National School, Fisherton de la Mere
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The National School was built in 1865 to accommodate 60 children; the average attendance in 1885 was 49. This tiny school, attached to an existing cottage, was close to the church. The cottage dates from the 18th century, so it is possible that this was the cottage that was lent earlier by John Davis. The building forms an 'L' shape, the school being the 'upright' stroke. At first the main schoolroom measured 27 feet long by 16 feet 6 inches and the smaller infant room was just 8 feet by 16 feet 6inches. By the early 1900s, when presumably the class sizes were more even, the main room was 19 feet 6 inches long and the infant room 15 feet 6 inches. The cottage pantry was on the other side of the schoolroom wall, with the living room and scullery next to it. There were two bedrooms above.
Unfortunately only one logbook, dating from 1907-1922, has survived for this school. Neither are there any annual reports, so little is known about the day to day life of this particular school. We know in general terms what school life would have entailed. By 1880 children were educated up to the age of ten, although they could stay longer. The learning age was raised to eleven in 1893, when children normally started as infants, aged four or five. School fees, one penny or twopence a week, had been removed in 1891. The school day was likely to have been from 9.00 to 12.00 noon and from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Children either brought their lunch and ate it in the schoolroom or went home to eat. The teacher was assisted by paid monitors in their mid teens or by a pupil teacher, who was training to become a certified teacher.
Lessons were the elementary ones of reading, writing and arithmetic with scripture; some lessons in the latter subject were often taken by the vicar. The girls learned sewing and all had singing and recitation. Some geography and history would have been taught. School holidays were about a week or 10 days at Christmas and Easter, a week at Whitsun and five weeks Harvest Holiday in the summer. Full day and half day holidays were given for various reasons such as church or chapel teas or Sunday school outings, Royal and national occasions and the afternoon after the H.M.I. examinations. Unauthorised absences included seasonal work on the farm and in the garden for the older children and visits to local fairs, military events and other local happenings.
The school was in the care of just four headmistresses during its lifetime. On the 1881 census, Mrs Sarah Horsall was in charge. By 1881 she had been replaced by Miss Caroline Hall, who, together with her sister, taught the children for over 35 years. Sadly, Caroline did not recover from the death of her sister in the early part of 1916, and she retired a few months later in July due to ill health. Millicent Gibson stayed for the next three years and Miss Tonks stayed until the school closed in 1922.
The school was in the care of just four headmistresses during its lifetime. On the 1881 census, Mrs Sarah Horsall was in charge. By 1881 she had been replaced by Miss Caroline Hall, who, together with her sister, taught the children for over 35 years. Sadly, Caroline did not recover from the death of her sister in the early part of 1916, and she retired a few months later in July due to ill health. Millicent Gibson stayed for the next three years and Miss Tonks stayed until the school closed in 1922.
The surviving logbook gives a glimpse of daily life in this school. There was a strong bond with the church, and the vicar visited every week to lead the RE lesson. The Rev. Raymond Williams was in post from 1898, so he would have been well known by all the villagers. Each September he gave an annual 'treat' of tea to all the pupils. At Christmas he supplied crackers, and during the summer of 1913 he brought strawberries from his garden to the school. Mrs. McMinnies at the Manor House was also generous. She presented annual prizes for good conduct and attendance, and also gave a May Day gift of 3d to each child. Christmas prizes were given to the children, a needlework prize to a girl and a writing prize to a boy.
This little school seems to have stayed quite healthy, apart from the usual coughs and colds, probably because there were so few pupils. In 15 years the school only had to close twice because of illness: in 1912 due to whooping cough, and in November 1918 for flu and again just two weeks later for whooping cough.
This little school seems to have stayed quite healthy, apart from the usual coughs and colds, probably because there were so few pupils. In 15 years the school only had to close twice because of illness: in 1912 due to whooping cough, and in November 1918 for flu and again just two weeks later for whooping cough.
The number of pupils in this school was always low, and it was inevitable that the school would be closed at some point. In 1903 the average attendance was 45. By 1907 it was 34, and in 1915 just 30. One of the problems mentioned in the logbook is that each October many families moved away to look for work. In one year, ten pupils all left at the same time. There is no mention of any discussion regarding closure. The logbook ends abruptly on the 30th March 1922. 'Average for the week (attendance) 15.4. School closed down'.
The school house was immediately rented to Mr and Mrs Dredge. They were still there in 1950 when the house and school were put up for sale, and bought the whole property for £450. Mains electricity had already been installed and the water was drawn by pump from a well. As a tenant, Mr. Dredge paid 6s a week in rent. He and his wife continued to live there until the 1970s, sharing more than 45 years in the same cottage.
The school house was immediately rented to Mr and Mrs Dredge. They were still there in 1950 when the house and school were put up for sale, and bought the whole property for £450. Mains electricity had already been installed and the water was drawn by pump from a well. As a tenant, Mr. Dredge paid 6s a week in rent. He and his wife continued to live there until the 1970s, sharing more than 45 years in the same cottage.