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
Coordinates	51°08′34″N 0°14′53″E / 51.14267°N 0.24792°E / 51.14267; 0.24792
Information
Type	Academy
Motto	Semper Tenax (Ever holding fast)
Religious affiliation(s)	Church of England
Established	1951
Founder	Lady Elena Bennett and Christopher Chavasse
Local authority	Kent
Department for Education URN	136603 Tables
Ofsted	Reports
Headteacher	Karen Brookes
Staff	115
Gender	Coeducational
Age	11-12 to 17-18
Enrolment	1865
Houses	Audley   Chavasse   Fisher   Gundulf   Justus   Langdon   Merton   Ridley   Talbot   Warner
Colour(s)	Green
Website	https://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]

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.^{[citation needed]}

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.

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 announced plans for a new sixth form centre.^[3] Construction of the Sixth Form Study Centre started in March 2013, and it opened to staff and students in January 2014. It was opened in February 2014 by the Education Secretary Michael Gove.

The 3G Pitch was built in 2017 so that rugby and football could be played in any weather conditions.

Inspections by Ofsted

The school's first inspection by Ofsted after becoming an academy was in 2012, with a judgement of Outstanding.^[4] The school's second inspection was in 2023, again with a judgement of Outstanding.^[5]

Coat of arms

Coat of arms of Bennett Memorial Diocesan School

Notes Granted 19 December 1952.^[6] 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. . Kent and Sussex Courier. 28 September 2012. Archived from the original on 23 September 2013.
4. White, Jacqueline (2012). "Bennett Memorial Diocesan School Inspection report". Ofsted. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
5. Culling, Linda (2024). "Inspection of Bennett Memorial Diocesan School". Ofsted. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
6. "Bennett Memorial Diocesan School". Heraldry of the World. Retrieved 11 February 2023.

External links

• Bennett Memorial Diocesan School - School Website
• Bennett Sixth Form - Sixth Form