Education has not always been an institution in Saint Quentin Lamotte as the first ‘magister’ of the town was a man named Philippe Martin who died on February 26, 1760 at the age of 67.
We believe that the first school was built rather recently – probably around 1730.
At that time, the ‘magister’ – a lay cleric or schoolmaster – worked under the supervision of the local priest. He served many functions: cantor, sacristan, catechism teacher. Only when he had time left would he serve as a class teacher. Wages were low. For this reason, the ‘magister’ usually worked a second job as a plowman, a weaver, a tavern-keeper, a clog-maker or even a thresher.
Years later, Napoleon abolished the primary school system created by the National Convention. It was not until 1833 that Prime Minister Guizot required the implementation of a school in every municipality. However, the law did not impose the construction of a school for girls. In 1867, a new law rectified this inequality and school became free during the third Republic.
The old town school was probably already located on Church Street where the former girls’ school is situated.  The building was initially a thatch-roof house, which served as a classroom for boys and girls as well as accommodation for the schoolteacher.
However, this insufficient infrastructure became too small and the town Council decided to build a new school on Church square. As a result, the town then accommodated two schools : a boys’ school and a girls’ school.
There constructions were not fully satisfactory. In 1872, the municipality considered rebuilding the boys’ school. To that intent, Mr Delavigne-Vaudet sold a piece of his land to the municipality. The construction began in 1879 and was completed in 1881. This date was engraved and is still visible on the current town hall building.