Beneath this façade of The Ravensbourne School lies a history as layered as any textbook. This secondary academy in the London Borough of Bromley has witnessed significant transformations. The Ravensbourne School’s story began in 1911. It started as the Bromley County Grammar Schools for Boys and Girls. There were two separate sites. The boys were at Hayes Lane. The girls were at Nightingale Lane. The Hayes Lane site officially opened on October 18 1911. The schools were later renamed Bromley Grammar Schools.
In 1933 the Hayes Lane buildings saw considerable expansion. The original architect was used. They kept to the original neo-Georgian design. The Great Hall was added. It connected to the original building by an open cloister. The science block was built. Also the dining hall and gymnasium were built on either side of the hall. The new buildings were officially opened on November 30 1934. Many of the school’s early buildings are Grade II listed. This recognizes their historic interest. Until 1965 the schools were controlled by the Kent Education Committee. The girls’ school had around 700 girls in the mid-1960s.
The late 1960s brought change. The government wanted to phase out selective education. The Bromley Grammar Schools merged with Raglan Road secondary modern school. This formed the new Ravensbourne Schools. The separate sites for boys and girls remained. The girls’ school became comprehensive by degrees. September 1974 saw the first non-selective intake of 11-year-olds.
In 1988 the Education Authority made a decision. The two single-sex schools would be amalgamated. They would become one new co-educational comprehensive school. The girls’ school site in Nightingale Lane closed in July 1989. Building work began. The boys’ school needed to be suitable for its new co-educational role. The new co-educational Ravensbourne School opened at the Hayes Lane site in September 1989.
Not all the history of The Ravensbourne School is positive. In 1995, governors failed to properly check the CV of the school bursar. He claimed to be a qualified accountant. In 2005 massive deficits were discovered in the school accounts. The bursar had stolen money from the school. He used blank cheques signed by the headteacher.
In 2003 there was over subscription in Years 7 to 11. The sixth form called the Post 16 centre was expanding. More building work was undertaken. A new dedicated sixth form block was created. The drama studios were expanded. The War Memorial Library was refurbished in the original style. A new Lower School Library was installed. In 1911 this space was the dining hall for the original 79 boys.
October 2009 brought an admissions controversy. The school was found to have significant faults with its appeals procedures. A government ombudsman found issues. Members of its admissions panel were not properly trained. The clerk’s recording of the appeal was inadequate.
On April 1 2011 The Ravensbourne School transferred to academy status. This allowed the school to manage its own finances.
A report released on November 7 2018 uncovered financial mismanagement. It related to how the head teacher and CEO was paid. The trust failed to fully declare related party transactions. They did not meet employee tax liabilities. The trust paid its CEO excessively without justification.
On September 2 2021 The Guardian reported an issue. The school had undermarked students’ GCSE grades. This was to avoid allegations of grade inflation.
Ofsted inspections have varied over the years. The school received an outstanding rating in 2006–2007. This was downgraded to good in 2009–2010.
Now, as you stand before The Ravensbourne School, you know its rich past. From grammar school to academy, it has evolved. It has faced challenges and celebrated successes. The Ravensbourne School continues to shape young minds in Bromley. Its motto “Dum Cresco Spero” meaning “As I grow I hope” still rings true today.