John Bley Free School - School Green - East Leake, Nottinghamshire
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SMacB
N 52° 49.817 W 001° 10.833
30U E 622576 N 5854942
The John Bley Free School stood on the site of the Brookside Primary School from 1724 - 1874.
Waymark Code: WMRY6K
Location: East Midlands, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 08/21/2016
Views: 0
The John Bley Free School stood on the site of the Brookside Primary School from 1724 - 1874.
"In his 'History of East Leake' (1903) Revd Sidney Potter, Rector of St Mary's, wrote that it had always been John Bley's intention, if he made his fortune in the world, to build East Leake a school for the benefit of its children (boys and girls). In 1724, he kept his promise by financing the first purpose-built charity school in the village, on a site close to the old school house at the present day Brookside School. He also endowed 25 acres of land, the rents from which paid for the school's upkeep. When he died seven years later, his will, among many substantial bequests to family, friends and local people, made continuing provision for the schoolmaster's salary.
The school did well, and after a time boarding pupils were admitted. Five generations of one Costock family attended! The school continued for 130 years, until the Education Act of 1870 came into force. Bley's building had by then fallen into partial decay, and was probably deemed unsuitable for further use. It was demolished and in 1874 a new Board School was built to the rear (a site near the present Parish Office was considered) - this later became the (County) Council School, and subsequently the nucleus of Brookside School."
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