In 1850 the beginnings of a government assisted school started with Mr John Byrne as its first teacher. Mr Byrne was a married man without family. A small thatched cottage in the Main Street on the property now occupied by the Knysna Mall, served him for both home and school. Byrne was fully bilingual, being a sworn translator in both the English and Dutch language.
After a year the school was moved to a house loaned by Mr Sutherland on the side of the Magazine Hill. Its now known as Beau Rivage. Later years it was the Art Centre.
Mr Sutherland, the last to occupy the old building at the bottom of the hill, became master of the first school erected in Knysna specially for that purpose. The foundation stone was laid by Mr John Rex, chairman of the School Committee, at the beginning of 1850. It was on church property at the corner of Long and Church Streets. For many years it did duty as a mixed school for boys and girls. Today it is the Country Kitchen.
In 1883 a larger building with several classrooms was erected when the original school room proved to cramped fir the growing number of students. It was during Mr Thomas Leith's regime that the new Public School was erected in 1883 in Benn's Avenue (today it is Church Street).
Personnel 1909
Rugby 1913
In 1915 bou hulle 'n Sekondêre Skool in Langstraat teen die bult. Kinders wat skoolfooie kon bekostig, trek oor na hierdie skool.
Die "Public School" gaan nog steeds voort. By Rooihoogte was die 'poor white' skool. Hulle trek in Oktober 1916 oor na die "Public School". Hierdie skool word nou die Gladstone Kleurling Skool. Dit was die afgelope jare die hoofkantoor van die Leër.
Die Primêre Skool in Benn's Avenue bars later uit sy nate, want dit is gratis onderwys. Die getalle by die primêre afdeling van die Hoërskool krimp, want hulle betaal skoolgeld. Hulle besluit om 'n nuwe primêre skool op te rig. Op die grondgebied waar die Laerskool vandag is, was vroeër jare die uitspanplek van die ossewaens.
Die nuwe skoolgebou is opgerig oorkant die New Haven Hotel in Langstraat. Dit is nou die huidige perseel van die skool. Hierdie skool is op 18 Julie 1947 geopen.
Later het ook hierdie gebou te klein geword. Daar is besluit om aan te bou. Op 28 Februarie 1970 word die saal en geboue ingewy.
In 1980 het die skool nog klaskamers en 'n biblioteek bygekry.
