Bowes Hutchinson's CofE (Aided) School

William Hutchinson said in 1674 that a home in Bowes would be converted into a school. For the interest of the school, he gave trustees ownership of land and structures. Initially, the school served as a free grammar school for the boys of the village's residents. A Bishop issued a certificate for teaching. The first schoolmaster was Richard Watson. He served as a parson for Bowes' impoverished at the time. The Free Grammar School of Bowes was the name of the institution (Bowes Grammar School). The Court of Chancery, an equity-competent court, reestablished the institution in 1845. (A diocese's administrative office is called a chancery.) In 1877, the school was re-modelled by a scheme of the Charity Commissioners and in 1882, the premises were enlarged by the addition of a new classroom. The upper or grammar school was held in this classroom. An elementary and a baby section were also present. The institution was still known as Bowes Grammar School in 1931. Due to the 1944 Education Act, the name was changed from Bowes Grammar School possibly around the time of the Second World War. The Act included grammar, secondary, and technical schools as well as increased the school age to 15 years. Entry into these schools were based on the results from a pupil's 11+ examination, which took place around the age of 11-12 years. This meant that old "grammar schools" had to be renamed as pupils were not selected to attend them after the examination. It was only as a result of the 1944 Education Act that primary schools were formally established. Our school was named after William Hutchinson as he endowed the original building and land to the school.