Industrial School, Bishopstone

The first mention of education in Bishopstone is in 1818. An industrial school was held at the expense of the lady of the manor, where the girls' training included knitting and the plaiting of straw. The Rector at that time, Rev. Thomas Bromley, noted that 'the poor are destitute of the means of having their children educated, but desirous of possessing them'. A rural industrial school such as this would probably have trained some girls in domestic tasks to prepare them to go into service as well as providing skills for working at home in the local industry.