School and Charity | DurningsCharity

School and Charity Together

since 1693

From the earliest days the school was conducted as a Free Grammar School supported exclusively by the Charity. Girls were admitted in 1845. In 1876 the Charity decided to apply for an annual grant from the Ministry of Education and become a public elementary school under the 1870 Education Act. The Charity Scheme was amended accordingly. The Scheme was again amended in 1902 when a new Act set up Local Education Authorities. There were plans to develop the school into an all age school in the 1900s but these did not materialise. Framed, tinted copies of these plans exist in the School Archive. After the 1944 Education Act the school became an aided primary school. In 1967, having contributed capital towards the building of the current infant classroom the Trustees decided to apply for controlled status, as the financial commitments of aided status was becoming too great. A further amendment to the scheme was needed to complement the change of status. The school today is wholly supported by Lancashire Education Authority but it remains the property of the Charity. The Charity provides the two foundation governors on the governing body.

In 1991 the Charity Scheme was again amended to correct the anomaly which precluded former pupils applying for grants if they lived outside the area of benefit. The poor, kindred and ecclesiastical charities were also wound up as being anachronisms in the present day.

Tercentenary Celebrations

In 1992 the School and Charity commemorated the 300th anniversary of their foundation. An exhibition was mounted in the school which displayed documents throwing light on their 300 year history. Centrepiece of the exhibition was the founder’s will and minute book of the charity from 1693. Displays contrasted the life of children in 1992 with those of 1692. It is interesting to consider how much has changed at school and in every day life even in the relatively short time since 1992.

Events included:- visit by the Sealed Knot, commemorative church service at St Peter’s Mawdesley, period music concert, balloon race, cake competition and barbecue in the barn at Harrock Hall. The culmination of the celebrations was a costume parade from Bispham Green to School to re-enact the opening of the school with various dignitaries present.

Memorabilia from the year included tea towels, mugs, Christmas cards and a book entitled “The Hundred Pound School” recounting the history of the School and Charity. See Below

A time capsule was placed in the roof of the upper classroom which is not to be opened until 2092.

The School has always valued the historic link with Richard Durning’s Charity. Likewise the Charity Trustees value their links with the School they founded. Trustees attend events throughout the year and the Headteacher’s report, delivered at the Annual Meeting, is always received with interest.

Long may they both continue!

The Hundred Pound School

This was first published, somewhat in haste, to coincide

the School's tercentenary celebrations in 1992. A revised edition was published in 2016 (See left) together with a version aimed at Key Stage 2 children. They are both available from Amazon. Click here for information about the books and how to purchase from Amazon.