England's 'Oldest' Primary School Marks 350 Years

Children at Lady Boswell's School
Children at Lady Boswell's School
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England's 'Oldest' Primary School Marks 350 Years

Children at Lady Boswell's School
Children at Lady Boswell's School

A primary school in Britain’s Kent thought to be the oldest in England is celebrating 350 years since it opened, BBC reported.

Lady Boswell's School, in Sevenoaks, had just one teacher when it was set up for “the 15 poorest children in the parish” in 1675.

Now it is a school of 437 pupils, who led tours, showcased artifacts and enjoyed a picnic last Friday to celebrate the school's history, BBC said.

Kate Phillips, chair of governors at Lady Boswell's, said: “Here we are in 2025 celebrating our school's 350th anniversary, and we think we are the oldest [primary] school in the country.”

Lady Margaret Boswell was wealthy and well-connected.

Her husband, Sir William Boswell, was an important diplomat and she lived at Bradbourne House, a place frequently visited by Queen Elizabeth I, who was said to be fond of the Boswell family.

But in 1675, Lady Boswell transferred her estate to a trust and instructed that £30 of it, the equivalent of about £5,220 today, be spent each year on educating the 15 poorest children in the area.

State education was not readily available until the 1800s, meaning Lady Boswell put the children of Sevenoaks more than 100 years ahead of the rest of England.

Even today, the school still receives roughly £6,000 each year from the Lady Boswell Foundation.



Photos Show a Filipino Couple Walking Down a Flooded Aisle on Their Wedding Day

Newlyweds Jade Rick Verdillo right, and Jamaica walk hand in hand during their wedding at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Newlyweds Jade Rick Verdillo right, and Jamaica walk hand in hand during their wedding at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
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Photos Show a Filipino Couple Walking Down a Flooded Aisle on Their Wedding Day

Newlyweds Jade Rick Verdillo right, and Jamaica walk hand in hand during their wedding at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Newlyweds Jade Rick Verdillo right, and Jamaica walk hand in hand during their wedding at the flooded Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Jade Rick Verdillo and Jamaica Aguilar were determined to walk down the aisle on their wedding day. Even if it meant walking down a flooded one.

On Tuesday, the Barasoain church in Malolos, Bulacan province, Philippines flooded due to heavy rain. Typhoon Whipa had intensified seasonal monsoon rains in the Philippines, bringing widespread flooding.

The couple anticipated the risk of flooding, but instead of letting the weather dampen the mood, they decided to push through, as all marriages have their challenges.

“We just mustered enough courage,” said Verdillo. “We decided today because it is a sacrifice in itself. But there will more sacrifices if we don’t push through today.”

Aguilar waded down the aisle with her white dress and wedding train floating behind her through waters almost up to her knees. At the altar, Verdillo was waiting to receive her while wearing an embroidered shirt called a Barong Tagalog, worn during special occasions.

The newlyweds have been together for 10 years. The groom said, “I feel that challenges won’t be over. It’s just a test. This is just one of the struggles that we’ve overcome.”

Despite the turbulent weather, some family and friends made it to the wedding.

“You will see love prevailed because even against weather, storm, rains, floods, the wedding continued,” said Jiggo Santos, a wedding guest. “It’s an extraordinary wedding.”