The Best Years of Our Lives...

We often hear that our schooldays the "best years of our lives", and this could perhaps account for the longevity of some of the British schools.  Here are some of the oldest schools still in existence, and this may shock a few people!



Penistone Grammar School
Originally founded as the Free Grammar School of Penistone, this is one of many ancient schools in Yorkshire still in operation.  Dating back to 1392, it was an all-boys establishment until 1907, when girls were first admitted.  It remained a Grammar School until 1969, when it became fully comprehensive, but still retains the name.  In 2003, it obtained specialist status, becoming a Business and Enterprise College.

Hall Cross Academy
Another Yorkshire institution, the Academy is located in Doncaster.  Formerly known as Hall Cross School, and Doncaster Grammar School, it dates back to before Penistone Grammar School, being founded in 1350.  Hall Cross Academy also possesses specialist status, now being a Science College,

Beverley Grammar School
The third Yorkshire school on the list, Beverley was established in A.D. 700.  It is recognised as the oldest state school in the UK, and has a student population of around 850.

Hereford Cathedral School
Leaving the White Rose county, we journey southwest to the City of Hereford.  The Cathedral School is a co-educational day school, and is home to over 500 pupils between the ages of 11 and 18.  The earliest record of existence was back in 1384.

St. Peter's School, York
Back to Yorkshire, and we arrive at the third oldest school in Britain.  Founded by St. Paulinus of York in A.D. 627, St. Peter's is a combined boarding and day school.  Composer John Barry (of James Bond fame) was a pupil here.

King's School, Rochester
The second oldest continuously operating school in the world, King's School was established in the county of Kent in A.D. 604.  It was refounded by King Henry VIII in 1541, during the Protestant Reformation.  It too is a cathedral school.

The King's School, Canterbury
Another co-educational school for both day and boarding pupils, the school claims to be the oldest in the world.  It originated as a cathedral school in A.D. 597, and was founded by Augustine of Canterbury.  Many notables were educated here, including dramatist Christopher Marlowe, author Somerset Maugham, and Field-Marshal Montgomery of Alamein.