Dauntsey's School - History

History

The school was founded in accordance with the will of Mercer William Dauntesey,

Dauntesey was himself from West Lavington, the son of John Dauntesey, and when he died in April 1542, he left money in his will dated 10 March 1542 for the founding of the School. He gave the Mercers' Company lands in London so that they could build a schoolhouse for a grammar school at West Lavington and also support seven poor persons in an almshouse, within the same charity. The master of the school was to be appointed by the heir of Dauntesey's brother Ambrose Dauntesey, but the company was to have the power of dismissal. In 1868, a Schools Inquiry Commission noted that "By ancient custom, the owner of the Dauntesey estate at West Lavington, now Lord Churchill, appoints".

Three and a half centuries after the school's foundation in 1542 (above), the school moved to its current site at the north end of West Lavington, Wiltshire. The new school buildings were designed by the architect C.E. Ponting and in May 1895 the Rt. Hon. Joseph Chamberlain officially opened them and inaugurated Dauntsey's Agricultural School.

In 1929 the school bought the Manor House estate which is now accommodation for lower school borders. In 1930, the school changed its name to Dauntsey's School although remained largely dedicated to an agriculture-based education. At that time it fulfilled the role that the County Agricultural Colleges fill today, the latter partly sponsored by the state. Since the level of the playing fields changed, the perceived statutory age for continuing education, the educational needs, changed as well. The intake of pupils in the 1930s was a very broad cross section of the Wiltshire farming community, from farm labourer's children to those of very well-heeled gentlemen farmers. It continued thus, with the addition of sons of commissioned officers in the armed forces, until 1971.

In 1967, the 'Olive Block' opened, which is now Fitzmaurice House. 1970 saw the foundation of the sailing club, while, in 1971, the first ever girls were admitted. In 1972, the farm buildings were closed and the school became a primarily academic institution. In 1977, the school acquired Jolie Brise (above). The school continues a wide range of building and expansion projects to this day, including the recent building of Mercers' House and the new school library. More recent developments have included a new astroturf around the back of the school near the foot of strawberry hill for hockey purposes, alongside this new development - there is also a new mini astro, for small training exercises, warm-ups . Currently the school is planning on developing new drama departments and a new cricket pavilion.

The school's affiliation with the Mercers Company remains, and the Master Mercer is a regular guest of honour or speaker at school events. The company also helps with the financial support of students' individual ventures, including gap years and sporting tours, where the company sees fit.