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07/03/26

📢 Year 11 Update – KentChoices KentChoices letter should have or be landing soon, reminding students to: • Accept/decline offers • Preference applications • Apply if they haven’t yet • Access guidance & reassurance Actions are encouraged by 1 April.  Need help? Contact us.

15/02/26

🎨👏 Huge news! Maya has won the Young Artist Award, a major bi-annual competition for young creatives across the South East! Her piece on the theme ‘Place’ earned her £150 and a bursary offer from UCA. Well done, Maya! See more:  bartoncourt.org/238/latest-n…

15/02/26

🏆 Barton Court wins Best School at the John Downton Awards for the 4th year running! Huge congratulations to Sam, winner of the 17–18 Photography Prize 📸 453 entries • 36 schools • Outstanding Talent See more:  bartoncourt.org/238/latest-n…

07/02/26

🎶 A huge well done to all our Y7 & Y8 students who took part in the Young Musician of the Year! Many performed solo for the first time – an amazing achievement. See the winners:  bartoncourt.org/238/latest-n…  

29/01/26

🎨 Four Barton Court students were shortlisted for the RI Coronation Award, a national watercolour competition! 👏 Special congratulations to Libby and Violet for receiving Merits for their outstanding work. More info: bartoncourt.org/238/latest-n…

18/01/26

📣 Join us this Wednesday! Barton Court Grammar School's Sixth Form Open Evening is on 21 Jan, 6.30–8.30pm. Meet staff, explore courses and discover what makes our Sixth Form exceptional. 🔗 Details:  bartoncourt.org/2048/open-ev…    

12/01/26

Celebrating success at our Awards Evening 2025! Students from Years 8–13 were honoured for academic and citizenship achievements. Huge thanks to guest speaker Colonel Jane Carey-Harris TD DL VR for her inspiring words! Read more:  bartoncourt.org/238/latest-n…

06/01/26

Eight of our talented students have been shortlisted for the prestigious  ! 🎨 Their work will be exhibited at County Gallery, Maidstone as part of the 25th anniversary celebration. Learn more:  bartoncourt.org/238/latest-n…  

18/12/25

Missed the Winter Concert? 🎶 Catch the amazing performances from our orchestra, ensembles, choirs and soloists on YouTube! 👉  youtu.be/yaBn4h0xZ-w  

18/12/25

🎶✨ Missed our Carol Service? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! Catch the highlights on YouTube and feel the festive spirit. 👉  youtu.be/PbQdZklqhp0

17/12/25

Students from BCGS and BMS joined Rosie Duffield MP for a Q&A on issues shaping Canterbury: Housing, Transport, Environment & Public Safety. Great to see young voices leading the conversation! Read more:  bartoncourt.org/238/latest-n…   

11/12/25

🎶 Two magical nights of music! 🎄 90 students from Y7–Y13 wowed audiences at our Carol Service in Canterbury Cathedral & Winter Concert. Full house, incredible talent and outstanding commitment!  

05/12/25

🎨 Barton Court celebrates creativity! Year 7 mastered tone & colour theory, while Year 8 explored self-portraits and Cubism-inspired distortions. 👏 Incredible talent on display – well done to all!   

28/11/25

🚨 We’re recruiting! BCAT needs a Non-Executive Director/Trustee + Local Governors for our schools. Bring your expertise, challenge and support to help shape the future of education. 📩 Apply today and make a difference in local education  bartoncourtacademytrust.org/…

26/11/25

📜 Barton Court Grammar School is now re-accredited as an Advanced Thinking School! We put thinking at the heart of learning – building resilience, independence & lifelong skills. 💡Read more:  bartoncourt.org/461/introduc…

25/11/25

From Year 7 to Year 13, we’re helping students prepare for the world of work! 🚀 ✅ Enterprise projects ✅ Workshops & guest speakers ✅ Dedicated focus days See what’s happening now in our latest newsletter 👉  bartoncourt.org/255/careers-…

24/11/25

🎶 We’re thrilled to announce that Barton Court Grammar School has achieved the upper level of recognition at Music Mark for Ambition & Quality! This award celebrates our commitment to providing high-quality music education for all students. A true mark of excellence! 👏

14/11/25

Our Sixth Form Art students hit London yesterday for the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize opening + a deep dive into the great masters at the National Gallery. Inspiration unlocked! Find out more:  bartoncourt.org/238/latest-n…

05/11/25

Thinking of your Sixth Form place, have you considered Barton Court Grammar School? Find out more: https://t.co/FyhqjdOcWb We also have an Open Evening on Wednesday 21 January 2026 6.30 – 8.30pm. Put a reminder in your calendar and we look forward to meeting you. pic.twitter.com/CE7B3zYXwR

30/10/25

Barton Court has recently held its first Black History Month celebration which was organised by the Culture, Diversity and Inclusion Society. Take a look:  bartoncourt.org/238/latest-n…

28/10/25

Talented Barton Court student is finalist in Canterbury Festival music competition. See more at:  bartoncourt.org/238/latest-n…

27/10/25

Barton Court is looking forward to hosting its annual Awards Evening again this November and is looking for new sponsors. If you would be interested, simply contact the School on 01227 464600 or email: sltadministrator.org . Sponsorships start from £15.

18/10/25

Do you have a child starting in September 2026? We are offering an additional Open Morning on Wednesday 29 October 9am - 10.30am. No need to book, just turn up! bartoncourt.org/2048/open-ev…

15/10/25

Our uniform suppliers have 20% off everything from Monday 27 October - Sunday 9 November 2025 (midnight). Don't miss out!

01/10/25

Do you have a child starting in September 2026? Come along to our Open Evenings and Mornings; please book for the Headteacher talks via our website:https://t.co/ITjphmVzH1 pic.twitter.com/y7ffSYeeeV

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Celebrating Creativity: Eight Talented Students Shortlisted for the John Downton Awards

Posted on: 06/01/2026

We are thrilled to announce that eight incredible young artists from Barton Court have been shortlisted for the prestigious John Downton Awards – a celebration of creativity and artistic achievement across Kent.

The John Downton Awards, now marking their 25th anniversary, honour the life and work of John Downton, the celebrated Kent artist, poet and philosopher. First organised in 2000 at the request of his sister, Miss Hilda Downton, the awards aim to recognise and encourage the creative talents of young people in the fields of Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media, and Photography.

Schools and colleges from across the county take part in this inspiring annual exhibition, which is hosted on behalf of the John Downton Trust. Through mentoring and advice, the awards also highlight the value of creative careers for the next generation.

This year’s shortlisted works will be exhibited at the County Gallery, County Hall, Maidstone, where a professional panel will judge submissions. Prizes will be awarded to the top three individuals in each age group (11–16 and 17–18), along with Highly Commended certificates. The coveted John Downton Trophy will go to the school with the best overall submission.

We are immensely proud of our students for their outstanding creativity and dedication. Their success reflects the vibrant artistic spirit within our school community.

Take a look at the eight shortlisted pieces of artwork…

Written by Barton Court
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