ened for use at Midsummer 1778. A
classroom was added at the south end in 1855, and more recently another
small room put up at the north end. The residence of the Head Master was
formerly a small low cottage, but it was considerably enlarged in the
early part of the 19th century, and in 1858 a new wing was added at the
north end.

In 1847 two "Clinton" Exhibitions were founded by the Governors, of 50
pounds a year, to be held for four years, by scholars going to the
University. For lack of such scholars this was granted to Clement Madely
Smith, youngest son of Dr. Smith, the Head Master, who studied for the
medical profession, in London. No further appointment however was made,
as in 1848 the Governors decided that they had no authority so to employ
the funds at their disposal.

On the death of Dr. Smith, in 1854, a new scheme of education, more
suited to the requirements of the time, was drawn up by a committee
appointed for that purpose, which received the sanction of the Charity
Commissioners, and was approved by the Master of the Rolls in the same
year.

The attendance at the school, however, gradually fell off, until, in the
year 1886, there were only 16 scholars; and further reforms were needed.
Since then changes in the system have, from time to time, been
introduced, to render the school more generally useful: the more recent
being the admission of female pupils in 1903, for whom was appointed a
resident lady teacher, Miss E. Gibson, who had matriculated, 1st class,
at London University.

Small Scholarships also, not exceeding six in number, were established
for needy pupils; and application was made to the Lindsey County Council,
for a grant of 80 pounds, in aid of scientific lectures, {94} under the
Technical Instruction Act of Parliament; so that a general middle-class
English education was provided, along with Latin, French, book-keeping,
and other technical subjects; an examination being held annually by some
one unconnected with the school, who should be approved of by the Charity
Commissioners. The school has thus, under the tenure of the Head
Mastership by Dr. Madge, of late years, been considerably improved, and
the area of the subjects taught, widened; assisted as he has been by the
able Second Master, Mr. C. W. Gott, B.A., London, and Miss Gibson. But
it has also been increasingly recognised that there was room for still
further development, if the institution was to take its proper position