Westwood-with-Iford School
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Education in Westwood originally began simply with the local Sunday school - there was one Sunday school in 1818, however by 1846 there were two Sunday schools and a day school for children. The village elementary school, for both boys and girls, was built in 1841, to keep up with the growing population of Westwood. The school was enlarged in 1892 and could hold up to 120 children - however, there were often problems with attendance. Parents would also have to pay school fees for the children, and those children whose parents did not keep up with the payments would often have the use of their school exercise books discontinued.
According to the schools census of 1859, Westwood School is recorded as being a 'good schoolroom', containing a 'board floor and parallel desks'. It also mentions the annual subscription rate to the school, that parents of the students would have to pay, averaging around three pounds. It also mentions the attendance rate of the school, giving a figure of 30 mixed students - a relatively low amount compared to later dates, although this was before the enlarging of the school building.
With many of the children living on farms outside the village, often attendances would be based on the farming calendar, or even the weather - many poorer families couldn't afford to buy protective clothing for their children's journey to school in the
According to the schools census of 1859, Westwood School is recorded as being a 'good schoolroom', containing a 'board floor and parallel desks'. It also mentions the annual subscription rate to the school, that parents of the students would have to pay, averaging around three pounds. It also mentions the attendance rate of the school, giving a figure of 30 mixed students - a relatively low amount compared to later dates, although this was before the enlarging of the school building.
With many of the children living on farms outside the village, often attendances would be based on the farming calendar, or even the weather - many poorer families couldn't afford to buy protective clothing for their children's journey to school in the
winter weather. It was common for children to miss school because of special occasions: according to one of the school log books, on June 20th 1887 there were 'too few children' to mark the registers due to the Jubilee Celebrations. But the attendance rates would also vary; with some entries into the log books stating the school was 'very crowded this morning, 68 children being present' (this entry was again in 1887, before the extension.). There have also been cases where the school has been forced to close due to illness - for example in 1894 the school was closed for two weeks due to an outbreak of the measles.
Although, despite numerous absences, the average school attendances steadily rose with the growing of the village, and in 1899 the school averaged 88 pupils attending daily.
The subjects that were taught at the early school included Needlework; Scripture; Grammar; Geography; Literature; Arithmetic; Singing and Drawing (but drawing was only for the boys). Early on, there was a quite strict school timetable enforced, with few trips or outings for the children. But this changed in later years, as in 1926 the headmaster commissioned places for the older girls to have cookery lessons at the Secondary school in Bradford-on-Avon. Talented students had the opportunity to go on to win 'free' education at the Secondary school, and teachers were sent on training courses - this was a great development to the school.
Although, despite numerous absences, the average school attendances steadily rose with the growing of the village, and in 1899 the school averaged 88 pupils attending daily.
The subjects that were taught at the early school included Needlework; Scripture; Grammar; Geography; Literature; Arithmetic; Singing and Drawing (but drawing was only for the boys). Early on, there was a quite strict school timetable enforced, with few trips or outings for the children. But this changed in later years, as in 1926 the headmaster commissioned places for the older girls to have cookery lessons at the Secondary school in Bradford-on-Avon. Talented students had the opportunity to go on to win 'free' education at the Secondary school, and teachers were sent on training courses - this was a great development to the school.
However, school life began to change at the outbreak of the Second World War. New homes were built for workers of the M.O.D, and many of these workers had children who needed an education at the local school. With such a rise in the number of pupils, the original school building soon became incapable of holding all the children, and soon fell into a state of disrepair. The Victorian building soon fell into poor condition, and the hygiene standards followed suit. There was also no proper playing area for the children.
So, with the growing numbers of children attending the school and the standards of the school building diminishing, the parents and locals began to campaign for the building of a new school. The campaign failed to make it onto the programme for new funds for the years 1973 - 1974, and a letter was even written to Margaret Thatcher, then Secretary of State for Education. However, the request for a new school was declined, with the reply stating that the school did not fall into the 'basic need category'. However, the school eventually made it onto the 1974 - 1975 programmes, and work commenced on the new school on 19th May 1975, with the building work completed in April 1976.
As a result of the new school being opened, the old school building was closed in 1976. Applications for it to become a village hall or shops were denied, however it
was developed into a private residence, now called 'The Old School House'.
So, with the growing numbers of children attending the school and the standards of the school building diminishing, the parents and locals began to campaign for the building of a new school. The campaign failed to make it onto the programme for new funds for the years 1973 - 1974, and a letter was even written to Margaret Thatcher, then Secretary of State for Education. However, the request for a new school was declined, with the reply stating that the school did not fall into the 'basic need category'. However, the school eventually made it onto the 1974 - 1975 programmes, and work commenced on the new school on 19th May 1975, with the building work completed in April 1976.
As a result of the new school being opened, the old school building was closed in 1976. Applications for it to become a village hall or shops were denied, however it
was developed into a private residence, now called 'The Old School House'.
In the 20th century most of the children on the school roll came from Westwood with about 23% of the children coming from outside the catchment area by parental choice. In September 2007 there were 105 children at the school.