Parochial School, Durrington

There was a school in Durrington in 1783 and by 1808 there were three small ones. In 1833 about 40 children were attending two schools.

The National, or Parochial School was built in College Road in 1843 and was partly supported by voluntary contributions. In 1846-7 a woman teacher was teaching about 90 pupils. In Warburton's survey of 1858 it was said that 50 to 60 girls and boys were taught by a certified mistress and two pupil teachers. 'The school going on well in every respect, both discipline and instruction satisfactory. School owes much to the excellent parochial auspices under which it is conducted.' At this time the schoolroom measured 40 feet by 15 feet 2inches, had a boarded floor and parallel desks. By 1871 the average attendance was 71 and in 1875 the mistress was Miss E Osborne. By 1880 the mistress was Miss Thirza Reynolds and by 1885, when the average attendance was 53, the mistress was Miss Alice Bertha Dark. The attendance was the same in 1889 when Miss Francis Higgs was in charge of the school.

Unfortunately the school log books only survive from 1892 and so we only see the working of the school in the late Victorian period. Miss Caroline Marks was mistress until summer 1896 when Katherine Sara Adamson took charge of the school until August 1901. Attendance at the school was decreasing in this period from 63 in 1895 to a figure in the mid 50s by 1901. A range of subjects was taught, apart from the standards of reading writing and arithmetic. Included were botany, singing, needlework, science, physical drill, drawing, geography and agriculture. Object lessons, to familiarise children with a range of everyday items and activities, included plums and cherries, cultivation, maize, wheat, mustard, a clock face, and a country walk.

The annual HMI inspections show an improving picture in the standard of education here. For 1892 it was said that frequent changes of teachers had reduced the attainments of the children to a very low level and the results of the examinations were bad. If changes were not made the school would be declared 'inefficient' in 1893 and the government grant withheld. Changes were made and the upper school improved although the lower were still considered backward in 1893. There were deficiencies in the building and equipment. New desks, books and maps were needed and the apparatus was old fashioned and insufficient. There were complaints that there was only one entrance, that there was an awkwardly placed platform at one end of the schoolroom and that the room was poorly lit. There also seemed to be problems with the light and sanitary arrangements in the toilets. However on a surprise visit on 26th September 1894 the inspectors were pleased to find that the buildings were much improved and that work was going on in an orderly manner. In 1894/5, 'The value of the instruction has improved, the scholars have a greater desire to learn and progress is being steadily made'. Reports continue to be good and in 1900 it was stated that instruction was good and the simpler elementary work effective. In1901 order and instruction was very good and the work was carefully done although it was noted that history might be included in the curriculum.

Annual holidays for the children were two weeks at Christmas, Easter holiday was only Good Friday, Easter Monday and the Tuesday, but there was a week at Whitsun. The Harvest Holidays were five weeks in August and September. Half-day holidays were given after HMI and Diocesan inspections, on Ascension Day. On All Saints' Day and on August Bank Holiday. A holiday was given for a wedding in the village and an afternoon off on 3rd May 1894 to see the soldiers camped on Bulford Hill, probably the first indication of military interest in the area. In November 1896 the children were given the afternoon off, 'so that they might see a motor car in the village.' The school was also closed when it was needed for concerts and the Boer War provided reason for a holiday in February 1900 to celebrate English success and on June 1st in honour of the taking of Pretoria. There were also teas and school treats, picnics on the downs, and the chapel treats. The school was closed for four days in 1897 to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Attendance at school was affected by bad weather, mainly snow or heavy rainstorms, and illness. The latter included diphtheria (the school closed for a week in 1893,) whooping cough and scarletina, as well as the usual colds and coughs.

Other interesting events from the log book include the setting up of an evening school which ran from November to March from 1896 onwards. The first mention of a school photograph is in 1896 while the vicar seems to have taken classes in both scripture and botany, as these were held at the vicarage.

The school came under the Wiltshire County Council by 1905 and in 1908 came the first mention of a school medical inspection, which became a regular occurrence. Not all children were examined and parents were allowed to be present if they wished. With the expansion of the military camps at Larkhill a new school was needed to accommodate the rising numbers of children in the parish. This was built in School Road in 1912 for the juniors (over seven years old) while infants remained in the old National School until a new school was built in 1922.