UK's 'oldest' primary school celebrates 350 years
BBCA primary school in Kent thought to be the oldest in the UK is celebrating 350 years since it opened.
Lady Boswell's School, in Sevenoaks, had just one teacher when it was set up for "the 15 poorest children in the parish" in 1675.
Now it is a school of 437 pupils, who will be leading tours, showcasing artefacts and enjoying a picnic on Friday to celebrate the school's history.
Kate Phillips, chair of governors at Lady Boswell's, said: "Here we are in 2025 celebrating our school's 350th anniversary, and we think we are the oldest [primary] school in the country.
"We are all very proud of this amazing school and the part that we are playing at this point in its history, as guardians of such a thriving institution."
Lady Margaret Boswell was wealthy and well-connected, with Queen Elizabeth I often coming to stay at her home, Bradbourne House, and her husband, Sir William Boswell, an important diplomat.
But in 1675, Lady Boswell transferred her estate to a trust and instructed that £30 of it, the equivalent of about £5,220 today, be spent each year on educating the 15 poorest children in the area.
State education was not readily available until the 1800s, meaning Lady Boswell put the children of Sevenoaks more than 100 years ahead of the rest of England.
Even today, the school still receives roughly £6,000 each year from the Lady Boswell Foundation.
This week, pupils have been digging into the school's rich history and will be sharing their research and findings with parents and former pupils and staff on Friday.
The spokesperson said: "In its inception, the school was just one master and 15 'poor scholars' from across the town, and it has flourished across the years, providing an education for generations of Sevenoaks people."
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