The school has a long history. Opened in 1717, it was one of three schools founded by James Baines, a Poulton draper who left money in his will to ensure the education of the children in this area. Additions and alterations over the years have made the building an interesting mixture of old and new.
Thornton Free School
Founded and endowed by Mr. James Baines, Woolen Draper of Poulton, 1717.
Rebuilt by public subscription, 1817.
Altered and Improved by the Trustees, 1880.
One classroom built by the Trustees, 1931.
By 1963 five classrooms, an assembly hall and provision of a playing field provided by the Trustees and Lancashire Education Authority.
The school became a voluntary controlled school in 1951 and is now Baines' Endowed School, Thornton.
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| Thornton Endowed School after improvements in 1880. The school-house had already been raised in 1854 and stood higher than the school. The master in the photograph is Mr J.J. Jagger, Snr. Taken between 1883 and 1908 before the extension in 1908 was added. |
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| | The Canteen (built in 1948) in about 1970 which has now been replaced with a new building. | | | | |
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