Talman's School, Salisbury

In 1755 John Talman, having observed the 'miserable want of education in the parish of St. Thomas's' left, in his will, a house in the High Street for the education of eight poor girls for a period of three years each. Teaching was to be given by a schoolmistress, who could also take in 20 fee-paying girls, and maintenance and repair of the house was undertaken by the minister and churchwardens. The house was said to be in good condition in 1833 and was described as a narrow three storey building with three or four rooms. Girls started there between the ages of six and ten and there was a waiting list for admission. The original subjects taught were reading, catechism and plain needlework, but later ornamental needlework was added to these. A decline in the school's fortunes began in 1832 when the parish school was founded and by 1856 the building was in poor condition and the school had no pupils. The building was sold in 1862 and the proceeds given to the parish school.