Former PM Margaret Thatcher's school gets listed status
The school that helped propel the Iron Lady to No 10 has been awarded grade II-listed status.
Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School in Lincolnshire has been listed by Heritage Minister Ed Vaizey.
The late Margaret Thatcher, who attended the school between 1936 and 1943, said she would not have made it to Downing Street “but for this school”.
The decision to list Kesteven and Grantham Girls' School follows advice by English Heritage highlighting the school's architectural and historic interest and the fact that it remains relatively unchanged since Lady Thatcher was a pupil there.
Mr Vaizey said of the school, which was built in 1910 to the design of HH Dunn: “This is an outstanding example of an Edwardian grammar school with an eclectic architectural character and built by the architect HH Dunn, who specialised in education buildings.
“But as well as its architectural interest, the school has huge historical interest, and the education Margaret Thatcher received there was a formative experience which went on to affect her life and political convictions.”
Emily Gee, head of designation at English Heritage, said: “This handsome Edwardian grammar school possesses real historic interest for its association with Great Britain’s first female prime minister.
“Margaret Thatcher’s connection to her home town was a poignant one, and her views on education were no doubt shaped by her experiences in this building, where her maiden name is recorded on the head girl board.”
Lady Thatcher returned to the school on a number of occasions throughout her adult life, including several trips as prime minister.
On one such visit in 1986, some seven years after her election, she unveiled a plaque to officially open Roberts Hall, the school’s new £1.5 million extension in honour of her father Alfred Roberts.
While anti-nuclear dumping protesters booed her outside, inside she was welcomed by former schoolfellows, as well as pupils and teachers, in a two-hour visit.
She arrived by helicopter, landing on the school playing field. Addressing her well-wishers, she said: “I would not have been in No 10 but for this school.”
Unveiling the plaque, she added: “I would not have missed this for the world.”
