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| Open: |
Mar 21st - October 2008: Daily, 10am - 5pm
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| Price: |
Free |
| Disabled: |
Limited access
Steps into building and into schoolroom. |
| Location: |
Castletown |
| Parking: |
Available |
History
The Old Grammar School was originally a chapel built about 1190 - 1230.
In 1701 the chapel was turned into a school with a new extension added
to accommodate the buildings new function. Thomas Castley was master of
the school
from 1757 - 1817. He had an eventful time in office. He managed to
maintain his pay of 60 pounds by chancery proceedings, even when there was
wish for it to be reduced to 30 pounds. In 1763, a committee of the
House of Keys investigated complaints in the reduction of boys attending
the school. Their findings were of excessively high fees and that
Castley was a harsh and cruel man, who should not have been allowed to be
a teacher. Throughout the 18th century the school gave many prominent men
in Manx history their education.
In 1886, Mr Gilbert Holt was appointed to teach at the school and
to the scholars. He received 60 pounds in total for these services,
which was high compared to the 5 pound other teachers received.
Life at school was hard and pupils were expected to do their best.
The school continued on till it closed in 1930. The building was saved from
demolition in 1950 by Manx National Heritage and shortly after made into
a tourist site. Everything left in the school from its final day can still
be seen now. The Old Grammar School remains an important part of Manx
History as a small building with a long past.
Location
Castletown in the south of the Island.
By Vehicle:
Castletown is a main southern town, served by a multitude of roads. Just
follow the road signs.
By Bus:
Castletown can be reached by the following bus routes: 1, 1C, 2, 2A, 8 X1, X2.
Travelling from Douglas, Port Erin, Port St Mary and Peel.
By Railway:
Castletown can be reached by the taking the Electric Railway to Douglas
and then the Steam Railway to Castletown.
Castletown can be reached on the Steam Railway from Douglas going to Port
Erin or by taking the Port Erin (Port St Mary) train going to Douglas.
The Site
Original building, once chapel, then church and school,.
Signs marking out the history of the school.
Display Cases with school items.
School room exactly as left by the last class in 1930.
Gift Shop
Visiting the Old Grammar School
This small building painted in white over looks the sea. There have been
many alterations to the original structure, which are clearly seen from
the outside of the building. Inside lies a small shop, where gifts and
books can be purchased. There are a number of signs and exhibits opposite
the shop. Then there are a few steps into the school room. Everything
is so real, yet looks like a place from an old movie. There are not many
old style schoolrooms left by their classes for the public to later view.
Though a small building, it has good atmosphere and allows a moment
to step back in time. Back when schools were often in the local churches
and had far less resources.
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Old Grammar School |
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