Newtown Community Primary School, Trowbridge

The oldest school log book begins on August 29th 1898 when the school opened in temporary premises, the Wesley Road Sunday School, with William Hodges as master. He was aided by 3 certified assistants and 2 pupil teachers for six classes plus the infants. Pupils learnt scripture, object lessons, poetry, english, geography, history, singing, drawing and needlework. The new school building was opened on April 1st 1901, and from that year also dates the annual Christmas treat, as well as the teaching of both chemistry and arithmetic. By 1903 there were 5 men and 9 women teachers assisting Mr Hodges. The area sports were attended regularly from 1903 and by 1907 the boys had won the shield running four times out of four, as well as winning the championship shield in 1903. They also won the Wiltshire Musical Competition in 1911. The school was transferred to Wiltshire County Council in 1909 and the first scripture reports date from the school year 1912/13.

World War I had an effect on the staff, particularly the male teachers, but more generally school life was not that greatly effected; yet like the rest of Trowbridge the influenza epidemic shut the school during November 1918. In 1926 a proper infants' school was provided, and in 1928 Trinty Council Infants School opened thus removing some of the younger pupils from the school. Educational films and lectures were shown from 1921 and there were excursions from 1929. The regular reports from H.M.I criticised the regular staff changes and the lack of any quiet space for any of the seven classes. Mr Hodgson retired in 1929 to be replaced by Ernest Hughes, who was immediately faced with the greater than normal worries about diphtheria that year. School leavers began to get advice about jobs in 1931, when they were interviewed upon leaving by the manager of the local labour exchange.

In 1931 Newtown became a senior mixed school, taking its own 10 year olds as well as those from Trinty Park Street Boys and the 11 years olds from Southwick, North Bradley Church of England, and Wingfield Junior Schools. A canteen was provided and milk sold to the pupils in 1/3rd pint bottles. In September 1931 the whole school took an entrance exam, there were hockey matches, a toolshed was provided in the garden, and regular lessons were given to pupils at the Victoria Commercial Institute from 1932. There the pupils had practical lessons in subjects such as cookery, woodwork and science, and there were also lessons at the Wiltshire Textile School. The H.M.I. reports complained of overcrowding until the age of admittance was standardised, in 1934, at 11. Swimming was taught from 1934, the football team won the shield at the County School Knockout Competition, and the pupils were given holidays for the silver jubilee and funeral of George V, and the coronation of George VI. There was a delayed start to the school year in 1939 as the teachers had to help deal with the evacuees, and regular air raids and gas mask practises were held. In 1940 the older pupils moved to the new Nelson Haden Senior School and Newtown became a junior mixed school. From 1954 it was known as the Newtown County School.