Kirkham Grammar School

About

Kirkham Grammar School is one of the UK's top independent schools for children aged 3 to 18.

Story

Centuries of Christian tradition underpin the education provided by Kirkham Grammar School, which was founded in 1549 as a charity school and celebrated its 450th Anniversary in 1999. Indeed its roots can be traced back to the chantry school attached to St. Michael’s Church, Kirkham, as long ago as the thirteenth century and it was here, in the Church grounds, that the school remained until it moved to occupy its present site on Ribby Road in 1911.
In 1585 the Thirty Men of Kirkham, a group which administered parish business, took control of the school. It appears that they did not always perform their duties particularly well, for, by the early part of the seventeenth century, the school had fallen into disrepair and had been without a master for seven years.
Isabell Birley, a humble alehouse keeper, came to the rescue in 1621, presenting the Thirty Men of Kirkham with £30 in her apron for the restoration of the school.

In 1655 Henry Colburn, an old boy of the school, left money and land to the school in his will, putting it in the trust of the Company of Drapers in London. Then began a long and cherished partnership between the Company and the School, which has continued to the present day, though the Drapers surrendered control of the school in 1944, having endowed it with large and impressive extensions in 1938.
Independent status ceased temporarily in 1944 when the school became a voluntary-aided boys’ grammar school. A further major extension, the Norwood Science Building was opened in 1965 and subsequently extended. In 1979 the Board of Governors took the bold decision to revert to independent status and Kirkham Grammar School became a co-educational school for the first time in its history.
The last decade of the twentieth century witnessed a remarkable growth in the school’s popularity and standing, exhibited by a rise in pupil numbers from 500 to 900 and a spectacular programme of continuous development.

Mission

Kirkham Grammar School provides a caring, secure environment where the highest priority is given to the pursuit of academic excellence and the fulfilment of each pupil's potential. Our vision of education, however, encompasses a breadth of educational opportunities including sporting, creative and cultural opportunities. Throughout their school career we seek to provide our pupils with a stimulating and supportive environment that promotes both self-respect and respect for others within the spirit of its broad Christian ethos. The school and its pupils will remain committed to working with the local community in a positive manner.

In order to achieve this we aspire to:
Provide a caring, secure family based environment dedicated to fulfilling each pupil's individual potential.

Provide a stimulating environment where it is exciting to learn and develop skills both within the classroom and in a wide array of varied extra-curricular activities.

Support all our pupils through our pastoral system ensuring a happy and safe community where everyone feels valued.

Promote leadership potential and afford opportunities to exercise responsibilities while maintaining awareness of the needs of everyone, both within the school and outside.

Promote a spirit of enquiry in technology, scientific development, linguistic ideas and artistic creativity, and to develop these increasingly through independent study.

Guide pupils successfully towards the next phase of their career either at university, college, or in the world of work.

Celebrate achievement in all areas.

Develop all employees through professional development.
Provide equality of opportunity regardless of age, race, creed, sexual orientation, gender or disability.

Maintain the Christian ethos of the school and continue to develop its role within the local community.

Promote excellence in all areas while supporting those who may require support.

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