On 12 November 1507, the Prior and Convent of Durham, in which was vested land belonging to the ancient church of St Alkelda, granted to James Carr, Chantry Priest, the lease of half an acre on condition he should enclose it and build at his expense "one gramer scole" [sic].
However, it is most likely that a school was in existence in the village of Giggleswick even before this, probably in a side chapel of Giggleswick Church.
By 1512 "one scole" had been built: "low, small, irregular, consisting of two stages". Successive Chantry Priests, having received licences to teach, continued Carr's work until Edward VI (son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour) dissolved all Chantries. The School, however, continued and owing to the petition of the vicar of Giggleswick, John Nowell, and others, Edward VI granted a Royal Charter to the School on May 26 1553. Valuable lands were endowed. The School received its title "The Free Grammar School of King Edward VI of Giggleswick". It was not until 1867 that the School moved up the hill to its present site, not far from the original small building by the Church. There followed a period of major expansion: new classrooms, new playing fields and new boarding accommodation.
An important development took place at the end of the 19th century when a governor and local benefactor, Walter Morrison, expressed his wish to have a new Chapel built for the School to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Work started in 1897 and the building was opened in 1901. It stands high on a rocky outcrop, a landmark for miles around. It is a building of outstanding beauty.
Giggleswick School has continued to grow and develop. In 1934, under the headship of E H Partridge, Catteral Hall opened as Giggleswick’s preparatory school. A new house (Style) was created at Beck House and in 1966 Morrison House was built. In more recent times there have been many new developments including the Sharpe Library, a new dining hall, the refurbishment of boarding accommodation, new science laboratories, new sports and art facilities. The Partridge teaching building was opened in 2003 which now houses Giggleswick Junior School.
Nearly 500 years on, this quiet, beautiful corner of North Yorkshire is home to a thriving, stimulating boarding school - a safe environment in which to encourage and develop young minds.
By 1512 "one scole" had been built: "low, small, irregular, consisting of two stages". Successive Chantry Priests, having received licences to teach, continued Carr's work until Edward VI (son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour) dissolved all Chantries. The School, however, continued and owing to the petition of the vicar of Giggleswick, John Nowell, and others, Edward VI granted a Royal Charter to the School on May 26 1553. Valuable lands were endowed. The School received its title "The Free Grammar School of King Edward VI of Giggleswick". It was not until 1867 that the School moved up the hill to its present site, not far from the original small building by the Church. There followed a period of major expansion: new classrooms, new playing fields and new boarding accommodation.
An important development took place at the end of the 19th century when a governor and local benefactor, Walter Morrison, expressed his wish to have a new Chapel built for the School to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Work started in 1897 and the building was opened in 1901. It stands high on a rocky outcrop, a landmark for miles around. It is a building of outstanding beauty.
Giggleswick School has continued to grow and develop. In 1934, under the headship of E H Partridge, Catteral Hall opened as Giggleswick’s preparatory school. A new house (Style) was created at Beck House and in 1966 Morrison House was built. In more recent times there have been many new developments including the Sharpe Library, a new dining hall, the refurbishment of boarding accommodation, new science laboratories, new sports and art facilities. The Partridge teaching building was opened in 2003 which now houses Giggleswick Junior School.
Nearly 500 years on, this quiet, beautiful corner of North Yorkshire is home to a thriving, stimulating boarding school - a safe environment in which to encourage and develop young minds.
