National Society School, Marden

The school, which was united with the National Society, was built in 1844 on land in the parish which was conveyed by Devizes Guardians. By 1859, 20 children were taught here by a mistress who was paid six shillings a week, but the instruction was said to be poor at this time, and the suggestion was made to close the school. However, it remained open through to 1925..

In November 1893 the school building was said to be in a dilapidated state, and the ‘offices’ were in a bad state. Again in 1900 the roof was said to be in need of repair. In 1903 it was said new desks should be provided, but in January 1905 a new stove was installed, and in January 1908 a fire guard was placed in the school. The school was still heated by a stove in February 1913, but was said to be not as warm as the old version, and in November 1925 the temperature in the schoolroom was 42F. In 1919 H.M. Inspector reported the urinals were unsatisfactory and the lavatory should be cleared of lumber. 

Through the years, holidays have been granted for various reasons including royal events, the village flower show, the village ‘ club’, and when the school was used a polling station.

A holiday was granted for a ‘wedding breakfast’ and the village fete and flower show. Pea picking, potato planting and haymaking all created reasons for holiday. On the occasion of the coronation, 2 weeks holiday was granted. Holidays at harvest time were 6 weeks duration, but in 1918 and 1919 2 weeks holiday were granted for haymaking in June, followed by 6 weeks for harvest from mid August. On one occasion school finished early in order to prepare for a party, it also started late the following day, as pupils were late to bed. 

In 1895 there were 40 children on the books. In 1913 there were said to be too many children on the books, so 2 children who were aged 3 were asked to leave. By 1916 the average attendance was only 20, a remark was made that 5 cottages in the village were un-occupied. In 1921 the number was down to 13, as pupils aged 11 were transferred to Chirton. By February 1924 only 8 pupils were on the register.  Reasons for non-attendance were given as the roads were flooded, heavy snow, too great a distance to travel in heavy rain, working at the harvest or gardening.  One parent, when approached regarding the non attendance of her children used very bad language to the teacher and informed her that she would send her children to school as and when she liked.

Illness was often the cause of absences, included were chicken-pox, diphtheria, colds and influenza, and a fever, in some cases whole families were excluded because of ringworm. On one occasion in 1906 measles was present, even the teacher was ill; only 9 students were in school which was then closed. 

Early subjects listed for lessons included milk and curd and making a rag doll. In 1904 a supply of slates arrived, together with reading and exercise and reading books and drawing materials. In 1894 needlework was abandoned one afternoon as the light was too bad. There were many changes in staff and in 1907 the mistress had no monitor and had 36 children of all ages to teach. In 1909 a remark is made that under the new staff things are satisfactory and cheaper. In October 1915 the Head Teacher’s salary was raised by £5. per annum. 

The medical officer visited quite regularly, the first visit recorded in 1909, and children were weighed and measured regularly. The visit of a nurse was first recorded in 1916. A dentist is first mentioned visiting in 1921.

In 1895 a photographer visited the school. 

Visits by H.M. Inspectors are recorded but the contents of their reports not often recorded. In 1894 the report mentioned the many staff changes and said there should be no grant as the teachers were inefficient. It was also suggested talking should be suppressed.  At this time there was 1 teacher and 1 monitor. It was recorded that the children are in good order, but the subjects were weak. In 1902 it was said very fair attainments achieved and in 1903 there was good order and good general progress. A copy of the report of December 1919 said the discipline was not satisfactory; the monitress was quite unskilled in the art of teaching. There was considerable weakness in arithmetic. A Diocesan report in November said the children were reverent and attentive. However, in 1922 H.M.I. reported that in spite of diminished numbers there was no essential advance in discipline and in training the children to concentrate on work, nor in the quality and results of teaching. There is one record of a child being caned.  

During January and February 1915 the school was occupied by soldiers.

When they left, the school was cleaned and colour-washed. 

By 1922, Marden children transferred to Chirton School when they were eleven.

The school closed on May 25th 1925; the building was sold in 1947 and converted into a cottage.