Bennett Memorial Diocesan School

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.

Bennett Memorial Diocesan School
Address
Culverden Down

Tunbridge Wells
,
Kent
,
TN4 9SH

England
Coordinates51°08′34″N 0°14′53″E
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, Fisher, Gundulf, Justus, Langdon, Merton, Ridley, Talbot, Warner
Colour(s)Green
Websitehttps://www.bennettmemorial.co.uk

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.

A new Building has been constructed during the summer of 2019.

Form system

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

FormForm colours
AudleyMaroon
ChavasseDark Green
FisherNavy blue
GundulfYellow
JustusLight Blue
LangdonGrey
MertonPurple
RidleyRed
TalbotBright Green
Warner Black

Facilities

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

BuildingSubjects
MansionReligious Studies, Food Technology, Design Technology, Textiles, Art and Science
Music BlockMusic and a Drama studio
Ann ScottPartially Closed. Currently English. When construction is complete, all classrooms will be Science Labs. Also a Latin room
WebsterLanguages, Geography, Computing, Media
CutbushHistory and DofE
PalmerMathematics
RochesterEnglish, Drama and Media
Sixth Form CenterSixth Form Studies and Psychology
Sports HallPhysical Education
3G PitchPhysical 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.
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