Coombe Boys' School

Coombe Boys' School and Sixth Form is a non-selective state secondary school with a mixed sixth form in New Malden, Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, England. The cohort comprises boys from Years 7 to 11, and a sixth form facility joint with Coombe Girls' School is offered for Year 12 and 13 students. The school specialises in sports and performing arts.

Coombe Boys' School
Location
College Gardens Blakes Lane New Malden , Greater London , KT3 6NU England
Coordinates	51.394258°N 0.249096°W / 51.394258; -0.249096
Information
Type	Academy
Motto	Preparing you for a World of Opportunity
Established	1931
Department for Education URN	137859 Tables
Ofsted	Reports
Chair	Chris Henley
Executive Headteacher	Esther Brooks
Headteacher	David Smith
Staff	c.50
Gender	Boys Coeducational (sixth form)
Age	11 to 18
Enrolment	974[1]
Houses	Beech   Cedar   Elm   Oak   Willow   Chestnut
Colour(s)	Black and Green
Website	www.coombeboysschool.org

History

The school was founded in 1931 (as Beverley Central School) and celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2021. Until 2005, it was named Beverley Boys' School.^[2]

In 2006, the school federated with Coombe Girls' School and Sixth Form, forming part of the Coombe Academy Trust. It has a long-standing educational partnership with the independent King's College School, Wimbledon. Coombe Boys' School is part of the Kingston Teaching School Alliance, a partnership of over twenty schools, Achieving for Children (AfC) and two higher education institutions; the UCL Institute of Education (University of London) and the University of Roehampton.

In February 2023, it was announced that large parts of the school buildings are to be demolished and replaced in a major re-building programme.^[3]

Results and achievements

The school was inspected by Ofsted in December 2013 and again, in a short inspection, in March 2018. The overall inspection rating for Coombe Boys' School on both occasions was 'Good with Outstanding Features'. In 2013, the school was rated 'Outstanding' for Leadership and Management and 'Good' in 'Achievement of Pupils', the 'Quality of Teaching' and the 'Behaviour and Safety of Pupils'.

In 2018, Ofsted commented that: "The latest GCSE results show that the school has maintained above-average attainment in English and mathematics" and: "In the sixth form, vocational results are exceptionally strong." The report also found that: "Warm, positive relationships have created a supportive environment in which pupils feel confident to ask questions and push themselves further".

In 2020, Coombe Boys' Drama Department was awarded the first 'National Outstanding School Drama Department' at the Music & Drama Education Awards.^[4] Judges remarked that the Coombe Boys' Drama Team were "An exemplary department which goes above and beyond in the pursuit of excellence in drama provision".

Sport

Sports offered include football, table tennis, badminton, rugby, basketball, athletics and cricket with links to the local Malden Wanderers Cricket Club. The school's sporting achievements include the Surrey basketball finals, Surrey football finals, national badminton finals and winning the English Schools' Football Association PlayStation F.C. Schools' Cup two years running in 2014 and 2015.^[5]

CAPA – Performing Arts

In 2019 the Coombe Academy Trust launched CAPA, the Coombe Academy of Performing Arts, which is based at the Coombe Boys' school site. It provides out of hours tuition available to boys and girls (aged 9 upwards) from the local community.^[6]

Notable alumni

Beverley Boys' School

• Cyril Barton VC — RAF bomber pilot, posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in World War II
• Sqn Leader Ian Bazalgette VC DFC — posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery in World War II
• Matthew Pennycook, MP for Greenwich and Woolwich

Coombe Boys' School

• Fabio Carvalho,^[7] footballer for Brentford FC
• Harvey Elliott — footballer for Liverpool FC^[8]
• Ryan Sessegnon — footballer for Fulham FC^[9]
• Steven Sessegnon — footballer for Wigan Athletic FC

Headteachers

• 2015 to present: David Smith
• 2012 to 2015: Deborah Walls
• 2006 to 2012: Carol Campbell
• 2000 to 2006: Paul Templeman-Wright
• 1990 to 2000: Sheena Majid (acting head)
• TBC to TBC: Mr Fiddler
• TBC to TBC: Peter Corey
• 1991 to TBC: Paul O'Shea
• 1985 to 1990: David Sochon
• 1984 to 1984: John Gribben (acting head)
• 1960 to 1984: Clifford H Fisher
• 1954 to 1960: Mr. Dewbert
• 1951 to 1954: W.R. Heale
• 1931 to 1951: R.H. Thorne