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.
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North Wingfield, incorporates part of the school building erected by the Wingerworth Coal Company in 1854, which was superseded by a board (i.e. local authority) school in the 1880s. 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." Photo: Brian Eyre