But as times have changed, many historic education buildings in the area became unfit for purpose and were transformed.
Some have remained in operation as education centres while others have been employed for very different purposes – often still serving the community as religious buildings, homes or offices.
A number of the schools on this list were kindly suggested by members of Chesterfield and District Civic Society.
Other former schools, which aren’t pictured, include Staveley’s National School, the first elementary school in Staveley near the church in High Street, and the former Mastin Moor School, which is now a private residence.
Woodthorpe’s village school was built by 7th Duke of Devonshire in 1862, and closed its doors in 2019.
Slightly further afield is the former Apperknowle primary school, on Barrack Road, which shut in 2008 and is now a private residence.
This list does not include former school buildings retained by the county council for educational use, mostly by specialist pupil-support units or for community education.
A number of the schools on this list were kindly suggested by members of Chesterfield and District Civic Society.
![The former National (Church of England) school next to St John’s Church, on St John’s Road, was converted into a youth club (Eagle Centre) after the present school buildings on Cranborne Road were opened in the early 1960s. The civic society said: "There was an earlier schoolroom on the site of the Co-op on Newbold Road, there is a commemorative plaque in front of store. "](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjcxZDYyZGU0LWY2N2UtNDE1Yi1hMDgwLWZjMjE3OGViZjQ2Nzo0ZjgwY2Q3Yy0zMzhiLTRhYTEtODEyYi04ZWUyMDI2YzZmZWQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
9. Former National School, Newbold
The former National (Church of England) school next to St John’s Church, on St John’s Road, was converted into a youth club (Eagle Centre) after the present school buildings on Cranborne Road were opened in the early 1960s. The civic society said: "There was an earlier schoolroom on the site of the Co-op on Newbold Road, there is a commemorative plaque in front of store. "Photo: Brian Eyre
![The Workingmen’s Club, on Chesterfield Road, North Wingfield, incorporates part of the school building erected by the Wingerworth Coal Company in 1854, which was superseded by a board (i.e. local authority) school in the 1880s.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjc1ZjcwYjZjLTc1NjktNDlmMy04YmVlLWE4NDk2MThmNzc5MDo3ZWY5NzBmYy05MGI2LTRlODItYmU5Mi1kMTE5Y2MzOTY1NGI=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
10. Former North Wingfield Coal Company school
The Workingmen’s Club, on Chesterfield Road, North Wingfield, incorporates part of the school building erected by the Wingerworth Coal Company in 1854, which was superseded by a board (i.e. local authority) school in the 1880s.Photo: Brian Eyre
![The former one-room village school, now parish hall and library; closed when Deer Park opened in 1960.](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjZhMzM2Y2E4LTI4ZjktNDY2NS1hOTAxLTZiMjY1NmUyZDZjOTo5ZGYyMWJhMi1lMzRiLTRlZmItYWZlMy1lODUwNWUxMWY5OTc=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
11. Former village school, Wingerworth
The former one-room village school, now parish hall and library; closed when Deer Park opened in 1960.Photo: Brian Eyre
![Brambling House was opened in 1939 by Chesterfield Corporation as one of the earliest special schools. The civic society said: "It was created by a minor local education authority; renamed the Frank Merifield School after the untimely death in service of the founding headteacher; now occupied by St Peter & St Paul School, a private primary school."](https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmIxOGJhZGQ2LThjZmMtNDcyOS1iZWQ2LTYwZjlmNGQ4OTVmMzo1YTIxMjQ3Yy05NzVkLTQ4NDgtYWU1My1lYWI4Y2JhODdlMDE=.jpg?crop=3:2&trim=&width=640)
12. Brambling House, Hady Hill, Chesterfield
Brambling House was opened in 1939 by Chesterfield Corporation as one of the earliest special schools. The civic society said: "It was created by a minor local education authority; renamed the Frank Merifield School after the untimely death in service of the founding headteacher; now occupied by St Peter & St Paul School, a private primary school."Photo: Brian Eyre