April 16, 1710, Nicholas Spalden, by his will directed the Governors and Assistants to purchase land, and build thereon a School House.
The School House was to be for the instruction of thirty poor boys, children of the inhabitants of the town of Ashbourn, until they should be fit to go to the Free School of Ashbourne, and to pay the Master of such a school £10 yearly.
Alsp to purchase land, and build thereon another School House for the instruction of thirty poor young girls, children of the inhabitants of the said town, ti the intent they might be instructed to sew, knit and read, and to pay the Mistress of such school £10 yearly.
The Master and Mistress to each have an allowance of 30s a year for coals.
The Schools were built in 1715.
Receipt from Samuel Britton dated 23rd September 1769 for teaching 30 poor boys.
Receipt from Mary Pearson dated 26th December 1776 for teaching 30 poor girls
Some interesting comments on the Spalden’s Schools taken from the Minute Books.
25th September 1863
The schools in Church Street erected in pursuance of Mr Spaldens will having become useless or nearly so there being no scholars at the Girls School, and very few at the Boys School it is ordered that Mr Wise correspond with the Charity Commissioners in order to ascertain whether the buildings and land belonging to them can be sold and the proceeds applied for the purposes of the Grammar School.
30th June 1870
In consequence of requests by several Trustees for a meeting to be called to take into consideration the recent conduct of William Gather, Schoolmaster, and the evidence in the proceedings against him by Samuel Frith for assault which was heard by the magistrates on the 4th June inst.
It was said at the same time reported that Gather has had no scholars for the last 4 or 5 years.
1st February 1871
Evidence was laid before the meeting that William Gather the Master of Spaldens Boys School left Ashbourn in the month of November last and that on the 19th of the same month he sailed for America and that he is now residing in America.
The said William Gather had no sanction from the Governors and Assistants for his so leaving and he gave no intimation to the Trustees of his intention to leave Ashbourn or to vacate his post or office,
Therefore the Trustees at tis meeting so far as their powers in this behalf do hereby dismiss the said William Gather from the office of Master of Spaldens School the emoluments thereof to cease from the last half yearly payment.
23rd July 1874
That application be made to the Charity Commissioners for an order establishing a scheme
authorising and directing the endowment of Spaldens Schools and the income arising from the letting of the School Houses as Dwelling houses to be paid annually by the Governors and Assistants of Ashborne School to the Managers of the National Schools as long as they be conducted as Public Elementary Schools and no longer, but during the life of Alice White the schoolmistress she be not disturbed and be paid her stipend as usual.
19th March 1875
Whereas the Charity Commissioners on the 27th day of October last issued a notice for a scheme relating to Spaldens Schools and the said commissioners having subsequently to such notice proposed certain modifications of the said Scheme by the creation of a number of free or Spaldens Scholarships
6th May 1880
Ordered Mr Bradley, Mr Holland, Mr Nutall, Mr W. R. Smith and Mr Goodwin (Chairman) be appointed a Committee to investigate the question of damages to the Spaldens property by the erection of the Wesleyan Chapel in Church Street as to light and walks and otherwise and to take the necessary steps to abate the same.
5th May 1881
Mr Wise reported that in pursuance of the authority given at the last meeting of the Trustees he had written to the Charity Commissioners enclosing a contract for the sale of the Spaldens Schools property to Mr Atkin of the Wesleyan Chapel for £600.
2nd February 1882
At this meeting the conveyance of Spaldens Schools to the Trustees of the Wesleyan Chapel were signed by the Trustees present and the Clerk was authorised to affix the Seal of the Trust thereto.
2nd June 1887
The first Spalden Scholars
Ordered that the following girls attending the National School be appointed “Spaldens Scholars” – Alice Hall, May Roberts, Elizabeth Foster, Harriet Mansfield, Florence Davenport, and Sara Gratton
Tuesday 7th April 1942
The last Spalden Scholar
It was resolved that Lily May Shenton, daughter of Jeremiah Shenton of Hillside Farm, Wyaston Road, Ashborne, born on 20th September 1930 be elected to a Spalden’s Maintenance Grant for girls at Ashborne Grammar School of £6. 9. 2 for four years.
Tuesday 5th February 1946
A letter was read dated 19th January 1946, from Mr Whitehead, Cerk to the Governing Body of the Grammar School stating that owing to the abolition of fees at the grammar School the income from Spalden’s Educational Foundation could no longer be applied for the purpose for which it was intended, and the Clerk was directed to apply to the Charity Commissioners for guidance.
Tuesday 4th October1949
It was resolved that a letter be addressed to the Ministry of Education advocating that the award of this money be left in the hands of the Old Trust, based on the recommendation of the Headmaster of the Ashbourne Grammar School, to be applied by the Old Trust towards assisting pupils attending, or who had attended the Ashbourne Grammar School to enable them to take further or higher education. The annual income of this fund is £33. 18. 4 and the unapplied balance at the end of last year was £100.
The income from the Spalden Schools now known as ‘Spaldens Educational Foundation’ is now paid to the Grammar school.