On the passing of the Elementary Education Act 1870, it was ascertained that the school accommodation of this town was not equal to the requirements of the Act, consequently a meeting of the ratepayers was held in December of that year to consider the propriety of making application for Government assistance to build a new school. At that time it was decided to apply for a building grant, and at the commencement of the year 1871, in response to a memorial signed by 50 ratepayers of the parish, to Mr. R. Sharman, esq., the returning officer under the act, requesting him to call a meeting, a meeting of ratepayers was called to consider the expediency of forming a School Board; consequently in the July following the gentlemen were elected: Messrs. T. J. Starling, T. Sanders, E. B. Randall, G. Shelton and D. Thomson; the two latter gentlemen have resigned their seats at the Board, which is composed at present of the three former viz. Mr. T. J. Starling (chairman), Mr. T. Sanders (vice chairman) and Mr. E. B. Randall. After several meetings of the Board, we believe it was suggested that it would be advisable for the members to ascertain if the Bede House could not be used as a school house under the Board, as if it could have been it would have saved the expense of building another, but this was found impracticable. The Board were under the necessity of building a new one, and after inspecting sites made choice of the most convenient and healthy, and eligible spot the parish presented viz. half and acre of land at the top of the Wharf Lane, with a beautiful southern aspect and four roads meeting in the front of the schools. It is a very elevated spot and, although not in the front street, which in the opinion of some is detrimental, yet it is within about 200 yards of the Market Place. The Board having made choice of this site, and their choice being confirmed by the Education Department, Mr. E. Sharman of Wellingborough was employed as Architect to prepare plans , the one selected being a Gothic one. The building contract was let to Mr. John Piggott of Rushden, the carpentering to Mr. George Smith of Higham Ferrers and the slating to Mr. Albert Laughton who have most ably worked out the plans, and we venture to say the schools, now that they are complete, are second to none in the county, either with architectural beauty, or substantial workmanship, or adaptability to the purpose for which they are destined. The exterior is red brick, with elaborate white stone dressings; and the schools are in the shape of the letter H, with the house for the master attached, almost like a T, so making the block plan something resembling HT, with large playgrounds in front, surrounded by a substantial brick wall, with iron palisades on the top. The girls’ playground is divided from the boys by a brick wall. The interior consists of Infant schoolroom of  rectangular shape, with class room annexed; while the mixed school room is in shape like an L being originally like a T but having a class room taken off one end of the T it leaves it more in shape of an L. The schools are large enough to accommodate 350 children and we think they reflect great credit both on the architect and contractors. They are well lit with gas, the contract for the fitting of which was executed by Mr. J. Lewis. There are lavatories both for boys and girls and the usual other offices.

Opening of the Board Schools

On Monday last these schools were opened without any ceremony, they having engaged Mr. W. T. Robinson as master for the mixed school and his sister has been temporarily engaged as governess for the Infant Department. The numbers attending up to the time of writing are – mixed school 94, infant school 73; or a total of 167, which is a very good start considering the Board have not put in to force the compulsory powers of the Act. The following notice has been circulated in the town "Higham Ferrers’ Board School - The mixed department for boys and girls between the ages of seven and 13 years and the infant department between the ages of three and seven years. The school will be opened daily, except on Saturday, from nine to 12 o’clock in the morning and from two to half past four in the afternoon. The school fees are to be paid in advance every Monday morning and will be as follows:- Boys and Girls, 3d each; where more than one in the family, 2d. for every other. Half- timers same as above. Infants, 1d each. All books and slates etc used in schools will be provided by the Board. Parents are earnestly solicited to aid the Board in giving the benefits of a good elementary education to the children by sending them to school regularly and thus render compulsory measures unnecessary. In addition to the day school there will be a night school for all over 13 years of age who wish to avail themselves of it."