The Old School House

The row of cottages (now demolished) which once adjoined the School House, which is the slightly higher building at the far end.

The Old School House was originally two cottages owned by the Duke of Grafton.

In 1727 it was occupied by William Bushnell an independent pastor who preached at Potterspury from 1714 to 1729. By 1830 it had been virtually rebuilt and made available by the Duke as residence for the schoolmaster of the newly built school. The first schoolmaster was Thomas Hall. Sadly Thomas , then aged 49, and his 19 year old son were drowned whilst swimming in the canal at Stony Stratford.

In 1924 the house was sold by the Duke to Northamptonshire County Council, An extension was added to the western end of the property and the thatched roof was replaced by tiles. During the time that Joe Richards was headmaster ( 1965-74) he persuaded the council to sell him the house. In 1974 upon the death of his wife, he left the school and sold the house to the present owners.

Another view of the cottages which once adjoined the Old School House (which is in the foreground). The row of houses in the distance, on the left, are another group which have been demolished and which were known as Blacksmith's Row. They were immediately opposite the old forge. Further on beyond Blacksmith's Row the Old Social can be seen.

The Old School House as it appears today (2022), The cross on the front wall is the end of a tie bar. These bars were fitted when the walls bulged outwards and went right through the property with another cross (sometimes an S shape or a large round plate) on the opposite end. A fire would be lit under the centre of the bar causing it to expand. The bolts would then be tightened and the bar left to cool and contract pulling the walls inwards