History of the School

Charters School opened its doors on 23 April 1958 with just under 400 students. A service of dedication was held in the school hall on 17 December 1958 and the students were given an extra half-day’s holiday to mark the occasion.

The origins of our school crest stems from the day on which we opened, 23 April – St. George’s Day. 

Crest

Shakespeare’s birthday is April 23, and he is represented on our school crest with a dagger, a key feature in many of his plays. The red cross pays homage to St. George’s Day, which is celebrated on the same day and the stag represents the county of Berkshire, which was made a Royal Borough in the same year that Charters School opened.

Our school mascot, Waddleton, is a toy stag named after our first Headteacher.

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John Waddleton taught at Charters from 1958 until his retirement in 1976. Below he can be seen showing Queen Elizabeth around our school when she visited in 1962.

Queen Waddleton

 

TIMELINE
1958 - School Opens on 23 April 1992- New purpose built library and Resource Centre opens
1962 - Queen Elizabeth makes an informal visit on 4 April 1997 - Princess Royal presents Barry Mitchell, Headteacher with the year's School Curriculum Award and the school is given the Sportsmark Award
1969 - Charters becomes an eight form entry  Comprehensive school for local children aged 11-18 1997 - Marcia Twelftree appointed as Headteacher later this year
1971 -  Tyr Abad (formally Tirabad) outdoor pursuits centre officially opens on 29 September 2008 - Golden Jubilee 50 years celebration
1972 - Expansion of school includes ten new science labs and a games hall 2009 - Martyn Parker and Richard Pilgrim take on pioneering roles of Co-Headteachers
1983 - Centre for physically disabled students opens to its first students and the school celebrates its 25 years Silver Jubilee 2018 - Diamond Jubilee 60 years celebration, Martyn Parker retires and Richard Pilgrim continues as Headteacher
1985 - Sports facilities expanded 2020 - John Fletcher appointed as Headteacher following Richard Pilgrim's retirement