The History of Shaldon Primary School

Shaldon school has a wealth of archive material that it has collected since the school opened in 1876.

There was always a need for a village school in Shaldon but it was only on October 24, 1874 that the campaign for a proper village school built up and a school board was formed.

The chairman was the Rev W H Wreford; the vice-chairman was a Mr Hosking and the other members were Messrs William Venn, a lodging house keeper; Robert Devonshire, a baker; a Mr Hore and the clerk was John E White, a coal merchant.

Education for all, regardless of means had come to the village and the finance for the new school was provided from State funds and local rates.  In 1875 the land for the school was purchased for the princely sum of £180 from Mr Thomas Brooks, a surgeon living at the time in Reading.  The picture to the right shows the school shortly after it opened in 1876.

In 1902 the school board lost many of its powers when the Devon County Council education committee took over.  Adjoining land to extend the school was purchased in 1954 for £3,000.

The expansion of the school continued after this time with the provision of two portable buildings offering much needed additional space and the provision of an outdoor swimming pool.  Further extensions have recently been completed adding two new classrooms.

The school archivist has kindly allowed some of the olds archives to be copied and the information to be published on this web site.  This information can be found by clicking any of the buttons to the left.