Victoria Secondary Commercial School, Trowbridge

It was established in the Victoria Institute as a commercial school for the county in 1942 with originally 30 pupils enrolling. As well as the usual school subjects the school focused on domestic science and needlework, as the aim was to give the pupils a skill for future employment. In addition there were more specialised courses in subjects such as shorthand, typing, filing and bookkeeping. The school also had a strong sports presence with teams in cricket, netball, hockey and football and it also competed in local swimming and athletics competitions. It was generally a two year course, subject to an admission interview; but there were regular holidays and trips out, even yearly school trips to Switzerland from 1962. Exams were regular with both G.C.E and more commercially based ones set by the London Chamber of Commerce. It was shut in 1969 when amalgamated with the Nelson Haden School. Of the pupils on the register, the 19 in their first year went there and the 20 in their second year went to a special unit of the College of Further Education.