Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys
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Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, also known as Tunbridge Wells Boys' Grammar School, is a grammar school in Royal Tunbridge Wells, a town in Kent, England, UK.
The school has over 1200 pupils ranging from 11 to 18 years of age and entrance is selective, with pupils falling within the top 25% band of ability upon entrance. The majority of pupils remain at the school after taking GCSEs and study A-levels; five to AS standard and four to the full A-level standard. The remainder continue into further education elsewhere and a few begin their working life.
The school's current Headteacher, Mr John Harrison started in September 2006. Due to the size of the school, he is flanked by two deputies - Mr. Chris Lawrence and Mr. Aiden Coen - who share the responsibilities of Deputy Head equally. The Head of the Lower (7–9) and Upper (10–13) schools are currently Mr. D Madin and Mr. W. Kern respectively. Each year group has its own head, who are (in ascending order of year group) Mr. R. Fay, Mr. A. Kirk-Burgess, Mr. J. Matthews, Mr. P. Spence Mr. D. Lincoln, Mrs. P. Lowe and Mrs. J. Speller. The Chair of the Governors is Mr. M. Reidy and Chair of the Parent Teacher Association is Mrs. N. Pyefinch.
The last Ofsted inspection was conducted in January 2005, led by Mr Anthony Shield. The school was praised for "principled and very good leadership" and its standards which were "well above average". Mathematics, science, design and technology, geography and music were the subjects in which students achieved particularly well. The school's lack of space was criticised heavily - despite the opening of the Bates' Block, which serves English, Mathematics and Media Studies - in 2001. Following the inspection, the Govenors and Senior Management Team pushed for the construction of a new building on the southern-most side of the site which would serve Music, Drama, History, Religious Education, Politics and Psychology. It was finally completed early in the Autumn Term 2005, costing £1.7 million, and was first used in October 2005.
The school has a good record of sending pupils to the Oxbridge Universities. Of the current Year 13, two have been offered conditional places; one at Oxford to read Law and the other at Cambridge to read Mathematics.
In recent years, the school has begun to form links with the neighbouring grammar schools in Tunbridge Wells. In the Sixth Form, students from The Skinners' School and Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School are able to attend lessons in a subject at the school should timetable clashes occur at their own school. The same happens in reverse with respect of TWGSB's students. The Boys' school's Drama, English, Design and Technology, Sociology and Physical Education lessons are particularly popular with students from these two schools.
Mr. Derek Barnard who had been Headmaster since 1987 retired in August 2006. He was well known for his 'strict but fair' approach.
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[edit] Prefects
The school makes use of a successful prefect system, whereby responsibilities are given to the upper school to keep the school's rules of conduct in effect. This role can increase to senior prefect, whereby the onus is upon the students to help in the everyday running of the school, and are often chosen as the representatives for special functions. The Headboy and Deputies are drawn from this group. For the year of 2006/07, the Headboy will be Tom Williamson, with a small team of five Deputies consisting of Richard Coleman, Nick Jenkinson, David Thompson, Chris White and Joshua Young. The decision was announced on 19 July.
[edit] Extra-Curricular Activities
The always increasing list of school clubs currently includes bridge, chess, Chrisitian Union (also known as Thirst), drama, two choirs, jazz band, the orchestra, Science Club, Plant & Ecology Club, Geography Club and Young Engineers. There are a wide variety of other activities for pupils to participate in during their spare time including VSU Youth in Action, the Duke of Edinburgh Award, CSLA, a maths clinic and the school magazine. New clubs are planned to be introduced soon, offering opportunities to pupils who wish to expand their interests.
[edit] Famous Alumni
Former pupils include England rugby captain Martin Corry and Nick Brown, Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne and Wallsend. Ian Wynne, bronze medalist in the 2004 Sydney Olympic games also attended the school along with the actor Oliver Chris who appeared in The Office.
