Elizabeth Fuller (school founder) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elizabeth Fuller
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| Born | 1644 |
| Died | 1709 (aged 65) |
| Other names | Mrs Elizabeth Fuller |
| Occupation | Benefactor |
| Known for | Founding Watford Free School |
Elizabeth Fuller (born 1644, died 1709) was an amazing woman who lived in Watford, Hertfordshire, England. She is famous for starting a special school called a "Free School" for both boys and girls in her town. This meant children could get an education without their families having to pay for it.
Elizabeth Fuller's Gift: A New School for Watford
Back in the late 1600s, Watford already had a Free School. But Elizabeth Fuller, who lived at Watford Place, thought it was too small. She wanted more children to have the chance to learn.
So, in 1704, Elizabeth Fuller decided to build a brand new Free School. She built it on her own land, right next to the churchyard. This new school was much bigger! It had space for forty boys and twenty girls. It even had rooms for the teacher (called the Master) and another helper.
Elizabeth Fuller didn't just build the school; she also made sure it would have money to run every year. She gave it £2 a year, which was a lot of money back then. This gift helped the school keep going for many years.
How the Free School Grew
The Free School that Elizabeth Fuller founded became very important for Watford. Over time, it grew and changed. Eventually, it split into two separate schools that are still famous today:
- Watford Grammar School for Boys
- Watford Grammar School for Girls
Both of these schools still remember Elizabeth Fuller every year. They hold special "Founder's Day" services to celebrate her amazing gift and how she helped so many children get an education.
The Watford Grammar School for Boys website explains:
"In 1704 Elizabeth Fuller of Watford founded a charity school on land adjoining the parish churchyard. The original building, which was known as The Free School, may still be seen. The forty boys and twenty girls were taught to read, write and 'cast accounts'. Every year we hold a Founder's Day service to commemorate the charitable foundation of Watford Grammar School for Boys. With the help of endowments and occasional gifts, Elizabeth Fuller's original charity school survived until the 1880s."
Elizabeth Fuller's Other Charity: Bread for the Poor
Elizabeth Fuller was not only interested in education. She also cared about helping people who were struggling. In 1708, she started another charity.
This charity was set up to provide bread for the poor people of Watford. It also gave a small amount of money to the Vicar of Watford for a special sermon each year. This shows that Elizabeth Fuller wanted to help her community in many ways, not just through schooling.
