Casterton School

Casterton School
Motto Cor Unum Via Una
(One Heart, One Way)
Established 1823
Closed 2013
(absorbed by Sedbergh School)
Type Independent day and boarding
Religion Church of England
Founder Rev Carus Wilson
Location Casterton
Cumbria
LA6 2SG
England
54°12′42″N 2°34′30″W / 54.211667°N 2.574964°W / 54.211667; -2.574964Coordinates: 54°12′42″N 2°34′30″W / 54.211667°N 2.574964°W / 54.211667; -2.574964
Local authority Cumbria
Students 300~ (2013)
Gender Girls; Boys (3-11)
Ages 3–18
Houses      Dobson
     Vincent
     Beale
     Williams
     Harben
Colours      Blue
Website Casterton School

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.

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.[1]

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.[2]

School Song

The Casterton School Song,[3] 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.

References

  1. ↑ "Casterton School to take extra boys". Westmorland Gazette. 15 September 2000.
  2. ↑ "Governors agree to merge Sedbergh and Casterton schools". Westmorland Gazette. 6 March 2013.
  3. ↑ "Casterton School Song". 1964.
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