Staverton School 2 Then and Now.

We learnt last week that Staverton had a school as early as 1850 but it was in a converted Canal warehouse near the bridge

In 1880 a new building was erected on a site conveyed under the School Sites Act

This new building could accommodate 100 children. A National Schools Society grant was obtained and the land it was built on was situated between the railway and the lane leading to 'Ladydown'. This later became known as School Lane. The school was built by George Smith and opened on 18th October 1880. The school had two classrooms and the infants were taught in the smaller of these. Their first school photo was taken in July 1881 to record the opening of the new school.

The 1875 report by her Majesty's Inspector of Schools stated that the school was 'going on well' no doubt, by the opening of the new school in 1880 when school attendance became compulsory.

Reading, writing and arithmetic were the core subjects and by 1871 geography and history were also taught.