Building record 1109/5 - Sandbach Grammar School

<1> Elrington CR & Harris BE, 1980, Victoria County History - A History of the County of Chester: Volume III, p.247-249 (Book). SCH9163.

Sandbach School is mentioned in 1579 when Ottiwell Kinsey was named as master. By the seventeenth century, it was established as a grammar school and at least five of its pupils are known to have gone to University. The first recorded endowment was in 1677 when Sir John Crewe of Utkinton granted the school a yearly rent charge of 17s 4d for the education of poor children. At the same time, Francis Welles built a schoolhouse in which twenty poor boys of the parish were to be taught to read. Other local gentry contributed sums totalling over £250. In 1718, a governing body of twelve was appointed. The school received further endowments which were invested in land at Smallwood. In the 1830s, the school room was old and dilapidated and there was no school house. In 1848, a new school room and master's house were built.

<2> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

1849-50. Architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott. The original main block only, in Victorian Tudor style. Red and blue diapered brick with stone dressings; one, two and three storeys; Gothic-headed windows and doorways in stone surrounds; steep blue tiled roofs, gables, turrets, etc. Later additions on left-hand side in similar style, which are not included. Set back from road at rear of large playing field.

<3> Earwaker J P, 1890, History of the Ancient Parish of Sandbach, p.77-80 (Book). SCH1431.

There are occasional references to a school in Sandbach as early as 1606. The school known as the Grammar School dates from around 1677 when land and a building intended as a schoolhouse for the teaching of twenty poor boys was donated. Construction of the school building was at the cost of Mr Francis Wells assisted by contributions by other persons connected with the parish. By the mid nineteenth century, the school had a considerable income from land donated to, or purchased by, the school. A private Act of Parliament in 1848 established a board of fifteen governors to improve the management of the school and its charity. Under this Act buildings for a new and enlarged Grammar School were erected out of the school’s charity funds. Full history to 1890.

<4> The National Archives, Various, Discovery, SP4 Sandbach School catalogue description (Web Site). SCH9716.

By 1816, the school, with sixty pupils, was sited at Egerton Lodge, Middlewich Road. From 1849, the school's buildings were replaced based on designs by Gilbert Scott. By 1890, the school had a laboratory, gymnasium and swimming bath. In 1945 the school became an independent school rather than be administered by the local education authority.

<5> See map for surveyor, c.1837-51, Cheshire Tithe Maps and Awards, EDT 351/2a c.1841 (Maps and Plans). SCH3266.

No buildings are depicted at the location or in the vicinity of the present school buildings.

<6> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ7560, 1875-1876 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

This map depicts a long north-east south-west aligned range of buildings comprising two principal large buildings. Small er buildings are located to the west at the south-western end. A smaller detached range orientated east-west is located to the north of the main school buildings, and an orchard to their west. Labelled Grammar School (Endowed).

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1896-1898, Ordnance Survey First Revision County Series (Epoch 2) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ7560, 1898 (Maps and Plans). SCH3848.

This map depicts one additional building in the south-western group. A building and structure to the north-west of the school is possibly the swimming bath. The orchard is no longer depicted. Labelled Grammar School.

<8> Ordnance Survey, 1909-1912, Ordnance Survey Second Revision County Series (Epoch 3) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ7560, 1909 (Maps and Plans). SCH4361.

As previously depicted. The swimming baths are labelled Swimming Bath. Labelled Grammar School.