Our History: Serving Our Community Since 1869
Takeley Primary School has been at the heart of this area for over 150 years.
We opened in 1869 as a 'Penny School' at Brewers End on the old A120, where the original buildings can still be seen today. In those early days, children of ordinary families paid one penny a day to attend, while shopkeepers' children paid three pennies.
The school found stability in 1886 when Mr Cooper Smith and his wife took over as headteacher and deputy. The Smith family led the school for 46 years, during which time fees were abolished in 1891 and sports were introduced. Mr Leslie Frost followed in 1932, serving for 30 years and becoming well-known as both an educational leader and village historian.
By 1965, our growing village needed a larger school. We moved to a new site in Roseacres – built on the site of Charles Wright's rose nursery – where we served our community until our move to the Priors Green Development.
From our humble beginnings as a Penny School to our modern, vibrant primary school, we honour our heritage while looking confidently to the future. Our house names – Canfield, Priors, Hatfield and Flitch – celebrate the local landmarks that connect us to our community's rich history.
