Clutton History Archive

OS Map 1844 to 1888

OS Map 1844 to 1888

In 1728 from a legacy of £200, bequeathed by Mr. Perry, and another of £98 by Mr. Adams, who invested the money in land, the trustees founded a free school for teaching and apprenticing ten children of the parish.

In the church records can be seen a list of apprentices for the year 1818:

Mary Nash (aged 11) — apprenticed to Ann Poole,
Milliner and Mantle Maker to 21 years … £5
Paul Challenger (aged 12) — to George Blacker,
Farmer … … … … £5

The school was built upon church land from a charge upon which, and the interest arising from some charity at Chew Stoke, all the poor boys were taught by the national system.

The master was paid £13 a year as seen from the church records 1727 — 1 year teaching at the Charity School — £13.

The school was probably enlarged at a later date as more and more children went to school. They were charged 2d. a week and provided their own books and pencils.

Mr. Boudier, the rector in 1892, formed a savings club for the scholars. All scholars present on Monday morning were eligible. They paid a 1d a week and one penny was added for each 11d.

Saturday 28 September 1861, Bristol Times and Mirror

NEW BRITISH SCHOOL, CLUTTON On Tuesday the foundation stone of the new British School, at Clutton, was laid by Mr. W. Wills, of Bristol, amongst the
gentlemen present at the ceremony being the Rev. Thomas, of Highbury Chapel the Rev. H. Quick, of Castle green Chapel; and the Rev. T. Davis, of Paulton. Notwithstanding the unfavourable state of the weather a large number of people assembled to witness the ceremony, and were addressed by Rev. G. Nettleship,
the pastor, Nir. W. D. Wills, the Rev. D. Thomas, and the Rev. H. Quick.

Saturday 3 October 1885, Clevedon Mercury

LOCAL POLITICAL MEETINGS

Lord Brooke, M.P., and E. H. Llewellyn addressed a meeting at the British School-room. Clutton, on Tuesday evening. The proceedings throughout were very disorderly, the speakers being interrupted by a number of lads and young men, who hooted, groaned, and hissed, and sang “Put, your shoulder to the wheel," Wait till the clouds roll by, Jenny,” &c. Lord Brooke, who presided, assured the meeting that he would use what influence he possessed in securing a quiet hearing for Mr. Strachey when he came to deliver an address in that neighbourhood, and, later on, at the conclusion of some vocalisation. remarked that if they would be quiet they should sing after, and he would promise to sing a song. The meeting, after much uproar, came to an end without any resolution being passed.

In 1900 after much controversy, the National and British Schools were closed and a school board was formed.

When the old schools ceased to be used as day schools, they were used as Sunday Schools. The Church School by the Church and the British School by the Congregational Chapel.

Clutton Church School Pupils 1901
Photograph - Mrs. L. Withey collection

Front Cover

Page 1

The pages of this Minute Book were photographed and transcribed using Chatgpt

Extracts from the Clutton School Board Minute Book (154 pages from 11 April 1901 to 6 July 1903)

23 April 1901

A long discussion then ensued in relation to the teaching staff, and also to the difficulties at present existing in regard to the School, when reluctantly it was decided to endeavour to carry on without increasing the staff otherwise than possibly by the appointment of an additional monitor until after the end of the School year. Applications by Mrs. Pullen and Miss Jones respectively for appointment were considered, and ultimately it was proposed by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Mr. Hinton that Mrs. Pullen be appointed Mistress at a salary of £90 a year and one fourth of the Educational Grant earned and paid, and a house rent free; also that Miss Jones be appointed Assistant Mistress at a salary of £50 a year, subject in each case to three months’ notice on either side. Proposed by Mr. Hunt, seconded by Mr. Beacham that Miss Jones be appointed Assistant Mistress at a salary of £44 (20 by Grant) a year subject to one month’s notice on either side. Provided that these appointments are only to take effect when the Board shall be in a position to make them, assuming that at the present moment they had no power to do so. The appointment of Mrs. Pullen was carried nem. con., the following resolution was carried unanimously.

20 May 1901

The number of children on the books – 174.

5 June 1901

Mr. C. Speckman attended & produced plans prepared by him for Lord Warwick for new schools at Clutton in 1899. He stated that the plans as prepared contemplated accommodation for 244 children at an estimated cost of about £1500; if the Board adopted the plans he would allow them the cost of plans paid him by Lord Warwick. If his prepared new plans his charges would be 5% for preparing plans & supervision. It was arranged that Mr. Speckman should leave his plans for the Clerk with the Board for further consideration after which the Board would communicate with him.

26 June 1901

J. Pullen (12 days salary) from 11 to 23 April 1901 @ £105 per ann £3.9.0
2 months to 23 June @ £90 £15.0.0 £18.9.0
Mr. Pullen, Asst. master 12 days as above @ £45 per ann 1.9.7
2 months @ £50 8.6.3 £9.15.10
Miss Jones, Asst. mistress 12 days as above @ £44 per ann 1.6.11
2 months @ £50 7.6.8 £8.15.7
Beacie Maggs – Temporary monitress 7 wks @ 3/- from 7 May to 28 June £1.1.0

31 July 1901

Mr. Bird (Architect) be instructed to survey the proposed site & negotiate with Mr. Speckman as to price & to report at next meeting of the Board.

With reference to the number of children to be accommodated it was stated that there were about 250 children of school age in the parish, the majority of whom would probably attend the new schools when erected & that there was a probability of the number increasing. In reply to the Chairman Mr. Bird advised that accommodation should be provided now for 300 children, rather than have to enlarge the school at a future date.
Mr. Hinton moved, Mr. Beacham seconded, that Mr. Bird be instructed to prepare plans for a school to accommodate 300 children, also plans for a master’s house.

21 August 1901

Mr. W.F. Bird attended & produced sketch plans for new schools & master’s house, a schedule of accommodation proposed being provided & estimated cost. These were considered at great length & explained in detail by Mr. Bird. Mr. Hancock moved, Mr. Hunt seconded, that the plans be provisionally approved by the Board & that Mr. Bird be instructed to submit them to the Board of Education. Carried unanimously.

Mr. Bird reported the result of his interview with Mr. Speckman on the 15th inst. at which the latter had stated that the cost of the site should not exceed £150.

23 December 1901

The number of children on the books – 180. The low monthly per average was attributed to illness, a large number of children being still suffering from mumps & chickenpox.

23 June 1902

The number of children on the books – 190.

21 July 1902

The low attendance was due to an epidemic of whooping cough

Mr Bird alluded & reported his negotiations with Mr Fowers, the result of which was that the latter was prepared to carry out the work of erecting the new Schools commencing operations on 17th Aug. & completing at 30 June 1903 for £3304 (later amended to £3352).

25 August 1902

The Chairman mentioned that there was a suggestion that Lady Warwick should be asked to lay the foundation stone of the new schools, & on the motion of Mr Hunt seconded by Mr Hinton the Clerk was directed to communicate with Lady Warwick & ascertain if it would be agreeable to her to do this & whether a date at the end of September would be convenient to her.

27 October 1902

The Clerk reported the effect of some correspondence with Lady Warwick with reference to the laying of a corner stone at the new Schools and said that as the arrangements now stood the date for the ceremony was fixed for Saturday the 22nd Nov. at 3 o’clock. The Chairman suggested a programme which was generally approved by the Board & on the motion of Mr. Hunt seconded by Mr. Beacham the Chairman & Vice Chairman were deputed to superintend the necessary arrangements.

The Clerk said that Mr. Bird had written offering to provide a silver trowel for the occasion & the Clerk was directed to thank Mr. Bird for his offer.

17 November 1902

The Chairman reported that he, the Vice Chairman, had drawn up a programme & had submitted it to Lady Warwick but had not heard from her. He read the programme & a letter from Mr. Bird together with his report which it was proposed should be read by Mr. Bird’s representative at the ceremony, and said that it was proposed to place a bottle underneath the stone containing a description of the building & other matters.

23 February 1903

The number of children on the books – 195.