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Swindon Schools

In 1877 on the establishment of the Swindon School Board there was only a limited number of schools in Swindon. The National (Church of England) School in King William Street served Old Town and the Great Western Railway had founded two schools in Bristol Street and College Street mainly for the children of its employees. The first Roman Catholic School had been opened in 1860.

Between 1870 and 1901 the population of Swindon increased from 11,720 to 44,996 and the School Board had the massive task of building sufficient new schools to accommodate the rapidly increasing number of children. They succeeded in doing this although at times they had to make use of temporary accommodation such as the Drill Hall. The G.W.R. school in Bristol Street was eventually closed and the Board assumed responsibility for the other school in College Street. Towards the end of the century it was recognised that there was a demand for a higher level of education including more science and technical opportunities. A Higher Grade School for Standard VI and above was opened and moved into new accommodation in Clarence Street in 1897. A Higher Grade class for girls was later attached to the College Street school.

This educational development was not without its conflicts. As in many other places there was a running battle for control of the School Board between the Church party which favoured Anglican schools (especially in Old Town) and those who promoted non-sectarian education. There were equally fierce arguments within the Board over the nature of religious education in the Board Schools.

This educational development was not without its conflicts. As in many other places there was a running battle for control of the School Board between the Church party which favoured Anglican schools (especially in Old Town) and those who promoted non-sectarian education. There were equally fierce arguments within the Board over the nature of religious education in the Board Schools.

By 1903 the following Board Schools had been established alongside the voluntary schools:

• Boys

  • Clifton Street (opened 1885)
  • Gorse Hill (opened 1878)
  • Higher Grade (opened 1897)
  • Sanford Street (opened 1881)
• 
  

  Girls

  • Clifton Street (opened 1885)
  • College Street (original G.W.R. school)
  • Gilberts Hill (opened 1880)
  • Gorse Hill (opened 1878)
  • Queens Town (opened 1885)
• 
  

  Mixed

  • Clarence Street (opened 1897)
  • Even Swindon (opened 1880)
  • Lethbridge Road (opened 1890)
  • Westcott (opened 1881)
  • Jennings Street

On the formation of the School Board in 1877 there were 1,964 school places in Swindon. When the Board was abolished in 1902 the number of places had increased to 10,045. That perhaps is a measure of the success of the Swindon School Board.

The Swindon School Board was relatively enlightened and set standards for leaving which were higher than in almost any other part of Wiltshire. In 1894 its bye-laws provided that a child could obtain a labour certificate if he was 11 to 13 and had reached Standard VI in all three subjects or was 13 to 14 and had got Standard IV. A 13 to 14 year old could also qualify by making 250 attendances (i.e. half-days) in not more than two schools in each year for five years. Later the qualification by attendance was raised to 300. In 1898 the minimum standard for 11 to 13 year olds was raised to Standard VII and in 1901 this was required of all children up to 14. Thus by 1902 with the government legislation and the local bye-laws children in Swindon had to attend school until the age of 14 but could leave for employment after the age of 12 provided they had obtained Standard VII.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to the staff of Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre for making the documents consulted readily available and to Ivor Slocombe for compiling the information.