What were primary schools called in 1600?

There wasn't a standardized system of primary education in 1600, so there wasn't a single name for primary schools. The names varied greatly depending on location and the type of school. Instead of "primary school," you might find schools referred to as:

* Petty schools: This was a common term for small, local schools often run by a single teacher, teaching basic reading, writing, and arithmetic.

* Dame schools: These were schools run by women (dames) in their homes, often teaching young children basic literacy.

* Charity schools: These were schools funded by charitable donations, often aimed at educating poor children.

* Grammar schools: While generally associated with secondary education today, some grammar schools in 1600 accepted younger students, offering a more advanced curriculum than a petty school. The curriculum could overlap with what we now consider primary.

* Parish schools: Schools associated with a specific parish church, often providing instruction for the children of that parish.

Essentially, the terminology was much less formalized than it is today. The type of school and its name often reflected its funding source, size, and the level of instruction offered.