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In 1811 the school, in association with the National Society, was established with 107 boys and 78 girls.The school was found to be too small for the demand and a malthouse near St. Martin's church was purchased for use as an extension. By 1814 there were 300 pupils but attendance was irregular. Over the next couple of decades attendance varied between 250 and 400 children. In 1840 the girls' school came under the direction of the Mistress of the new Diocesan Training College so that her pupils could be given 'efficient instruction in teaching'. The school in 1840 was open to all children over the age of 5, who attended between 8.45 a.m. to 1.15 p.m. on weekdays and 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. on Sundays. Chidren had to bring one penny payment for the week on Mondays and come to school washed and combed, wearing clean and well mended clothes.