Boston Grammar School is a selective grammar school and sixth form college for boys aged 11 to 18 located in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. However, in recent years girls have been admitted to the sixth form for the first time. There were 597 pupils on roll as at April 2008, including 170 in the sixth form. The school has been awarded Technology College status.

Due to falling rolls there are currently plans under discussion to amalgamate Boston Grammar School with its sister establishment Boston High School for Girls as a coeducational school under a single roof with effect from September 2009. In preparation both schools are now headed by a single head teacher.

History

The school was founded by charter of Philip and Mary in 1555. The oldest sections of the school were built in 1567, formerly referred to as the "big school" and is now used as the school library. Boston Grammar School became the model for Boston Latin School which was the first school in what was to become the United States of America.

Federation plans

Following the retirement of the former headmaster, John Neal, at the end of the 2007 school year, the school is now under the executive headship of Helen McEvoy, who is also head of Boston High School. The two schools will operate as separate entities for the time being, though the eventual plan is for them to be the subject of "hard federation".

Criticism over federation

Recently the school has been the subject of a large amount of criticism and debate by parents and local politicians over the proposed federation with the High School. A significant number of stakeholders in the school have voiced concerns over the substantial changes likely to occur at the school. It is perceived that the current head appears to favour the High School, her original school, as the preferred location for the combined establishment. The grammar school proponents argue that the grammar school is the older establishment, carrying more history and traditions and that these aspects of the school will be swept away and replaced. However, supporters of the federation would claim that the High School offers a more modern environment, which will provide additional benefits to the newly combined school.

Notable alumni

• George Bass — surgeon and explorer
• Cyril Bland — first-class cricketer who still holds the Sussex record for best bowling figures in an innings.
• Richard Budge — head of RJB Mining
• Danny Butterfield — footballer (Crystal Palace F.C.)
• Joseph Langley Birchnall — mathematician
• John Cridland CBE — deputy Director General of the Confederation of British Industry
• Victor Emery - physicist
• Simon Garner — footballer (Blackburn Rovers F.C., etc.)
• Richard Hurst — writer and director
• John Leverett — governor of Massachusetts
• Rev Dr John Newton CBE — former president of the Methodist Conference, President of The Wesley Historical Society
• Simon Patrick — Bishop of Ely
• Michael John Pinner — footballer (Manchester United F.C., etc.)
• Philip John Priestley — former High Commissioner to Belize
• Frank Sargeant — Bishop of Lambeth
• Robert Sheehan — bridge player and columnist for The Times
• Graham C Smith — physicist
• Barry Spikings — Hollywood producer (The Deer Hunter, etc.)

External links

• Boston Grammar School official website
• Old Bostonian Association — including much historical information
• Boston Grammar School Schuhplattler Gruppe —