Yardley Court
| Motto | Comites in comitate |
|---|---|
| Established | 1898 |
| Type | Other Independent School |
| Religion | Christian |
| Headteacher | Mr John Thomas Coakley B.A. (Hons), M.A., P.G.C.E. |
| Deputy Head | Dr Christopher Murray B.A. M.Phil (Hons) P.G.C.E. |
| Location |
Somerhill Tudeley Road Tonbridge Kent TN11 0NJ England Coordinates: 51°11′05″N 0°17′57″E / 51.18468°N 0.29905°E |
| Local authority | Kent |
| DfE URN | 118960 Tables |
| Gender | Boys |
| Ages | 7–13 |
| Colours | |
| Website |
www |
Yardley Court is a preparatory school in Tonbridge, Kent, England, for boys aged seven to thirteen. The school motto is Comites in comitate, "Courtiers in courtesy".
Founded in 1898, Yardley Court was in its early years run by members of the Bickmore family, including Maurice Bickmore (MHB) and "Eric" Bickmore (AFB). Eric played cricket for Oxford University (1920–21) and for Kent (1919–29). They were succeeded by Eric's sons, John (JADB) and Michael (MJB). They were known at the school as "Mr Maurice", "Mr Eric", "Mr John" and "Mr Michael".
Since 1997, John Coakley has been the headmaster. The deputy head is Christopher Murray, who arrived at the school in September 2015. Nathan Close is the Director of Studies with Jonathan Shute the head of the Junior school. Mr Richard Raistrick is the Head of Teaching and Learning. The school moved to its current site in 1990; having been situated on Yardley Park Road, close to Tonbridge School. Derwent Lodge joined Yardley Court in 2001, with a Pre-Prep school joining in 2006.
The school's facilities include a sports hall that was opened on 4 July 2002 by Mrs Godfrey Jayne Hallows Bickmore, new dining room and an indoor swimming pool. Dame Kelly Holmes opened the dining room and swimming pool on the 1 October 2009. A dedicated music block was built in October 2014.
There are four houses - Ashmore, Hudson, Marques and Nicolson.
The school's alumni are known as Old Yardley Courtiers (OYCs).
Roll of Honour
44 former students or Masters lost their lives in World War I and 63 in World War II. Their names are listed on two plaques on the Roll of Honour in the Garden of Memory on the school grounds. A wreath laying ceremony is held each year on Remembrance Day.[1]
The OYC Roll of Honour includes Wing Commander Eric James Brindley Nicolson VC DFC, Battle of Britain fighter pilot and recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Other notable alumni
- Admiral of the Fleet Sir Edward Beckwith Ashmore - British naval officer
- Vice Admiral Sir Peter William Beckwith Ashmore - British naval officer
- Robert Fisk, journalist.
- Frederick Forsyth, novelist.
- David Marques, England and British Lions rugby player and member of 1964 America's Cup challenger team aboard the yacht Sovereign.[2]
- Ed Smith, cricketer and writer.
- Elleston Trevor, known as the author of Flight of The Phoenix and the Quiller series of espionage novels.
- Peter West,[3] presenter.
- Bob Woolmer, cricketer.
- Dick Strawbridge, TV presenter.