THE SCHOOL

Provided by Janice Tiley 

 

The original school, which has now been converted into a private dwelling, was opened in 1833.  It was provided largely through the effort and generosity of Mr Joseph Neeld MP.  Infants paid 1d (˝p) for their education and the older children   2d (1p).  Four or more children from the same family attending the school simultaneously paid only 1d whatever their age.  Children of all ages occupied one large room in the care of a Master or Mistress and one or two Monitresses or Pupil Teachers.

 

On the 29^th September 1873 the building was extended to accommodate the children of men engaged in the construction of the railway.

 

Prizes for attendance and Religious Knowledge were provided from the Ayliffe Green Trust, which was set up for that purpose and is still in existence.  Large fluctuations in attendance occurred at seedtime and harvest, when the children were needed to help their parents in the fields.

 

The school is a Church of England foundation and, at the time when there was strong anti-Church of England feeling, the Methodist Chapel was used as a girls’ school.  The two teachers, the Misses Badminton, walked from Malmesbury (5 miles) every Monday morning and returned on Friday evening.  The boys belonging to Chapel families had to walk to Castle Combe for their schooling.

 

Now a days these differences are forgotten and the children attending the school to-day enjoy a wider curriculum than did the children of the 19^th century.  In addition to the academic subjects they can develop their creative talents in cookery, pottery, woodwork, art and model making.  Physical Education also plays an important part in school life – no longer “drill in the school yard”, but athletics on the playing field and the school football and netball teams enjoy meeting teams from other local schools in friendly matches.

 

In April 1971 the Junior Department moved into a new, open-plan building, later to be joined by the Infants.  In 2002 a new Hall was added which is proving to be a great asset in the life of the school.