Yardley Court

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 / 51.18468; 0.29905
Local authority Kent
DfE URN 118960 Tables
Gender Boys
Ages 7–13
Colours     
Website www.somerhill.org

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


References


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