The King's School, Grantham

The King's School, Grantham
Name	The King's School, Grantham
Established	1329
Type	Voluntary aided grammar school
Head label	Headmaster
Head	Simon Pickett
City	Grantham
County	Lincolnshire
Country	England
Postcode	NG31 6RP
Local authority	Lincolnshire County Council
Urn	120620
Gender	Mixed
Lower age	11
Upper age	18
Enrolment	1,000
Website	kings.lincs.sch.uk

The King's School, Grantham is a selective grammar school with academy status located in the market town of Grantham, Lincolnshire. Founded in the 14th century, it is one of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom. The school is renowned for its historic connections to Sir Isaac Newton, who was educated there, and maintains a strong academic tradition within the Lincolnshire education system.

History

The school's origins date to around 1329, when it was established by Richard de Bury, Bishop of Durham, and received a royal charter from King Edward III. It was originally situated adjacent to St Wulfram's Church in central Grantham. For centuries, it operated as a traditional grammar school under the auspices of the Church of England. Its most famous pupil, Sir Isaac Newton, attended from 1655 to 1661, with his signature reportedly still visible on a windowsill. The school moved to its current expansive site on Brook Street in the early 20th century, with significant development continuing through the post-war period. It became a voluntary aided school and later converted to academy status in 2011, while retaining its selective entrance criteria and historic character.

Notable alumni

Beyond Sir Isaac Newton, the school has educated numerous distinguished figures across various fields. In science and medicine, alumni include Nicholas Saunderson, the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, and pioneering surgeon Cecil Wakeley. In politics and public service, it counts former Home Secretary Michael Howard, Member of Parliament Douglas Hogg, and diplomat Sir Anthony Figgis among its old boys. The arts are represented by composer John Gardner, poet A. E. Housman, and actor Colin Dexter, creator of Inspector Morse. Notable figures from the military include World War I flying ace Captain Albert Ball, who was awarded the Victoria Cross.

School structure and houses

The school is organized into a house system comprising four houses: **Bury** (named after founder Richard de Bury), **Newton** (after Sir Isaac Newton), **Saunderson** (after mathematician Nicholas Saunderson), and **Wakeley** (after surgeon Cecil Wakeley). These houses compete in annual inter-house competitions spanning sports, music, and drama. The school operates a sixth form for students aged 16 to 18, offering a wide range of A-Level courses. Leadership is provided by a senior team headed by the Headmaster, with governance overseen by an academy trust.

Academic performance

The school consistently achieves strong results in national examinations, regularly placing it among the top-performing state schools in Lincolnshire and nationally. Pupils are selected via the 11-plus examination. At GCSE, a high proportion of students achieve top grades, facilitating progression to the school's own sixth form. At A-Level, results are robust, with a significant number of pupils gaining entry to Russell Group universities, including the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.

Extracurricular activities

A broad programme of activities complements academic studies. The school fields teams in major sports like rugby union, cricket, hockey, and athletics, competing in local and national leagues. Music is prominent, with several orchestras, choirs, and ensembles performing at events such as the annual Speech Day. The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) contingent is active, and there are numerous clubs for debate, drama (with productions staged at the Guildhall Arts Centre), and academic societies. Pupils also participate in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme and various charitable initiatives.

Campus and facilities

The school occupies a large site on the edge of Grantham, with playing fields extending towards Belton House. The main building, constructed in the early 20th century, houses traditional classrooms, laboratories, and a library. Modern additions include a dedicated sixth form centre, a sports hall, and specialist facilities for design and technology and the performing arts. The grounds include extensive playing fields, all-weather pitches, and tennis courts. The school also benefits from proximity to local facilities like the Meres Leisure Centre for swimming.

Category:Grammar schools in Lincolnshire Category:Educational institutions established in the 14th century Category:Academy schools in Lincolnshire