The Old School House

The Old School House was built in the 17^th century to provide education for those who could pay for it. The school remained until the present one was built in 1865 at which time the Old School House became a shop and bakery before becoming a private dwelling..

The current school some time before the First World War

The land upon which the present school was built was given, in 1865, to the Vicar and Churchwardens of the parish of Bucknell for the express purpose of building a school for the education of the poor in the principles of the established church.  The first schoolmaster appointed in 1867 to the new St Mary's National School was Mr Henry Evans, 24 years old.

The school was extensively re-modelled in 1966 when additional teaching space and a kitchen was added enabling meals to be cooked on the premises.

St Mary's school is a Shropshire County Council maintained Church of England primary school with 46 pupils on roll at March 2008. The age range is 4-11 years. The school has achieved a Schools for Health Award.  There are two classes with approximately 24 pupils in each.  Reception-aged children join the school in one of three terms according to their age. The school is a Church of England Voluntary Aided establishment and enjoys strong support from the Church. The pupils are mainly drawn from the community that immediately surrounds the school. The parents give a high priority to their children’s education and many families have had long association with the school.

See the latest school inspection report dated 18^th March 2008.

For over half a century Bedstone College has prepared young people to enter the outside world with well-developed personal skills, self-confidence and the best academic qualifications within their scope. The College was one of the first independent schools to become fully co-educational and the warm family atmosphere that successful co-education creates is immediately obvious to any visitor.

The College enjoys not only a stunning setting but also a beautiful main building, Bedstone Court.

Bedstone Court was designed by Thomas Harris and completed in 1882 for Sir Henry Ripley, MP for Bradford. It is a typical Victorian (1837-1901) style building, and is one of the very few Calendar houses in Britain having 365 windows, 52 rooms and 12 chimneys.

The College site occupies 40 acres in attractive grounds and gardens.

Founded as a boys’ senior school in 1948, it was reorganised as a charitable trust in 1962. The preparatory school was established in 1972 and the pre-preparatory and nursery section in 1994. The college began to admit girls in 1972.

In 1998 the college resumed use of Bedstone Court, the main building accommodating boy boarders as well as the administration of the college, after severe fire damage two years earlier. The Murch Sports Centre opened in 2001. Other development, especially to expand the preparatory school and to enhance the teaching of DT and art, is planned.

Numbers, particularly day pupils currently 120, have risen in the last few years and are now larger than at any time in the history of the college. The number on roll is 238 (June 2006).

Today the College caters for young people between the ages of three and eighteen years in the pre-preparatory, preparatory, and senior schools.

Bedstone Court - The Story of a Calendar House

Bedstone College is undoubtedly one of the most striking and imposing buildings in Bedstone. John Hodges, an old 'Bedstonian' published a book entitled "Bedstone Court - The Story of a Calendar House" in 2006. In almost 400 pages, containing numerous diagrams and photographs, it deals with the beginnings of the house which was completed in 1882; its designers and builders; the various families, friends and tenants who have owned and lived in it and its present-day use.

The book has been reprinted as a 2^nd Edition and is now available (September 2008).  It contains 12 chapters, 7 colour plates and 365 images; costs £18.00 plus P&P and is available from the author.  Further details may be obtained from the author and publisher John Hodges at 7 Amber Reach, Spring Lane, Worcester, WR5 1AU.

See the latest school inspection report dated 12^th June 2006