HEIGHINGTON, a parish in the south-eastern
division of DARLINGTON ward, county palatine of DURHAM,
comprising the townships of Coastamoor, Heighington,
Killerby, Midridge, Redworth, School-Aycliffe,
and Walworth, and containing 1383 inhabitants, of
which number, 557 are in the township of Heighington>
6 miles (N. N. W.) from Darlington. The living is a
vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Durham,
rated in the king's books at £12.14. 9., and in the
patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Durham. The
church, dedicated to St. Michael, has a Norman tower,
but the structure generally is of a later date; the pulpit
is ancient and richly carved. There is a place of worship
for Weslayan Methodists. A free grammar school
was founded in 1601, by Elizabeth Jennison, of Walworth,
and endowed with a rent-charge of £10, which
was subsequently augmented by a donation of £70
from Edward Kirby, vicar of this parish: the present
income is £55.11. per annum, and the school is conducted
on the Madras system; a new school-house was
built in 1812 by subscription, at an expense of £300.