Caistor Grammar School

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Caistor Grammar School is a school in the English county of Lincolnshire. Founded in 1630, it is said to be one of the town of Caistor's most interesting buildings. Notable former students include Henry Newbolt and Dawn French.

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Caistor Grammar School is comprised of three 'main' buildings, a number of 'mobiles' and a large sports field (in keeping with its relatively new Sports College status). The number of students normally ranges from about 650 to 700, with many students opting to carry on their education in the Sixth Form once they reach the end of Year 11. The school is becoming a powerful force in the local community, with a number of newspapers, societies and various productions recently being produced (the vast majority of these organised by members of the English Department, Mrs Monica Jacques and Mrs Robson prominently) and these are now being augmented by a growing web-community, the school website first created by the Head of the ICT Department, Mr Tony Pearson.

1 History
2 School Buildings
3 Departments and Curriculum
4 Houses
5 Uniform
6 Ofsted
7 Notable Alumni
8 External links

[edit] History

Caistor Grammar School is an endowed Foundation dating from the reign of Charles I. The dissolution of the monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII had destroyed the principal sources of education of the times, and the numerous schools endowed throughout England during the following reigns are evidence that public-spirited men recognised the need created and endeavoured to meet it. Among others was Francis Rawlinson, of South Kelsey, who died in 1630 bequeathing money to endow a school at Caistor, and William Hansard of Biscathorpe, who supplemented the original gift in 1634. The moneys given were invested in the purchase of land at Cumberworth, and of the rectorial tithes of Bilsby of which the Governors are still lay impropriators. The original trustees were Sir Edward Asycough, of South Kelsey, Sir William Pelham, of Brocklesby, and Sir Christopher Wray, bt. of Glentworth (Lord Chief Justice of England); other trustees shouldered their responsibilities from time to time until 1885 when, under the Endowed Schools Act, the foundation was placed under and elective body of Governors, the Vicar of Caistor being an ex-officio member. In 1908 the school was recognised by the Board of Education.

[edit] School Buildings

The school occupies a site close to the centre of the small market town of Caistor. School buildings help to form two sides of a close around the ancient Parish Church. The ironstone School Hall dates from 1631 and is still in daily use. The School Library alongside is housed in what was the Congregational Church built in 1842. Casterby House, once a large private house and now the Sixth Form Centre, overlooks the churchyard from the far side of the school gates. The main teaching block dates from the 1930s but was extended and modernized in 1984. This building also contains classics and geography rooms. The Manning Building was opened in 1984 and provides teaching rooms for PE and modern languages and history and contains a large gymnasium. It has recently been enlarged to provide extra classrooms and a state of the art fitness suite and allows us to suite our on site sports facilities. Two new Technology Buildings were added in 1993 and 1994. The Main Block and Old Hall contain three rooms for design and technology, a specialist room for information and communication technology and a fifth science laboratory. At the bottom of the Terraces Lindsey House, the former boarding house, now includes a suite of English and Mathematics rooms. This extensive and ambitious re-development was officially opened by Lord Puttnam of Queensgate in November 2001. The Music Department has been redecorated and occupies a suite of rooms on the ground floor and our Art department uses creatively re-modelled accommodation on the ground and first floors. Lindsey House also contains the Dining Room which all pupils use at lunchtime. A lower entrance to the school serves Lindsey House. Next to the gates stands Beech House, where our Site Manager lives. Near this house is also a stream. Which has proven popular with younger students who play games which can invole falling in, or getting splashed.

[edit] Departments and Curriculum

Caistor Grammar School work a 43 period week over five days. There are four lessons before lunch on two days and five on three days. In the afternoon there are four lessons every day. Main Departments include;

English
Maths
Science
ICT
Art
Classics
Geography
History
Languages
PE
RE
Technology
Music

[edit] Houses

All pupils belong to one of three Houses which are named after the school Founder, Francis Rawlinson, the school Patron, Edward Ayscough and the school Benefactor, William Hansard. Students can represent their House in a wide range of activities including sport, drama and music.

[edit] Uniform

All pupils below the Sixth Form are required to wear school uniform. For boys this is a black blazer with badge, pullover and school tie, white shirt, grey trousers, dark grey socks and black shoes. Girls wear a blazer, black pullover, a grey and white striped school blouse, a grey box-pleated skirt and white socks. Black trousers of the approved pattern are allowed as an alternative to skirts for girls.