Bishop Blackall Girls' Grammar School, 1878 to 1983

During the reign of Queen Anne, Bishop Offspring Blackall (Bishop 1708-1716), was responsible for the founding of several charitable schools in the city through the Episcopal Charity Trust. The Episcopal Charity Schools were founded in 1709, funded by voluntary subscription and collections made at the Cathedral and churches of Exeter. The single building was divided into separate schools for boys and girls.

In 1817, a new building was constructed for the two schools, allowing an increase to 250 pupils from the original 200. Girls were admitted at the age of 8 and left at 13, at an annual subscription of 21s. By 1850 the role had increased to 310. All denominations could attend, but they had to attend Church of England services on Sundays.

Over the years various donations were made to the school by wealthy citizens of Exeter including six houses and 13 acres of land, at Hillscourt, given by Samuel Daniel, in 1738.

In 1870 a special court was set up for the funding of the school, mostly through the endowment of property. In October 1872, a site in Queen Street, near the old post office, was leased at a cost of £110 per annum. The school was named the Episcopal Middle School for Girls. By 1878 it had become the Middle Class School for Girls, still based in Queen Street, under the headmistress, Miss A A Bray.

The Move to Hillscourt

In 1882, the then head mistress decided that another move, this time to the site in Pennsylvania Road at Hillscourt would take place. In 1887 the foundation stone was laid and the Queen's Street school moved into the James Jerman designed building when it was complete.

During the First World War the school moved to Rougemont House and the building was taken over and became Hospital Unit No. 2 and run by the Red Cross to nurse soldiers from the front. At the end of the war in 1919, the school moved back to Hill's Court.

Bishop Blackall School

In 1920 the school was renamed the Exeter Episcopal Modern School and then in 1934 it was finally named Bishop Blackall School for Girls in honour of its 19th century founder Henry Blackall and his ancestor, Bishop Blackall. The school was damaged in the bombing during the Second World War. After the war, the school enrolled girls who had passed their Eleven Plus exam. Then in 1972, it became a comprehensive school, along with all other state high schools in Exeter. A fire badly damaged the school in 1979. Only four years later another re-organisations in Exeter saw the school merge with Hele's Grammar School and become St Peter's Church of England High School. The Hill's Court site was taken over by Exeter College and is now used for further education courses.

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