Bentley's School, Calne

In 1665 a house and garden on the Green at Calne were bought and remained the school's home until 1833. In 1836, the income was too small to hire a competent classical schoolmaster, and the trustees began to charge school fees. H.M. Inspector of Schools found in 1846 and 1847 that the teaching was good. In the 1890s, the Charity Commissioners reorganized Bentley's School by lowering the fees and bringing in commercial and science subjects, including chemistry, a modern language, and agriculture, and making it a school for boys from eight to sixteen. In 1901, it was combined with a technical institute and became the Calne County School. Girls were admitted but at first were taught in another…