Midhurst Grammar School

Midhurst Grammar School was a grammar school and later a comprehensive upper school in Midhurst, West Sussex. The school served pupils aged 13 to 18 who usually joined the school from one of the local intermediate schools. It was replaced in 2009 by Midhurst Rother Academy. Notable students included geologist Charles Lyell and H. G. Wells.
A school was founded in Midhurst for poor boys in 1672 by local businessman Gilbert Hannam. Initially a school for just 12 pupils, it has varied in size over its 300-year history. The buildings were extended in 1821, but fell into disrepair, with the school closing in 1859. It was re-opened in 1880 as a boys' day and boarding grammar school. By 1944 it was classified as a Voluntary Controlled school, run by West Sussex County Council. Later, in 1956 the school became a mixed school, accepting girls for the first time. Falling pupil numbers, and the opening of the new Herbert Shiner secondary school in Petworth meant that in 1966 the school merged with the then Midhurst County Secondary School to form a comprehensive school, while retaining the historic name. Shortly after this in 1970 local re-organisation saw the school change to become an upper school accepting pupils at age 13 . Younger pupils attended either Midhurst Intermediate School or the Herbert Shiner School in Petworth. Proposals were brought forward by the Local Education Authority in 2002 to revert to a two-tier structure in the area, which would have seen the Grammar School become an 11-18 school once again. However, this was opposed by the local community.

Wikipedia