As reported by the BBC, a primary school in Kent believed to be the oldest in England is marking a major milestone – 350 years since it first opened its doors
Lady Boswell’s Church of England Primary School in Sevenoaks, originally established in 1675 to educate “the 15 poorest children in the parish,” has grown into a thriving institution with 437 pupils.
Kate Phillips, chair of governors at Lady Boswell’s, reflected on the occasion: “Here we are in 2025 celebrating our school’s 350th anniversary, and we think we are the oldest [primary] school in the country. We are all very proud of this amazing school and the part that we are playing at this point in its history, as guardians of such a thriving institution.”
Founded by Lady Margaret Boswell, the school was a pioneering effort in education. Lady Boswell, whose husband Sir William Boswell was a diplomat and whose home, Bradbourne House, was visited by Queen Elizabeth I, set up a trust in 1675 that dedicated £30 annually – about £5,220 in today’s money – to educate the parish’s neediest children.
This initiative came more than a century before state education became widespread in the 1800s, giving the children of Sevenoaks a considerable head start.
Remarkably, the school still receives around £6,000 each year from the Lady Boswell Foundation, a continuation of the original trust’s legacy.
To celebrate the milestone, pupils have been exploring the school’s storied past and preparing to present their discoveries to parents, alumni, and former staff..
“In its inception, the school was just one master and 15 ‘poor scholars’ from across the town, and it has flourished across the years, providing an education for generations of Sevenoaks people,” a school spokesperson said.
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