BARTON COURT GRAMMAR SCHOOL in Kent, Canterbury

Education Centre Information: Barton Court Grammar School:

Establishment Type:Foundation School
Phase of Education: Secondary
Status: Closed
Local Authority: Kent
Reason Establishment Closed: Academy Converter
Establishment Close Date: 31/08/2011
Boarders: No Boarders
Sixth Form: Has a sixth form
Urban/Rural Description: Urban > 10k - less sparse
Special Classes: No Special Classes
Religious Character: None
Total Pupils: 838
Number of boys: 442
Number of girls: 396
Admissions: Selective
Age Range: 11-18
Gender: Mixed
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Background:

The school is a co-educational grammar school set around an ancient lake in beautiful walled grounds on the edge of Canterbury. The city of Canterbury and Canterbury Cathedral are within easy walking distance as are the coach, bus and main line railway station.The gardens and grounds of the school contain many fine old trees, including the sixth Gingko to be introduced into the country from China (the first five were planted in Kew Gardens). Gingkos are single-sexed, so Barton Court students grafted on a branch from another tree so that now it can produce fruit.The school is also very fortunate to have large playing fields behind the school, unusual for a city centre site, schools generally being built on the outskirts of cities to obtain sufficient space. The present old house, a fine Georgian manor house, was built in 1750. It has been completely restored and is the heart of the school, containing classrooms, offices and networked computer suites. It comprises one of the three sides of a would-be quadrangle around the lake, the others being a 1960s wing and a newly completed building housing laboratories, technology workshops and classrooms. In the garden behind the house is a splendid new library. It is a great credit to imagination of the schools architects and the Canterbury planning department that such building can take place and fit so well into this very delicate and closely protected conservation area. The manor house was pressed into use for teaching purposes during the 2nd World War, just for girls, the boys being taught in the city hospital building down the road. It began to be fully used as a girls' school after the war and became fully co-educational in 1991. Barton Court has been awarded CPD status by the Specialist Schools Trust for training staff from other schools on the use of ICT in MFL and music, and is also one of eight schools in the county affiliated with Serco Learning. From September 2007, all sixth form students will study for the International Baccalaureate. A positive climate for learning in a friendly, supportive manner. Students have positive attitudes and enjoy their time at the school. A good ethos with a commitment to high achievement. Highly innovative at the forefront of beneficial educational development.