Uttoxeter Online Magazine

The early years of education in the village were often a hit and miss affair. Prior to the advent of formal education, parents who were concerned for the future of their children faced many problems. Without formal teaching, the education of the children was limited to Sunday Schools and the influence of the Church.

In addition, a few well meaning but often untrained people would accept pupils into their homes to be taught the rudiments of reading, writing and arithmetic.

Such establishments became known as "Dame Schools". Doveridge is thought to have had two such schools, one of which may be been "The Gables" which is situated in Lower Street.

The village recognised the position of schoolmaster long before the first village school was built about 1797.

A tombstone in the churchyard stands in memory of Thomas Harrison who died on 6th October 1787 aged 51 years and is recorded as being the village schoolmaster. It is also recorded that he succeeded his kinsman David Harrison, a bachelor who taught in the village for a period in excess of 50 years. Precise details of David Harrisons death are not recorded* but conservative estimates would indicate that the Harrisons taught the village children from the early decades of the 18th century (1720c).

The cost of such education was met, at least in part, by the contribution of school pence from the children who had to pay to be taught.

The first real improvement came towards the end of the 18th century when Doveridge built its first school.

From the will of Mary Burgh reference is made to the building of a public school at Doveridge in 1787. A few years later, in 1798, the will of Lucy Bakewell donated money to be used for the building of a public school at Doveridge. The details surrounding the will of Lucy Bakewell are somewhat unusual to say the least and it appears that the money she left "disappeared" for several years prior to 1798. However, it came to light in good time and was probably used to finance the building of the schoolmasters house.

The money for the school itself appears to have been donated by Sir Henry Cavendish, but it is likely that the £100 originated from Mary Burgh and had been held in trust by Sir Henry, such practice being common at the time. The original school, stood in the centre of the village and in later years became, in turn, a bake house and the old Post Office.

The Beckett family who still live at the old Post Office (1992) follow a long tradition of postal workers. Mrs Beckett finally gave up the position in 1960. Since that time the premises has been used as Mr Beckett's house and workshop. The village school remained the only source of education for over forty years until in 1841 a larger school was built a few yards away. Initially, the new school housed girls and infants only. By 1874 however all pupils attended the new school as may be seen from the school log book.

Documents appertaining to the original school indicate that George Rice lived there in 1861 and that Thomas S Taylor lived there in 1872.
During the parliament of 1833 the government decided to conduct a national survey of all educational facilities in the country.
Lord Viscount Melbourne implemented the order and official instructions were sent to all towns and villages.
The returns* from Doveridge, dated December 24th 1833 give accurate details of schools and scholars.

Three schools are recorded.

1 The Parish School. Sixty-seven scholars (50 boys and 17 girls)
2 Mrs Archer's School. Thirty-five scholars (10 boys and 25 girls)
3 Mrs Walker's School. Thirty-three scholars (9 boys and 24 girls)
Total scholars 135 (69 boys and 66 girls)
Scholars start and quit at various ages from 3 to 17.

Two Sunday Schools are recorded.

1 Established Church. One hundred scholars (50 boys and 50 girls)
2 Wesleyan Methodist. Thirty-one scholars (16 boys and 15 girls)
Enter and quit 4 to 14.
* County Archives Matlock. Ref 1197A/P1

We are also told that the Parish Daily School was supported by payments from the scholars. The master of the Church Sunday School received a salary of £5 from Lord Waterpark and the Methodist Sunday School was supported by voluntary subscriptions.

It was also recorded that the schools were all established prior to 1818. The document is signed by William Smith and John Sherratt. Overseers of the Poor.
From 1869 a record of daily events has been kept. The schoolmasters being responsible for the school log book. At this time the school was closely controlled by the Church and the vicar took an active part in the teaching.

The Rev W H Chapman gave regular instruction to the children and kept a critical eye on the running of the school. It was the Rev Chapman who, with Mrs Cavendish, gave land to the school for use as a playground.

Despite the efforts of succeeding masters and clergy the discipline of the school left a lot to be desired. Pupils stayed away for sheep washing, hay making, fox hunting, and frequently to visit Uttoxeter on market day.

Another recurring problem was the collection of school pence. Extracting money from the improvished families of Doveridge gave cause for continual concern. The administration of discipline often resulted in children being kept away from school by parents who objected to their children being reprimanded. Retribution by parents was occasionally physical as can be seen from an entry dated 1st February 1886.

"Punished John Phillips for disobedience and impertinence. His mother came and proved very abusive. I then suspended the boy. The mother rushed into school and after using most vile language, scratched my face". The schoolmasters, as a last resort, had the option of expelling a difficult pupil.

Such an event took place in August 1872 when George Copeland was expelled by Mr A S Price. George's crime being "indecent conduct and great impertinence".

Mr Price himself appeared to be very unpopular. He was given a very poor report when school inspectors visited Doveridge.

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