The Hitchin British Schools is a remarkable collection of school buildings showing every aspect of elementary education since 1800 comprising of:

A Lancasterian Monitorial Teaching Room of 1837 for 300 pupils, the only one known to exist in any part of the world.

A rare galleried classroom of 1853 designed to hold 120 boys. Both rooms have a two star listed status, a are achievement for school buildings which underlines their historical importance.

A complete girls' and infants' school together with houses for the master and mistress erected in 1856.

Two additional classrooms built beside the Lancasterian Hall to accommodate the increasing numbers of pupils which made this, by 1905, the largest school in Hitchin.

The entire site survives having been in educational or community use until 1990 when it closed in a state of considerable dilapidation. Neglect of these historic buildings has actually contributed to their preservation and literally nothing has been done with the exception of boiler upgrading. Even here, the 1837 hypercaust system can be traced in the upper boiler house and the 1856 heating pipes remain in the Lower School.

The British Schools are the only surviving example of a complete C19 elementary school encompassing every aspect of the system since 1800. Following a lengthy battle, The Hitchin British Schools Trust finally achieved agreement to buy the buildings from Hertfordshire County Council in 1994. The Trust plans to establish here as Britains number one Museum of Elementary Education with teaching resources and incorporating the Jill Grey Collection of Education Memorabilia.

Until her death in 1988 Mrs Jill Grey avidly collected items relating to the childhood and education of those who, in the 19th century, were known as "the labouring poor".

The collection represents 30 years of painstaking research and acquisition. In that time Mrs Grey found thousands of books, photographs, postcards, needlework craft samples and certificates along with very old school furnishings.

Through the generosity of Mrs Grey's family and North Herts District Council the collection has been given to the Hitchin British Schools where it will eventually be housed in the Girls' School building for the benefit of students and researchers.

In 1991 the Hitchin British Schools Trust was established to acquire and develop the Hitchin British Schools into a unique living museum of Elementary Education, housed in an authentic, historic environment. This project has been named Benchmark.

To accomplish their aims the Trust must raise £2 million over the next five years. Already a team of people is giving their time and expertise free of charge to help the project succeed. If you or your company could offer help or sponsorship we should be delighted to hear from you.