History of our School

 

Over 100 Years of  History of Chesham  Bois  School

 

 

1894 was an important date in the history of Chesham  Bois  School.  The school buildings in Bois Lane, which are still in use today, were erected.  They are immediately recognisable to any passer-by as typical of many late-Victorian village schools.

 

 

But every school’s history is different, and in the case of Chesham Bois this history can be traced in remarkable detail thanks to the careful preservation of a huge mass of documentation, some of which can be seen on this website.

 

 

Before 1894 there had been schooling in Chesham Bois for some fifty years in “The Old School House”, on the corner of Chestnut Lane and Bois Lane, opposite the Common.  This had been built in 1846 after an appeal by the Rector of Chesham Bois.  It was expanded at some date before 1873, and included accommodation for the schoolmistress.

 

 

Prior to 1846 there had been some schooling in a cottage in the village, and in the 1780’s and 90’s in the Rectory itself.

 

 

By the 1890’s the rapid growth in the population, and building on the Moor in particular, meant that the “Old” school was inadequate for the needs of the parish.  It was sold in 1894, and the proceeds were added to money raised by a public appeal.  This financed the building of the “New” school.

 

 

Since 1894 the school has continued to expand, while still retaining its distinctive character.  The most obvious developments to the structure are those of 1968, 1975 and 2000. Of all the changes, Victorian children might well have been most impressed by the convenience of indoor flushing toilets, especially in midwinter!

 

 

 

(Based on documents compiled for the 1994 celebration exhibition by Andrew Miles, Dr Nicholas Salmon, parents and staff)

 

 

 

 

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