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.
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.The school opened to 400 students and only 18 teachers on 8 January 1953. In 1976 Bennett became a comprehensive school, welcoming 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. Over the years students have travelled from as far away as Aylesford and Robertsbridge. A huge turning point in the School's life happened in 1993 when Bennett introduced boys into Year 7. In 2003 Bennett Memorial achieved specialist school status as a technology college. In April 2011, Bennett Memorial Diocesan School gained 'Academy' status, bringing with it new freedom and opportunity. In 2012 Bennett achieved an Outstanding judgment from Ofsted.
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.
In 2012, the school unveiled plans for a new sixth form centre. Construction of the 'Sixth Form Study Centre' commenced in March 2013, and opened to staff and students in January 2014.
In February 2014 the Education Secretary Michael Gove officially opened the new sixth form block.
The 3G Pitch was built in 2017 so that rugby and football could be played in any weather conditions.
A new Building has been constructed during the summer of 2019.
Form system
The school holds a house system used in every year. Each house is named after bishops of Rochester:| Form | Form colours |
| Audley | Maroon |
| Chavasse | Green |
| Fisher | Navy blue |
| Gundulf | Yellow |
| Justus | Light Blue |
| Langdon | Grey |
| Merton | Purple |
| Ridley | Red |
| Talbot | Bright Green |
| Warner | Black |
Facilities
The school has various buildings, where some focus on classrooms for particular subjects.| Building | Subjects |
| Mansion | Religious Studies, Food Technology, Design Technology, Art, Science |
| Ann Scott | Science, English |
| Webster | Languages, Geography, Computing, Media |
| Cutbush | History |
| Palmer | Mathematics |
| Sixth Form Center | Sixth Form Studies |
| Sports Hall | Physical Education |
| 3G Pitch | Physical Education |
Notable alumni
- Douglas Booth, model and actor
- Joanne Rout, 1988 Paralympic swimmer
- Scott Wagstaff, footballer for AFC Wimbledon
- Jonathan Williams, footballer for Crystal Palace F.C.
- Jacob Plant, music producer and DJ