But as times have changed many historic education buildings in the area became unfit for purpose and were transformed into other uses.
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.
This list has kindly been put together 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; the former Mastin Moor School, now a private residence; Woodthorpe’s village school, built by 7th Duke of Devonshire in 1862 and closed in 2019.
Slightly further afield, is the former Apperknowle primary school, on Barrack Road, closed in 2008 and 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.
This list has kindly been put together by members of Chesterfield and District Civic Society.
5. Former all-age school, Brimington
The former all-age school in the village, later boys’ secondary modern school, is now flats. Photo: Brian Eyre
The small, probably 18 Century, stone-built former school room next to church, now a community hall, housed a school first endowed in 1679. The civic society said: "This is probably the oldest surviving village schoolroom in Chesterfield and its immediate environs." Photo: Brian Eyre
Deerleap Cottages, on Deer Leap Lane, were built as a schoolroom in 1790. The civic society said: "The school closed in 1853, when the oldest part of the school buildings on Market Street in Clay Cross town centre were built, and the Deer Leap schoolroom was converted into six cottages, now two residences. The former school buildings on Market Street, built by Clay Cross Company, are still in educational use as a community education centre." Photo: Brian Eyre