Monument record 3980/52 - The National School

The National school was established in 1849 and rebuilt in 1870 on the site of the former St Mary's Chapel and Free school. It included a house for the master and mistress. Classrooms were added in 1893 and 1902. Now demolished.

{1} The National school was established in 1849 and rebuilt in 1870 on the site of the former St Mary's Chapel and Free school. It included a house for the master and mistress. Classrooms were added in 1893 and 1902. In 1849 20 boys were taught by 1894 this number had risen to 400. The building has now been demolished and a modern library building stands in its place.

{2} The Charity School was quite separate from the British School and the National School which also existed in Rothwell by 1849. The school was rebuilt in 1870 and this may explain why the site of St. Mary's chapel and hence the Free School is identified by Bull in the late 19th century as the site of what was then the National School (Church of England) and in 1914 a public elementary school. The latter was demolished in the 1970s and the site has since been redeveloped. A report predating the redevelopment refers to the previous discovery of tanning pits on the site of the chapel, but the validity of the identification cannot be confirmed.

<1> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Rothwell (Industrial), (checked) (Digital archive). SNN100256.

<2> Foard G, 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Rothwell (Medieval and Post Medieval), (checked) (Digital archive). SNN100514.

Record last edited

Jan 20 2021 11:35AM