North Kesteven Academy

Grammar school

The school was founded as North Kesteven Grammar School in 1961 when administered by the County of Lincoln - Parts of Kesteven Education Committee, based in Sleaford. In October 1960, at a meeting at Spitalgate, Kesteven Education Committee decided to give the new school the name North Kesteven Grammar School. In 1960 3927 children had taken the eleven-plus in Kesteven, and 510 had been chosen for grammar school education.

It moved into a new building on 5 January 1961 with 600 mixed pupils, the same day as the William Robertson School in Leadenham.^[1] The first headmaster was Mr Jack Winwood. He had been headmaster of the Sir Robert Pattinson school from 1954 to 1961.^[2] The grammar stream of this neighbouring school moved into the new grammar school.

£33,867 of buildings would be added to make the school a three-form entry, from two-form entry, from 1963.^[3][4] By 1966 there was 675 at the school. The deputy head from 1961 was Mr Keith Straw^[5]

In October 1967, meetings with parents about comprehensive education took place.^[6]

Comprehensive

The school became a comprehensive school in 1970, at which time it contained 1200 pupils.^[7]

From April 1974, it was administered by Lincolnshire, not Kesteven County Council. It became grant-maintained in April 1992 and a foundation school in September 1999.

A new Maths building was constructed from 1995.^[8] A sixth form complex opened in 1999, shared as the North Hykeham Joint Sixth Form.^{[citation needed]}

The school was designated a specialist Arts College in performing arts in September 2000, and opened a new Arts Complex in September 2002, which included the 250-seat Terry O'Toole Theatre. The school was awarded academy status in 2010.^{[citation needed]}

Sports centre

The sports centre is used by the school as a gym during school hours.^{[citation needed]}

The possibility of a sports centre on the site was first discussed on 19 June 1970. The sports centre was built from 1972.^[11] The sports centre was planned to open in June 1974, then planned to open in September 1974, and to be opened by Roger Bannister. It was built by Ashby & Horner of Grimsby. 60% of the cost was paid for by district council, and 40% by the county council.^[12] It cost £472,000.

The swimming pool would open first, with the lounge bar and cafeteria on 23 September 1974, followed by the two squash courts on 30 September. The director was Bill Ellingworth.^{[13][14][15][16]}

The sports hall opened in early October 1974. The centre had fourteen full-time staff.^[17] Roger Bannister, chairman of the Sports Council, officially opened the centre on 18 October 1974.^{[18][19][20][21]}

North Kesteven Grammar School

• Nick Johnston (1961–66), MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife from 1999 to 2001.
• David Ward, Lib Dem MP from 2010 to 2015 for Bradford East

North Kesteven Comprehensive School

• Kelly Adams - actress
• Jonathan Kerrigan - actor
• Steve Froggatt - Footballer
• Jennifer Pacey - Athlete and played 'Enigma' on the 2008 reboot of Gladiators