Established 1823 Local authority Founder William Carus Wilson | Religion Church of England Phone +44 15242 79200 Color Blue | |
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Closed 2013
(absorbed by Sedbergh School) Type Independent day and boarding Location Casterton
Cumbria
LA6 2SG
England Address Casterton, Kirkby Lonsdale LA6 2SG, UK Motto Cor Unum Via Una; (One Heart, One Way) Profiles | ||
Casterton school tour
Casterton School was an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 3 to 18 years in the village of Casterton in rural Cumbria. In its final years it also admitted boys, up to the age of 11. The school ceased to exist in 2013, though a preparatory school remains on the site. It merged with Sedbergh School, whose junior section now occupies the campus while Casterton's senior school pupils moved to the Sedbergh site.
Contents
Casterton school staff 2013 the final few days
History
Casterton School was founded in 1823 by Rev Carus Wilson as the Clergy Daughters' School in Cowan Bridge to educate daughters of financially disadvantaged clergymen. It moved to its site at Casterton in 1833. Four of the Brontë sisters (Maria, Elizabeth, Charlotte and Emily) attended the former Cowan Bridge School. A stone inscription to commemorate this is present at the original site and the current school at Casterton still acknowledges the literary connection by naming buildings accordingly.
In 2000 boys were admitted to the junior school.
Following a decline in pupil numbers, in March 2013 a merger was announced with Sedbergh School, effective from September 2013. Casterton's preparatory department remained on its site as Sedbergh's junior school was moved there, under the new name "Casterton, Sedbergh Preparatory School", which is now thriving. Some of the Senior pupils transferred to the main campus in Sedbergh.
School Song
The Casterton School Song, has lyrics describing the surrounding area and a rousing chorus of 'Casterton, Casterton, Casterton, our school'. The lyrics were written by John Webster, Head of English and the music was written by Alvin Atkins, Head of Music. The song was sung at major school events such as Founders Day and Speech Day. It was recorded in 1964, sung by the Girls of Casterton School.