National School, Woodford
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A school was built in Church Lane between 1833 and 1836 and was enlarged in 1854. This school was united with the National Society from 1833 and received building grants in that year. In 1859 the Warburton Census said of the school, 'Forty girls and 20 boys are taught, mixed, by a mistress, at Middle Woodford. The school-room has a tiled floor.'
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A National School was built in 1872 at a cost of £800, helped by a building grant from the National Society; the architect was Giles Loder. The school could accommodate 98 children in a schoolroom and classroom and there was also a teacher's house. Arnold Platts notes that 'Artisans' children' paid two-pence a week and poorer children only paid a penny. This continued to 1891 when education became free. In 1876 there were 48 pupils on roll, and this had risen to 57 in 1899 when Miss Emma Crofts was schoolmistress.
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A National School was built in 1872 at a cost of £800, helped by a building grant from the National Society; the architect was Giles Loder. The school could accommodate 98 children in a schoolroom and classroom and there was also a teacher's house. Arnold Platts notes that 'Artisans' children' paid two-pence a week and poorer children only paid a penny. This continued to 1891 when education became free. In 1876 there were 48 pupils on roll, and this had risen to 57 in 1899 when Miss Emma Crofts was schoolmistress.
The school log book for the late Victorian period provides us with a few snapshots of school life at the time. There were often illnesses which spread through the parish and naturally affected the school. In March 1891 the school was closed for three weeks because of a measles outbreak. In November 1899 the school was shut because of Scarlet Fever. Other illnesses included influenza, ring worm, St Vitus' Dance and consumption. Children were disciplined for all sorts of reasons, these include; throwing stones, playing truant, talking and 'insubordination.' In November 1887, the teacher at the time 'punished several of the bigger boys for driving some of the turkeys belonging to Heale Park when leaving school this noon.'
His Majesty's Inspector in 1879 wrote: 'The children are in fair order and have improved somewhat in writing, though the first and second standard acquitted themselves but moderately in this subject. Arithmetic is deplorably weak. My lords will look for better results as the condition of an unreduced grant next year.'
Other general points that would have been common to rural schools at this time are as follows. There would have been a schoolmaster, or schoolmistress, with an assistant teacher and perhaps a pupil teacher. The pupil teacher was taught by the head before lessons started, took exams, sometimes went to the Diocesan Training College eventually becoming a teacher themselves. They mainly taught the younger children.
His Majesty's Inspector in 1879 wrote: 'The children are in fair order and have improved somewhat in writing, though the first and second standard acquitted themselves but moderately in this subject. Arithmetic is deplorably weak. My lords will look for better results as the condition of an unreduced grant next year.'
Other general points that would have been common to rural schools at this time are as follows. There would have been a schoolmaster, or schoolmistress, with an assistant teacher and perhaps a pupil teacher. The pupil teacher was taught by the head before lessons started, took exams, sometimes went to the Diocesan Training College eventually becoming a teacher themselves. They mainly taught the younger children.
School holidays were at similar times to those of today but often there was only 2 days at Easter but a week at Whitsun. The summer holidays were of four, five or six weeks and were called the Harvest Holidays as the children either helped with the harvest or carried food and drink to their parents, who were working in the fields. There were more half-day and whole day holidays for special events. Half a day would be given after the annual H.M.I. or Diocesan inspections and there were holidays for school treats, choir outings, chapel teas, Christmas parties and at times when the school was needed for other purposes.
There were also many unauthorised absences. These would be for seasonal work, such as haymaking (June) and early or late harvest (July or September), being kept at home to help their parents, and working when they should have been at school. Bad weather such as heavy rain, cold weather, or snow kept children away from school, often because their parents couldn't afford to buy them suitable clothes and boots. Apart from the usual colds and coughs there were more serious illnesses than today and these included, mumps, measles, whooping cough, scarletina and diphtheria.
The elementary subjects were the '3 Rs' - reading writing and arithmetic. Scripture was often taught by the vicar and children would have attended church for services on some days. Older children were taught history and geography and there may have been some study of natural history. Singing was taught to all ages and all the girls and some of the boys would have done needlework. Drawing had been introduced by the 1890s.
In 1906 overall control of the school passed to Wiltshire County Council although a local board of management remained. Further information will be found under Woodford Valley Church of England (VA) School
In 1906 overall control of the school passed to Wiltshire County Council although a local board of management remained. Further information will be found under Woodford Valley Church of England (VA) School