St.Mary's C. of E. Primary School, Purton
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By 1842 there was a school conducted on the National System with James Woodward and Elizabeth Woodward as master and mistress. In 1852 the master was John Hawkins and the mistress was Leah Tilley and it was recorded in 1858 that the master taught 50 boys on the upper floor of a building and the mistress taught 50 girls on the lower floor. The building was 25 feet by 17 feet, with wall desks, and the ventilation was said to be poor. From 1859 there was a fund raising effort for a new school with much money raised locally, aided by a small National Society grant.
The new school was completed in 1861 at a cost of £1,569. There were three schoolrooms, the largest being 50 by 28 feet, and a classroom that could accommodate 240 children. There were 150 on the roll in 1861 and this had incresed to 258 in 1883. This was a mixed elementary school, with children from 5 years and upwards and it had become very overcrowded. In 1884 a separare infants' school was built but despite this there were 150 boys and 152 girls at the school in 1889. A new school was built at Purton Stoke in 1898 and 47 children transferred from the Purton schools.
The new school was completed in 1861 at a cost of £1,569. There were three schoolrooms, the largest being 50 by 28 feet, and a classroom that could accommodate 240 children. There were 150 on the roll in 1861 and this had incresed to 258 in 1883. This was a mixed elementary school, with children from 5 years and upwards and it had become very overcrowded. In 1884 a separare infants' school was built but despite this there were 150 boys and 152 girls at the school in 1889. A new school was built at Purton Stoke in 1898 and 47 children transferred from the Purton schools.
In 1903 the school was taken over by Wiltshire County Council as the local education authority and it was then known as St. Mary's School. The county council found that there were various problems, including earth closets, oil lamps and general dilapidation, with the building but lack of money and the outbreak of the First World War meant that nothing was done to cure these. In 1907 there were 235 children attending the school.
In 1930 the school was improved and modernised and once again became a single department for children of all ages (5-14). It now had Housecraft and Handicraft Centres, a Science Room, a playing field and a large garden. Central heating, piped water, mains drainage and electric lighting were also provided. In 1955 there were 363 children when the school gained voluntary controlled status. In 1963 the school became a junior school for children aged 5 to 11 years when the senior children were transferred to the new Bradon Forest Secondary School in Purton. The school buildings were improved by the addition of a foyer, inside toilets and a kitchen.
In 1930 the school was improved and modernised and once again became a single department for children of all ages (5-14). It now had Housecraft and Handicraft Centres, a Science Room, a playing field and a large garden. Central heating, piped water, mains drainage and electric lighting were also provided. In 1955 there were 363 children when the school gained voluntary controlled status. In 1963 the school became a junior school for children aged 5 to 11 years when the senior children were transferred to the new Bradon Forest Secondary School in Purton. The school buildings were improved by the addition of a foyer, inside toilets and a kitchen.
A three phase plan began in 1968 with new buildings on the Playing Fields site with three classrooms and a hall. A swimming pool was built in 1970 and three more classrooms added. There were 400 children in 1975 but this had reduced to 265 in 1979. The school is now on two connected sites with children aged 4 -7 yearsin the original building and those aged 8 - 11 years in the new buildings. In 2002 the school had 300 pupils aged between 4 and 11 years.