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School

Braunston School was established as a result of a bequest from William Makepeace. His will, dated 2 May 1733, gave 1 quarter of a yardland (5) in the parish to 7 trustees and their heirs forever. The rents and profits from this land were to be used for the education of poor children in the village and resulted in a National School being built. There had been various small schools in the village prior to this, but only for the children of wealthier families.

On 4 May 1933 Braunston School celebrated its Bicentenary with a pageant written by their Headmaster, W.J. Gould. This highlighted particular events in history between 1087 and 1774,and how they affected Braunston. The twelve scenes included: Sir William d’ Eincourt, Knight of Braunston at The Council of Salisbury; Sir Robert de Ros, one of 25 Barons appointed to make sure King John kept to the Magna Carta; a murder in the church; William de Ros, dying on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land after the battle of Crecy and Gregory Isham upsetting the villagers by attempting to enclose the commons for his sheep farming.

In 1920 the May Festival was started, 14 guineas was collected, which was used to purchase a May Pole and costumes for future May Queen celebrations.

South Northants School Sports Festival at Daventry, June 24th 1927, Five More Cups for Braunston

Braunston School entered 33 children for the racing, 40 for a phsyical drill display and 24 for a demonstration of country dancing.and even surpassed it's wonderful record of last year, for it again succeeded in winning the Shield for the highest number of points for the largest schools. and in addition won 5 Challege cups and were runner-up for 6 others. During the days racing these children gained points in 20 events out of 22 and won 17 firsts, 13 seconds and 10 thirds.Maud Swinger was the most successful girl winning cups for the 100 yards and skipping. Arthur Starmer won the 1/4 mile cup in good time and style and was also successful in the high jump, long jump and hurdle race.A splendid feature was the racing of Amy Nurser, who won her heats in fine style and in the final was second only to her schoolfellow Maud Swinger in both the 100 yards and skipping. These two girls, with M Clew and H Hall were easy winners of the schools relay race for girls.Incidentally, Braunston has won this race for the third year in succession. The boys team were second to Daventry Council School, but ran exceedingly well. The team was F Luck, F Westfield, S Burton, E Clarke, A Childs and A Montgomery. Little George Covill was first in his heat and section final, but in the cup final was second to a boy from Flore, after an exciting race. Maud Swinger lost the 150 yards final by an inch, Hilda Hall and Irene White were exceedingly good in the jumping and hurdling. In fact the whole team, whose colours were green and white were a credit to the schoolmaster and his staff, their parents and the whole village. They were very smart in every way, aand have received many congratulations from people residing outside who saw their display. They received a hearty reception when they arrived at Braunston with the Shield and Five Cups on Saturday evening and although it was raining most of the inhabitants turned out to give them hearty cheers.

July 1st 1927

The school children athletes of Braunston followed their remarkable success at Daventry,( as reported last week) by going to Northampton for the County Sports and winning there. They were representing South Northants and competing against the pick of Kettering, Wellingborough and Rushden districts. The winners at Northampton will represent the County at the National Meeting in Stamford Bridge on July 16th and the village of Braunston will send children to compete in four events.

Maud Swinger was the first in thr girls 100 yards, Arthur Starmer was a dead-heat for first in the 1/4 mile and Hilda Hall was first in the girls hurdle race Brauanston has two representatives in the winning team of the girls relay race and these two Amy Nurser and Maud Swinger were selected by the county for this race in London. Amy Nurser was also selected as first reserve in the 150 yards girls race. Jack Goodacre again ran pluckily in the half mile, finishing third and Irene White jumped 4ft, These two just missed selection.

The photo titled "Braunston's Young Athletes": Left to right; Amy Nurser, Arthur Starmer, Jack Goodacre and Irene White. Sitting; Hilda Hall and Maud Swinger. They are wearing the Medals won at Northampton on Saturday.

In 1952, the School became a ‘controlled voluntary school’. Although many changes had been made to the school since it was first built, a new school was required and was built on a new site in Barby Lane in 1968. The old school became the Village Hall replacing the old village hall built in the High Street after the First World War. The Village Hall is a key part of village life and refurbishment is ongoing to make it even more of an asset.

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