Adcroft Boys' School, Trowbridge

Opened as a British school in 1832, it was one of the first elemantary schools of any importance in Trowbridge and was founded under a scheme inaugurated by Joseph Lancaster. The oldest school log book begins on the 30th August 1888, the school being for children between the ages of 6 and 13. If you were 14 or over you were not required to attend school. Edward Stinchcombe was the master in 1888 and he was assisted by up to a half-dozen pupil teachers or recently certified assistants. There were seven classes as well as an evening school of around seventy boys. They were taught a wide range of subjects, for example the syllabus in 1903 was:
- English: reading, recitation, writing, composition and grammar
- Arithmetic: mental and written
- Drawing
- History
- Geography
- Object Lessons
- Singing
- Physical Training: military drill, school and musical drill
Mensuration and Algebra were for the upper standards only.

Apart from regular holidays there were special occasions like Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897 (1 whole week off), and the marriage of the Duke of York in 1893, as well as a monthly half holiday. There were also holidays to celebrate the end of the Boer War in 1901 and 4 days off for the coronation of Edward VII in 1901. The annual Christmas treat became a school tradition in 1901 and there were prizes given to the pupils who had attended every session of school. One boy won a prize 3 years running, attending over 1200 sessions of school. School fees were abolished in October 1903 and Mr Stinchcombe also retired in 1903 to be succeeded by John Lyle Martin who was assisted, initally, by 1 certified and 4 uncertified assistants. Science lessons were beinning to be taught with the object lessons and nature study soon became a firm favourite with the boys. Mr Martin sent a regular letter to the boys every Christmas, designed to encourage and inspire them. Although the head teacher appeared popular with both staff and pupils there was nothing he could do to stop children being absent, not always because they were sick, 'Kept Arthur at home in the interests of the country which is the duty of anyone.' was a note received by the school in January 1906. Behaviour was changing and in 1905 there was the first punishment for smoking in school.

In 1907 the name was changed to Adcroft Boys' School and the school was transferred to Wiltshire County Council control in 1908. Weighing days as well as lessons in woodwork, gardening, religious instruction and later textiles became part of the timetable. Swimming lessons started in July 1911. In 1913 the school was transferred to a new building which was built at the top of Timbrell Street. The building, purpose built at a cost of £4,000, had its own baths (showers) and a large garden. Experiments in having prefects began in 1914, to help with the shortage of staff, which was accentuated by the war. During the war soldiers took advantage of the school's baths and three Belgian students were admitted. By 1918 the school had grown and was now divided into 6 classes each with an 'A' and 'B' standard. Like the other schools in Trowbridge it was shut for the Victory celebrations in November 1918 owing to the influenza epidemic. Armistice rememberance services began the next year.

Cricket leagues and school sports were popular and the autumn half-term holiday began in 1921. It became a senior boys' school in 1931 when the junior children were transfered to the Parochial School, and the school became one for children from ages 10 to 13. J.L. Martin retired in 1931 after 27 years and was replaced by Edward Lawrence Bingham, who introduced new ideas to the school such as an annual school magazine and school houses. He also ensured that specialised teaching became the norm, with one teacher concentrating on a subject rather than a class. School trips to local events and businesses also began. There were holidays for the silver jubilee of George V in 1935 and 4 days off for the coronation of George VI in 1937. Preparation for the likely war took up a lot of the headmaster's time in 1939, but otherwise normal school life continued, including working in the garden which had beome well known in the county.

E.L. Bingham resigned in July 1939 to take up another post, A.E. Angell, assistant master, replaced him. The school re-opened 2 weeks late in September due to the evacuation from London and there were 9 evacuees already on the roll. The school was shut in 1940 and the pupils were transferred to the new Nelson Haden secondary modern school. The buildings in Prospect Place were later used as a school of building and later still as a teachers' centre.