Our 400th Anniversary

Founded in 1624, Borlase was proud to celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2024.

We were thrilled to mark this significant milestone here in Marlow, still on our original site, where the school’s rich history has unfolded over the centuries. Sir William Borlase founded his school on a strong philanthropic principle: the desire to enable local children to have access to an education which would prepare them to progress in their own lives and make a difference to their community.  Our 400th anniversary was a moment to reflect on the incredible stories that have shaped Borlase, and to honour the many ‘Borlasians’ who have gone on to make their mark on the world.

This anniversary provided a special opportunity to bring together our entire community—past and present—to celebrate everything the school, its students, staff, and supporters have achieved over the past four centuries. 

On June 29th 2024, we were delighted to welcome over 1,000 visitors to our Borlase 400 History and Exhibition Open Day, a milestone event marking our 400th anniversary. For the first time in our history, we opened many of the school’s buildings, offering a unique opportunity for the community to explore both the historic and modern elements of our campus.

Guests enjoyed discovering how Borlase operates today while also learning about its rich history through a range of exhibits and student-led tours.

The day featured the premiere of a new arrangement of the School Song, Te Digna Sequere, commissioned as part of our 400th anniversary celebrations. Visitors also enjoyed a variety of special activities, including the Borlase 400 cake baking competition, sports matches, and musical and drama performances—all themed around our 400-year legacy. 

Thank you to all of our wonderful visitors and sponsors. It was a truly memorable day for the entire Borlase community.