Graveney School Explained

Graveney School
Coordinates:51.4235°N -0.151°W
Motto:"Committed to excellence"
Established:1669
Head Label:Principal
Head:Cynthia Rickman
Chair Label:Chair of the Governors
Chair:Ian Parkes
Fees:None
Address:Welham Road
Country:England
Postcode:SW17 9BU
Ofsted:yes
Dfeno:212/5400
Urn:137005
Staff:c. 200
Enrolment:2259
Lower Age:11
Upper Age:18
Houses:St. John's, Rosa Bassett, Ensham, Furzedown, Battersea
Colours:Black, gold and blue
Website:http://www.graveney.org/

Graveney School is a secondary school and sixth form with academy status in the Furzedown area of Tooting, southwest London, England. The school has a partially selective admissions policy. In the beginning of 2023, the school was assessed in an Ofsted inspection report as outstanding.[1]

History

Graveney School can trace its origins back to a school founded in the late 1660s by Sir Walter St John, 3rd Baronet, in Battersea, and the modern Graveney was established in 1986 as an amalgamation of Ensham School (for girls) and Furzedown Secondary School (mixed). Furzedown was formed in 1977 as an amalgamation of Battersea Grammar School (for boys) and Rosa Bassett School (for girls).

Created as a standard comprehensive school under the control of the local education authority (initially the ILEA, later Wandsworth), a significant change occurred in 1991 when Graveney became a grant-maintained school,[2] [3] giving far greater control to the school governors. Following the changes resulting from the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, which abolished grant-maintained status, the school preserved a degree of independence by electing to become a foundation school.

The school achieved Technology College status in 1995[4] and also moved to a partially selective admissions policy in September of that year.[5] [6] From the introduction of selection the school was permitted to choose up to 50% of pupils by ability; however, this was reduced to 25% in 2000,[7] increased to 30% in 2001[8] and reduced back to 25% in 2004,[9] .[4] Graveney School converted to become an academy on 1 August 2011.[10]

Years 7 to 11

When students begin their education at Graveney in Year 7, they are placed into sets depending on their Year 6 SATs and their Wandsworth test result. Students can either be put into Extension (4 classes), Enrichment (3 classes) or Endeavour (3 classes). Students can be moved across sets depending on their progress as they move through the school. However, most remain in their assigned stream.Students in one Endeavour class receive personal mentoring by the school and their tutor often is a member of the special needs department.

Years 7 to 9

Students in all bands study one of three Modern Foreign Language. This could either be French or Spanish. From Year 8 onwards, there is an opportunity to study an additional modern foreign language e.g. German, French or Spanish.

Years 10 to 11

After Christmas of year 9, usually February, students pick their GCSE options. English Language and Literature, Maths, Science and PE are compulsory for the two years. Up to three additional subjects are usually chosen, depending on predicted potential, with high-attaining students given the option to do 'Twilight' courses such as Latin, Drama, or Astronomy as an extra out of school GCSE.

Many students do the Triple Science award - a GCSE for Biology, Chemistry and Physics, whereas others do the combined science award.

The results of the Year 9 exams determine what sets the students will be in.

The Sixth Form

Graveney School has a large sixth form, offering a range subjects to study at A-level. The sixth form is open for application to both internal students (students that studied at Graveney School), and external candidates (students that received their secondary education elsewhere).

The sixth form offers an extensive range of subjects many that are not available to take at GCSE, such as Film Studies, Government & Politics, Further Mathematics, Philosophy, Photography and Psychology. Students can also retake GCSEs in Mathematics and English. The sixth form has minimum entry requirements of 5 A*-Cs at GCSE level for internal students. For a student to graduate from year 12 to year 13, they must have attained minimum grades of two Es at AS level.

The sixth form does not have a uniform policy, however students must wear their ID card visibly at all times.

Site and buildings

Graveney initially operated on both the former Furzedown and Ensham sites; however, the Ensham building was closed and the school now occupies what was Furzedown Secondary School on either side of Welham Road in Tooting, south west London.

The part of the site on the southern side of Welham Road is the former Rosa Bassett School, the main building of which was opened in 1913.[11] The larger area to the north of the road is the former Furzedown Training College (a teacher training college), which was opened in 1915.[12] The buildings surround a tree-lined campus and include Furzedown House, a Grade II-listed[13] Georgian house, built in 1794.[12] [14]

The other buildings include: Red House, College House, Lower School, Upper Science, Lower Science, Atkins Technology Centre, the Tech block, an independent study centre, Bradford House, The Oppenheimer Observatory, a sports hall and a multigym.

Each building is dedicated to two or more subjects.

On the north side of Welham Road, there is also a recreation area which is owned by Wandsworth Council but used by Graveney during school hours for Sports Studies and PE lessons. The area consists of a small running track, an astro turf pitch, 2 tennis courts which can be converted into another pitch and a cricket area.

Headteachers and principals

John Phillips had been headmaster of both Battersea Grammar and Furzedown Secondary Schools prior to his appointment at Graveney.

House system

Graveney's traditional three houses were St. John's, Rosa Basset and Ensham. However, after the Summer of 2018, two new houses have been added: Furzedown and Battersea.

Year forms

Years 7 to11 consist of ten forms. The forms break down into: 4 Extension band forms, 3 Enrichment band forms and 3 Endeavour band forms.

Notable alumni

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: King . Laurence . 2022 . Graveney School Inspection Report . www.ofsted.gov.uk . Ofsted.
  2. http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.com/pa/cm199091/cmhansrd/1991-05-13/Writtens-2.html . House of Commons . 13 May 1991 . 13 . 14 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716220816/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.com/pa/cm199091/cmhansrd/1991-05-13/Writtens-2.html . 16 July 2011 .
  3. http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199192/cmhansrd/1991-12-16/Writtens-3.html . House of Commons . 16 December 1991 . 28 . 29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110605020806/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199192/cmhansrd/1991-12-16/Writtens-3.html . 5 June 2011 .
  4. Book: Graveney School [Prospectus] for entry in September 2024 . Graveney School . 2023 . 2024-07-29.
  5. Book: R v. Peter Downes, ex parte Wandsworth London Borough Council, CO/4114/99 . . 2008-01-20 . 2000 . Queen's Bench Division . London . https://web.archive.org/web/20061229230738/http://www.schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk/upload/Wandsworth%20JR%20-%20Jan2000.rtf . 2006-12-29 . dead .
  6. http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.com/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo960611/text/60611w17.htm . House of Commons . 11 June 1996 . 126 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716220823/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.com/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo960611/text/60611w17.htm . 16 July 2011 .
  7. Book: Downes, Peter . Determination, Case Reference(s): ADA/00048 and ADA/00018 . . 2008-01-20 . 1999 . Office of the Schools Adjudicator . https://web.archive.org/web/20090324124536/http://www.schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk/upload/ADA000048_-_Graveney.doc . 2009-03-24 . dead .
  8. Book: Webster, Tony . Determination, Case reference: ADA00140 & ADA00145 . . 2008-01-20 . 2000 . Office of the Schools Adjudicator . https://web.archive.org/web/20090324123114/http://www.schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk/upload/ADA000140-145_-_Graveney.doc . 2009-03-24 . dead .
  9. Book: Newton, David . Determination, Case reference: ADA/000359; ADA/000360; ADA/000362 . . 2008-01-20 . 2004 . Office of the Schools Adjudicator . https://web.archive.org/web/20070824051555/http://www.schoolsadjudicator.gov.uk/upload/ADA00359%20Ernest%20Bevin%20reissue.doc . 2007-08-24 . dead .
  10. Web site: Find an inspection report and registered childcare. Ofsted Communications Team. 5 July 2018. reports.ofsted.gov.uk.
  11. November 1979 . From the Balham & Tooting News and Borough of Wandsworth Chronicle, August 21, 1917 . The Old Grammarian . 8 . 3 . 7–8 . 2007-11-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20061205225444/http://www.oldgrammarians.co.uk/ . December 5, 2006 . dead . mdy-all .
  12. Web site: A History of Suburban Streatham . 2008-01-20 . Gower . Graham . Ideal Homes: Suburbia in Focus . University of Greenwich . https://web.archive.org/web/20071130155530/http://www.ideal-homes.org.uk/lambeth/main/history-of-suburban-streatham-05.htm . 2007-11-30 . dead .
  13. Web site: Listing Reference LB/235 . 2008-01-20 . Wandsworth Borough Council.
  14. Book: Conservation and Design Group, Borough Planner's Service . Conservation area character statements, 26: Streatham Park . 2008-01-20 . 2005 . Wandsworth Borough Council . 1 . 28 September 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070928063340/http://www.wandsworth.gov.uk/NR/Wandsworth/localpdf/planning/plothconstreatmp.pdf . dead .
  15. Web site: Old Grammarians' Association; A summary history of the Association . 2007-12-06 . Poffley . M. F. . 2002 . Old Grammarians' Association . https://web.archive.org/web/20061205225444/http://www.oldgrammarians.co.uk/ . 2006-12-05 . dead .
  16. Web site: BGS Heraldry . 2007-11-25 . Poffley . M. F. . 2002 . Old Grammarians' Association . https://web.archive.org/web/20061205225444/http://www.oldgrammarians.co.uk/ . 2006-12-05 . dead .
  17. Josh Halliday "Amol Rajan appointed as Independent editor", guardian.co.uk, 17 June 2013
  18. Web site: 2020-09-17. The aliens have landed! The school that made its own feature film. 2021-05-17. The Guardian. en.
  19. Web site: BMX World Championship title triumph amazing - Quillan Isidore.
  20. Web site: Talented Graveney School biker set to contest BBC Young SPOTY. Wandsworth Guardian. 4 December 2012 .
  21. News: Josef Craig wins BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year. 16 December 2012. BBC Sport.
  22. Web site: Hero Fiennes Tiffin: "Dopo After 2 vorrei girare il terzo e il quarto capitolo". 19 March 2020 .
  23. Web site: Team pursuit gold and silver for Great Britain at track world championships.
  24. News: Hamilton sets new Oliviers record. 6 March 2018. BBC News.
  25. Alex Cucos-infamous xylophone, glockenspiel and bongo player (winning 3 awards and a BDE honour).Dami Bakare at Sports Reference
  26. Web site: Meet Grace Wales Bonner, the designer taking menswear by storm. 2017-06-08. Evening Standard. en. 2019-10-23.

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