Early Schools, Goatacre
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In 1857, surplus school funds from Hilmarton were considered for the opening of an infant school in Goatacre to replace the 'dissenter's school'. Once the primary school in Hilmarton was open, many families from Goatacre were persuaded to attend, but it is not known how many made the small trek.
Not much documentary evidence remains of education in the rest of the parish although it is believed that the Independents ran a school from the chapel in Goatacre around 1858. It is said that the village shopkeeper, described as being 'a motherly middle-aged woman', taught about 30 children during warmer weather. During the winter, however, the number dropped to between 10 and 20 children who were taught in the parlour at the back of the shop.