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Early History
According to John Hutchins, the Lady Day returns of 1792 revealed that a school in Kingston was first established on 24 September 1786 supported by subscription. There was one teacher. The school was inspected by Rev. J Gent and others and the annual expenses amounted to £2 12s 0d. Over the course of a year, attendance had decreased from 48 to 38, with 12 children admitted and 22 children discharged. Of the 38 children, 25 were classed as ‘over age’.
In 1856, the school house shown below was erected in memory of the late Earl and Countess of Eldon, by their children.
Kingston was the last village in Purbeck to receive a Primary School, for the first Earl was set against it, and his successor did not want to flout his grandfather’s wishes. St. James’s Church School was built and opened in 1861. Beside it was built a good-sized house for the teacher. However, as the number of children in the village dwindled, the school closed in 1961.
A Short History of Kingston” by R.J. Saville, first published 1977, fifth edition 2013
Class Photos
Admission Registers
Click here to see part transcriptions of the school admission registers deposited at the Dorset History Centre.
Schoolmasters & Schoolmistresses
1851:
James Roe (age 40) – Schoolmaster
Sarah Mary Roe (age 43) – Schoolmistress
1861:
James Roe (age 50) – Schoolmaster & sub-postmaster
Margaretta Whittle (age 17) – Pupil Teacher
Elizabeth Anne Hopkins (age 17) – Pupil Teacher
1871
James Roe (age 60) – Schoolmaster
James Roe (age 24) – Schoolmaster
Harriet White (age 16) – School Teacher
Mary A Squibb (age 15) – School Teacher
1881
John Bennett (age 26) – Schoolmaster
Sarah Bennett (age 27) – Schoolmistress
Jessie L Evans (age 17) – School Teacher
Laura R Webb (age 16) – National School Pupil Teacher
1891
John Bennett (age 36) – Schoolmaster
Sarah Bennett (age 37) – Schoolmistress
Ellen M Joyce (age 29) – Teacher at National School
Mary Ann Groves (age 22) – Assistant Schoolmistress
Hannah Harding (age 16) – Pupil Teacher
1901
John Bennett (age 46) – Schoolmaster
Mary A Groves (age 32) – Assistant Schoolmistress
Amelia M Warren (age 16) – Teacher in National School
1911
Beatrice Mary Allen (age 39) – Teacher, Elementary School
Brenda Shayler (age 27) – School Teacher Assistant
Edith Munden (age 14) – Monatress at School
1912:
Millie Thomas
1939:
Rosie Hare (age 54) – Schoolmistress
Page last updated: 24 Sep 2020