Sir William Borlase's Grammar School (commonly shortened to Borlase or SWBGS) is a selective state grammar school accepting girls and boys aged 11–18, in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England. It is on West Street, close to the town centre. It has around 1200 pupils, including a sixth form of about 450.
Contents
History
Foundation
The School was founded on its present site in 1624 by Sir William Borlase in memory of his son Henry Borlase, MP for Marlow, who died in that year.
Sir William Borlase
In 1624 and in memory of his son Henry who died that same year, Sir William decided to build a "free school" in the town in order "to teach twenty-four poor children to write, read and cast accounts, such as their parents and friends are not able to maintain at school". Boys entered the school between the ages of ten and fourteen and at the end of two years, six of the best were given two pounds each to apprentice themselves to a trade.
Co-education
In 1987 the school became co-educational when girls entered into the lower sixth.
Specialist status
In September 2005 the school was awarded specialist school status as a Performing Arts College, by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).
Academy status
In June 2011 the school became an Academy.
Inspections
A full Ofsted inspection occurred in May 2024. The report noted that "The school’s ethos is positive and joyful." Borlase was judged to be an 'Outstanding' school in all categories.
Coat of arms
The school coat of arms is on all school literature and the school uniform. Originally, the Taillefers of Angoulême had a crest of a ghostly hand emerging from a cloud. It is holding a badelaire to give one power in a struggle, be it sporting or academic. Behind this, on the background, can be seen eight stars.
Sport
The Sir William Borlase's Grammar School Boat Club has had members reaching international events.
Borlase Hockey club had over 200 members in 2014. The club is based at Marlow Sports Club.
Notable former pupils
Richard Britnell – Professor of History at the University of Durham from 1997 to 2003
Tony Culyer CBE – health economist, professor and deputy vice-chancellor at York (UK) and professor at University of Toronto
Tom Dean MBE – swimmer, Olympic gold medalist at Tokyo 2020
Tom Guest – Harlequins rugby union player
Lieutenant B. A. Horsfall – recipient of the Victoria Cross
Ken Snakehips Johnson – bandleader, jazz artist
Philip Lee – Conservative MP for Bracknell 2010–2019
Alfie May - English Professional football player, Charlton Athletic
Hugh Walpole CBE - novelist
Garry Weston CBE – inventor of Wagon Wheels snack food and chief executive of Associated British Foods from 1969 to 1999
David Willey - longtime BBC Rome and Vatin Correspondent, who reported during the papacies of five Popes
Notable staff
Edward Henry Blakeney, classical scholar and poet, headteacher 1901-04