King Edward's School, Bath: The dissolution of Bath Priory by Henry VIII in 1539 cost the city its original grammar school, which had been run by the monks. Stung into action by the lack of education available for their sons, the Mayor and citizens of Bath petitioned the young King Edward VI to provide funds to establish a new grammar school. As a result, the King granted a Charter in July 1552, establishing ‘a school for the instruction of boys and young men in grammar to continue for ever’. At the same time, he gave 102 properties situated in the city, the income from which was to be used entirely for the support of the School and ten poor persons from within the community.
Originally located in Frog Lane, the site of today's New Bond Street, the newly established school provided education for fee-paying boys, aged 7-15, who were selected on academic merit. By 1583, the School had been moved into the nave of a disused church, St Mary’s by the North Gate. Inside the schoolroom, the Master presided over the whole School from a dais, the boys sitting on benches and working with books on their knees. Interestingly, the tower of the church was the city's jail!
The School was to remain at this location for nearly 200 years until the Corporation of Bath and the School's trustees recognised the need for more fitting premises, and in 1754 they agreed to Thomas Jelly’s plans for a new School to be sited in Broad Street, to include a playground and dormitories. The building still stands today on the left-hand side going up the hill of Broad Street, although it is no longer owned by the School.
By 1918 there were 225 boys in the School and by this time the curriculum had been extended, a school cap introduced, a school song commissioned, the Cadet Corps (which was now firmly established) along with its own band and the Old Edwardians’ Association started. Team sport made its appearance with a rugby team formed in 1897, and both cricket and football officially recognised three years later. Hockey had to wait until 1940. During the period immediately after the Second World War, Founder’s Day Service was established, the Bathampton playing fields purchased and school lunches introduced.
Gaining Direct Grant status in 1920 enabled the School to admit able boys from less affluent homes on government grants - a situation replicated later by the Assisted Places Scheme in 1981 and the School's own Bursary Fund, which was established in more recent times. With the growth in numbers, the Broad Street premises quickly became inadequate. A new site was therefore acquired by the Governors on North Road in 1959. Its spacious grounds made it possible to extend the facilities significantly.
In 1988, the sale of the Broad Street building, helped fund the building of the new Junior School, located on the meadow behind the Senior School, and was formally opened in 1990.
In 1996, The Park School on Weston Lane confirmed links with King Edward’s School, with the aim of converting into a Pre-Prep for ages 3-7 years. This eventually took place in 1999, when the Park School formally amalgamated with King Edward’s School.
After girls had first been admitted into the Sixth Form in 1986, the School became fully co-educational eleven years later in 1997.
Date
1552-1975
Description
Letter books, Govenor's minute books, Governor's account books, and the 1552 School Charter of King Edward VI. Also includes land deeds of the original endowment to the School.
Related Units of Description
The majority of the records for the King Edward's School are still held by the school in its own Archive.
Related Units of Description
Separated material: The majority of the records for the King Edward's School are still held by the school in its own Archive.
