The colours are close but I am not yet sure that they are wholly accurate. I suspect that the crest (above the shield) contained some red markings. It would be helpful if some of our ex-pupils would investigate further.

The Heraldry

The badge follows the basic principles of heraldry and this had me scurrying off to various web sites for information... particularly the one at...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heraldry

In medieval times, heraldry was used to identify individual warriors on the battlefield as their features were normally obscured by helmets and other attire. Various items of clothing contained insignia. This usually took the form of a design on the shield but it often included other features such as a crest on a helmet. 

These individual elements later came together to form a full coat of arms.... with the crest appearing above the shield. Often the crest was pictured with the helmet but it sometimes appeared with other features such as a battlement (ie the top of a castle wall or turret).   

The shield was often divided into separate portions (by a cross, diagonal line, horizontal line, vertical line or chevron) and augmented by individual symbols relevant to the owner. It might also be surrounded by supporters (human figures, mythological figures or animals etc) and set above a motto. 

The Sir William Nottidge badge contained most of these features. It had a crest resting on a battlement, a shield divided by a chevron and various "relevant" symbols.

It also had a motto....

However, this was omitted from the school uniform and frequently excluded from school publications (such as letter heads). 

Badge Origins...

I must admit that I encountered a few problems while investigating the reasons for the symbols on the shield. I could see the relevance of the book overlaying the chevron... but how did two sheaves of wheat and a suspended sheep relate to the school?

In fact, by attempting to link the crest to the school, I was actually approaching the whole issue from the wrong angle. I should have been investigating the relevance to the school's "founder". Now, thanks to some of our ex-Nottidge pupils, I know that the crest was that of Sir William Nottidge himself and that he gave permission for it to be used.

This explains why the design conforms so rigidly to the basic principles of heraldry. It may also explain why it contains a crest. Crests were originally associated with battle helmets and the battlefield. Thus, they appeared on the coats of arms of men but not those of women. 

Before we leave the origins, I must say that I am fascinated by the motto "Spurn Not Age". Was the "Not Age" a tongue in cheek mispronunciation of "Nottidge". Well, we don't know... but I'd like to think that a Chairman of the KCC had an impish sense of humour!  

The Terminology...

If, on some nostalgic evening, you discuss the old school badge with your friends, make sure that you use the correct terminology. I have set out some of the pitfalls below - all discovered during my brief foray into the world of heraldry.

One or two ex-pupils referred to the badge as the "coat of arms of the Nottidge family". Sorry, folks.... not true! An official coat of arms is associated with a person... NOT a family. Upon the death of the owner, it may be inherited.... but by one person... NOT a family group.

Displayed together, a crest and shield can be called "a crest". It is also acceptable to display the crest and shield separately (particularly if space is limited). In that case, the crest is called "a crest". However, a shield displayed without the crest must never be called "a crest". I hope that makes sense! If not, direct your complaints to the relevant heraldic authorities.  

The Uniform...

All this leads me nicely on to the original Sir William Nottidge school uniform. In the early days, this was a nightmare for parents as it comprised a jacket, cap (for boys) and beret (for girls)... all in a very bright and easily soiled royal blue . It was topped (or rather bottomed) by grey trousers or skirt. 

Forgive me for being an anorak... but I find the choice of colours interesting. It seems to me that practicality played little part. Having adopted the crest of Sir William Nottidge, the colours of the uniform simply followed suit.

If you think back to my comments on heraldry, you realise that this is completely at odds with the approach in medieval times. In those days, the designs and colours of battlefield "clothing" were used to create the coat of arms rather than the other way round. The founders of the school obviously employed a touch of reverse engineering before the term had actually been invented! I wish my old mum was still alive... so that I could tell her that there was a perfectly good explanation for her battle with stains on my brother's vivid blue jacket.  

The use of the badge also fascinates me. For the uniform, the badge was separated into two elements. The crest was placed on the cap or beret... and the shield on the breast pocket of the jacket. Here, the usage does tie in with heraldic principles - ie a crest is associated with the helmet of medieval armour and the shield is held across the chest. 

Whether that thought played a part in the design of the school uniform, I really don't know! 

Caps and berets didn't last long at the school... which probably explains why many ex-pupils recall the shield but not the crest. The jacket continued for a short while but it was eventually replaced by a more practical navy blue augmented by the original royal blue tie and badge.

In later years, the full uniform disappeared in favour of pullovers and sweatshirts. However. the badge remained in the school entrance hall and on official documents until the school assumed a new identity, uniform and badge at the end of the millennium.   

Sports Kit...

Despite the demise of the full school uniform, the bright colours remained on the sports field with a very distinctive football strip..

Football Kit royal blue shirts with yellow sleeves   white shorts   royal blue socks with broad yellow "turnovers"

The kit was worn with great pride and the school gained quite a reputation for sporting achievement... particularly in the world of football and cricket. Hopefully, some of our lady ex-pupils will provide details of achievements and kit for such sports as netball etc.

A New Beginning...

In 1998, the Sir William Nottidge School was relaunched as The Community College Whitstable with a new ethos, management structure and approach - combining the best aspects of the original school with new ideas for the future. This was accompanied by the introduction of a new badge (depicting an oyster yawl) and a motto ("Striving for Excellence"). It was also marked by  the re-introduction of a royal blue  uniform - in a darker and more practical shade.

Arguments for the new badge included the thought that it would be more meaningful to students and more relevant to Whitstable. This was a valid standpoint. However, having studied the origins of the old badge, I rather suspect that the change was not just desirable but also essential. After all, it would have been impossible to continue with the personal coat of arms of Sir William Nottidge once the school had been renamed.   

Drafting Note:

Can anyone provide further details of badges and uniforms. This includes girls uniforms (summer and winter) and lapel badges.