Staverton School Then and Now 1

The first school in Staverton was established in 1850 in a converted canal warehouse leased from the Kennet and Avon Canal Company and situated near the footbridge over the canal.

It was in a building adjacent to Wharf Cottage The building ,now gone, the outer wall of which followed the line of the pavement alongside the cottage and up to the canal footbridge

It was leased to Mr. Newth who became one of the school managers. It was united with the National Schools in 1850 and the attendance in 1857 was 50 pupils. Originally the teaching was by one temporary mistress and two pupil teachers. Discipline and instruction were considered 'fair' but the school suffered without a permanent mistress, until Emily Hooper was appointed as the first permanent head teacher.