Casterton School

Casterton School was an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 3 to 18 years in the village of Casterton in rural Cumbria. In its final years it also admitted boys, up to the age of 11. The school ceased to exist in 2013, though a preparatory school remains on the site. It merged with Sedbergh School, whose junior section now occupies the campus while Casterton's senior school pupils moved to the Sedbergh site.

Casterton School
Location
Casterton
,
Cumbria
,
LA6 2SG

England
Coordinates54.211667°N 2.574964°W / 54.211667; -2.574964
Information
TypeIndependent day and boarding
MottoCor Unum Via Una
(One Heart, One Way)
Religious affiliation(s)Church of England
Established1823
FounderRev Carus Wilson
Closed2013
(absorbed by Sedbergh School)
Local authorityCumbria
GenderGirls; Boys (3-11)
Age3 to 18
Enrolment300~ (2013)
Houses  Dobson
  Vincent
  Beale
  Williams
  Harben
Colour(s)  Blue

History

Casterton School was founded in 1823 by Rev Carus Wilson as the Clergy Daughters' School in Cowan Bridge to educate daughters of financially disadvantaged clergymen. It moved to its site at Casterton in 1833. Four of the Brontë sisters (Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte and Emily) attended the former Cowan Bridge School. A stone inscription to commemorate this is present at the original site and the current school at Casterton still acknowledges the literary connection by naming buildings accordingly.

In 2000 boys were admitted to the junior school.[1]

Following a decline in pupil numbers, in March 2013 a merger was announced with Sedbergh School, effective from September 2013. Casterton's preparatory department remained on its site as Sedbergh's junior school was moved there, under the new name "Casterton, Sedbergh Preparatory School". Some of the Senior pupils transferred to the main campus in Sedbergh.[2]

  • Casterton School
  • Main Entrance
  • Bronte House
  • Memorial Window

School song

The «Casterton School Song»,[3] has lyrics describing the surrounding area and a rousing chorus of 'Casterton, Casterton, Casterton, our school'. The lyrics were written by John Webster, Head of English and the music was written by Alvin Atkins, Head of Music. The song was sung at major school events such as Founder's Day and Speech Day. It was recorded in 1964, sung by the Girls of Casterton School.

References
  1. "Casterton School to take extra boys". Westmorland Gazette. 15 September 2000. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  2. "Governors agree to merge Sedbergh and Casterton schools". Westmorland Gazette. 6 March 2013. Archived from the original on 17 March 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
  3. "Casterton School Song". 1964. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.