During the 19th Century a number of Elementary Schools [Library and St Aldhelm's Church] were opened that catered for children up to the age of 14. The first secondary school for children aged between 8 and 14 was the Technical School which opened in the back of the Council Chamber, Silver Street in September 1896. The premises were described as three classrooms approached by a long narrow passageway; a small chemical laboratory a shed for practical work and a caretaker's room made of corrugated iron and matchboard registering 81ºF when inspected. To begin with there were only five scholars with two teachers, Mr. Cameron and Mr. Eatell, covering a wide syllabus with the expected Arithmetic, English, History, Latin etc. but also including subjects such as Agriculture, Bookkeeping, Euclid and Land Surveying. Other 'Sub-Centres' for learning and examinations were set up in many surrounding villages. The Executive Committee chaired by the Earl of Suffolk arranged for pioneer lectures to be held in the villages in order that an interest in the subjects of Instruction may be awakened. The school was soon popular and new premises for up to 75 scholars were opened for classes on 7th January 1903 at the foot of Tetbury Hill at a cost of £5,192. In order to contribute towards this the Rural District Council agreed to levy a rate of 3/8d. in £1. The description of this building was two classrooms on the ground floor, a cookery kitchen, woodwork shop, Headmaster's and Mistress' room, boys' and girls' cloakroom and offices. On the first floor another classroom, an Art room, two laboratories and a lecture theatre.
Not long after this, Wiltshire County Council took over responsibility for education and the school was renamed the Malmesbury and District County Secondary School. Even though this was the official title it was generally known as the 'grammar school' although it did not become one until 1954! Parents were required to commit to keep their children here until age 16, although the legal obligation for the school leaving age under the Education Act 1918 was 14. In 1921 Verona House was bought to provide accommodation for the Headmaster and space to allow the school to expand to 120 pupils. The County threatened to close the school in 1935 but, despite this, expansion took place in the late 1930s and 1944. Riddick's (a family of stationers and printers that operated from 15 High Street from the middle of the 19th Century until 1977) Year Books during the late 1930s contained the following information:
The Malmesbury and District County Secondary School - Headmaster, Mr. K. Willmore, b.sc.., b.com. ib.a.i. Staff, Miss M. M. Browne, m.a., Miss E. M. Bevan, b.a., Miss R. M. Wise, r.a, Miss M. E. Oatley, Mr. J. J. Chipchase, b.sc.., Mr. J. W. Davies, ba... Mr. S. L. Hockey, m.a.., Mr. G. W. Tracy. Art Master, Mr. A. F. Hayward. The School, established in 1903 as a Secondary School for boys and girls, is maintained by the Wiltshire Countv Council. It is administered by a body of 21 Governors. Chairman of the Governors, Alderman J. A. Jones; secretary to the Governors. Mr. C. Bradshaw, 10, High Street, Malmesbury:
Boys and girls whose parents wish them to enter the school should see that they sit for the County Examination held in the earh part of the year. On the results of this examination, supplemented by an oral test or interview, will be awarded a number of County Junior Scholarships carrying complete exemption from school fees. Other children who reach a sufficient standard in the examination will be admitted at fees of three, six, nine or twelve guineas a year according to the income and financial responsibilities of their parents. Parents are required to sign an agreement promising to keep the pupil at school until July of the year in which he (or she) attains the age of sixteen
A number of maintenance allowances are awarded from time to time by:—
(a) The Trustees of the Elizabeth Hodge's Charity.
(b) The Trustees of the Michael Week's Charity
[Almshouses].
(c) The Capital Burgesses of Malmesbury.
(d) ) The Trustees of the Warner Bequest.
Elizabeth Hodges in her will of 1723 gave £30 per year to schools in Malmesbury and in 1730 this was used for a school for 15 boys. This school was amalgamated with the Westport National School in 1869 and the fund is now administered by local trustees. The arrival of evacuees at the beginning of World War II created a shortage of teachers and one of the original teachers. Mr. Eatell. returned at the age of 86! In 1944 secondary education became free.
A Practical Instruction Centre was opened at Corn Gastons in 1950 to teach cookery and woodwork. This was used by pupils from the two National Schools. However it was not until 1954 that the Bremilham Secondary Modern School was opened in a new building at Corn Gastons. This started with 30 teachers and 450 pupils. At the same time the Secondary School became the Grammar School and pupils had to pass the dreaded Eleven Plus examination to gain entry. This School outgrew its premises and in 1964 move to a new site at the junction of Tetbury Hill and Filands. The Cross Hayes Primary School was able to move onto the vacated site.
Whilst the benefits of the new site were just being enjoyed, the Labour government implemented the Robbins Report which recommended comprehensive schooling. In 1971 both secondary schools were combined into the Malmesbury School. The Lower School (junior scholars) was at Filands and the Upper School at Corn Gastons. In the late 1990s the cost resulting from the school being on two sites led to the decision to move onto one site at Corn Gastons. This was financed through the Private Finance Initiative, in other words without the help of state funds. Contractors put up the buildings necessary and became leasehold owners of the buildings with the County Council paying rent. This project, combined with others at Chippenham and Wootton Bassett, obtained Government approval at the end of 1998 and was completed in 2001.
Source: Charles Vernon
