Burford School celebrates its 452nd Charter Day

The foundation of Burford School is celebrated each year in autumn when we hold our Charter Day services, attended by all members of the school.

Founded by Charter in 1571, Burford School has been maintained continually since this date, making us one of the oldest schools in the country.

As part of our Charter Day services today (Friday 17 November 2023), staff and students gave thanks and remembered what has come to us from our founders, generous individuals of the past, and pledged our commitment to the school as trustees of this inheritance, which in our turn we must deliver on to others.

We remembered our founders Simon Wysdom, Richard Dalby, Edmund Silvester, William Partridge, John Lymme, Bennet Fowler, William Sylvester and Thomas Fryer. And with these names, we also associate Emslie John Horniman, whose generosity made the education of girls part of Burford School.

Later in the evening, our Charter Day Senior Prizegiving will take place, recognising and celebrating the achievements of our students in years 10 to 13.

We are delighted this year to welcome Prof Sir Martin Landray, FMedSci, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at Oxford University and former parent-governor at Burford School as our guest speaker. In 2021, Martin was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to Public Health and Science. With our desire to always stretch students to ‘reach beyond their grasp’, we look forward to what we are confident will be a fascinating and inspirational speech for both our prizewinners and their families.