Callington - The Town

Callington is a small ancient market town with a population of nearly 6000, situated in a beautiful area of south east Cornwall, England's most westerly county.

The pictures to the right show Callington as it was in the 19th century, and today.

About Callington Town

Callington (Cornish Kelliwik) is a small town and civil parish in southeast Cornwall. The civil parish had a population of 4,783 in 2001, according to the 2001 census, although recent figures show that the population has risen to around 6000.

The town is situated between Kit Hill and Bodmin Moor. A former agricultural market town, it lies at the intersection of the North-South Plymouth-Saltash-Launceston-Bude road and the East-West Tavistock-Liskeard road.

From Kit Hill, there are far reaching views of the River Tamar, Dartmoor, Bodmin Moor and Plymouth. Along with the town's mural trail they have proven to be popular with wandering tourists. Callington lies between four larger towns (Launceston, Liskeard, Tavistock and Saltash) and many inhabitants commute to Plymouth via the Tamar Bridge. 

Education in Callington - past times

Early in the 19^th century it was reported that a "Grammar School" was held in the Wellington Inn in Fore Street (this building is now the Post Office).  The word "grammar" has historically been used to confer high status on any educational establishment.

In 1842, Baron Ashburton, the Lord of the Manor, gave half an acre of land adjoining the sheep market (on the site of the present Police Station) and the first National School (or "Church School" was built there, taking pupils of all ages paying fees of between 1d and 4d per week. The school was closely associated with the church, the older pupils being in the charge of the clergy.

The 1870 Education Act

A series of laws were passed making a basic education available to all children.  By 1880 children were obliged to attend school, and local ratepayers had to provide and maintain school buildings in their District.

In 1882 a second school opened in Callington, at the Wesleyan Church in Haye Road.  This was known as the Wesleyan School and later the Council School.

By 1904 both schools were under the control of the District Education Committee, taking pupils up to the age of 14, which was the leaving age at that time.

New school at Launceston Road - the beginning of Callington Community College

In 1911-1913, a new Council School was built at Launceston Road.  Read HERE about it's development up to the present day.