Cowsfield School, Whiteparish

The school was founded in the early 1840s and was funded by voluntary subscriptions and the payment of school fees. In 1846 there were 35 boys and 27 girls in the Sunday and Day Schools. By 1858 the master, who had been a labourer, had died and between 50 and 60 children were being taught by his widow in a cottage. Some of the children came from Sherfield while others were from the Earldoms and Melchet. A mistress was also teaching 20 'farmers' children' at her own house. It is likely that many of the children from the first school moved to the National School in Whiteparish around 1860.