Date of foundation uncertain. earliest date in account in VCH is 1619. 'The grammar School had no formal foundation that can be discovered: it was a parochial school under the control of the churchwardens and sidesmen of the parish who engaged a master and paid his salary with the interest on small benefactions and quarterage from all but very few poor schoolars...In 1619 the school was called the free school in the parish accounts', VCH, Lancs., II, 611.