The first school in Fonthill Bishop was established under an endowment of 1787 when £10 was to provide for the teaching of poor children. 15-20 children were taught by a mistress who was said to have had 18 months training in Salisbury but she was not very capable, according to reports.
In 1874 the Annual General Meeting stated the Mistress has shown considerable ability in her teaching and is a fairly good disciplinarian. The weak part of her work was the spelling and sums of the first standard. At this time the boys aged 10 an 11 were attending school for 2 or 3 months, then going to work cow keeping for a period, then returning to school. The girls were making dresses to wear at Whitsuntide. It was noted a boy was whipped for disobedience.
However, in 1875 an Inspector’s report said the children were backward. There was too much talking and too little discipline. One month later the Diocesan Inspector’s report said the older children were remarkably intelligent and well taught, though the infants were rather dull. In 1913 H.M.I. gave a poor report and said one teacher did not shew herself capable of improvement and her service cannot be approved. 1926 saw frequent staff changes.
In 1876 53 children were attending, a 3 year old had been admitted to prevent her older sister being absent. By 1885 the numbers on the register had risen to 59. 1894 and this was down to 50, in 1902 there were only 38 on the roll.
In 1907 the average attendance was 21; this had again risen by 1929 when there were 30 children on the register. November 1940 saw the number of pupils rise to 41, this figure included 13 unofficial evacuees. In September 1950 42 children were attending, but this was down to 40 in 1953. In September 1961 under the re-organisation scheme, all seniors were transferred to Tisbury Secondary Modern School and the number on the roll at Fonthill Bishop Junior and Infant School was 24. A pupil aged 10 was admitted to school in 1910, but was not able to neither read nor write as he had not attended school previously.
In early days the floor space of 688 sq.ft. covered 2 rooms. H.M.I inspection in 1887 noted the schoolroom was most inconveniently overcrowded. The school re-opened late in September 1893 as workmen were still in the unfinished classroom, this was first used by the infants on 6th October. In 1893 H.M.I. reported there was no urinal. The school was heated by a stove. In February 1895 hot milk was brought from the Rectory for the children, because of the severe cold. In 1891 there was ‘defective lighting’; the room was extremely dark in bad weather. At this time it was said the infants were too numerous to be taught in the main room and a classroom should be provided. An opening skylight fitted in 1927 was said to be a great improvement. The coal for the stoves was late in arriving in December 1928, so coal was borrowed from the Rectory.
The temperature was 41F. New stoves were fitted in November 1929 with great improvement, the temperature was 60F. The school was re-decorated in 1931 and the lighter distemper was said to make a distinct improvement to the lighting. During the Christmas holiday in 1935 the lavatory seats were re-conditioned. January 1937 saw water laid on to the school, with 3 taps in the back porch. In 1939 dry rot was affecting the floor and cupboards, some were treated. 1945, and 3 Elsan lavatories were fitted in place of buckets. In November 1949 work began on the construction of a kitchen, and the architect approved provision of wash basins for the boys and a water lavatory for the girls. May 1st saw the first serving of school dinners with 17 children partaking, whilst 4 still brought sandwiches. Early 1952 saw the school in possession of a playground. In 1954 there was again dry rot in the floor and a block floor was fitted. In November 1956 sanction was given for toilet facilities for the boys. Work started on a new cloakroom during 1959, and in 1960 a new flat roof was laid over the kitchen and toilets, In September a new all- night burning stove was fitted. In 1965 three children were overcome by fumes from the stove.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, children were often unable to get to school in winter, because of the bad weather. At times the school was closed for several days because of deep snow, or sometimes the intense cold.
One child was absent during bad weather as he had 2 miles to walk, each way, to school and back. In 1892 a child was absent for four days, he was unable to get his boots on due to chilblains, another boy was absent for a week as his boots needed repair. At harvest time, school closed early each day, to enable children to take teas to their parents in the fields, older boys were often absent at this time helping with harvest or potato harvest. Holiday was taken on Ascension Day after the children had attended a church service. On the occasion of a royal wedding, a holiday was taken, and a week holiday was given for the coronation. For the coronation in 1953 coronation mugs were presented and a tea with sports was held. School was closed when there was an election as it was used as a polling station. School treats in the form of tea parties were first mentioned in 1876, sometimes given by the Rector, on other occasions by the Hon. Mr. and Mrs Morrison, at Fonthill House, or the King family at Chilmark House. In 1913 there was a day’s holiday when the choir and church had an outing to Bournemouth. Empire Day was marked in the 1920’s by the raising and saluting of the Union Jack. In 1935 the older students had an educational visit to Southampton, travelling by rail. The school outing was to Weston Super Mare. Children attended an Armistice Day service in 1935 and 1936. During 1940 no summer holidays were taken and the school closed on Monday and Friday each week.
The school was closed for 2 days to celebrate Victory in Europe. In 1951 the whole school were invited to Fonthill House to attend the celebrations for the coming of age of Mr. James Morrison, there was a programme of sports and he was presented with a Ronson Petrol Lighter. When the Queen passed through the village in 1953 the children lined the street they had decorated. In 1965 the school visited Salisbury to see a copy of Magna Carta and to celebrate the 750th anniversary of the signing, a holiday was taken. In 1969 there was a week-end visit to Oxenwood Study Centre by 5 children and staff.
In 1883 the girls were taught needlework on 4 afternoons each week, and in 1884 the Managers desired that they do needlework for 10 hours each week, but the teacher said this does not give enough time for elementary subjects. In 1886 it was decided English should be taken as a class subject, grammar 40 minutes each Wednesday afternoon and poetry for 40 minutes on Thursdays In 1897 it was reported that though pupils were doing sums perfectly on slates, paperwork was a decided failure. A polyphone was donated to the Infants by Mrs. Morrison in 1904. In 1907 children were taken for nature rambles. During 1926 it was recorded that knitting pins, sewing and darning needles, together with cotton, cambric and calico was obtained at a cost of £1.11s.5d. (£1.57) Simple gardening was being taught in 1931.A piano was purchased from Fonthill Gifford School in 1934.
A portable gramophone was purchased from school funds in 1936, and the following year a football was purchased from the same source, at a cost of 8/11, just under 45p. Around this time the P.T. Organiser suggested a uniform might be made, which would be useful and better than the quality of clothes being worn by children. The following year material was bought from the school fund to make a uniform of dress and knickers for each girl to wear for P.T. and dancing, each girl to make her own. Shorts and vests were purchased for the boys. In 1926 - 6 girls were attending a 4 weeks course it Hindon Centre for Domestic Instruction. 1939 and 4 girls were being taken by car to Tisbury Domestic Science Centre each week for lessons. A Visiting Master was teaching 11+ children on 2 mornings weekly in 1947 and for this purpose he was using the village Reading Room.
Books were received periodically from Teffont School, one batch received in June 1913 and despatched to Fonthill Gifford in the December. In July of the same year the head teacher complained the allowance for school expenditure is £6.30p. He noted ‘how can any Head Teacher get badly needed History, Geography, Poetry and infant Reading books’. Despite H.M.I. commenting frequently regarding children’s poor progress, over the years several pupils obtained County Junior Scholarships to senior schools in Salisbury and Gillingham.
In 1940 one child was invited for scholarship interview but did not attend as her parents did not wish her to receive secondary education. In September 1949 a woodwork centre opened at Tisbury and senior pupils attended on Tuesdays. In 1957 discussions were held regarding Roman Catholic children having denominational instruction.
In 1880 a boy was caned for kicking and other disorderly conduct. In 1887 punishment was handed out for dishonesty in their work, late attendance, misconduct and rudeness. During the 1930’s pupils were receiving 1 or 2 strokes for such things a disobedience, being late, laziness, fighting, stone throwing. 3 strokes were given for rudeness and defiance. One pupil received 6 for deliberate defiance and rudeness, another, 2 on each hand for interfering with girls on the way to school. 4 strokes were handed out for bullying and 8 for damage to school property. One pupil was guilty of attempted damage to school property, twice making attempts to throw lighted fireworks into the building. It is noted his parents were informed, but did not offer an apology. It is not known what the child’s punishment was, possibly the 8 strokes mentioned above. In 1954 a Probation Officer visited school to discuss a Juvenile Offender.
The first absentees, in 1880, are recorded as having ringworm. Smallpox was present in the village in 1881 and in September the schoolroom was used for vaccination sessions.
During 1884 scarletina was present in the village and a child died of bronchitis, and by December whooping cough was the problem. The first note of the school being closed because of infection was in 1891, when it was closed for 3 weeks because of measles. School was frequently closed for other infections such as scarlet fever, chickenpox, whooping cough, diphtheria, mumps, german measles and glandular fever, sometimes for as long as 1 month. In 1906 it was said a pupil was unable to write as he had chilblains on his hands. In 1933 one child was being treated with iodised chocolates for goitre. In March 1942 immunisation against diphtheria was given to pupils. A medical inspection in 1911 noted there were unclean heads and all girls were required to plait their hair. In 1926 it is again noted there were frequent dirty heads. In 1928 it is recorded pupils were weighed and measured every 6 months. The dentist is first noted as visiting in 1913, the nurse assisted him in 1930, when she turned 7 refusals of treatment into acceptances. In November 1927 the school received a supply of cod- liver oil. It was recommended that 3 children be given Horlicks in school in 1938. In June 1941, the Milk for Schools Scheme was introduced. 6 quarts for the children were supplied by Mr. Baker of Hindon, and brought to school on the local bus. However, the allowance for each child was reduced to 1/3 of a pint, unless there was a doctor’s recommendation.
The County Psychologist visited in July 1950 to discuss certain children. Hearing tests for children aged five was introduced in 1957, and in 1958 B.C.G. vaccination took place. In 1961 the nurse gave a talk on Personal Hygiene and Keeping Fit.
In 1878 there were prizes awarded to each child who passed the government examination in 2 subjects. It is recorded that prizes were given to pupils, the 1st boy and girl awarded a bible or some other book. The first mention of Christmas presents being distributed was in 1890 and a Christmas tree was provided in 1935. In the 19th century the vicar was present in the school on frequent occasions, often together with his wife. If the teacher was absent, it was he who often took the lessons, though on some occasions the monitor was in charge of the whole school. On other occasions, when there was only one member of staff present for a period, the school would run on the shift system.
In 1936 the children met at 5.p.m. when there was an inspection of their country dancing. In January 1937 an entertainment was given, by the children, in the Reading Room, 76 tickets were sold at 6d., the children made the costumes and a profit of £1.15s. resulted. The Cantata given at this concert was also performed at Fonthill Gifford and at Hindon. It proved very popular. A programme of carols given by the senior children was performed at 4 different venues in 1949.
A team entered the Wiltshire Folk Dancing Competition in 1937; the expenses for this were paid for with the proceeds from a Whist Drive. In 1939 they gained second place at this festival. During 1950 the boys gave 2 displays of Sword and Country Dancing at Berwick St. Leonard and Tisbury. In 1952 the girls took part in Country Dancing at the Bournemouth Music Festival, and in 1953 the boys were performing sword dances in several locations.
In 1895 a child aged 12 left school to go into ‘service’. Boys at this time left to work in agriculture. Some boys would attend school for 2 or 3 months, leave to work in agriculture for a period, and afterwards return to school. By 1952 the Youth Employment Officer was interviewing school leavers on several occasions before they left.
At the outbreak of the Second World War school remained closed after summer break, as evacuees were expected, but none arrived. In June 1940 the pupils went to the Park to see the King inspect the Grenadier Guards returned from Dunkirk. One member of staff was called up as a V.A.D. so would be absent for the duration. In November 1940 there were 13 un-official evacuees on the register. During 1941 children filled in 357 sets of Ration Books to help the Mere and Tisbury Food Office. In the September, school was closed to allow as many children as possible to help with the potato harvest.
The supplementary teacher was given permission to be absent when her husband was reported missing in action in 1942. At Christmas-time in 1942, American Servicemen from Berwick Farm, brought sweets and biscuits for the children. In 1944 pupils gave a display of dancing and the Infants sang at a Garden Party in aid of the Red Cross, and in 1945 the Headmistress gave in her notice as she was unable to find accommodation near the school. 11 older children were sent to Hinden school and the younger children were in charge of a supplementary teacher until a new Headmistress arrived.
The school closed in July 1971. A service was held in the church, sports in the Park and refreshments at the school. These were donated by parents and may in the village. Staff, parents, managers and many ex-pupils attended.
