Whalley Old Grammar
School History
The origins of schooling in Whalley date back to the late 1300s when the monks at the Abbey provided education for the sons of the local gentry. The first schoolroom was in the North West gatehouse, probably in a former chapel. After the dissolution of the Abbey, the school was reinstated in 1548 by Edward VI and later Elizabeth I who issued Letters Patent to provide money for the stipend of a schoolmaster. These early classes continued to meet in the North West gatehouse of the increasingly derelict Abbey.
1725 to 1914
Due to the deterioration of the Gatehouse land was purchased and, in 1725, the present building was built. The pupils, some of whom were boarded at the School, were taught up to the age of 16 classics, mathematics, woodwork and science. It served as a Grammar School for boys until 1910, when it closed. On 9th March 1914, George V signed a scheme establishing ‘Whalley Educational Foundation’. The purpose of this charitable trust was to help with the education of children of the area and for the building to be used for educational purposes, both for children and the community.
1914 Onwards
Since 1914 the building has been used for a variety of uses including library, HQ for the Women’s Institute, home guard and ARP post and theatre. Where possible, the building is used to serve the purposes of education and, for over 45 years, Whalley Pre School has had its home within the main hall of the building. In addition, Miss Camm ran a mixed school in part of the building. For many years, the rest of the building has been used for the purposes of Adult Education.
2013
In 2013 Lancashire Adult Learning terminated its lease leaving an uncertain future for the building. This left the trustees of Whalley Educational Foundation fully responsible for the upkeep of the Old Grammar School. Faced with the prospect of closure and winding up the Foundation, the Governors decided to run the building themselves, with the help of local volunteers, for the benefit of the local community. The aim being to continue to fulfil the Foundation’s charitable aims by protecting the future of Whalley Pre School (itself a registered charity), ensure that adult education continued to have a home within the community and for the building to become a community centre.
Current Use
The building is home to groups as diverse as those doing art, pottery, sewing beading, patchwork, dancing, woodwork and yoga . We also host community use, with meetings of the Whalley Parish Council and other community bodies such as the Women’s Institute being held here.