Welcome to Bearnes Voluntary Primary School

The idea of Bearne’s Voluntary Primary School was conceived in 1788 by Hannah Maria Bearne, for the teaching of poor children of the parishes of Highweek and Wolborough.

Although the pupils were required to attend at some place of public worship, no preference would be given to children of a particular persuasion or sect of the Protestant religion.  This would set the school apart from others in the area.  The school still has a Trust to this day and is the only school of its kind in Devon.

The school was initially set up in 1843 in buildings at the end of a court in Wolborough Street, which had been formerly occupied by the Wolborough  National School.   The present school was built in 1859 in order to house boys in one department and girls in another.