This list of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom contains extant schools in the United Kingdom established prior to 1700 and a few former schools established prior to the Reformation. The dates refer to the foundation or the earliest documented contemporary reference to the school. In many cases the date of the original foundation is uncertain. For conciseness schools whose date is cited on their own page in Wikipedia are not cited again here. Though not technically in the United Kingdom, one school (Elizabeth College) in Guernsey – which forms part of the British Isles – is included in this list. England Sixth century The King's School, Canterbury (abbey founded in 597, apparently related to a school of royal charter 1541) Seventh century The King’s School, Rochester (founded 604, refounded 1541) The Minster School, York (song school founded 627, refounded 1903, closed 2020) St Peter's School, York (627, Royal charter 1550s) Thetford Grammar School (631, mentioned 1114, refounded 1566) Hereford Cathedral School (676, mentioned 1384) Royal Grammar School Worcester (685, first conclusive evidence 1291, Royal charter 1561) Carlisle Grammar School (priory school founded 685) Beverley Grammar School (c.700) Eighth century Sherborne School (705, royal charter 1550) The Pilgrims' School, Winchester (c.900) Tenth century Warwick School (914, royal charter 1545) Wells Cathedral School (909) St Albans School (c.948, refounded 1549) The Minster School, Southwell (minster founded 956, first mention 1313, refounded 1547) The King's School, Ely (970) Eleventh century Bedford School (1086, refounded 1552) Salisbury Cathedral School (1091) Norwich School (1096, refounded 1547 as "King Edward VI Grammar School") Abingdon School (possibly as old as 1100, endowed 1256, refounded 1563) Twelfth century St Paul's Cathedral School (founded 1123) Colchester Royal Grammar School (1128, Royal Charters 1539, re-founded 1584) Reading School (1125 as the school of Reading Abbey, refounded 1486, Royal charter 1541) The King's School, Pontefract (1139, refounded 1548) Bristol Cathedral School (abbey founded 1140, refounded 1542) Derby School (1160, refounded 1554) Exeter Cathedral School (founded 1179) Thirteenth century Lancaster Royal Grammar School (mention of master 1235, endowed 1472) Louth Grammar School (earliest reference 1276, refounded 1551 as King Edward VI Grammar School, Louth) Stratford Grammar School (1295, refounded 1553 as King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon) Fourteenth century Stamford School (1309, re-endowed 1532) Northallerton School (1323) Hanley Castle High School (chantry school 1326, charter 1544) The King's School, Grantham (1329, refounded 1528) Bourne Grammar School (earliest record of existence 1330,