Borlase’s headteacher opens up on potential Banksy artwork

In the morning of Thursday, July 4, which is the same day as the country’s first General Election in five years, members of staff and students from Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School on West Street noticed the drawing opposite the educational building. 

It depicts a child holding a ministerial box (also known as the Red Box), which is used to contain important information involving the government or the monarchy.

Former headteacher Kay Mountfield (left) and current headteacher Ed Goodall (right) pose with the artwork outside Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in Marlow (Image: NQ)

It is usually seen on the day when the Chancellor of the Exchequer announces his budget for the UK.

The painting also shows the child wearing an old Borlase uniform, dotting the previous blue shades on the tie.

It has not been confirmed as a Banksy piece as of yet, as those at the school searched through CCTV.

Frustratingly, the cameras did not pick up the section of West Street where the painting was created.

The drawing appeared in the early hours of July 4 (Image: NQ)

Speaking exclusively to the Free Press, current headteacher, Mr Ed Goodall, said: “I was incredibly surprised to see it.

“I arrived at school at 7.30 this morning to start the day and saw it.

“There was no pre-planning or warning, we noticed it like others who going along the street.”

The artwork shows a young boy holding a ministerial box, which is also known as a Red Box (Image: NQ)

When asked what he thinks the painting means, he said: “There are a number of things you can take away from it.

“At its most critical, it could represent the middle class, privileged elite, but on the other side, it could mean young people being engaged in politics.

“In recent weeks, we’ve had candidates from each party come in (Labour had to cancel, but they said that if they win, they will come back and speak to the students), so we’re being apolitical.

“Our students are having many debates as the election is taking place at the moment, but this is a complete surprise.

“There a couple of bits of the stencil left behind but they have done a very good job in clearing up, and it’s all good phone.

“And we won’t be removing it.”

The face of the young boy (Image: NQ)

The painting arrived a few days after the school recently celebrated is 400th anniversary.

Over the previous weekend, roughly 1,000 people, mainly consisting of previous students, returned to honour the occasion.

The artwork then appeared a few days later, but the person, or group responsible has not yet been identified.

Both Mountfield (left) and Goodall (right) like the artwork (Image: NQ)

The most notable politician to attend the school is Phillip Lee.

The former Conservative MP, who held the Bracknell constituency between 2010 and 2019 before deflecting to the Liberal Democrats.

Borlase’s former headteacher, Kay Mountfield, told the Free Press: “You need to be politically engaged if you want to have a say in our future, and as our school, our students are very engaged in politics.

“They will step up and make their voices heard, as the school takes politics seriously.”

The anticipation that a potential Banksy creation has been left in Marlow has created a buzz in the town, with some heading over to West Street to take photos.