Yatesbury National School, Cherhill

The first school recorded in the former Yatesbury parish opened in 1832; the next year it had 10 pupils. In 1856 a school and teacher’s house are known to have been built near the site of the old, now demolished, rectory house.

The report of HMI William Warburton in 1859 states that the school at that date had 20-30 pupils who were taught by a schoolmistress, the wife of the parish clerk. Warburton comments, ‘The whole burden of the school falls on the clergyman, who is opposed by the farmers in his efforts for promoting education’. However, attitudes towards educating the village children may be seen to have changed by the end of the century as when alterations to the school were carried out in 1904 the cost was met by voluntary subscriptions.

Like Cherhill School, that at Yatesbury was a small rural school whose pupil life in the second half of the 19th century would have run much the same course as that of its neighbour. Attendances, holidays, sickness, examinations, school treats and daily lessons in the 3 Rs and religion were the concerns of teachers and children.

For further information see Yatesbury Church of England School.