Free Grammar School, Marlborough
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Founded in 1550 this was housed in the old Hospital of St. John in the Marsh, now The Parade. In 1578 the old Hospital was pulled down and a new school built with schoolroom, dormitories and a master's house. The school was governed by the mayor and burgesses and taught classics. In the early 17th century fee paying pupils were admitted and from 1686 scholarships for boys at the school were available at Oxford and Cambridge colleges. In the late 18th century the school was both prosperous and flourishing and in 1791 a new school was built on the same site. In the mid 19th century there was a proposal to amalgamate with the newly founded Marlborough College but this was rejected by the Grammar School. The school closed between 1876 and 1879 while the Charity Commissioners considered Marlborough's demand for a commercial school.
In 1878 powers were transferred to a body of governors and up to 10% free places were allowed when the school re-opened. The new curriculum was both classical and modern but this dual purpose approach failed as local people would have preferred a technical school. Most of the school premises were let to the technical education committee for its classes. The Grammar School shrank to just six boys and closed when the headmaster resigned in 1899. The old building was demolished in 1904 and only the old covered playground remained. Infomation about the new grammar school on the site will be found under 'Marlborough Grammar School'.
In 1878 powers were transferred to a body of governors and up to 10% free places were allowed when the school re-opened. The new curriculum was both classical and modern but this dual purpose approach failed as local people would have preferred a technical school. Most of the school premises were let to the technical education committee for its classes. The Grammar School shrank to just six boys and closed when the headmaster resigned in 1899. The old building was demolished in 1904 and only the old covered playground remained. Infomation about the new grammar school on the site will be found under 'Marlborough Grammar School'.