Sir William Borlase's Grammar School (commonly shortened to Borlase or SWBGS) is a selective state grammar school accepting pupils of all genders aged 11–18 located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, England. It is situated on West Street, close to the town centre and also accepts students from nearby towns. It has around 1000 pupils, including a sixth form of about 380. History Foundation The School was founded on its present site in 1624 by Sir William Borlase in memory of his son Henry Borlase, MP for Marlow, who died in that year. Sir William Borlase Sir William Borlase was the son of John Borlase, who made his fortune in London and this enabled his son to establish himself in Marlow as a country gentleman. He lived at Westhorpe Manor House in Little Marlow and became, not only Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, but was a Member of Parliament for Aylesbury. In 1603 he was knighted by King James I. In 1624 and in memory of his son Henry who died that same year, Sir William decided to build a "free school" in the town in order "to teach twenty-four poor children to write, read and cast accounts, such as their parents and friends are not able to maintain at school". Boys entered the school between the ages of ten and fourteen and at the end of two years, six of the best were given two pounds each to apprentice themselves to a trade. Co-education In 1987 the school became co-educational when girls entered into the lower sixth. Specialist status In September 2005 the school was awarded specialist school status as a Performing Arts College, by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES). Academy status In June 2011 the school became an Academy. Awards and inspections As well as its performing arts status, the school holds a number of awards and marks including the Sportsmark Award, the NACE Challenge Award, the Healthy Schools mark, the Continuing Professional Development Mark and is designated as a National Support School. The most recent full Ofsted inspection (as of Autumn 2014) occurred in June 2012. The report noted that the school has "an inspirational learning culture which is embraced by staff and students". Borlase was judged to be an 'Outstanding' school. Headteachers 1624 – Smith 1624–1721 – records destroyed 1721–1735 – Roe 1735–1759 – Thomas Heather I 1759–1782 – William Heather 1782–1793 – Thomas Heather II 1793–1809 – H.