Wilton Free School, Wilton
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This was founded through a bequest of £600 from the 1706 will of Walter Dyer, a native of Wilton, who had moved to London. The rector and churchwardens were trustees and they chose the schoolmaster, who was appointed by the bishop. The schoolmaster was paid £20 a year to teach reading, writing, arithmetic and the Anglical doctrine to 20 poor boys, aged 8 to 14 years, from the parish. In 1716 Richard Uphill bequeathed £1,000 of bank stock (which raised £2,090 when sold) and this was used to buy a farm a East Knoyle to provide further income for the school. A house, with garden and orchard, for the school was bought in 1714, with Dyer's money after the death Martha Dyer. This was held rent free by the schoolmaster. An allowance of £25 was made at Easter for clothing the boys and £20 annually for placing four boys to handicraft trades or farming. The school was fortunate in receiving further gifts. In 1775 Robert Sumption left £1,000 to increase the salary of the schoolmaster and to provide better clothing, education and apprenticeships for the boys. Henry Ford, born in 1751 and educated at the school, left £100 in 1831 and there were further legacies totalling £925 between 1840 and 1849.
By 1833 the school and dwelling houses were said to be in good repair and 19 boys were receiving free education, although they paid for their school and ciphering (reading or arithmetic) books. Three boys were apprenticed in that year to handicraft trades. A charter of 1885 expanded the governing body to include six town councillors with the rector and churchwardens. A new rule for the management of the school limited the intake to boys who had passed the 4th standard of examination in a National school and specified that they could not leave until the age of 14 or remain after the age of 15. The curriculum now included all subjects taught in the higher division of a good elementary school and the clothing allowance was increased to £40 and the apprenticeship grants to £34. Alterations and improvements were made to the school.
By 1903 there was a playground, a carpenter's shop and use of playing fields. The school also taught French, German, music, drill and carpentry; there were master and mistresses and the subject of elementary science was added. The school now took paying full and weekly boarders and day pupils. In 1902 there were 6 boarders and 22 fee paying day boys. The school closed in 1923 under a new scheme from the Board of Education and the income from the charity was used for certain specific objectives in local education, although not in local education authority schools. The two storied school, with adjoining classroom, was in North Street.
By 1903 there was a playground, a carpenter's shop and use of playing fields. The school also taught French, German, music, drill and carpentry; there were master and mistresses and the subject of elementary science was added. The school now took paying full and weekly boarders and day pupils. In 1902 there were 6 boarders and 22 fee paying day boys. The school closed in 1923 under a new scheme from the Board of Education and the income from the charity was used for certain specific objectives in local education, although not in local education authority schools. The two storied school, with adjoining classroom, was in North Street.