In an area of Bourne where road names are rather regal including Queen's Road, Kingsway, Charles Close, Princes Court and Edinburgh Crescent.
Bourne Grammar School - A Royal Visit
We were delighted when the HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visited Bourne Grammar School in April 2013 to open the School’s new Computing and Systems & Control building, the Turing Centre.
Prince Philip arrived 5 minutes ahead of schedule and received a warm welcome from students waiting to greet him at the School entrance, including our Head Students Sarah Fountain and Liam Jones.
Progressing to the Turing Centre, the Duke spent time with each student, asking questions and showing a genuine interest in the students’ work.
Then it was up to one of the two new Computing suites, where students across the age range were working on their various projects focussed on programming.
From Computing, the Duke surveyed one of the three new classrooms that complete the Turing Centre, before moving across to the Main Hall for the informal tea party attended by around 175 guests. After chatting with the Sixth Formers at the tea-table, the Duke set off to ‘work the room’, meeting and talking to individuals with a charm and ease that can only come from decades of experience.
The Duke unveiled a commemorative brass plaque, which will hang in the Turing Centre alongside a signed portrait of the Duke and a photographic portrait of Alan Turing, the founder of modern computing and wartime code-breaking after whom the new building is named.
As the Duke departed, we were left with the feeling that something historic had taken place. The most senior Royal ever to visit Bourne had been with us. He had put us all at ease, made us laugh and shown genuine interest in our work.
Jonathon Maddox, Headteacher - Bourne Grammar School
