Schools GAZ Brampton

As early as 1588 Brampton had a Grammar School, which from c1688 was held in Brampton Hospital, and supported by the Earl of Carlisle.

An Infant Charity School established in 1825 was attended by c100 children in 1829. A National School was built in 1817, with a separate school for girls following in 1832; a new building on a different site was erected in 1857 for boys and girls accommodating c300 children. In 1874 the newly formed School Board acquired the National School and enlarged the building in 1875 and 1879. Technical classes, initiated by the County Council commenced in 1892, as did evening continuation classes. A Presbyterian Schoolroom c1855 was attended by 40 pupils in 1860, the school continued until the early 20th century.

Between 1829-1901 there were at least ten private boarding and day schools, including the renowned Croft House Academy, which under Joseph Coulthard as headmaster, provided a standard of education that attracted not only pupils from the locality, but also from across the country and abroad.

In 1909 the County Council opened a County Secondary School in a building known as ‘White House’. After the Second World War as ‘White House Grammar School’ it was extended. In the same period ‘Irthing Valley’ a purpose built Secondary Modern School was opened. During the 1970s the two schools were linked in a partially comprehensive scheme, until in 1980 the establishment of William Howard School, which to the present day takes children from a wide catchment area.