Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School

History

Chatham House

Chatham House was founded in 1796 by William Humble at 5 Love Lane, later renamed Chatham Street, although there is evidence that the school had existed prior to its formal establishment in a room behind the Post Office in the High Street. The school underwent major changes during the 19th century. The buildings were renovated and expanded, rugby and hockey were also introduced into the sporting programme.

When Ramsgate was bombed during World War II, a bomb hit the school library (where a skylight now stands) but did not detonate. Prior to that, the library had been the school chapel, as evidenced by the amount of stained glass windows situated quite high up.

The school had numerous entrances to private shelters used in the second world war to shelter from air raids. Most of these entrances were covered up (now underneath the playing fields) but the last ones are still visible on the lower playground and have been used recently by the local fire authorities for training purposes.

In a carpark of the school there is also a slabbed-over entrance to the Ramsgate A.R.P. tunnels, which ran for around 3.5 miles. These are not connected to the school shelters.

The main building of the school as well as the railings were grade II listed.

Merger

The two schools had often partnered with each other for extra-curricular activities and field trips. Both schools were single sex until sixth form, then allowing both male and female students. At sixth form, some AS and A level subjects were taught jointly by both schools; or by one school, however Clarendon House was unsubscribed.

The two schools federated in January 2011 to become a converter academy. bringing greater control over admissions, site & buildings and curriculum development as well as additional income. In this intermediate stage, Year 9 was moved to the lower school while the decisions about the sites were being taken. House systems were merged based on student voting.

Following an Ofsted assessment in 2025, the school progressed from a diamond model to fully coeducational classes.

Academics

Virtually all maintained schools and academies follow the National Curriculum, and are inspected by Ofsted on how well they succeed in delivering a 'broad and balanced curriculum'. Schools endeavour to get all students to achieve the English Baccalaureate (EBACC) qualification- this must include core subjects, a modern or ancient foreign language, and either History or Geography. Schools are obliged to publish the philosophy governing their curriculum on their website.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9)

Key stage 3 is taught on the Chatham House site.

Within KS3, all students study in mixed-sex classes with some ability setting in Mathematics and within the Year 9 Science syllabus.

All students study English, Mathematics, Science, Design & Food Technology, Geography, History, Art, Computer Science, Physical Education & Games, Religion and Philosophy, Music, Drama and PSHE. In Year 7 all students study French, as well as Spanish in years 8 and 9. Design & Food Technology covers Product Design, Catering, and 3D/Graphical Design.

Key Stage 4 GCSE (Years 10–11)

This schools offers a variety of GCSE-Level qualifications. All students take core subjects, whilst also selecting others from their preference with the requirement of taking at least one language and one humanity.

All students by default will take the Higher Tier option of their GCSE course, with the Foundation Tier option available.

Students must select four options, including at least one language and at least one humanities subject (Geography, History, Religious Studies).

Key Stage 5 (Years 12–13)

The Sixth Form at this school offers 25 A-Level courses and 6 vocational courses. Sixth Form students may choose to study 3 or 4 courses.

In order for a student to study three or four Advanced Level subjects, they must achieve at least 5x Grade 6s at GCSE. In order for a student to study a double Level 3 Vocational course, and one or two Advanced Levels, they must achieve at least 3x Grade 5s and 2x Grade 6s a GCSE. Where relevant, a student will need a Grade 6 in a subject to study the same subject at the Sixth Form. Students are expected to continue their chosen subjects until the end of Year 13.

There are special rules or exceptions for subject options for students. Students must achieve a Grade 7 in Mathematics at GCSE to study it at Advanced Level, and a Grade 8 in Mathematics at GCSE to study Further Mathematics at Advanced Level.

Students studying Further Mathematics will normally undertake the Mathematics Advanced Level exams at the end of Year 12.

Notable alumni

Herbert William Allingham – Surgeon to the Household of King Edward VII, and surgeon in ordinary to the Prince of Wales (later King George V)

Allan Butler – Ambassador to Mongolia from 1984 to 1987

Patrick Crawford – Commandant from 1989 to 1993 of the Royal Army Medical College

Jamie Davies – Racing driver

Matt Dunn – Romantic comedy novelist

Marc Gascoigne – Fantasy writer

Peter Gregory (academic) – Director since 2005 of the Scottish Crop Research Institute at Invergowrie near Dundee, and Professor of Soil Science from 1994–2005 at the University of Reading

Geoffrey Colin Guy – Governor of Saint Helena from 1976 to 1981, and Commissioner of the Turks and Caicos Islands from 1958 to 1959 and 1959–1965

Edward Heath – Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1970 to 1974

Stewart Jackson – Conservative MP for Peterborough from 2005 to 2017

Sean Kerly – Olympic field hockey player

Claire Kohda – Writer and violinist

Marc Lawrence – Sea King observer of 849 Naval Air Squadron, killed on 21 March 2003 in a crash in Kuwait

John Marek – Labour MP for Wrexham from 1983–2001

Frank Muir – Humourist