King James's School, Knaresborough

Community school in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England

54°00′18″N 1°27′39″W / 54.00510°N 1.46082°W / 54.00510; -1.46082InformationTypeCommunity schoolMottoQuid Retribuam DominoEstablished1616; 408 years ago (1616)
(closed between 1901–1903)FounderRobert ChalonerLocal authorityNorth Yorkshire CouncilDepartment for Education URN121687 TablesOfstedReportsHead teacherClaire MartinAge11 to 18Enrolment1726HousesAiredale, Nidderdale, Swaledale, and WharfdalePublicationThe ChalonerWebsitehttp://www.king-james.co.uk

King James's School is located on King James Road, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, England. King James's is a large non-selective school with a large sixth form.

Admissions

King James's School is the only secondary school in Knaresborough and serves the town and the surrounding villages. The current Headteacher is Clare Martin. The school is situated in the centre of the town on the main A59, next to the leisure pool. Application to the school must be made via North Yorkshire Council.

History

Grammar school

The school was founded in 1616, as King James Grammar School with a charter from King James I.

The school magazine The Chaloner is named after Dr Robert Chaloner who founded the school. It discusses school events and achievements for both school and its students and is published annually. It is created by the students and edited by the school's sixth form.

Comprehensive

The school became a comprehensive in September 1971.

The school was refurbished with major building work at the school being completed,^[when?] including an art block with modern facilities. Annual non-compulsory school trips became available for the students.

Dr Arnold Kellett has written a book about the history of the school.^[1]

The school was later refurbished further with the building of a modern bespoke sixth form block and cafe ^[when?]. Followed by an FA registered 3G football pitch being introduced for both school and community use ^[when?].

Federation

The school became part of a federation in 2021.

Retaining its LA maintained school status, King James's School formed a local partnership ^[when?] to form the Boroughbridge High School and King James's School Federation.

Notable Events

On Monday 20 March 2023 3 girls were arrested after trying to get into the school. 1 was arrested for Criminal Damage and the 2 others were arrested to prevent Breach of Peace. 1 staff member was slightly injured.^[2]

Traditions

Quid Retribuam Domino (What can I render to the Lord?) is the school motto.^[3]

Houses

King James's School has four school houses which have a colour each, Airedale – Blue Nidderdale – Red Swaledale – Yellow Wharfedale - Green

Sex and Relationships Education Policy

In August 2013 the LGBT online Pink News stated that King James's School's Sex and Relationships Education Policy included the words: "Ensure that homosexuality is not promoted as a pretended family relationship whilst not encouraging homophobia."^[4] Pink News links King James' to its reported comments by the Department for Education on the Department's own 'sex and relationship education guidance', and the British Humanist Association "concerns regarding 45 schools across the country." Pink News believes such policies, overt or vague, are a reflection of the repealed Section 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act.^[4]

The school's current (last reviewed March 2023) Relationships & Sex Education Policy does not take this stance, instead stating "that there are different types of committed, stable relationships" and "how stereotypes, in particular stereotypes based on sex, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or disability, can cause damage (e.g. how they might normalise non-consensual behaviour or encourage prejudice)."^[5]

Notable alumni

King James's Grammar school

Robert Brook, CBE — former National Bus Company chief executive (1977–1986)^{[citation needed]}
David John Bowes Brown, CBE — engineer and former Multidrive chairman (1996–2004)^[6]
Sir Albert Costain — late Conservative politician and longtime Folkestone and Hythe MP (1959–1983)^{[citation needed]}
George Andrew Hobson — late civil engineer who designed the Victoria Falls Bridge^[7]
James "Ginger" Lacey, DFM — late Royal Air Force squadron leader credited with 28 enemy aircraft destroyed in the Battle of Britain^[8]
Paul Stewart, FRCP — endocrinologist and medicine professor and Dean of Medicine and Health at the University of Leeds^{[citation needed]}
Nicholas Tate CBE – former chief curriculum and qualifications advisor to the Secretary of State for Education (1994–2000), former headmaster of International School of Geneva (2003–2011)^{[citation needed]}
James Turner, 1st Baron Netherthorpe — late National Farmers Union president (1945–1960)^{[citation needed]}
Timothy Wood — former Conservative MP for Stevenage (1983–1997)^{[citation needed]}

King James's School

Grant Kirkhope — video game composer and voice actor^[9]
Jacquie O'Neill — illustrator^{[citation needed]}
Martin Clayton — Head of Prints and Drawings at the Royal Collection Trust at Windsor Castle^[10]

References

^ Kellett, Arnold (2003). King James's School: 1616–2003 Knaresborough. King James's School. ISBN 0-9545195-0-7.
^ "Knaresborough school incident". North Yorkshire Police. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
^ "Ethos & Aims". Retrieved 18 February 2024.
^ ^a ^b Roberts, Scott "UK Government: No schools should be reintroducing Section 28", Pinknews.co.uk 19 August 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2013
^ King James School Policies: Relationships & Sex Education [1] March 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
^ Kerefaaw, Roosld (1979). "Mr David Brown: Pratical experience behind business expertise". The Times. UK. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
^ "OBITUARY. GEORGE ANDREW HOBSON, 1854–1917". Minutes of the Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers. 203 (1917): 420. 1917. doi:10.1680/imotp.1917.15898. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
^ Stead, Mark (5 March 2012). "Wartime memorabilia of pilot James Ginger Lacey is sold at auction". The York Press. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
^ Padricelli, Arcangelo (27 June 2021). "Music & Video Games: Grant Kirkhope". Tech Game World. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
^ "Royal curator's King James's memories". Harrogate Advertiser. 19 January 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2022.