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A Brief History of Wingham
Primary School |
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From the Parish Records it appears that there was a Dames school in Wingham, prior to the 1870 Act of Parliament, which insisted children must go to school from the age 5 until 13 years old. History has it that the Dames School was run from the porch of the Parish Church, although general opinion is that the North Chapel would have been a more probable venue. |
| After the 1870 Act a Board school would have been set-up in Wingham. This was managed by a Board or a Committee of managers. |
| The Board school was situated in the single storey white building, still at the end of school lane. In the Admission
Register for this period it is noted that from September 1930 the boys left this school to go to the Boys School. The Boys School was situated in the school building in the high street, opposite the Bakery. Infants and girls continued to be educated in School Lane, until 23rd January 1950. |
| During the second world war an army camp had been built at the end of the School Lane. Towards the end of the War this became a prisoner of War Camp, and immediately after the war as camp for displaced persons. |
| The education authority decided that it would be more ideal to have the boys and girls back on the same site, an accordingly on 23rd January 1950 all the Juniors were moved into the now vacant camp site, as a temporary measure. The Infants stayed in the original school building, and the Boys school was sold. |
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On the camp site one wooden block had been converted into three teaching areas, plus a small flat for the Head Teacher, Miss E Hart. |
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| Mr Seaman became the new Head in April 1953. The remaining wooden buildings were removed and the brick buildings were adapted for the Infants, who moved in on Monday, March 26th 1956 |
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Mr D Pearce took over as head teacher on 9th April 1959, and stayed until April 1965, when Mr Rowan -Robinson became the head.
At this time the Head teachers flat was still in use and was occupied for a time by Mr and Mrs Rowan-Robinson. The flat was converted into an extra classroom.
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| There were 112 children on the roll, with two junior classes, one transition one infant and one special class. |
| Mr D Evans took over as Headteacher from the 6th September
1979 until 2001 when Mr G Davies took charge. There were now five classes and 140 children on the role. |
| In September 1992 the school, with 234 children on the role moved into a new building, on the same site. |
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The building was officially opened by HRH Prince Edward on Friday 25th June 1993 |
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The new school has seven classes, a large hall, activity areas, changing rooms, kitchen, Staffroom and offices. The main hall is used for school assemblies, dinning room and a gymnasium with fixed and portable apparatus.
Outside there is a large play ground and a small infant playground. Adjoining the large playground there is an adventure playground and a nature reserve. Beyond the building there is a large field for sports and games. |
| This history of schooling in Wingham was provided by Mr D
Evans |
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