Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys
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Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys [1] is a selective boys school of nearly 1000 pupils and staff, located in the outskirts of Canterbury, Kent. It holds both Foundation and Grammar school (selective) status and has 'specialist college' status in mathematics and science. The school boasts a high local and national reputation as a school with an outstanding academic record, due to inspirational teaching methods and high quality pastoral care. The 2005 Oftsted inspection notes that the "standard of education in the school is good... Most pupils achieve exceptionally high standards." Its sister school is Simon Langton Grammar School For Girls.
Students typically join the school in Year 7 from all over East Kent and can then stay on until their GCSE's in Year 11. However, the majority of students decide to stay on into the sixth form, where a large number gain entry into universities, both in the UK and abroad. Notably, while the lower school (Years 7-11) is limited to boys, the sixth form is mixed, though still predominantly male. The A-Level results obtained rank the school as one of the most successful boys schools in the country.[citation needed]
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[edit] Writer in Residence
In November 2006, the acclaimed author Simon Scarrow took up the newly formed position of Writer in Residence at SLBS, a position he said he is "honoured to accept". Simon will visit the school on a regular basis to hold creative writing sessions for students as well as judging the annual Scarrow Award for Fiction.
[edit] The ASD Department
This department is the first programme for pupils with autism spectrum disorder in a grammar school in England. This department is run by Mrs Jan Newport, Mrs Brown, Mrs Lilford and Mrs Kohler. This programme seeks to facilitate inclusion into mainstream education by encouraging positive policies to promote social integration.
[edit] Alumni
The school has been linked with the music of the Canterbury scene as founding members of the Wilde Flowers, Caravan and Soft Machine were alumni. Robert Wyatt is probably the most well known of the musicians that stemmed from Soft Machine. Ian MacDonald, then editor of NME, is quoted as describing the school as "an exclusive, private establishment for the sons of local intellectuals and artists. Very free, emphatically geared to the uninhibited development of self-expression. A hot-bed to teenage avant-garderie."[2] Other famous Langton musicians include Tony Coe (Jazz Musician), Mark Padmore (tenor) and Trevor Pinnock (harpsichord).
Sir Freddie Laker, airline entrepreneur was an alumnus of the school.
Sir Alec Rose, knighted by Queen Elizabeth II the day after circumnavigating the world single-handedly.
James "Jimbo" Hager, actor, also attended the school for a brief time.
Gideon Coe radio DJ currently on Radio 6, 10:00 - 13:00, and sometime journalist was also a member of the School.
Founder and editor of Gay News, Denis Lemon, was also a member of the School, as was the author and historian, Douglas Boyd.
Alumni of the School are given the opportunity to join the Old Langtonian Association which organises events and get-togethers for former members of the School.
