secondary school
A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) and ''upper seconda ...
and
sixth form
In the education systems of England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and some other Commonwealth countries, sixth form represents the final two years of secondary education, ages 16 to 18. Pupils typically prepare for ...
Charters School opened its doors on 23 April 1958 to just under 400 students. A service of dedication was held in the school hall on 17 December 1958 and the students were given an extra half-day's holiday to mark the occasion.
The origins of the school badge came from the opening day of the school. The school opened on St. George's Day and Shakespeare's birthday. The red cross of the school badge comes from the cross of St. George, the dagger symbolises Shakespeare and the stag is the symbol of Berkshire. The badge itself was to reflect courtesy, compassion, chivalry and scholarship.
Queen Elizabeth made an informal visit to Charters School on 4 April 1962. During her visit, the Queen saw diverse lessons, from recorder playing to hammer forging, from a comptometer-operating class to woodwork and metalwork. A boys’ handicraft class was also on the agenda.
Timeline
By 1965 the population of
Bracknell
Bracknell () is a large town and civil parish in Berkshire, England, the westernmost area within the Greater London Urban Area and the administrative centre of the Borough of Bracknell Forest. It lies to the east of Reading, south of Maiden ...
,
Windsor
Windsor may refer to:
Places Australia
* Windsor, New South Wales
** Municipality of Windsor, a former local government area
* Windsor, Queensland, a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland
**Shire of Windsor, a former local government authority around Wi ...
and Ascot was rapidly increasing. This spurred a decision to develop Charters into an eight form entry comprehensive school taking all children from the area from the age of 11-18. By 1969, plans were under way for proposed extensions to cope with the increase in school numbers.
1972 saw extensive alterations to the school with the addition of 10 science laboratories, a games hall, drama hall and arts, crafts and home economics centres being built. By 1977, the school had become over-crowded to the extent that nine classes were regularly being taught in corridors.
In 1981 a decision was made to make Charters School a centre for physically disabled students. The school undertook a series of modifications, which included two lifts, a medical room, and home base for students as well as access ramps around the school. The school opened its doors to its first physically disabled students in September 1983.
In 1985 the sports facilities were expanded to make Charters School the focus of the area's recreational, social and community activities. The school continued to grow and in September 1992 a new purpose-built Library and Resource Centre was opened. More modular classrooms were also added.
In July 1997 Charters received the ‘School Curriculum Award’, awarded by the
Princess Royal
Princess Royal is a style customarily (but not automatically) awarded by a British monarch to their eldest daughter. Although purely honorary, it is the highest honour that may be given to a female member of the royal family. There have been se ...
, and the Sportsmark Award.
Notable former pupils
*
Duncan Capps
Major-General Duncan Francis Capps (born 21 December 1966) is a British Army officer. He served as Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst from 2020 to 2022.
Early life and education
Capps was born on 21 December 1966 in Slough, Be ...
, senior British Army officer
*
Chesney Hawkes
Chesney Lee Hawkes (born 22 September 1971) is an English pop singer and occasional actor. He started his career at the age of 19 when he appeared in the film '' Buddy's Song'', which featured his best-known single " The One and Only", which to ...
, singer, songwriter and occasional actor
* Keith Hawkins, poker player
*