Bennett Memorial Diocesan School

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Bennett Memorial Diocesan School
Fair use logo Bennett Memorial Diocesan School.png
The entrance to Bennett Memorial school - geograph.org.uk - 1047708.jpg
Address
Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap
Culverden Down

Tunbridge Wells
,
Kent
,
TN4 9SH

England
Coordinates51°08′34″N 0°14′53″E / 51.14267°N 0.24792°E / 51.14267; 0.24792Coordinates: 51°08′34″N 0°14′53″E / 51.14267°N 0.24792°E / 51.14267; 0.24792
Information
TypeAcademy
MottoSemper Tenax (Ever holding fast)
Religious affiliation(s)Church of England
Established1951
FounderLady Elena Bennett and Christopher Chavasse
Local authorityKent
Department for Education URN136603 Tables
OfstedReports
HeadteacherMr. Jon Sparke
Staff115
GenderCoeducational
Age11-12 to 17-18
Enrolment1496
HousesAudley, Chavasse(Dark Green), Fisher, Gundulf(Yellow), Justus, Langdon(Grey), Merton(Purple), Ridley, Talbot, Warner(burgundy)
Colour(s)Green
Websitehttps://www.bennettmemorial.co.uk

Bennett Memorial Diocesan School is an all ability co-educational academy in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, which caters for students from age 11 to 18.

History[]

The school was founded on 17 October 1951 by Lady Elena Bennett of Matfield and Christopher M. Chavasse Bishop of Rochester. Lady Bennett donated the funding for the school in memory of her late husband, Sir Thomas Bennett.[1]

The school opened to 400 students and only 18 teachers on 8 January 1953. In 1976 Bennett became a comprehensive school, welcoming students of all abilities from a large part of the Diocese of Rochester rather than just Tunbridge Wells. It was shortly after this time that the Bennett sixth form was opened for A-Level students. Over the years students have travelled from as far away as Aylesford and Robertsbridge. A huge turning point in the School's life happened in 1993 when Bennett introduced boys into Year 7. In 2003 Bennett Memorial achieved specialist school status as a technology college. In April 2011, Bennett Memorial Diocesan School gained 'Academy' status, bringing with it new freedom and opportunity. In 2012 Bennett achieved an Outstanding judgment from Ofsted.

Pupils from the school were chosen to form part of a "guard of honour" for athletes at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games, displaying artistic creations their school made to celebrate the event.[2]

In 2012, the school unveiled plans for a new sixth form centre.[3] Construction of the 'Sixth Form Study Centre' commenced in March 2013, and opened to staff and students in January 2014.

In February 2014 the Education Secretary Michael Gove officially opened the new sixth form block.

The 3G Pitch was built in 2017 so that rugby and football could be played in any weather conditions.

In 2020, a Brand-New building, which was named the Rochester building, was opened.

Form system[]

The school holds a house system used in every year. Each house is named after bishops of Rochester:

Form Form colours
Audley Burgundy
Chavasse Dark Green
Fisher Navy blue
Gundulf Yellow
Justus Light Blue
Langdon Grey
Merton Purple
Ridley Red
Talbot Light Green
Warner Black

Facilities[]

The school has various buildings, where some focus on classrooms for particular subjects.

Building Subjects
Mansion Religious Studies, Food Technology, Design Technology, Textiles, Art and Science
Music Block Music and a Drama studio
Ann Scott (Old Wing) Science
Ann Scott (New Wing) English and Science. This building has recently been refurbished and there are now two brand new science labs.
Webster Languages, Computing, Media - This building is where the school's library is located.
Cutbush History and DofE
Palmer Mathematics
Rochester Geography, English, Drama and Media.
Sixth Form Center Sixth Form Studies and Psychology
Sports Hall Physical Education
3G Pitch Physical Education

Notable alumni[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Our history". Bennett Memorial School. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  2. ^ Murphy, Chris (27 May 2012), "School pupils to form guard of honour for 2012 athletes", Kent on Sunday, KOS Media
  3. ^ "'Uni-esque' sixth form in pipeline at Bennett Memorial Diocesan School". Kent and Sussex Courier. 28 September 2012. Archived from the original on 23 September 2013.

External links[]

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