Early Schools, Hilmarton
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In the early 18th century, a grant was given to the village to pay a schoolmistress £4 to educate five poor children. It is believed that this gift may have been affiliated to the charity of Ann Jacob, set up in 1709 which bequeathed £10 a year towards the upkeep of the parish poor. Once the school was well established, the money was put towards prizes.
By 1819 there were five schools in the parish, the main one in the village only taught 7-8 children and the other establishments had even less pupils on their books. The poor were described as being 'very desirous of possessing more sufficient means of education'. It is very likely that the main school at this time was situated in the thatched house in Church Road, adjacent to the bridleway that still stands today. By 1835, there were still only 7 pupils but another school which had started nine years earlier had between 6 and 28 pupils attending. Another small school had been opened by Independents in 1830. The location of these other schools is unknown and village education was very fragmented but eventually the majority of children in the village were taught in one place.
By 1819 there were five schools in the parish, the main one in the village only taught 7-8 children and the other establishments had even less pupils on their books. The poor were described as being 'very desirous of possessing more sufficient means of education'. It is very likely that the main school at this time was situated in the thatched house in Church Road, adjacent to the bridleway that still stands today. By 1835, there were still only 7 pupils but another school which had started nine years earlier had between 6 and 28 pupils attending. Another small school had been opened by Independents in 1830. The location of these other schools is unknown and village education was very fragmented but eventually the majority of children in the village were taught in one place.