Parochial School, West Dean
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Unfortunately very little material has survived concerning the history of the school. There are no annual reports, inspector’s reports, plans or photos. Just one logbook has survived dating from 1934-68.
The first inspection regarding education in the village was carried out in 1858 by William Warburton (this was a national inspection). He found 20 children who were being ‘taught in a cottage by a dame of very humble attainments’. This would have been a dame school for young children, providing only a very basic education. The older children in the village attended the school at East Dean in Hampshire, which, according to Warburton, was a good school.
Earlier records show that the Rector and Mr. C. Wall supported the Sunday and Day schools which, in 1846, had 20 boys and 24 girls who were taught by two mistresses, who were paid £18 and £3.15.0 a year respectively. As these schools were not mentioned by Warburton, it can be assumed that they had ceased to function by 1858.
The Kelly’s Directories for Wiltshire name the head teacher at the school and give an average attendance number. The census tells us who the earlier teachers were. In 1867 Miss Rebecca Smith was mistress at the Parochial School while in 1871 the headmistress was Miss Martha Brown; she was lodging with a labourer and his family. A document in the parish archive states that the school was built in 1867 at a cost of £500, paid for by Thomas Baring.
The first inspection regarding education in the village was carried out in 1858 by William Warburton (this was a national inspection). He found 20 children who were being ‘taught in a cottage by a dame of very humble attainments’. This would have been a dame school for young children, providing only a very basic education. The older children in the village attended the school at East Dean in Hampshire, which, according to Warburton, was a good school.
Earlier records show that the Rector and Mr. C. Wall supported the Sunday and Day schools which, in 1846, had 20 boys and 24 girls who were taught by two mistresses, who were paid £18 and £3.15.0 a year respectively. As these schools were not mentioned by Warburton, it can be assumed that they had ceased to function by 1858.
The Kelly’s Directories for Wiltshire name the head teacher at the school and give an average attendance number. The census tells us who the earlier teachers were. In 1867 Miss Rebecca Smith was mistress at the Parochial School while in 1871 the headmistress was Miss Martha Brown; she was lodging with a labourer and his family. A document in the parish archive states that the school was built in 1867 at a cost of £500, paid for by Thomas Baring.
Martha stayed at the school until 1889, a period of at least 18 years. She was clearly content to remain at this school and the managers must have been satisfied with her achievements. It also provided much needed stability for the school and its pupils. There was never a great turnover of teachers at this school, suggesting it was a stable and happy place to be. Martha’s successor, Ann Harrison, stayed for nine years, Miss Hitt for twelve years and Mrs House for thirteen. Mrs. McPherson, who arrived in 1928, stayed at the school for 26 years.
Although none of the Victorian logbooks have survived, 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.
Although none of the Victorian logbooks have survived, 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, arithmetic and scripture; some lessons in the latter subject were often taken by the vicar. The girls learned sewing and all the children had singing lessons and learnt poetry. Some geography and history would have been taught. School holidays were about a week or ten 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 surviving logbook starts in 1934; however, the cuttings books kept by the County Council Education Department have survived. These large volumes contain minutes relating to school premises. The school was built to cater for 60 pupils. The larger classroom for mixed age groups measured 28 feet x 18 feet and was big enough for 50 children. The infants’ room measured 12 feet x 12 feet and there were 16 pupils. The first entries cover the years 1905-07 when there was much discussion concerning sanitary arrangements. The County Education Committee wanted to change the pit closets to earth closets, but at first the school managers refused to do so – probably because of the cost involved. The Committee’s response was to threaten to refuse to maintain the school. The work was eventually completed in July 1907 at a cost of £6 15 shillings.
In September 1929 there was a drought. Mr. Parsons of Church Farm agreed to supply a churn of water to the school daily, at a charge of 4 shillings weekly. (Mains water was to come to the school much later, in 1944, followed by electricity in 1949).
In January 1936 overcrowding was a problem, due to a sudden increase in pupil numbers. The village hall had a large room that could be used as a temporary classroom. This was rented until 1938 when numbers dropped again.
In September 1929 there was a drought. Mr. Parsons of Church Farm agreed to supply a churn of water to the school daily, at a charge of 4 shillings weekly. (Mains water was to come to the school much later, in 1944, followed by electricity in 1949).
In January 1936 overcrowding was a problem, due to a sudden increase in pupil numbers. The village hall had a large room that could be used as a temporary classroom. This was rented until 1938 when numbers dropped again.
The surviving logbook opens with a very positive statement taken from the Inspector’s Report for 1933. ‘The good features noted at previous visits are being well maintained. The children are happily managed, well behaved and industrious and show, by their general intelligence, that the teacher takes a broad view in their training’. Between 1933 and 1938 pupil numbers fell significantly from 51 to 28. The Inspector hoped that it might now be possible for the headmistress to offer practical lessons that had not previously been possible, namely handicrafts, gardening and domestic science. In 1944 it was the turn of the infants to endure cramped conditions; the seven year olds were moved into the bigger room to make more space. The Dean Hill depot brought many new families to West Dean and at times the school was overwhelmed with new pupils. In 1937 there were 28 pupils on the role; by 1943 there were 56. In July 1945 the school changed from an elementary (all age) school to a Junior School, meaning all pupils over eleven finished their education elsewhere. This made a significant difference – in September of that year numbers settled at 39.
Pupil numbers remained steady through the 1950s but by 1962 had dropped to 32. In 1967 the infant teacher left because she was concerned about falling numbers (there were only six infants). The first mention of closing the school appeared in an entry dated 13th September 1967. The school finally closed in July 1968 and the children transferred to West Tytherley school.