Laxton Grammar School
Encyclopedia
Laxton Grammar School was a historic school located in Oundle
, Northamptonshire
, founded after the death of Sir William Laxton (Lord Mayor of London) in 1556.
in London, until he gained his livery in 1519. In 1536, Laxton became Upper Master of the Grocer's Company and Lord Mayor of London
in 1544.
Sir William Laxton died in 1556 and, in his will, left property to the Grocer's Company in London, on condition that they supported a new school, to replace the old school which he had attended.
attended Laxton Grammar School's 400 year celebrations. A plaque commemorating this event was installed in the Long Room.
", a public boarding school for pupils intending to progress to university.
In 2000, the governing body of Oundle School decided to absorb Laxton Grammar School into Oundle School as a house for day boys, to be known as Laxton House.
Oundle
Oundle is an ancient market town on the River Nene in Northamptonshire, England, with a population of 5,345 or 5,674 . It lies some north of London and south-west of Peterborough...
, Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
, founded after the death of Sir William Laxton (Lord Mayor of London) in 1556.
The Gild School
Oundle had a grammar school, called the Gild School, since at least 1485. In 1499, Dame Joan Wyatt had purchased a licence to refound the Gild, properly authorizing its existence. It was to be known as the Gild or Fraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Gild was affected by the Abolition of Chantries Act and, in 1548 its assets were seized and it was taken over as a Grammar School by the Commissioners for the Continuance of Schools.Sir William Laxton
William Laxton was educated at the Gild School and became an apprentice to the Worshipful Company of GrocersWorshipful Company of Grocers
The Worshipful Company of Grocers is one of the 108 Livery Companies of the City of London. It is ranked second in the order of precedence of the Companies and, having been established in 1345, is one of the original Great Twelve City Livery Companies....
in London, until he gained his livery in 1519. In 1536, Laxton became Upper Master of the Grocer's Company and Lord Mayor of London
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
in 1544.
Sir William Laxton died in 1556 and, in his will, left property to the Grocer's Company in London, on condition that they supported a new school, to replace the old school which he had attended.
400th Anniversary
In 1956, the late Queen MotherQueen mother
Queen Mother is a title or position reserved for a widowed queen consort whose son or daughter from that marriage is the reigning monarch. The term has been used in English since at least 1577...
attended Laxton Grammar School's 400 year celebrations. A plaque commemorating this event was installed in the Long Room.
Oundle School
Owing to its success, in 1876 headmaster Henry St.John Reade and the Grocers Company decided to split the school into two: "The Laxton Modern School" for local day boys and the classical "Oundle SchoolOundle School
Oundle School is a co-educational British public school located in the ancient market town of Oundle in Northamptonshire. The school has been maintained by the Worshipful Company of Grocers of the City of London since its foundation in 1556. Oundle has eight boys' houses, five girls' houses, a day...
", a public boarding school for pupils intending to progress to university.
In 2000, the governing body of Oundle School decided to absorb Laxton Grammar School into Oundle School as a house for day boys, to be known as Laxton House.