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Brockenhurst School, now Brockenhurst Church of England Primary School, is a former charity school in the English village of Brockenhurst, Hampshire. It was founded in 1752, funded by a legacy from Henry Thurston, a former coachman from the village.[1]
| Brockenhurst Church of England Primary School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
Sway Road , SO42 7RX England | |
| Coordinates | 50°49′00″N 1°34′42″W / 50.8166°N 1.5783°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Voluntary controlled school |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Church of England |
| Established | 1752 |
| Local authority | Hampshire County Council |
| Department for Education URN | 116276 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Headteacher | John Littlewood |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Age | 2 to 11 |
| Enrollment | 226 (July 2023) |
| Website | www |
Benefactor edit
Henry Thurston was born in Brockenhurst, baptised at St. Nicholas in August 1692 and buried in the churchyard on 10 September 1745.[1] He had been coachman to George Baker, attorney, of St. George's, Hanover Square, London, whose family home was Brockenhurst Farm – a substantial manor house.
History edit
Brockenhurst School was established as a charity by the will of Henry Thurston and opened on 1 January[citation needed] 1752.[1] In June 1749 the Thurston Estate stood at £573.0s.0d and invested in 3 percent annuities producing £17.3s.10d. p.a. for the benefit of the school. The Trustees were George Baker, Matthew Reynolds, George Etheridge and William Masters who first met on 30 September 1751 and the school opened on 1 January 1752 to provide for 10 poor boys and 10 poor girls.
The Trustees were to provide a house and to appoint a Master and Mistress at a joint salary of £10 p.a.; the rent for School House was £5 p.a.[citation needed] The location of the first school house is uncertain but for a time was at the house of Matthew Reynolds and a little later moved to Ash Cottage,[1] still standing south of the railway crossing.
The new school building and house was completed on the present site in April 1863[1] and opened with 47 pupils, although by October the number had increased to 93. The school was enlarged in 1912 and again in 1999.