Bushey Meads School

Infobox UK school
name = Bushey Meads School


size =
latitude = 51.649
longitude = -0.349
dms =
motto =
motto_pl =
established = 1957
approx =
type = comprehensive, foundation
religion =
president =
head_label =
head = Keith Douglas
r_head_label =
r_head =
chair_label = Chair of Governors
chair = Di Hoeksma
founder =
founder_pl =
specialist = Technology College
street = Coldharbour Lane
city = Bushey
county = Hertfordshire
country = England flagicon|England
postcode = WD23 4PA
phone = 020 8950 3000
fax = 020 8950 6208
LEA = Hertfordshire County Council
ofsted = 117580
staff =
enrollment = 1044
gender = Mixed
lower_age = 11
upper_age = 18
houses =
colours =
publication =
free_label_1 =
free_1 =
free_label_2 =
free_2 =
free_label_3 =
free_3 =
website = http://www.busheymeads.herts.sch.uk/
website_name = busheymeads.herts.sch.uk

Bushey Meads School (also commonly known as "BMS" by staff and students) is a foundation secondary school in Bushey, Hertfordshire, UK. The current head teacher is Mr Keith Douglas, B.A. hons, M.A., who started as a new member of staff in the school in December 2005.

It achieves relatively well in comparison with other schools in the area and is a recommended place in Hertfordshire for Sixth form studies. It offers a wide range of subjects.

Its close proximity to several TV studios (in particular Elstree) have made it an excellent location when school scenes were desired. TV programs featuring the school include Grange Hill, [cite web|title = Grange Hill Fan site - Frequently asked questions|url = http://www.grangehillfans.co.uk/faq/faq-general.html] the comedy "Roll Over Beethoven" (starring Nigel Planer), "Buddy" (with Roger Daltry) and "Worms Alive!" with Chas Fenton and also "Family Business" in which the students were invovled with.

History of the School

Founded

The school was founded in 1957 as Bushey Secondary Modern School.It celebrated its 50^th anniversary by taking a major role in the annual "Bushey Carnival" in 2007, basing some events on the history and successes of the school.

The Name

The name "Bushey Meads" derives from the original surrounding area. The site where the school buildings now stand, was once fields surrounding the once small village of "Bushey"; which is where "Meads" (meaning "fields") in the school name comes from.

Folklore

One of the most popular legends in the history of Bushey Meads School regards the light switch in the gentleman's toilet of the English block. Between 1981 and 1999, the screws that attached said light switch to the wall appeared to be permanently covered in large mounds of bright green nasal mucus. It is told that on several occasions it was attempted to remove this matter with sandpaper and other implements. But the next morning, the mucus always reappeared, just as it was the night before. It was believed by many of the children that the phenomena was caused by the ghost of a former student who had been punished with a nezform nose grip in his last days.

Uniform

Bushey Meads School operates a very strict uniform policy, stating on their website, "Please note that non-uniform items will be confiscated and kept in the school office until the end of the school day."The stated aims of the policy are discipline and hiding differences in family wealth.

The people that supply the uniforms are National Schoolwear with the nearest National Schoolwear being on Bushey High Street near The Red Lion Pub and about 20 minutes away from Bushey Meads School

The uniform is relatively inexpensive, consisting of:
* green or white polo shirt, with school logo,
* green sweatshirt with school logo,
* black or charcoal grey plain trousers or (for girls) plain unpleated skirt,
* black or dark brown shoes.Jewellery (other than one pair of simple studs for pierced ears) is forbidden.

Current Technology

In every Maths classroom there is an "Interactive Whiteboard", as do many classrooms in other departments. There are over 400 computers on site, with a networked computer and projector in every room.

The school itself gained Technology College status in 2002, entitling it to grants and financial support towards various technological applications. The school is also now a certified Cisco college offering education in the first 2 stages of becoming a certified Cisco engineer.

The Future

Renovation

The new head of the school, Mr Keith Douglas, is currently pressing forward with a major renovation project at the school. This includes much needed refurbishment and redecoration of the older rooms, and repairing and painting the outside of the older blocks. As well as this, facilities are being improved, such as new equipment and books for certain departments which needed it the most. In 2008 various areas of the school site are redecorated, with significant refurbishment work in the Design Technology block, including a modern Hospitality and Catering suite.

Development

Most of the school buildings are 1970s, but there is a late '80s music block, a late '90s English block and a new science block completed in 2003. The Sixth Form Area has recently been renovated by giving it a new look to 'encourage studying'.

Notable Alumni

* George Michael - Global pop icon.
* Andrew Ridgeley - Partner of George Michael in the pop act Wham. During their time at the school, their school band was known as 'The Executive'.
* Simon Phillips - World renowned session and live drummer, frequently playing with Pete Townshend in the late seventies and eighties. [cite web|title = Simon Phillipps - Official Website|url = http://www.simon-phillips.com/biography/history.html]
* Richard Yellop - Philanthropist.
* Elton John Attended this school for his first year before moving to Pinner County Grammar School.

Trivia

Stan Lee paid BMS a visit in 2002. He is known as the creator of the popular comics of Spider-Man and co-creator of other comic book characters such as X-men, Incredible Hulk, Daredevil and The Fantastic Four.

References

External links

* [http://www.busheymeads.herts.sch.uk/ Bushey Meads School Website]