{{Use British English|date=February 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}} {{Infobox school | name = Chessington School | image = Chessington School sign board with badge.jpg | image_size = 260px | caption = School sign board showing school badge | coordinates = {{coord|51.357|-0.309|type:edu_region:GB_dim:100|format=dec|display=inline,title}} | established = 1989 | closed = | type = Academy | religious_affiliation = | president = | head_label = | head = Sarah Wilson<ref name="GIAS"/> | r_head_label = | r_head = | chair_label = | chair = | founder = | address = Garrison Lane | city = Chessington | county = London | country = England | postal_code = KT9 | local_authority = Kingston upon Thames | ofsted = yes | urn = 148407 | staff = | enrolment = 746 | gender = Co-educational | lower_age = 11 | upper_age = 16 | houses = | publication = | free_text1 = | free_label2 = | free_text2 = | free_label3 = | free_text3 = | website = {{URL|http://chessington.kingston.sch.uk/}} }}
'''Chessington School''' (formerly Chessington Community College until September 2018) is a co-educational secondary school<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chessingtoncommunitycollege.co.uk/about-our-school/ |title=About Our School |publisher=Chessington School |access-date=29 October 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190219023050/http://www.chessingtoncommunitycollege.co.uk/about-our-school/ |archive-date=19 February 2019 }}</ref> with a sports centre, in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Greater London. The current building was opened in September 2009.
== History ==
=== Pre-Chessington Community College === In 1939, the Garrison Lane site of Chessington School was opened as RAF Chessington and was used as a barrage balloon centre in the defence of London in World War II. After a brief period of operation as a US Air Force base, most of the land was sold off for housing; however some of the land was still under military ownership as recently as the mid 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://hidden-london.com/gazetteer/chessington/|title=Chessington – Hidden London|website=hidden-london.com|access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref>
The first secondary school in the Chessington area was Moor Lane secondary mixed school, opened in 1936. After World War II, with large areas of Chessington scheduled for building, a new secondary school was required. It was decided to retain Moor Lane as a secondary girls' school, and establish a new boys' school. In September 1953, Fleetwood County Secondary boys' school was opened in Garrison Lane as a three-form entry school with a roll of 324 boys.<ref name=":5"/>
As house building in the area progressed, boys of all ages were continually being admitted to Fleetwood, increasing pressure on the school organisation, and in some cases resulting in boys of different age groups being taught in the same classes. The school soon became overcrowded, accentuated by some classes with over 40 boys housed in classrooms intended for 30. This situation was relieved in 1958 by the addition of two classrooms and a library. In time, new house building slowed and the annual intakes reduced to the normal three-form entry and forms were reduced in size, with no form more than 35, most being just below 30.<ref name=":5"/>
A Ministry of Education inspection in July 1962 concluded that Fleetwood was a good school which made a valuable contribution to its local community. Under the Surrey Development Plan for Secondary Education, girls were admitted to the renamed Fleetwood County Secondary School, with the first girls admitted in September 1962 when 38 girls joined the existing 383 boys. In the following years, numbers began to rise as more girls joined the school.<ref name=":5"/>
The 1980s saw falling rolls, and Kingston Local Education Authority considered closing the school. This angered many of the parents and residents in the Chessington and Hook areas who felt that local amenities were being taken away from the south of the borough. Following local debate, Kingston decided to keep the secondary school in the south of the borough, but given the complaints about lack of recreational facilities decided that a new educational establishment was needed which would also serve the community needs of Chessington and Hook.<ref name=":5"/>
=== Chessington Community College === In September 1989, Chessington Community College was established, replacing Fleetwood School on the Garrison Lane site, with Mr. J. P. Hayes as its first headteacher.<ref name=":5"/>
In 1992, the College opened a £2 million sports centre which was built not only to provide indoor sporting facilities for the pupils of Chessington Community College, but also to serve the sporting needs of the local community in the evenings and at weekends.<ref name=":5"/>
The College progressed well under the headship of Hayes, with the percentage of Year 11 pupils gaining 5 A* – C GCSEs rising from 19% in summer 1990 to nearly 50% in summer 1995.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}
In 2009, following years of construction as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme, the college reopened following a rebuild worth £17 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/educationnews/4654861.chessington-community-college-unveils-last-part-of-27m-rebuild/|title=Chessington Community College unveils last part of £27m rebuild|website=Your Local Guardian}}</ref>
In September 2018 the college was renamed Chessington School, a name chosen by its students.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://chessington.kingston.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/CHESSINGTON-Prospectus.pdf|title=School Prospectus|date=September 2018 |website=chessington.kingston.sch.uk|access-date=30 October 2021}}</ref>
=== Academy status=== Previously a community school administered by Kingston upon Thames London Borough Council, in April 2021 Chessington School converted to academy status. The school is now sponsored by the Every Child, Every Day Academy Trust.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.everychildeverydayacademytrust.org/|title=Every Child Every Day Multi-Academy Trust}}</ref>
== Ofsted Report == The last full Ofsted inspection of Chessington Community College in November 2014 gave a "Good" rating, in comparison to a previous "Requires Improvement" rating in December 2012. The "Good" rating was confirmed after a short inspection in May 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/102599|title=Ofsted Documents for Chessington Community College|website=|publisher=Ofsted|access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" !Inspection Dates !Ofsted Overall Effectiveness |- |6/7 November 2014 |2 – Good<ref>{{Cite journal|year=2014|title=Chessington Community College Ofsted Report 2014|url=https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/files/2436008/urn/102599.pdf|journal=Chessington Community College Ofsted Report 2014}}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |- |12/13 December 2012 |3 – Requires Improvement<ref>{{Cite journal|year=2012|title=Chessington Community College Ofsted Report 2012|url=https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/files/2160987/urn/102599.pdf|journal=Chessington Community College Ofsted Report 2012}}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |- |10/11 February 2011 |3 – Satisfactory<ref>{{Cite journal|year=2011|title=Chessington Community College Ofsted Report 2011|url=https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/files/1961965/urn/102599.pdf|archive-url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20150416232842mp_/http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/files/1961965/urn/102599.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 April 2015|journal=Chessington Community College Ofsted Report 2011}}</ref> |- |16/17 January 2008 |3 – Satisfactory<ref>{{Cite journal|year=2008|title=Chessington Community College Ofsted Report 2008|url=https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/files/878117/urn/102599.pdf|journal=Chessington Community College Ofsted Report 2008}}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |- |9/12 February 2004 |N/A<ref>{{Cite journal|year=2004|title=Chessington Community College Ofsted Report 2004|url=https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/files/794453/urn/102599.pdf|journal=Chessington Community College Ofsted Report 2004}}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |}
== Academic performance == {{update|section|date=October 2021}} Chessington Community College was given a Secondary (key stage 4) performance rating of 0.36 for 2016, this put the school in the top 25% of English schools in terms of academic progress for pupils between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/102599?tab=secondary|title=Chessington Community College – Government of the United Kingdom|website=compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk|access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="3" |Key data from 2016 performance for Chessington Community College<ref name=":0" /> |- !Metric !School !England Average Score |- |Attainment 8 score |51.1 |48.5 |- |Pupils achieving Grade C or better in English and maths GCSEs |67% |59.3% |- |Pupils entering for the English Baccalaureate |40% |36.8% |}
=== GCSE results 2016 === In 2016 Chessington Community College achieved their best ever GCSE results,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.chessingtoncommunitycollege.co.uk/2016/08/gcse-level-results-2016-2/|title=GCSE RESULTS 2016 {{!}} Chessington Community College|website=www.chessingtoncommunitycollege.co.uk|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202061606/http://www.chessingtoncommunitycollege.co.uk/2016/08/gcse-level-results-2016-2/|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> with 67% of children achieving Grade C or better,<ref name=":0" /> 7.7% above the England average.<ref name=":0" />
=== GCSE results 2015 === In 2015 Chessington Community College achieved the following GCSE results * * 50% of students achieved 5 or more GCSEs at grade C or above including maths and English<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.chessingtoncommunitycollege.co.uk/exam-results-2015/|title=Chessington Community College Exam Results 2015 {{!}} Chessington Community College|website=www.chessingtoncommunitycollege.co.uk|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202061147/http://www.chessingtoncommunitycollege.co.uk/exam-results-2015/|archive-date=2 February 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> * 94.93% of students achieved 5 or more GCSEs at grades A–G (91.3% incl EM)<ref name=":1" /> * 97.83% of students achieved 1 or more GCSEs at grades A–G<ref name=":1" />
=== GCSE results 2014 === In 2014 63 per cent of Chessington Community College pupils had achieved five A*–C grades<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/11424009.GCSEs__Tiffin_Girls_sees_slight_dip_in_top_grades_as_Chessington_Community_College_gets_best_ever_results/|title=GCSEs: Tiffin Girls sees slight dip in top grades as Chessington Community College gets best ever results|website=Your Local Guardian|access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref>
== Headteachers == * September 1989 to 1997 – Mr. J. P. Hayes<ref name=":5" /> * 1997 to September 2002 – Mr. J.P. Allen<ref name=":5" /> * September 2002 to September 2009 – Mr. D. Kemp<ref name=":5" /> * September 2009<ref name=":5" /> to September 2015<ref name=":6" /> – Mr Rob Niedermaier-Reed * September 2015 to ? – Ash Ali<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/13893072._Pride_continues_to_grow___New_Chessington_Community_College_head_has_big_plans/|title="Pride continues to grow": New Chessington Community College head has big plans|website=Surrey Comet|access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref> * {{As of|2024}} - Sarah Wilson<ref name="GIAS">{{cite web |title=Chessington School |url=https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/Establishments/Establishment/Details/148407 |website=Get Information about Schools |publisher=Gov.UK |access-date=7 December 2024}}</ref>
== The building == alt= Chessington Community College – New Building post 2009|thumb|Chessington Community College – New Building post 2009 In 2006, Chessington Community College became a Building Schools for the Future Pathfinder School and received a £27m grant for a complete rebuild of the school.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.chessingtoncommunitycollege.co.uk/college-history/|title=Our School History {{!}} Chessington Community College|website=www.chessingtoncommunitycollege.co.uk|access-date=30 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114182131/http://www.chessingtoncommunitycollege.co.uk/college-history/|archive-date=14 January 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The new building was designed by IID Architects<ref name=":3" /> and was designed with energy efficiency in mind and includes MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery),<ref name=":3" /> a biomass boiler,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.iid.co.uk/project/chessington-community-college-bsf|website=iid.co.uk|access-date=29 October 2021|title=Chessington Community College BSF }}</ref> photovoltaic panels<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.tftconsultants.com/insight/building-profiles/chessington-community-college|title=Chessington Community College – Tuffin Ferraby Taylor|last=Castling|first=Stephanie|website=tftconsultants.com|access-date=30 January 2017}}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and rain water harvesting.<ref name=":4" /> The building won the prestigious Community Benefit Award at the 2010 RICS Awards London. The construction of the school was project managed by Tuffin Ferraby Taylor.<ref name=":4" />
The building achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating due to the energy efficient design.<ref name=":4" />
Due to its architectural significance and design, the school building features in the Getty Image library.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gettyimages.no/detail/news-photo/chessington-community-college-garrison-lane-chessington-news-photo/144840147#chessington-community-college-garrison-lane-chessington-surrey-united-picture-id144840147|title=Chessington Community College, Garrison Lane, Chessington, Surrey, United Kingdom Architect: Iid Architects 2009 Chessington Community College-Loo Signs|newspaper=Getty Images|access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref> [http://www.gettyimages.no/photos/chessington-community-college?family=editorial&phrase=chessington%20community%20college&excludenudity=true&sort=best#license Chessington Community College Pictures and Photos - Getty Images]
The building was officially opened in September 2009.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/4654861.Chessington_Community_College_unveils_last_part_of___27m_rebuild/|title=Chessington Community College unveils last part of £27m rebuild|website=Surrey Comet|access-date=30 January 2017}}</ref> alt= Chessington Community College Pre 2009|thumb|Chessington Community College Pre 2009
=== Chessington Sports Centre === Chessington Sports Centre has a large multi purpose sports hall, including floodlighting and astro-turf, and can be used for sports by both students and the public.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hussle.com/gyms-in-epsom/chessington-sports-centre-2-gym-details|title=Chessington Sports Centre|website=www.hussle.com |access-date=29 October 2021}}</ref> The school's sports college status means it is a benchmark for the provision of sports teaching in the borough, and the school often leads and hosts sporting events, including football and netball competitions. The status also means the school gets more funding for sports facilities.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}
==Notable alumni== {{alumni|date=December 2022}} * Rhammel Afflick, writer and activist * Mark Cawthra, musician and record producer * Allan Mustafa, musician and actor * Tim Smith, musician and record producer * Peter Tagg, musician
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== ''Sixth Form at CCC: A History'' by Mark Tilley (Original Works)
== External links == * [http://chessington.kingston.sch.uk/ Chessington School Website] * [https://www.hussle.com/gyms-in-epsom/chessington-sports-centre-2-gym-details Chessington Sport Centre]
{{Schools and colleges in Kingston upon Thames}} {{authority control}}
Category:Secondary schools in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Category:Educational institutions established in 1953 Category:1953 establishments in England Category:Academies in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames