In 2007 the OCA was largely instrumental in the publication and launch of an authoritive history of the school - ‘CHARD SCHOOL – Three Centuries of History’.  Researched, written and compiled by Derrick Warren, himself an Old Cerdic, this is a comprehensive account of the school’s long history dating right back to 1671 when William Symes gave his Manor House to the Portreeve and Burgesses of the Borough of Chard for a piece of gold ‘for the education and bringing up of youth in virtue and learning’.  This definitive history was reprinted and updated in 2021 and copies are available for purchase from the school.

The 80th Anniversary of the OCA in 2009 was marked by a series of special events held to celebrate the occasion including a commemorative service in the school chapel on the exact day of the anniversary attended by a cross section of Old Cerdics from all generations including the 1930s.

Five years later the 85th Anniversary was celebrated in 2015 by the presentation to the School of a framed portrait of one of the school’s most famous alumni Thomas Wakley, born 1795.  Wakley was one of the most influential social and medical reformers of the 19th century – founder editor of ‘The Lancet’ acknowledged today as the most authoritative medical journal world-wide.  He was a Member of Parliament for nearly 20 years and Coroner for West Middlesex, a post he was to hold until he died in 1862.  The portrait was unveiled by the Minister for Schools, The Rt.Hon.David Laws MP at a special ceremony in the school chapel at which the Mayor of Chard was also present.