Blewbury Church of England Endowed School is celebrating the three hundredth anniversary of its foundation this year.
Blewbury School is one of the oldest (free) primary schools in the
country and was founded with an endowment from the Blewbury-born
merchant Mr Malthus in 1707, to teach 50 poor children of Blewbury
about God and to provide training in a trade.The school started
teaching on Lady Day 1707, and moved into the old school house
(opposite St Michael’s Church) in 1709. Its history is told in Peter
Northeast’s book, “The Story of Blewbury Charity Schoolâ€, which is in
the process of being updated.The school now has about 150 pupils and
provides opportunity for all children with a varied curriculum and many
exciting extra-curricular activities.
A range of events is being held in the school and village to mark the
300th anniversary. These start with a celebratory Lady Day service in
St Michael’s, Blewbury (Sunday 25 March). The whole school and
communities of Blewbury and Upton and beyond are welcome. The events
will culminate in a giant picnic and BBQ on the afternoon and evening
of Friday 22 June, to which all present and past pupils and staff of
Blewbury School are invited.
We would welcome contact details for past pupils of whom you may know.
Commemorative china mugs with pictures of the old and new schools, and
teatowels with pictures of the school and pupils work will be available
from the school.
The school contact details are: Mrs M Mills (headteacher)Â Blewbury
School, Westbrook St, Blewbury, OX11 9QB,
head.3248@blewbury.oxon.sch.uk, 01235 850411.
On behalf of the school, I would like to thank the Upton Parish Council
for their generous donation towards the cost of providing a
commemorative china mug to each Upton school child presently attending
Blewbury school.
Kathryn Fletcher, Community Governor