Barton School 1896
Mr & Mrs Castle Headmaster and Teacher
Shows new roof of extension
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Barton School 1888
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Barton School About 1897
Back row: Mrs Castle, Paddy Gay, Jimmy Neale, Harry Chapman, ? Dack, Lily Drake, Mr Castle
2nd row: Harold Wright, Bob Wright, ? Dack, Betty Wright, Helen Clarke, May Pratt, ? Dack
3rd row: ? Castle, William Yaxley, Archie Salmons, Donny Salmons, Tubby Starling
Front row: Jack Yaxley, Charlie Salmons, Sharper Dugdale, Steven Starling
According to Mrs Ivy Long
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Barton School Late 1920s
Back row: Billy Platford, Philip Yaxley, Charlie Yaxley, Dorothy Smith, Bessie Gedge, Billy Chamberlain, Leslie Yaxley
Middle row: Violet Gedge, Ethel Chamberlain, Dolly Chamberlain, Rene Chapman, Herbert Chapman, Keith Thompson
Front row: Eva Yaxley, Jimmy Gedge, Japser Thompson, Frank Platford, Jack Chamberlain, Olive Yaxley
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Barton School 1940
Back row: David Drake, Dick Yaxley, Derek Cook, Cyril Kidd, Geoffrey Neave, John Yaxley, Michael Burgess, Derek Croft, Russell Gedge
Middle row: Mary Webb, Janet Empson, Elsie Yaxley, Daphne Cox, Maureen Empson, Eva Hipkin, Vera Platford, Nancy Yaxley, Margaret Croft
Third row: Beryl Yaxley, Madge Platford, Kathleen Platford, Edith Webb, Evelyn Cox, Peggy Cox
Front row: Tony Long, Henry Baker, Michael Larter, George Platford, Robin Loveday, Michael Rivett, Gordon Purdy
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Barton School 1951-52
Back row: June Baker, Margaret George, Alan Baker, Brenda Knights, Michael Proudfoot, Julia Long, Miss Wenn
Front row: Mervyn Whittleton, Judith Pratt, Penny Cox, Margaret London, David Wilton, Ann Baker, Diane Cox, Brenda Chamberlin
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In the Norfolk Record Office there are log books from 1875 to 1965 (C/ED 2/127 , 128 & 129), extracts from an analysis of log books from 1895 to 1899 (FX 60/1), other records including architects files (PD 187/48, C/ED 143/4). There are also documents relating to the schooling in Barton Turf prior to the erection of the school (DN/NDS 162/11, DN/NDS 277 and DN/NDS 283).
Gressenhall Farm and Workhouse holds school attendance certificates awarded for regularity of attendance to Clifford and Austin Cox between 1910 and 1917 (for details go to the NOAH site and search for Barton Turf School).
Barton Turf School is recorded in early trade directories as being erected in 1855 by Sir J H Preston and the Misses Preston. In 1892 is was said to have capacity for 60 children and an average attendance of 55. It was enlarged in 1895 at a cost of £200 given by Miss Louisa Preston, increasing its capacity to 94 children, although in 1896 and 1904 the average attendance is still recorded as 55, reducing to 45 by 1912. In the 1950s the pupil numbers were around 15. The school closed in 1965.
Ownership of the school building was offered for sale as part of the sale of the Barton Hall Estate in 1918. At that time it was let to the school trustees at £5 per annum. The Managers’ Minute Book, which contains details of the school managers’ meetings from 1903 to 1965 and which is currently held by Barton Turf Parish Church, records that ownership passed to the Diocese in 1919. After its closure the school building was converted to a residential property.
Two textbooks from the school dated 1875 and 1880 give an insight into reading lessons - factual accounts and stories with a high moral tone.
Contents list and sample lesson from Jarrold’s New Code Reading Book - The Second Standard in use in Barton School in 1880.
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