England's 'Oldest' Primary School Marks 350 Years

Asharq Al-Awsat

25-05-2025

A primary school in Britain's Kent thought to be the oldest in England is celebrating 350 years since it opened, BBC reported.
Lady Boswell's School, in Sevenoaks, had just one teacher when it was set up for 'the 15 poorest children in the parish' in 1675.
Now it is a school of 437 pupils, who led tours, showcased artifacts and enjoyed a picnic last Friday to celebrate the school's history, BBC said.
Kate Phillips, chair of governors at Lady Boswell's, said: 'Here we are in 2025 celebrating our school's 350th anniversary, and we think we are the oldest [primary] school in the country.'
Lady Margaret Boswell was wealthy and well-connected.
Her husband, Sir William Boswell, was an important diplomat and she lived at Bradbourne House, a place frequently visited by Queen Elizabeth I, who was said to be fond of the Boswell family.
But in 1675, Lady Boswell transferred her estate to a trust and instructed that £30 of it, the equivalent of about £5,220 today, be spent each year on educating the 15 poorest children in the area.
State education was not readily available until the 1800s, meaning Lady Boswell put the children of Sevenoaks more than 100 years ahead of the rest of England.
Even today, the school still receives roughly £6,000 each year from the Lady Boswell Foundation.