School records

<p>For the records of the schools, 1843-1960, see ESC 55; for the managers' minutes, 1932-1972, see EMS 50 and 183</p>

St Mary's Schools

The Eastbourne National Boys' School and Eastbourne National Girls' School were established at St Mary's Cottages, Brightland Road in 1814.

The girls' school was housed in two buildings, one in Brightland Road, which was opened in 1814, and the other in Church Street, which was opened in 1853. By 1903 the girls' school was known as St Mary's Girls' School, by 1923 as St Mary's Junior Girls' School and by 1949 as St Mary's Girls' Primary School. From 1956 the school became St Mary's County Junior Girls' School. On 25 July 1958 the Brightland Road premises were closed and those in Church Street on 26 March 1959, and the school moved to new buildings in Victoria Drive, where it was known as Ocklynge Girls' Primary School. On 12 July 1972 Ocklynge County Junior Girls' School was closed and after merger with St Mary's County Junior Boys' School it re-opened in September 1972 as Ocklynge County Junior Mixed School.

The boys' school, which was housed initially in the building in Brightland Road, moved to the premises in Church Street in 1853 and from 1892 existed in premises in Green Street. By 1903 the boys' school was known as St Mary's Boys' School, by 1923 as St Mary's Junior Boys' School and by 1949 as St Mary's Boys' Primary School. From 1956 the school became St Mary's County Junior Boys' School. On 12 July 1972 St Mary's County Junior Boys' School was closed and after merger with Ocklynge County Junior Girls' School it re-opened in September 1972.

Central classes for senior pupils were operated for both the boys' and girls' schools between January 1922 and October 1931 when they were closed due to shortages of funds and pupils, and the pupils transferred to Bedewell Central School and Willowfield Central School.

An infants' school was opened in Church Street in 1873.