North Clifton Primary School celebrates 225 years of providing education

A primary school has marked 225 years of educating children in its community.

In 1799, North Clifton Primary School started its life as a charity school, when, at a Parish Vestry meeting on July 23, principal members of village communities of North and South Clifton agreed that “the two lanes, one leading from North Clifton, the other from South Clifton, and each to the Church be appropriated for the use of a school, that is for the Education of Poor Children forever…”.

That same year, a school house and schoolroom were built under the guidance of Reverend William Farish, who was Vicar of North Clifton from 1797 to 1802 and a professor at Magdalene College, Cambridge University.

Mr Richard Ransom was appointed as the first schoolmaster at Christmas 1799.

Throughout the 1800s, 12 poor children — six from North Clifton and six from South Clifton — were educated for free at the school.

The schoolmasters salary was partially subsidised from money raised from the rent of the North Clifton Poor Lands, left in trust to the parish of North Clifton by Simon Nicholson in his will in 1699, to allow this to happen during a period where pupils had to pay to be educated.

The school was expanded in 1877 by Mr George Freeth, owner of North Clifton Hall, Lawyer and Under Sheriff of Nottingham, which saw an additional classroom added to meet the requirements of the 1870 Elementary Education Act.

To celebrate the extension of the school, Mr Freeth and his wife invited the pupils of the school to North Clifton Hall where they were given a “treat of plum cake, tea, and prizes.”

The school was expanded again in the early 1900s, and then left structurally unchanged through most of the 1900s until it was modernised and had additional facilities added early this century.

However, the original 1799 building still stands today, with the schoolhouse now the main entrance and staff area, and the original schoolroom now the school hall.

Current pupils and staff marked the school’s milestone anniversary last month, in a number of ways.

In collaboration with the Nottinghamshire Archives, the older children had the opportunity to see and work with original historical documents relating to the school’s first 100 years — one as old as 1798.

Staff and pupils also dressed up in Victorian costume and re-lived a Victorian classroom experience in the old school room, which remains on the school grounds.

The school also opened its doors to the community, inviting former staff, pupils and residents to join the celebrations, during which year six children gave a presentation on the school’s history.

Stories were exchanged across the generations and the many old records and photographs connected to the school were explored.

Over 100 people attended the event, with some travelling a considerable distance to be there — and best wishes came from as far afield as Germany, from a former head who retired in 1992.

Current head, Ilona Sanderson, said: “This is a remarkable milestone in both our school and community’s history. It has been wonderful to share memories with past and current pupils, parents and staff alike. Meeting the generations of families who have supported the school reaffirms the dedication and commitment of everyone involved in our school community.

“It is a privilege to work at North Clifton Primary, where we are continually striving to provide a wonderful education for our students.”