Discover Highnam School

The first school was opened in 1850 as part of Thomas Gambier’s Parry’s vision centred on the Church which was consecrated in 1851. It was a National School which meant it was partly funded and organised by ‘The National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church’. In 1851 there were 45 ‘schollars’ 23 from Highnam ,7 from Linton, 4 from Over and 11 from Lassington. The Schoolmistress was Miss Catherine Mayo aged 27 from Berkshire.

The School continued and flourished on the Newent Road site until 1981 with the addition of temporary classrooms, kitchen and toilet block (these were demolished to make space for the Gambier Parry Hall). New Buildings, but not a new school were occupied in Wetherleigh Drive in 1981, where the school continues as Highnam Church of England Primary Academy.

Ref ‘ Highnam School – a History 1850 to 1981 ‘ Published by Highnam School Parent Teacher Council July 1981