Unmistakably
The Langton
Our History
Our History
The school dates back to the 13th Century, when Simon Langton, Archdeacon of Canterbury, left monies for the establishment of a Hospital for Poor Priests in Stour Street, Canterbury. Over time, this evolved into a Blue Coat School and a school overseen by the trustees of Jesus Hospital.
By the Nineteenth Century, the city required new secondary schools and The Langton took new shape in 1881 in it’s original setting in the heart of the city, slowly evolving into the Canterbury institution it has become. Much of the buildings were destroyed in the Baedeker raids of the Second World War and the school moved to its present site, on the edge of the city, in 1960 where it has remained ever since.
Students from the school have gone on to make significant national and international contributions as Knights of the realm, aviators, scientists, sportsmen and women, activists, artists and admirals. The school has long enjoyed its status as one of the leading schools in the country and remembers its proud history through the Langton boys commemorated in the school’s five Houses.
Our five School houses Burgess, Hardman, Mackenzie, Sharp and Young are named after five of the boys who fell in the First World War. There is no attempt in the House system to glorify warfare. Rather, by permanently remembering these boys, there is an opportunity to reflect on the tragedy of the loss of life brought about by warfare.
Indeed, we feel profoundly that we do not have the right to forget their lives and the tragic ends to which they came. They bore the weight of their time too heavily. The five boys represented much that we value in the School; all were bright and Archie Hardman, who was also Head Boy, is said to have been a boy of extraordinary intellectual gifts. Young was commended for his leadership throughout his time at the school; he was Head Boy in 1908 and a Payne Smith Medallist, as well as the first Prefect of the ‘Pink’ House when the original House system began.
They were all good sportsmen; Eric Sharp, the Headmaster’s only son, was an outstanding athlete and William ‘Budge’ Burgess is thought by many to have been the finest sportsman ever to attend the Langton. ‘Mac’ Mackenzie was regarded as one of the finest young officers on the Western Front. All were noted for their leadership at School, in their professional lives and whilst serving. And all were noted for their integrity and honour. In short, everything we expect and hope for from our current young men and women.