Chard School is a coeducational private school for children ages 4 to 11 located in the town of Chard in the English county of Somerset.

Chard School
LocationChard, Somerset, England
Coordinates50°52′24″N 2°57′40″W / 50.8734°N 2.9610°W / 50.8734; -2.9610
Built1583
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official nameChard School
Designated24 March 1950
Reference no.1205594
Chard School is located in Somerset
Chard School
Location of Chard School in Somerset

The school is located on the site of the former Chard Grammar School.

History edit

The school was originally a private residence, built for John Symes of Poundsford in 1583. Later in 1671, his son, William Symes, handed the property over to twelve trustees for conversion into a grammar school.[1][2] It later became a public boarding school in 1890.[3]

The current independent preparatory school, known as Chard School, was established in 1972,[3] and still incorporates the original grammar school building. The 16th-century building has been Grade II* listed since 1950.[1] It is also on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register, where it is described as being in poor condition.[4]

Architecture edit

The two-storey flint building has hamstone dressings, a tiled roof and brick chimney stacks. The front of the building has a three-room range and a projecting three-storey porch. Many of the rooms have fireplaces, panelling and decorations from the 16th to 19th centuries.[1] In the 18th century a staircase was added giving access to the adjacent Monmouth House which was built between 1770 and 1790.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "CHARD SCHOOL, Chard Town - 1205594". Historic England. 24 March 1950. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  2. ^ "Digest of the Reports Made by the Commissioners of Inquiry Into Charities ... - Google Books". 1841. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  3. ^ a b "History of Chard School Independent Prep School in Chard". Chardschool.co.uk. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  4. ^ "Chard School, Fore Street, Chard Town - South Somerset". Historic England. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Monmouth House and attached walls and railings". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 19 August 2018.