in 1940. The three-floored classroom building is named after Major Harold Pochin, Headmaster from 1920 to 1946.
Other buildings include the Gwyn building, named after Edward Gwyn, one of the school founders, containing technology and business teaching rooms, as well as the Kaika (Sixth Form) centre, where in 2008, 5 new teaching rooms were opened, mainly for sixth form use, named the 'John Field Suite' after the late chair of the governors, John Field. The Beckets Sports centre is shared with the public in agreement with the school, in the same way as The Mick Jagger Centre
The Mick Jagger Centre
The Mick Jagger Centre is performing arts venue in Dartford, England. It is on the site of Dartford Grammar School; however, it is also open to the local community. The Centre is named after the Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger, who was a pupil at the school...
, a £2.2 million development financed with National Lottery funding by the Arts Council of England. The Mick Jagger Centre was opened in March 2000 by The Duke of Kent
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
The Duke of Kent graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 29 July 1955 as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Scots Greys, the beginning of a military career that would last over 20 years. He was promoted to captain on 29 July 1961. The Duke of Kent saw service in Hong Kong from 1962–63...
, hosts a number of performing arts events. From Summer 09 to Spring 10, the Mick Jagger Centre and part of the Pochin and Stephenson blocks went under a major redevelopment, which provided a brand new drama studio, a new science lab, a food technology lab, a new staff room, new art rooms and classrooms.
The Keyes Building, named after the aforementioned Sidney Keyes
Sidney Keyes
Sidney Arthur Kilworth Keyes was an English poet of World War II.- Early years :Keyes was born on 27 May 1922. He attended Tonbridge School for his secondary education and later, for his tertiary, the University of Oxford...
contains many classrooms and also the large Learning Resources Centre (School Library). The current school field is located next to Dartford Technology College, where the pavilion was extended and refurbished in 2008, and dedicated to Arthur Jones, a previous student of the school.
House system
The students are divided into five Houses:- D'Aeth (Yellow)
- Gwyn (Purple)
- Havelock (Red)
- Vaughan (Green)
- Wilson (Blue)
The House system was introduced in 1916 with four Houses (Gwyn House being added in 1997). D’Aeth, Gwyn and Vaughan are named after the three founders of the School: lawyer William D'Aeth, merchant Edward Gwyn and William Vaughan
William Vaughan (philanthropist)
William Vaughan was an English landowner, farmer and philanthropist who lived in the mid-16th century in the Dartford and Erith area of north-west Kent...
, a landowner and philanthropist. Havelock is named after the British General Henry Havelock
Henry Havelock
Major-General Sir Henry Havelock, KCB was a British general who is particularly associated with India. He was noted for his recapture of Cawnpore from rebels during Indian Rebellion of 1857.-Early life:...
, a former student at the school, and Wilson is named after another distinguished former pupil, Sir Erasmus Wilson
William James Erasmus Wilson
Sir William James Erasmus 'Orgasmus' Wilson FRCS FRS , generally known as Sir Erasmus Wilson, was an English surgeon and dermatologist.-Biography:...
.
Colours system
Colours can be awarded for a number of different achievements. These can range from being an honourable ambassador to the school, to achieving outstanding results in performing arts. Here is a list of colours which can be awarded:- A badge with the school crest depicted (known as school colours) on it for representing school in rugby, swimming, cricket or athletics.
- A purple tie for success in performing arts.
- A green tie for swimming or other sports.
- A maroon tie for cricket.
- Tour Ties to recognise participation in a Foreign Sports tours
- County Sports ties can be worn or National Ties such as NYO (National Youth Orchestra) ties can be worn
Notable former pupils
Former pupils of the school who still contribute to the school, either by sponsorship or simply by mere acknowledgment, are known as Old Dartfordians.- Sir Henry HavelockHenry HavelockMajor-General Sir Henry Havelock, KCB was a British general who is particularly associated with India. He was noted for his recapture of Cawnpore from rebels during Indian Rebellion of 1857.-Early life:...
, general - Henry Ambrose HuntHenry Ambrose HuntHenry Ambrose Hunt was a British meteorologist noted for his contribution to meteorology in his adopted home of Australia...
, meteorologist - Sir Mick JaggerMick JaggerSir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger is an English musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and a founding member of The Rolling Stones....
, rock musician (vocalist of The Rolling StonesThe Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
) - Sidney KeyesSidney KeyesSidney Arthur Kilworth Keyes was an English poet of World War II.- Early years :Keyes was born on 27 May 1922. He attended Tonbridge School for his secondary education and later, for his tertiary, the University of Oxford...
, poet - Matt MorganMatt Morgan (comedian)Matthew "Matt" Morgan is an English comedian, actor, writer, DJ and radio presenter. He is best known for his work with Russell Brand, with whom he shared numerous writing credits, as well as co-hosting The Russell Brand Show on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music.-Writing:Morgan met Russell Brand when he...
, comedian - Topsy OjoTopsy OjoTemitope "Topsy" Ojo is an English rugby union player for the London Irish club, and has represented England at International level.He became a full member of the London Irish squad in April 2006, and now plays wing.-London Irish:...
, rugby player, London IrishLondon IrishLondon Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top...
fullback - Min PatelMin PatelMinal Mahesh Patel is a retired Indian-born cricketer; who made 2 appearances in Test cricket for England. He was a right-handed batsman and a slow left arm bowler, who primarily played for Kent....
, international cricketer - Michael Pearson, clock-historian and author
- John RushbyJohn RushbyJohn Rushby is a British computer scientist now based in the United States.John Rushby was born and brought up in London, where he attended Dartford Grammar School. He studied at the University of Newcastle in the UK, gaining his computer science BSc there in 1971 and his PhD in 1977.From 1974 to...
, computer scientist - Graham SmithGraham Smith (milliner)Graham Smith is a milliner from Kent, England. He was educated at Dartford Grammar School before studying at Bromley College of Art, 1956–57, and the Royal College of Art, London, 1958–59.-Career:...
, milliner - Alec StockAlec StockAlec William Alfred Stock was an English footballer and manager.-Career:Alec Stock was born in Peasedown St John and played as an inside-forward for Tottenham Hotspur, Charlton Athletic and QPR before the Second World War and guested for several other clubs during the hostilities...
, footballer - Derek UftonDerek UftonDerek Gilbert Ufton was a professional cricketer and footballer, and later a football manager for Plymouth Argyle....
, Charlton Athletic, England footballer, Kent CCC - Sir Erasmus WilsonWilliam James Erasmus WilsonSir William James Erasmus 'Orgasmus' Wilson FRCS FRS , generally known as Sir Erasmus Wilson, was an English surgeon and dermatologist.-Biography:...
, surgeon - Gareth JohnsonGareth JohnsonGareth Alan Johnson is a British Conservative Party politician. He was elected at the 2010 general election as Member of Parliament for Dartford, winning the seat from Labour.- Political career :...
, Conservative MP for Dartford