Chard Prep School is a coeducational private school for children ages 4 to 11 located in the town of Chard in the English county of Somerset.

Chard Prep School
School premises (Built 1583)
Address
Map
Monmouth House, Fore Street,

,
TA20 1QA
Coordinates50°52′24″N 2°57′40″W / 50.8734°N 2.9610°W / 50.8734; -2.9610
Information
TypePrivate school
Preparatory
MottoLatin: Uniti Vireamus
(United we thrive)
Established1671; 353 years ago (1671)
FounderWilliam Symes
Local authoritySomerset Council
Department for Education URN123927 Tables
GenderCo-educational
Age range4–11
Enrolment60
Capacity120
Listed BuildingGrade II*
Listed Building Reference1205594
Date of Listing24 March 1950
Websitehttps://www.chardprep.co.uk/

The school is located on the site of the former Chard Grammar School.

History

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The school was originally a private residence, built for John Symes of Poundsford in 1583. Later in 1671, his son, William Symes, handed the property over to twelve trustees for conversion into a grammar school.[1][2] It later became a public boarding school in 1890.[3]

The current independent preparatory school, known as Chard School, was established in 1972,[3] and still incorporates the original grammar school building. The 16th-century building has been Grade II* listed since 1950.[1] It is also on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register, where it is described as being in poor condition.[4]

Architecture

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The two-storey flint building has hamstone dressings, a tiled roof and brick chimney stacks. The front of the building has a three-room range and a projecting three-storey porch. Many of the rooms have fireplaces, panelling and decorations from the 16th to 19th centuries.[1] In the 18th century a staircase was added giving access to the adjacent Monmouth House which was built between 1770 and 1790.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "CHARD SCHOOL, Chard Town - 1205594". Historic England. 24 March 1950. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  2. ^ "Digest of the Reports Made by the Commissioners of Inquiry Into Charities ... - Google Books". 1841. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  3. ^ a b "History of Chard School Independent Prep School in Chard". Chardschool.co.uk. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  4. ^ "Chard School, Fore Street, Chard Town - South Somerset". Historic England. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  5. ^ "Monmouth House and attached walls and railings". National Heritage List for England. Historic England. Retrieved 19 August 2018.