Yatesbury Church of England School, Cherhill
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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.
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.
The first surviving log book dates from 1910 and carries the name 'Yatesbury Church of England School'. On 20th May of that year the school closed for the national day of mourning for King Edward VII. On the 24th May the annual celebration of 'Empire Day' took place, when the log-book records that 'the children decorated the school-room with flowers and flags and we opened school by singing the National Anthem. A lesson on the Day and the Union Jack was given'.
By July 1910 there were 21 children on roll.
Although the school was small and in a rural setting it was not closed to contact with the wider world, and in the summer of 1910 a visit by Canadian school mistresses took place. It is clear that from time to time children from other parts of England who were visiting relatives in Yatesbury, were registered at the school and spent a number of weeks there. In some cases the change of environment experienced by such children may be imagined; for example, in November 1912, it is recorded that a boy from Silvertown in West Ham, London, an area of busy dockland in the East End of London, had attended the school for eight weeks, 'He has not missed a single attendance during his stay here'.
By July 1910 there were 21 children on roll.
Although the school was small and in a rural setting it was not closed to contact with the wider world, and in the summer of 1910 a visit by Canadian school mistresses took place. It is clear that from time to time children from other parts of England who were visiting relatives in Yatesbury, were registered at the school and spent a number of weeks there. In some cases the change of environment experienced by such children may be imagined; for example, in November 1912, it is recorded that a boy from Silvertown in West Ham, London, an area of busy dockland in the East End of London, had attended the school for eight weeks, 'He has not missed a single attendance during his stay here'.
The enormity of the First World War was not mentioned in the log-book, with the exception that in May 1918 there is a reference to a little girl joining the school, her father being stationed with the Royal Flying Corps at Yatesbury. In addition, the military presence is alluded to by the fact that from time to time 'physical drill' is led by an NCO from the camp. At the Armistice, however, the date is entered in red ink: November 11 1918: 'The news was brought to the school-room about 11.30 am that the Armistice had been signed. There was great excitement among the children. We immediately put out our flags, and closed school by singing the National Anthem. No holiday was given'.
Royal marriages, specifically those of the children of King George V in the 1930s, continued to be marked by full day holidays. When the king himself celebrated his Silver Jubilee on 6th May 1935 each child was presented with a commemorative mug. The children joined in with the village's celebrations: 'As every child stayed up for the dancing, fireworks and bonfires, a holiday has been granted also on Tuesday morning'.
Royal marriages, specifically those of the children of King George V in the 1930s, continued to be marked by full day holidays. When the king himself celebrated his Silver Jubilee on 6th May 1935 each child was presented with a commemorative mug. The children joined in with the village's celebrations: 'As every child stayed up for the dancing, fireworks and bonfires, a holiday has been granted also on Tuesday morning'.
Physical conditions at the school apparently remained rather spartan into the 1930s: it is clear that water was still drawn from the school well (and had to be boiled before drinking) and in the winter days of December 1935 considerable difficulties were experienced by the 'absence of artificial light'. Nevertheless the school children's health and welfare were monitored by regular visits by the nurse and dentist. The weighing machine was passed in order from Compton Bassett school to Yatesbury and then on to Cherhill school.
In November 1934 it was decided by the County Education Committee that Yatesbury should become a single-teacher school, given the low number of pupils on the roll. A year later, in November 1935, only 20 children were registered at the school. After an increase to 26 in February 1936, by 11th September 1939 it was noted that the school reopened for the new term 'with the exact number on the books with which it opened 84 years ago - 17'.
Yatesbury School did not accommodate evacuees during the Second World War; 15 did arrive on 1st September 1939 and were billeted overnight; however they went on to Cherhill the following day.
In November 1934 it was decided by the County Education Committee that Yatesbury should become a single-teacher school, given the low number of pupils on the roll. A year later, in November 1935, only 20 children were registered at the school. After an increase to 26 in February 1936, by 11th September 1939 it was noted that the school reopened for the new term 'with the exact number on the books with which it opened 84 years ago - 17'.
Yatesbury School did not accommodate evacuees during the Second World War; 15 did arrive on 1st September 1939 and were billeted overnight; however they went on to Cherhill the following day.
The risks inherent in the school's proximity to a military camp became apparent; on 19th August 1940 at about 1.30 pm bombs were heard exploding in the distance. Where these fell is not known but at the sound of the teacher's whistle the children 'took up their positions along the walls, and remained happily there to a singing and story-telling lesson until we saw our British training planes once more in the sky'. The parent of one child was advised to move his family away from where they lived in close proximity to the airfield.
At the end of the Second World War, shortly after the two days of holiday to mark VE Day in May 1945, the number of pupils had fallen to 12. In December 1951, 11 of the 23 children on the register were from RAF Yatesbury and in September 1953 all the 'camp children' had been transferred to Cherhill, leaving only 15 children, now, on the register.
The school was still not connected to the mains water supply and the children used earth closets. By the time of the school's HMI report in July 1956, however, electric lighting had at last been installed. The school was described as a 'happy little school', with a 'friendly atmosphere'. It may be for this reason that when closure of the school was proposed in 1962 there was considerable opposition from both managers and parents. Nevertheless, the school closed on 25 July 1963 and the remaining children transferred to Cherhill C. of E. School.
At the end of the Second World War, shortly after the two days of holiday to mark VE Day in May 1945, the number of pupils had fallen to 12. In December 1951, 11 of the 23 children on the register were from RAF Yatesbury and in September 1953 all the 'camp children' had been transferred to Cherhill, leaving only 15 children, now, on the register.
The school was still not connected to the mains water supply and the children used earth closets. By the time of the school's HMI report in July 1956, however, electric lighting had at last been installed. The school was described as a 'happy little school', with a 'friendly atmosphere'. It may be for this reason that when closure of the school was proposed in 1962 there was considerable opposition from both managers and parents. Nevertheless, the school closed on 25 July 1963 and the remaining children transferred to Cherhill C. of E. School.