Monument record 2416/7 - Laxton Grammer School

{1} Founded in 1556 the Free Grammar School replaced or combined with an earlier school dating from the later 15th century. Oundle school and Laxton Grammar School were orginally one foundation but were separated in 1876.

{2} Sir William Laxton, who was to endow the school, had been born at Oundle. He had made his wealth as a grocer in London, where he had become alderman, sherif and lord mayor. He died in 1556. By his will the property was purchased in 1557 and at this time the former Guildhall property was described. It was east to west 72 ft., breadth at the east end with the length of the kitchen belonging 38ft. On the west end with the breadth of a small piece of land called a wood yard, 36ft. It abutted on the market there called the Cornhill, on the churchyard on the north, the land of the Earl of Bedford on the south and on that of Robert Rudstone on the west. A note states ‘certaine poore folkes hadd their lodgings and houserome in the premyses with certain allowance of wood…’. The endowment of the school, required at the dissolution of the chantries was completed for in 1565 the survey records a plot 72 ft by 45.5ft, described as a school lately a Guildhall: ‘a very fair hall builded with free stone’. It had been purchased for £22/6/11d and made into a free school house by Mr. Laxton, with lands given by him to maintain a schoolmaster. The former priests’ house of the Guild, described as ‘well builded’ chambers in 1565, in Church Lane was also purchased for the schoolmaster’s house. A new school and hospital was then built in North Street in 1611. There are views of the building in 1798 on the west side of the churchyard. It was surveyed in 1850 prior to its demolition in 1852 to make way for the new Laxton School.

{3} Laxton's Grammar School/Almshouse. Situated in the churchyard, founded and endowed in 1556 by Sir William Laxton Knight. The school is conducted as a Grammar School, for the instruction in Latin and Greek. Boys in Oundle are taken on as free scholars and others are taken on as boarders. Linked to the Grocer's Company. In 1852 the old grammar school and alsmhouse were pulled down to make room for the new Laxton School building. Almshouses located in lower floor of the school house and contains a common room or kitchen and 8 sleeping apartments for 7 almsmen and a nurse.
The new school building has an open ground storey, with wide four-centred arches, square-headed mullioned windows above and a gable to the Market Place. New school buildings adjoining were ereted in 1885.This involved the demolition of a large number of buildings including T Barnes Brewery and yard and various public houses etc. Oundle School Great Hall was erected in 1908 and the wings were added in 1910 - a number of cottages had to be demolished in order make room for the building. There are a very large number of buildings around the town of Oundle which relate to the school. All buildings lining Church Street are now owned / utilised by Oundle School. Row of buildings on east side of North Street all used by Oundle School.
Laxton Grammar School building, North Street. Shown on map. The building is dated 1885. Film 2, photo 20, 22.

<1> Cope-Faulkner R.P., 1997, Desk-Top Assessment of The Proposed Development on Land at Gardenways, Blackpot Lane, Oundle, (unchecked) (Report). SNN39888.

<2> Foard G.; Ballinger J.;, 2002, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Oundle, Section 3.3.3 Laxton's School (Report). SNN102637.

<3> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Oundle (Industrial), (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN100257.

Record last edited

Sep 6 2012 3:55PM