Bennett Memorial Diocesan School
Address
Culverden Down

Tunbridge Wells
,
Kent
,
TN4 9SH

England
Coordinates51°08′34″N 0°14′53″E / 51.14267°N 0.24792°E / 51.14267; 0.24792
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
HeadteacherKaren Brookes
Staff115
GenderCoeducational
Age11-12 to 17-18
Enrolment1496
Houses  Audley
  Chavasse
  Fisher
  Gundulf
  Justus
  Langdon
  Merton
  Ridley
  Talbot
  Warner
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]

Lady Bennett designed the school’s coat of arms. The badger was chosen by Lady Bennett because her maiden name was Brooke-Jones (which reminded her of brock, a name for a badger) as well as often seeing badgers around the school site. She chose the school’s motto, Semper Tenax, because she believed the school would maintain Christian values.

The school opened to 400 students and 18 teachers on 8 January 1953. In 1976 Bennett became a comprehensive school, accepting 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. In 1993 Bennett accepted 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. 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 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.

Form system

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

FormForm colours
AudleyBurgundy
ChavasseDark Green
FisherNavy blue
GundulfYellow
JustusLight Blue
LangdonGrey
MertonPurple
RidleyRed
TalbotLight Green
WarnerBlack

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 Drama
Ann Scott (Old Wing)Science
Ann Scott (New Wing)Science
WebsterLanguages and Computer Science. - This building is where the school's library is located, as well as Learning Support.
CutbushHistory
PalmerMathematics
RochesterGeography, English, Drama and Media.
Sixth Form CenterSixth Form Studies and Psychology
Sports HallPhysical Education
3G PitchPhysical Education

Coat of arms

Coat of arms of Bennett Memorial Diocesan School
Notes
Granted 19 December 1952.[4]
Escutcheon
Vert, a brock passant Proper; on a chief Argent, three gilly-flowers stalked and leaved also Proper.
Motto
'Semper Tenax'

References

  1. ↑ "Our history". Bennett Memorial School. 5 June 2018. 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.
  4. ↑ "Bennett Memorial Diocesan School". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
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