History of the Priors School

Our school in rural Warwickshire dates from 1847 when villagers built it on land owned by the fourth Earl Spencer. Two years later he entrusted the land and school to the community.

For nearly 150 years it continued as a Church of England and state primary school until the County Council announced it would close in August 1996. The threat of losing one of the remaining amenities galvanised the villagers into action. We formed an educational charity and raised money. The charity adopted the school and, with the moral support of Earl Spencer, we exercised our rights under the ancient trust deed and took possession of the land and buildings.

After an enormous effort the school opened in September 1996 with only 12 pupils. The local community turned out as well as photographers and reporters from TV, radio and the national press. It was a David and Goliath story that captured the attention of the country that day.

Sir John Harvey Jones officially opened the school and observed that almost everyone wants their children to be brought up in a community with their friends, in a small school like this where they get individual attention and develop a strong sense of citizenship.

Ten years later the school has continued to be a most remarkable community achievement.

Villagers have been tireless in maintaining the building and grounds and arranging fundraising activities that engender a sense of community and brings in supporters. Village parents have built a fabulous adventure playground on school land that we made available.

We have built a new nursery extension to provide facilities for a play school, a nursery and after school care. Pupil numbers have increased significantly, and an additional classroom has been built. We have also raised the standards of education and maintained small class sizes.

Influential lobbying groups who are trying to persuade the government to stop closing small schools and to encourage them instead have often quoted our unprecedented efforts.