Although a Junior Department was added to the main Cheltenham College buildings in 1865, it was not until the early 20th century that a separate Junior School was established. In 1906 the College Council acquired an estate on the south side of Thirlestaine Road for £10,500, and up to £35,000 was allocated to build the Junior School classrooms and new boarding house. The Junior School opened in September 1909 and in 1993 it opened its doors to girls. At the same time it also opened Kingfishers, the pre-prep department for 3-7 year olds.

For more information about the history of Cheltenham College Junior School, please do have a look at: T.S. Pearce: Celebr08! (2008)

Responsibility for the archives of the Junior School was transferred to the College Archive Department in 2005-2006, with the records themselves being transferred in 2008. Researchers are warmly welcome by appointment. For those unable to visit, initial searches can be undertaken by the archive staff although a charge may be made for more detailed research.

If you have, or are aware of, any documents or artefacts relating to the Junior School and its former pupils or staff, we would like to hear from you. For further information please contact one of the members of the Archive staff:

Mrs Christine Leighton, Archivist: leighton.christine@cheltcoll.gloucs.sch.uk
Mrs Jill Barlow, Assistant Archivist: barlow.jill@cheltcoll.gloucs.sch.uk

For more information about Cheltenham College archives, please click through to Senior School archives.