Ashbury with Compton Beauchamp Church of England Primary School celebrates their 300th birthday!

Ashbury with Compton Beauchamp Church of England Primary School celebrates their 300th birthday!
 
The first ever Sunday School (outside of the church) in the country, now known as Ashbury with Compton Beauchamp CE Primary School, celebrates their 300th birthday in 2024. On Friday 28th June 2024 they commemorated the event.
Commencing at 3pm, the afternoon started with songs from the children and a few words from the Headteacher Rachael Smith.
Alongside staff, pupils and families, the whole Ashbury community were invited to the festivities.
Following the speeches, the children and staff paraded from the school to Ashbury Manor, where the school PTA had worked incredibly hard to put together a Ceilidh for all to enjoy.
The school has a rich history and are recognised as the first Sunday School in the country. In 1724, a charity school was formed paid by ratepaying tenant farmers. In 1777, Thomas Stock opened the first Sunday School. The two schools ran alongside each other until 1863 when plans were drawn up for a three-classroom new school.
In 1959, the new school buildings open as Ashbury with Compton Beauchamp C.E V.A School which is the school we see today.
Headteacher Rachael Smith said:
“We have been celebrating all week at school from investigating the school history to a time capsule that we buried today. I am so proud to be Headteacher of this school at such a special time”.
Faringdon Learning Trust Chief Executive Richard Evans said:
“It is with great pleasure we are able to celebrate the 300 anniversary for Ashbury Primary School. It is amazing to reflect upon all the children and staff that have worked and studied at Ashbury over the past 300 years. I am delighted that Ashbury still offers an excellent education for all their children and many more generations to come. Being part of Faringdon Learning Trust helps protect the future success of Ashbury- possibly for another 300 years.”

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