became an Academy in 2013. Traditions Houses There are four houses in the school named after important figures in the school's history. Each is associated with a different colour which is reflected in PE shirts, and boys are assigned to a house when they join the school on an arbitrary basis in order to create different groups for school activities, including Sports Day. Laughton – (yellow), John Laughton left a bequest to the local bluecoats' school. On its closure this was subsequently given to the grammar school. Head of House: Miss Amanda Cook; Muston – (blue), Robert De Muston was the first schoolmaster of Boston in 1329. Head of House: Mr Alan Mountford; Gannock – (red), William Gannock was the Mayor of Boston at the time the school was built on its current site in 1567. Head of House: Miss Christine Abrams; Parry – (green), John Parry the Liberal MP for Boston who in 1875 gave a gold medal to the scholar of the year. This medal is still awarded to the student who attains the best A-level results each year. Head of House: Miss Louise Brown. Beast Mart Beast Mart is an annual half-day holiday, awarded to boys to commemorate the annual cattle market that took place traditionally in the school yard (the Beast Yard). The Beast Mart declaration takes place one day in December each year. The Council Chief Executive (in place of the historical Town Clerk) reads the declaration of the Beast Mart and the Mayor requests that the headmaster give the school a half-day holiday. The head of school then leads three cheers to the King and the Mayor calling "hip, hip, hip!" Charter Day A celebration of the granting of the school charter takes place annually at St Botolph's Church, Boston, (known locally as Boston Stump). During this celebration the school song is traditionally sung. Prizegiving An annual prizegiving ceremony is held in December of each year. During this event a number of awards recognising achievement in academic disciplines, sport and other areas are awarded. Old boys are often in attendance, including the previous year's A-level students who return to receive their A-level certificates. The prestigious Parry Gold Medal is awarded to the student who achieved the best A-level results. A guest speaker is always invited, and notable guests of honour have included Helen Sharman, Barry Spikings and Mark Simmonds MP. Controversies Reports of violence