Eton College is a very old and famous school in England. It's in a pretty town near Windsor. It was started more than 600 years ago and has a long history of having a high standard of teaching. It's also known for its customs and the important people who went there.
King Henry VI started Eton College on this day 12th September 1440. He wanted to help poor boys who didn't have parents or had a tough life because of recent wars. These boys could go to Eton for free, other boys could attend but had to pay to stay there. King Henry VI wanted Eton to get boys ready for another school called King's College, Cambridge, which he also created.
In the beginning, Eton taught Latin and religion. They built a huge chapel, which is still there today and is important for the school's history.
By Kazimierz Mendlik, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58691616
As time passed, Eton started teaching more subjects, like maths, science, and art. In 1891, there were more than 1000 boys at Eton. It was not just for poor boys anymore, rich families wanted to send their children there to learn from the best. The school changed their views and started caring more about how good the students were at learning than if their families were important.
Many students get help to pay for Eton because it's quite expensive. Eton teaches lots of different things now and helps students prepare for top universities around the world.
Eton College has many famous people who once studied there. Some of them are:
George Orwell: He wrote famous books like "1984" and "Animal Farm" and went to Eton. Eton influenced his writing a lot.
David Cameron and Boris Johnson: Both of them were Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and went to Eton. They started their careers in politics during their time at the school.
Princes William and Harry: The Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, who are important members of the British royal family, also attended Eton. Many people watched their time at the school closely.
Eton College is known for its old traditions. They have a special kind of football called the Eton Wall Game that's been played for a very long time. The students also wear a unique uniform with a special collar, coat, and waistcoat that's famous.
From its early days helping poor boys to its current reputation as a top school, Eton College has always cared about being excellent at teaching and helping young men succeed. With its long history and famous graduates, Eton remains an important school that helps shape the future of its students.
Check your understanding
When was Eton College founded, and why did King Henry VI establish it?
What subjects were initially taught at Eton College, and what role did the Chapel play in its history?
How did Eton College evolve over time in terms of the students it admitted and its curriculum?
How did Eton College support students who couldn't afford its tuition fees?
Can you name a few famous individuals who attended Eton College and briefly describe their contributions to society?
You can now listen to this article as a podcast just click here
If you find this practice useful please consider supporting the author from just £1 per month here
Comments