List of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This list of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom contains extant schools in the United Kingdom established prior to 1700 and a few former schools established prior to the Reformation. The dates refer to the foundation or the earliest documented contemporary reference to the school. In many cases the date of the original foundation is uncertain. For conciseness schools whose date is cited on their own page in Wikipedia are not cited again here. Though not technically in the United Kingdom, a school from Guernsey – which forms part of the British Isles – is included in this list.

England[]

Sixth century[]

Seventh century[]

  • The Minster School, York (song school founded 627, refounded 1903)
  • St Peter's School, York (627, Royal charter 1550s)
  • Thetford Grammar School (631, mentioned 1114, refounded 1566)
  • Hereford Cathedral School (676, mentioned 1384)
  • Royal Grammar School Worcester (685, first conclusive evidence 1291, Royal charter 1561)
  • Carlisle Grammar School (priory school founded 685)
  • Beverley Grammar School (c.700)

Eighth century[]

Tenth century[]

  • Warwick School (914, royal charter 1545)
  • Wells Cathedral School (909)
  • St Albans School (c.948, refounded 1549)
  • The Minster School, Southwell (minster founded 956, first mention 1313, refounded 1547)
  • The King's School, Ely (970)

Eleventh century[]

  • Bedford School (1086, refounded 1552)
  • Salisbury Cathedral School (1091)
  • Norwich School (1096, refounded 1547 as "King Edward VI Grammar School")
  • Abingdon School (possibly as old as 1100, endowed 1256, refounded 1563)

Twelfth century[]

Thirteenth century[]

  • Lancaster Royal Grammar School (mention of master 1235, endowed 1472)
  • King Edward VI Grammar School, Louth (earliest reference 1276, refounded 1551)
  • King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon (1295, refounded 1553)

Fourteenth century[]

Fifteenth century[]

Sixteenth century[]

Seventeenth century[]

Wales[]

Thirteenth century[]

  • Ruthin School (c.1284, refounded 1574)

Sixteenth century[]

Seventeenth century[]

  • Ysgol David Hughes Ynys Môn (1603)
  • Hawarden High School (1606)
  • Monmouth School (1614)
  • Botwnnog School (1616)[6]
  • The Bishop Gore School, Swansea (1682)

Scotland[]

Twelfth century[]

Thirteenth century[]

  • Ayr Academy (1233)
  • High School of Dundee (1239)
  • Aberdeen Grammar School (possibly c. 1257, earliest mention 1418)

Fourteenth century[]

Fifteenth century[]

Sixteenth century[]

Seventeenth century[]

Northern Ireland[]

Seventeenth century[]

Channel Islands[]

Sixteenth century[]

  • Elizabeth College (Guernsey) (1563)

See also[]

References for schools not having their own page[]

  1. ^ see: Vitae Corona Fides: The History of Colchester Royal Grammar School by Trevor Hearn'
  2. ^ "History & Heritage". Exeter Cathedral School. 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  3. ^ "Burnsall School: A Brief Historical Guide" (PDF). Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  4. ^ "Welcome to the website of Sibford Gower Endowed Primary School". Sibford Gower Endowed Primary School. Retrieved 15 December 2018.[better source needed]
  5. ^ Cripps, Melanie. "Prospectus-31.10.16" (PDF). Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  6. ^ Schools Inquiry Commission (1868). Report of the Commissioners. G .E. Eyre and W. Spottiswoode. p. Appendix 60. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
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