Kingston (near Corfe Castle)

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DORSET OPC

Kingston School

Extracted from Kelly’s Directory 1915

There is a handsome school house with residence for the master, erected in 1856, in memory of the late Earl and Countess of Eldon, by their children.

National School (mixed), built in 1856 with residence for master & mistress, for 100 children; average attendance, 81; John Bennett, master; Mrs Sarah Bennett, mistress; Miss Mary Rose, infants’ mistress.

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’.

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

1912 - Millie Thomas

The old schoolhouse building is now a private residence.

Inspector’s Report 1914

The Diocesan Inspector, the Rev. J. W. Coulter, made his annual visit and examination of the Kingston School in religious knowledge on July 30th, and afterwards sent the following most satisfactory report:

“This School has had many difficulties to contend against during the year, having been closed three times for illness. In spite of this the religious knowledge is very good throughout. The teaching is most carefully given and the tone is excellent.”

(Signed) F.W. Coulter

Diocesan Inspector

Kingston School c1920/21

Back row: Mrs. Cottrell, David Hunt, Harry Hansford, Fred Damer,

Owen Audley, William Hicksoll, Alfie Green, Miss Moss

Middle row: Joyce Curtis, Linda Jeffries, Margaret Stickland, Ken Barnes, Philip Neale,

George Bullen, Win Cooper, Mary Cooper, Nellie Hansford, George Stickland,

Henry Kellaway

Front row: Fred Bullen, Edgar Hunt, Frank Hickson, Violet Moore, Jimmy Hansford,

Raymond Hooper, William Simpson, Fred Collins

Admissions 1897 - 1911

More information is held for each of these entries, including dates of medical inspections, date of last attendance and reason for leaving

* left school by medical order (nearly blind)

If you have any information about Kingston School which you would like to share, be it stories or old photographs etc., please email us at info@kingstonopc.org.uk

Planning Applications:

6/1984/0727 - 28 September 1984 - Approved 6 November 1984

Mr. N. MacDonald,

Kingston ('The School House'), Corfe Castle.

Change use of former school to residential to extend existing house, form new vehicular access.

Kingston School c1900 with John Bennett

Back row: Mary Grant, Cissie Hunt, Hilda Joyce, Lily Bartlett, Gladys Walsh

Next row: William Blanchard, Charlie Bartlett, [Coastgard’s son], Jim Beavis, Fred Bullen, Bertie Dew

Next row: Edith Dew, Charlotte Holland, Louie Stickland, Rose Davis

Front row: Tom Bullen, George Mallet, Bob Dorey

Kingston School: A classroom scene from the 1940s

Photograph courtesy of Claire Hawker nee Sansom

Claire’s father, Colin Henry Sansom, is in the back row, second  from left

Sheralyn Moule (nee Lock) tells us that the girl in the back row, second from the right, is Sylvia (Tot) Ford nee Lock (Sheralyn’s auntie). The little girl Sylvia is looking at is Sylvia’s sister in-law, Esme Prior nee Ford. The little boy sat in front of Sylvia is Sylvia’s brother, John Lock (Sheralyn’s father).

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Please email us if you can put names to any of the other faces

Kingston School c1954/1955

Photograph courtesy of David Sansom

Back row standing: Peter Lardner, Lesley Pond, Brian Palmer, Mary Palmer
Middle row seated: David Sansom, Brian Collins, Derek Collins, Miss Usher [teacher],

Christopher Sansom, Michael Streeter
Front: Brian Hunt, John Lardner.

Lesley Pond lived next door to Pete & John in The Lane, Brian & Mary Palmers' parents farmed Blashenwell Farm, Brian & Derek Collins lived in South Street, Michael Streeters' parents ran the Post Office [until Angela & Pete took it over].
 

Evacuees

94 children with teachers from Loughborough Central School evacuated from London to Kingston. Evacuees use the school for half days. 3 September 1939.

25 children evacuated from Southampton. June 1940

Kingston School Photo from the early 1940s

Photograph courtesy of Sheralyn Moule nee Lock

Back row:  John Audley, Les Hunt, Fred Lock (Sheralyn’s uncle on her father’s side),

                    Fred Prior,  Ron Dorey, Amy Turner, Ivy Chappell, Betty Dorey,

                    Doreen Elwood and Winnie Prior.

Front row:  Reg Prior, Violet Prior, ? (unsure), Gerald Stickland, Rita Speak,

                   Norman Beavis, Fred Hunt, Alan Beavis and Roy Hooper.

Note the photo is taken from the school grounds with the Scott Arms in the background.