OBJECT ONE THE FOUNDATION STONE – WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

The original foundation stone was mounted here at the Senior School back in 2006 and can be found outside the Moulton Hall, fondly now known as the J. O. Heap Library. The stone was brought from the original school in Kingswood near Bristol, some 10 miles away, and was opened by the Rev. John Wesley on 24 June 1748. The School commenced teaching on 28 June 1748.

Wesley laid the foundation stone in 1746 and officially opened the building in 1748. He opened it with a sermon based on the text “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it”. There were only 28 pupils on the school roll at first – each paying £14 a year! This figure increased to about 50 boys and girls, however it was soon restricted to sons of Methodist preachers and leaders. Today the Senior School has over 850 pupils and welcomes children of all faiths and none.