History

Sexey’s Hospital is a Grade 1 architectural delight in Bruton, Somerset. It is the legacy of Hugh Sexey, a local landowner who became Auditor of the Exchequer to King James I, a post he held until his death in 1619.
 
After Hugh Sexey’s death, the Feofees, or Trustees, erected a Hospital on part of his estates in Bruton.

The Corporation of the Hospital was declared to be eight Governors, a Master and twelve poor aged persons, seven men and five women. Over and above the members of the Corporation, there were appointed twelve ‘Overseers' or Visitors who were responsible for the ordering of the Hospital as well as the estates and revenues. 

Later, as income allowed, the Visitors created a school for twelve boys at the Hospital, who were to be maintained, clothed and educated for three years in reading, writing and arithmetic. At the age of fourteen they were apprenticed for seven years to become carpenters, weavers and blacksmiths. Out of this evolved Sexey’s School, Bruton, a Church of England Academy for boarding and day students aged 11-18.

In 1882 a new block of buildings was created for training girls for domestic service. This lasted until 1911, when the Foundation decided to support girl’s education on another site which became Bruton School for Girls, an independent secondary boarding and day school. Further accommodation has been added over the years, and improvements are made continuously.