Opened 1955 LEA Kent County Council Number of students 87 (1966) | Closed 1989 Age 11 to 16 Founded 1955 | |
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Type Special Secondary Boarding School Specialist Children with Cerebral Palsy Motto There is no failure other than ceasing to try | ||
Thomas delarue school with david cording
Thomas Delarue was a co-educational special secondary boarding school in Tonbridge, Kent, England that was established in 1955 and closed in 1989. It was run by The Spastics Society and catered for pupils with cerebral palsy.
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History
Thomas Delarue School was established by The National Spastics Society in Tonbridge, Kent in 1955. It initially occupied an old house, located in Dene Park (TQ 597 504). The school was a boarding school. The first headmaster was a Mr Davies, A purpose-built school located on Starvecrow Hill (TQ 599 498) was opened on 19 September 1963. On 9 June 1964, The Duke of Edinburgh visited the school to perform the official opening ceremony. Mr Davies retired in July 1964. In 1966, the school had 87 pupils. The next head teacher retired at the end of the Spring Term, 1967. His name was Mr Tudor.
In 1979, a film was made about the school by members of Sevenoaks School. It was made to show the work of the Sevenoaks Voluntary Service and to give an insight into working with people with disabilities. Thomas Delarue School closed in 1989.