The mixed elementary school was built in 1898 by Mr E Barnes
of Purton for £600, many of the materials coming down the canal to the lock
at Cross Lanes.
Before then, the children of the hamlet had to make their way to either of
the well established schools at Purton or Cricklade in all weathers. Mr Charles
Iles and Jacob Rummings initiated a petition by the inhabitants of the village.
The school was unusual for its period, in that it had been financed entirely
by local landowners and residents, and not by one of the educational societies
which had built so many of the schools throughout the 19th Century. The Managers
of the Purton National Schools attempted to have the school set up under the
auspices of the National Society, thereby making it a Church school. Mr. Storey-Maskelyne
who had agreed to give a piece of land for the school, would not agree to
override the wishes of the community. In a letter to the Managers dated November
1894 he wrote: "I much prefer the school being, so far, a Church School; as
far as I am personally concerned. But I hold that a community of English people
are quite competent and trustworthy as regards determining for themselves
what sort of school they wish to have, and as I told you I would not give
a site to be so conveyed as that the parishioners whose children are to be
taught, are to be refused a voice in the management of the school." And so
it was with some reluctance, that the Vicar and Managers of Purton agreed
to the Purton Stoke School being an un-denominational one. Mr. Storey-Maskelyne
also so conveyed the land that in the event of the closure of the School,
the land should be returned to the family.
It was built to hold 100 pupils. On the first day 104 children registered,
and the average for the year was 70.
They were taught cheese and butter-making at Pond's Farm, and had lessons
in hedging, milking and veterinary subjects.
The 1902 Education Act empowered the County Councils to assist voluntary and
private schools from the rates. In the early 1900s Purton Stoke School was
brought within the orbit of the Wiltshire County Education Authority. The
numbers were reduced in 1930 when all the senior pupils were transferred to
Purton. Between 1942 and 1943 numbers were increased when just over 40 evacuees
from London were billeted in Purton Stoke. By 1978 only about 26 children
attended and despite local protests the school was closed.
Mr Arnold-Forster had inherited the site and wished it to be used in some
way by the community. The Purton Parish Council invited offers and decided
that the Jubilee Gardens Trust could have it at a cost they could easily afford.
It is worth recording that Mr Leonard Scott, who did his best to prevent the
School closing, was the last Chairman of the Managers and his grandfather
was the first.
The last teachers were Mrs Heywood, the Headmistress and Mrs Bradley, who
is still invited to our Village Christmas Dinner.
