View source for Boston Grammar School prize-giving 1998

== A Report from the 1998 BGS Prize Giving ==

'Based on articles from [[The Boston Target]], 23rd December 1998'

=== The Headmaster Expresses Thanks and Encouragement ===

The headmaster, [[John Neal]], paid tribute to [[Ron Abbott]] who had served the school for 25 years before taking early retirement. Mr. Abbott had taught both Classics and IT in the school and had served as a member of the management team for the past three years. Mr. Neal said "While it was a sad loss to see him go, I wish him every happiness in his partial retirement and thank him for the substantial contribution he has made in the school".

The headmaster thanked all parents who have supported the school. He also thanked the Trust and Foundation members as well as to the [[Old Bostonian Association]] who continue to support the school financially. "Although there may be uncertainties and challenges on the horizon I believe that with such commitment from a wide community we can look to the future with confidence."

Mr. Neal spoke of the primary purpose of any school being to equip its young people with the qualifications to compete in the job market of the next millennium. He encouraged the pupils not to look on the success of others believing that success was achieved based on qualities which they do not possess. Also he asked them not to believe that living in a semi-rural environment they have neither the same opportunities nor cultural heritage as those living in other parts of the country.

The headmaster spoke of the school's achievements. "Last year 96 percent of Year 11 pupils gained five or more grade A* to C at GCSE, and almost 80 percent gained eight or more such grades. At A Level the average point score was 21."

"Notable individual achievements were recorded by [[Michael Atkinson]], [[Ewan Cooper]], [[Alastair Parrington]], [[Mandip Singh]], [[Nicholas Soulsby]] and [[Thomas Wright]] who each obtained four grade A passes at A Level. Ewan Cooper has also won the [[Parry Gold Medal]] awarded to the outstanding scholar of the year. There were many sound performances at GCSE also; in particular [[Gareth Carrol]], [[Gavin Extence]] and [[Ross Newark]] each obtained eight or more grade A or A* passes.

=== The Chairman of the Governors Speaks of Change ===

[[Jim Howes]], starting his eleventh year as Chairman of the Governing Body of [[Boston Grammar School]], said the school is likely to become a Foundation School in the move from Grant Maintained status. This would involve changes in the composition of the governing body. The amount of funding has still to be agreed, but unless it matches the amount received under Grant Maintained status, there will be extremely difficult problems to solve. This year already the Governing Body has had to deal with substantial cuts in income.

A further [[Wikipedia:Ofsted|Ofsted]] inspection of the school is due in summer 1999, the first since 1994. A number of measures have been taken in order to address the inspectors comments at that time.

Jim believes that the continued existence of grammar schools is under threat and that the Government has "loaded the dice" against selective schools. Parents of children in all Lincolnshire schools can sign a petition for a formal ballot to take place. If 20% of the eligible parents sign the petition, then a formal ballot will be organised. A simple majority in such a ballot in favour of abolishing selection would result in the end of selective education and the demise of Boston Grammar School as we know it.

Jim quoted from a paper produced by [[Wikipedia:University of Oxford|Oxford University]], saying "unless able young people have access to good secondary education, it is unlikely that they will be able to demonstrate the potential benefit from a University course."

Jim noted that in his ten years as Chairman of the Governors, he had seen: a new headmaster, new buildings, major library refurbishment, new timetable, and changes to staffing - "all part of a continuous programme to give pupils the best possible opportunity for a start in life and to keep Boston Grammar School in the forefront of education in this town."

Donations from [[Adrian Isaac]] and Oldrids, the National Grid for Learning Initiative, [[Boston Grammar School Foundation]] and the [[Laughton Trust]] have enabled the school to re-equip its main computer room, to install Internet connections into the library and to purchase lap-top computers for staff training.

Jim congratulated the boys on achievements in cross-country, football, cricket, tennis, badminton, basketball, swimming and rugby. He also congratulated the junior maths team on winning the Lincoln School Mathematics Challenge, and to the school quiz team in coming second to [[Wikipedia:King Edward's School, Birmingham|Birmingham's King Edward VI]] in the national finals at Monmouth.

The last phase of the overall School Development Programme is the refurbishment of the school [[Science Blocks#Second Science Block|chemistry and physics laboratories]], and the implementation of repairs to the structure of the building. Detailed costings now indicate that rather than refurbish a building which has a limited life span, it would be financially more expedient to construct an entirely new building.

A scheme has, therefore, been developed by architects and submitted to the DfEE for the erection of new chemistry and physics laboratories located in the school yard on the site of the present caretaker's store - known to Old Bostonians as the [[Fives Court]]. We now await the observations of the Department for Education and Employment.