Thousands join Marlow school for 400th anniversary celebrations

A Marlow school steeped in history is celebrating its 400th anniversary in 2024.

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in West Street, founded in 1624, has held events throughout the year to mark the occasion.

And for two days at the end of June, thousands of people - including former pupils and staff - turned out to join in two special days of celebration.

“There’s been just a lovely atmosphere throughout these celebrations,” said Kay Mountfield, the school’s former head teacher and a key figure behind organizing the 400-year events.

“It’s all been celebrating the school's lived values - 'te digna sequere'; follow things worthy.

“The many things that Borlase students have gone on to achieve have been inspired by the values they developed at school.

“There are so many people who came to the school out there doing great things to make the world a better place.”

Steeped in history: windows into the school's past can be found throughout Borlase's grounds

More than 800 schoolchildren joined a sponsored walk for mental health charity Mind and Marlow United Charities on Friday (June 28).

The walk took them through the hills and woods around Marlow, on routes between eight and 16.24 kilometres.

At the finish line, Borlase headteacher Edward Goodall was joined by Joy Morrissey, who has served as the town’s MP since 2019, to cut a 400-year birthday cake.

Later that day, intergenerational rivalries were rekindled when Borlasians – former and current – pitched off against each other in a cricket match.

The school was awarded an Outstanding Ofsted report in June and Ms Mountfield highlighted the pride students have shown in the school’s history as part of the reason for its success.

“The children are proud of what the school is doing now and are incredibly innovative in the way they look at learning and their opportunities going forward,” she said.

“Knowing they are standing on the shoulders of giants who went before them gives them confidence to know that they can go on to achieve great things.”

On Saturday (June 29), almost 900 people visited the school for an exhibition on its history.

More than 250 pupils took part in music, dance and drama to help showcase snapshots of the school’s past.

There was also an animated film, created by Old-Borlasian Harry Elliot, which displayed the school’s development: from its first founding stone 400 years ago, to the present day.

An evening meal also brought together the many generations of Borlase alumni

“The school is built on a tradition of service,” Ms Mountfield said. “Sir William Borlase founded this school in 1624 for 24 local children to have an education, and the school has continued, as a state school, to deliver the best education it possibly can to young people in the local community.

“We have succeeded in that; Borlasians have gone out into the world to see what they can do to create opportunities for others.

“We are a school that is built on doing things not just to take yourselves forward, but to help others.”