Dartford Grammar School 3036169 225797367 2008-07-15T13:18:58Z Chamal N 6928581 Reverted 1 edit by [[Special:Contributions/79.170.176.22|79.170.176.22]] identified as [[WP:VAND|vandalism]] to last revision by [[User:Elkman|Elkman]]. using [[WP:TWINKLE|TW]] {{For|the girls' grammar school|Dartford Grammar School for Girls}} {{Infobox UK school | name = Dartford Grammar School | image = | size = | latitude = 51.44515 | longitude = 0.20547 | dms = dms | crest = | motto = "Ora et Labora" (Pray and work) | motto_pl = | established = [[1576]] | type = Selective Secondary Foundation School | head_label = Executive Hedteacher | head = Mr Anthony Smith | r_head_label = Head of School | r_head = Mr W. J. Oakes | chair_label = | chair = | founder = | founder_pl = | specialist = [[Language College]] | specialist_pl = Received 2nd specialism however unknown at this time | street = West Hill | city = [[Dartford]] | county = [[Kent]] | country = [[England]] | postcode = DA1 2HW | LEA = [[Kent]] | ofsted = 118878 | staff = | enrollment = 1193 | gender = Boys - Mixed in Sixth Form | lower_age = 11 | upper_age = 18 | houses = D'aeth, Gwyn, Havelock, Vaughan, Wilson | colours = | publication = | free_label_1 = | free_1 = | free_label_2 = | free_2 = | free_label_3 = | free_3 = | website = http://www.dartfordgrammar.kent.sch.uk/ | website_name = Dartford Grammar School }} '''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 head of school is W.J. Oakes and the executive headmaster is Mr A.J. Smith. The main school colours are gold and maroon. ==Academic performance== In [[2004]], 99% of Year 11 gained 7+ grades A*-C in [[GCSE]] exams. A very high proportion of Year 13 students proceed to [[university]]. The school has been included in [[Ofsted]]'s website as one of England's most successful schools and colleges{{Fact|date=October 2007}}, having been judged to be outstandingly successful in each of the two Chief Inspector's reports. 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{{Fact|date=October 2007}}. ==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 Hardy]] 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 [[Harold Pochin|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 majority of the new sixth form centre. The Beckets Sports centre is shared with the public in agreement with the school, in the same way as [[The Mick Jagger Centre]], a £2.2m 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. The Keyes Building, named after the aforementioned [[Sidney Keyes]] contains many classrooms and also the large learning resources centre. The current school field is located next to [[Dartford Technology College]], where the pavilion has recently been replaced. ==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 the 1990s). D’Aeth, Gwyn and Vaughan are named after the three founders of the School: lawyer William D'Aeth, merchant Edward Gwyn and [[William Vaughan (philanthropist)|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 [[William James Erasmus Wilson|Erasmus Wilson]]. (Despite what is written in the stats box above, Keyes is not a house) ==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 on it for representing school in rugby. *A purple tie for success in performing arts. *A green tie for swimming or other sports. *A maroon tie for cricket. ==Notable alumni== Former pupils of the school who still contribute to the school, either by sponsership or simply by mere acknowledgement, are known as Old Dartfordians{{Fact|date=May 2008}}. *[[Henry Havelock|Sir Henry Havelock]], [[United Kingdom|British]] general *[[Henry Ambrose Hunt]], meteorologist *[[Mick Jagger]], rock musician *[[Sidney Keyes]], pre-war poet *[[Matt Morgan (comedian)|Matt Morgan]], comedian *[[Topsy Ojo]], England rugby player, [[London Irish]] fullback *[[Min Patel]], international cricketer *[[Michael Pearson]], clock-historian and author *[[John Rushby]], computer scientist *[[Alec Stock]], footballer *[[William James Erasmus Wilson|Sir Erasmus Wilson]], surgeon *[[I%27d_Do_Anything_%28BBC_TV_series%29#Oliver|Kwayedza Kureya]] - Part of BBC's I'd Do Anything *[[Tony Brooks]], fellow of the Institute of Mathematics ==References== *History of Dartford Grammar School by Ronald Hudson, 1966 ==External links== *[http://www.dartfordgrammar.kent.sch.uk/ Official website] *[https://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/index.cfm?fuseaction=summary&id=118878&bar=no Ofsted Report] [[Category:Boys' schools in England]] [[Category:Educational institutions established in the 1570s]] [[Category:Grammar schools in Kent]] [[Category:Language Colleges in England]] [[Category:Dartford]]