Schools

The above pictures show the old Cottingham School on School Lane, with The White House opposite

Education timeline

17th/18th Century, Dame Schools

In the 17th Century, education was mainly the prerogative of the rich. However, there was some kind of education available for the less privileged in the form of dame schools also known as ‘common day schools’. These were run from a kitchen, or outbuilding, by an untrained woman with enough ability to teach basic reading, handwriting and arithmetic, as well as practical skills like sewing. It is believed that there used to be a dame school in Cottingham on the right hand side of the pathway that leads up to the Royal George from Corby Road. This is now a private garden, and former owners Laurie and Irene Beadsworth recall finding a set of steps beneath the garden when they were excavating for a new driveway. In her will, Mrs Catherine Palmer left £100 to the poor of Cottingham and Middleton, with the 4% interest thereon "to a school-dame of character to teach 10 girls of the said parish".

1766, Middleton School

In February 1766, the village copyholders built a school and a dwelling house for a master on land owner by Sir John Palmer on what is now Camsdale Walk (No.7). The schoolmaster received £7 a year to instruct 10 boys as free scholars in the three Rs, making up his salary by taking in fee paying students.

Mid to late 1800s, Cottingham School

In 1856 and again in 1869, the Church of England National School Society expanded the school in Middleton to eventually cater for 120 children. Following the passing of the 1870 Education Act, the school on Dag Lane, Cottingham was built, opening in 1871 for 92 children. This school was originally for infants, with the junior age children of both villages being educated in Middleton. Prior to that, it's believed there was a schoolroom at The White House on Dag Lane. Certainly, the 1861 census lists many children on Dag Lane as scholars, and villagers remember the lounge of the White House having high windows and a vaulted ceiling. This is also the room where, in the late 1800s, artist Alice Pery did her painting. Dag Lane was renamed School Lane sometime after 1901. At the turn of the 20th century, the school curriculum would have been arithmetic, poetry, reading, composition, recitation, geography (British colonies), history (to 1066), nature study, drawing, drill, music and needlework.

1960s/70s, Berryfield Road

The current Cottingham CofE Primary School on Berryfield Road was opened in the late 1960s. The old Cottingham school was kept open alongside the new one for a few years, but eventually closed in the early 1970s and is now a private house, as are the old Middleton school and master's house on Camsdale Walk.

Early 1900s, Thomas ‘Tubby’ Beecroft

Thomas Beecroft was headmaster from 1894 to 1923. You can view his resignation letter and retirement presentation here Source: Pam Moore. He was succeeded by Henry Belshaw, who was headmaster at the school from 1924-1926.

Late 1920s to early 1950s, Mr LV Porter

Mr LV Porter took over as headmaster from Henry Belshaw in the late 1920s. He was also the local Scout master. He died of a heart attack in 1951/52.

Late 1920s to early 1970s, Allston A Kisby

Mr Allston A Kisby was a class teacher at the school in the 1920s and subsequently became headmaster.

Mr Kisby was a firm favourite with the children. Irene Beadsworth (nee Ansell) recalls him with fondness. “He was everybody’s favourite teacher” says Irene. “He was the most wonderful storyteller and he loved art and poetry. He even wrote a book!”

Judi Davies-Stephenson, who attended the school in the 60s and 70s, also remembers Mr Kisby. She says: “before he died, he gave away to the students at the school a lot of his sketches and drawings.  He was really an amazing artist!  I was lucky enough to get one of a willow tree…I also remember very well Mrs David the school cook. she looked after me very well…”

David Dodd recalls: “Mr Kisby once a beautiful etching of a fish about to be caught by a fisherman’s hook. Sadly, somewhere over the years it has been lost. The other thing I remember about him was his frequent reference to his daughter Rosemary. She was about the same age as our class, but did not attend Cottingham school. I don’t think we ever met her, but she was the yardstick against which he measured our academic progress.”

Glyn Ball took over from Mr Kisby as headmaster (in the 1970s?).


The following pictures were taken by local photographer Bob Loake on the last day of term before the Easter break in 1976. The teachers are Mrs Toy (joined the school around 1951 and lived in East Carlton Park) and Sue Beadsworth. Thanks to Lynette Muir (nee Licquorish) and Mike Beadsworth for these photos. Other teachers that ex-pupils remember are Mrs Licquorish, Miss Williams, Miss Leahy, Mrs Brown and Mrs Muggleton.

Sally Bee (nee Beadsworth) said: “I remember Mrs Toy as a kind, white haired lady, she used to read us stories like the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe sitting on a high backed stool.” There are a few names on some of these pictures. Click on any of the pics to view.

Memories of the Old School


Former pupils remember having to walk across the courtyard to the cold, damp outside toilets and the loo roll being ‘like tracing paper’. “The milk was always warm in the summer”, says Mandy McDade, “and those outside toilets were a no no! I waited until I got home!”

Nic Collins says: “I can remember strategically placing wax crayons on the central heating pipes just before going home time and taking great joy in the melted mess on the floor the next morning!

Linda Franklin says: “I remember playing marbles by the old boiler (it was massive, or maybe I was just small) either way fond memories. I loved the old school kitchen, the memories give Downton Abbey vibes.” And Kim Moore recalls eating baked potatoes that been wrapped in foil and cooked inside the boiler, with the children having carved their initials into them before being cooked.

Lots of people remember school cook May David, who used to live at the far end of Church Street in the cottage that is now called ‘May’s cottage’, in her memory.

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