Launder Terrace, Grantham, Lincs.

Image: © David Hallam-Jones Taken: 23 Dec 2017

The northern elevation of the former Spitalgate Church of England Primary School is seen here from near Grantley Street. This section of the former school premises is at the western end of Station Road East, with the town's railway station being no more than 2-3 minutes walk away behind the photographer (as the crow flies). Another taller section of the same building is visible nearer to St John's Church, suggesting perhaps a "Boys' end" and a "Girls' end" in former days. The earliest record of a Church of England school in "Spittlegate" (sic) dates the school's foundation to the early 1840s. However, the school, originally known as Spittlegate National School, was situated on various sites in the Launder Terrace neighbourhood. In October 1940 part of the school was damaged and pupils were moved to various locations throughout the town. Later on the school buildings were occupied by army units during WWII, although in 1948 the girls' and the infants' schools returned to the Launder Terrace premises. The boys' school however, remained at Stonebridge House where it had been relocated during the war. In 1956 the school became a co-educational school and the first boys appeared on the admissions register here on 10 April 1956. The Launder Terrace building was closed on 28th March 1977 and the school was moved to new premises in Trent Road, Earlesfield. These premises now house small retail units and the site is referred to as The Old School Retail Market.

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