Wolsingham School | |
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![]() The lower school before the renovation | |
Address | |
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Leazes Lane , , DL13 3DN England | |
Coordinates | 54°43′58″N1°53′28″W / 54.7328°N 1.8911°W |
Information | |
Type | Academy |
Established | 1614 |
Founder | William James |
Local authority | Durham County Council |
Trust | Advance Learning Partnership |
Department for Education URN | 148109 Tables |
Ofsted | Reports |
Headteacher | Nick Mitchinson |
Gender | Coeducational |
Age | 11to 16 |
Enrolment | 802 |
Website | www |
Wolsingham School is a coeducational secondary school located in Wolsingham, County Durham, England. [1]
It was founded in 1614 as a boys' school. An early female student was Janet Taylor in the early 1800s.
The school is situated just off the A689, and near the River Wear in the former district of Wear Valley. This is the former grammar school. In the past the lower site was the site for Key Stage 3, while the upper site was for Key Stage 4. This system no longer exists.
The school was founded on 19 June 1614 by William James who was the Bishop of Durham. The board of trustees included nine landowners who had all donated land to create the (then) boys' school. Each of the founding trustees was allowed to name two boys to be taught a basis education from the age of eight. [2]
In 1834 the master was the Reverend Philip Brownrigg who was the local curate and he lived in the master's house which was built by public subscription in about 1795. [3]
Wolsingham had two school buildings – 'Wolsingham Grammar School' on Main Road which then became Wolsingham Secondary School, with the addition of a new building opened in 1958 on the site of the school playing fields. This coincided with the abandonment of the 11+ selection process, but the school retained streaming based on ability. The original school was founded in 1614, with new grammar school buildings opening in 1911. The 1958 building has since been demolished and the old building substantially extended to accommodate all pupils.
In June 1964 12-year-old pupil Sanchia Hayes was killed when her school bus hit a lorry in Frosterley.
The school opened its new £6.4 million building in 2016 and was officially opened by the Duke of Gloucester.
Previously a community school administered by Durham County Council, in September 2020 Wolsingham School converted to academy status. The school is now sponsored by the Advance Learning Partnership.