Lady Boswell's School's 350th Anniversary Service

Published: 27 October 2025

Many thanks to the Governors, staff and students at Lady Boswell’s School for the invitation to their 350th Anniversary Service at Rochester Cathedral, to mark the end of their ‘birthday celebrations'.

It was a brilliant embodiment of:

• The inspiration of Lady Margaret Boswell in 1675 who set up a fund to support free education for the poorest young people in Sevenoaks, 200 years ahead of most of England
• The staff and volunteers who have managed the school, and the charity which supports it, from 15 students in 1700 to over 400 today
• The students who have used the education gained and gone on to help others.

This was a service by the school, for its students and staff, with a beautiful piano performance to open, great singing all the way through, and a violin solo to close. It was led by the bishop of Tonbridge, with the Rector of St Nicholas Church Sevenoaks, Angus Macleay. We were joined too by Lady Colgrain, Lord Lieutenant of Kent and Linda Harrison, Chair of Sevenoaks District Council.

The whole event was joyous. Filling the cathedral, it reflected the love and care which runs through the school. Just the same as it was 30 years ago, when our children started their education at Lady Boswells!

 

Cllr Tony Clayton 

Mayor of Sevenoaks