Hawkshead Grammar School facts for kids
Hawkshead Grammar School was a famous old school located in Hawkshead, a village in Cumbria, England. It was started way back in 1585 by Archbishop Edwin Sandys. An Archbishop is a very important religious leader. His family came from the Hawkshead area, so he wanted to help his community.
Archbishop Sandys asked Queen Elizabeth I for permission to open the school. He also gave the school enough land and money so that education could be completely free for students. Because of this, for many years it was known as 'The Free Grammar School of Hawkshead'.
A School with a Long History
When the school first opened, students learned important subjects like Latin and Greek. They also studied sciences, including arithmetic (which is math) and geometry (the study of shapes and spaces).
Between 1750 and 1800, the school became very well-known. It had an excellent reputation for teaching Maths. Many boys who studied there went on to attend University of Cambridge, a very famous university. Students came from all over the North of England and even from southern Scotland to attend Hawkshead Grammar School.
The school eventually closed its doors in 1909. However, the building is still used today! It is now the Hawkshead Grammar School Museum. You can visit it to learn all about what school was like hundreds of years ago. The building itself is very old and important, so it is protected as a Grade II* listed building.
Famous Students and Teachers
Many interesting people were part of Hawkshead Grammar School's history. Some became famous poets, scientists, or important leaders.
- The famous poet William Wordsworth once studied here.
- Joshua King was another notable student who became a mathematician.
- Sir James Scarlett, 1st Baron Abinger became a very important lawyer and judge.
- William Pearson was an astronomer who studied the stars.
The School Today
Even though the school is no longer teaching students, its history lives on. The museum helps people understand what education was like in the past. It shows how important schools like Hawkshead Grammar School were for communities.
External links
- Hawkshead Grammar School Museum website
