Horfield National School
Overview
Before 1837 Horfield Parish Church only had a Sunday school, held in what later became the coal house in the Rectory stable yard. The first custom built day school was erected in the churchyard in 1837 and comprised of a 'mixed' school room and an adjoining cottage for the school mistress. However, by 1879 this building was deemed insufficient and plans were put forward for a new Infants and Girls School. The foundation for the Girls School was laid in 1880, and the Infants School was rebuilt in 1899. This building can still be seen today and is currently used by the Manor Farm Boys Club. The cost of building and equipping this new school was estimated at £1000, but it came in at well over £2000. A new School Committee was established in November 1898 to administer the new schools, separately of the Bishopston and Horfield School Board. A boys school had also previously existed, but due to financial difficulties and conflict with the School Board, it was closed and not included in the new school plans.
In 1930, the Girls School was closed and the site became a mixed Junior School. Due to huge issues with overcrowding throughout its lifetime, a new school was opened in 1954 on a 371 acre site on Bishop Manor Road, in the middle of a new housing development. It provided a large playing field, 7 classrooms over 2 floors, a large hall and lobby space for a library. Despite the completion of the new school in 1954, buildings on the old site continued to be used until September 1962.
Before 1837 Horfield Parish Church only had a Sunday school, held in what later became the coal house in the Rectory stable yard. The first custom built day school was erected in the churchyard in 1837 and comprised of a 'mixed' school room and an adjoining cottage for the school mistress. However, by 1879 this building was deemed insufficient and plans were put forward for a new Infants and Girls School. The foundation for the Girls School was laid in 1880, and the Infants School was rebuilt in 1899. This building can still be seen today and is currently used by the Manor Farm Boys Club. The cost of building and equipping this new school was estimated at £1000, but it came in at well over £2000. A new School Committee was established in November 1898 to administer the new schools, separately of the Bishopston and Horfield School Board. A boys school had also previously existed, but due to financial difficulties and conflict with the School Board, it was closed and not included in the new school plans.
In 1930, the Girls School was closed and the site became a mixed Junior School. Due to huge issues with overcrowding throughout its lifetime, a new school was opened in 1954 on a 371 acre site on Bishop Manor Road, in the middle of a new housing development. It provided a large playing field, 7 classrooms over 2 floors, a large hall and lobby space for a library. Despite the completion of the new school in 1954, buildings on the old site continued to be used until September 1962.
The information contained in these pages is a combination of original research from the school logbooks, and an unpublished school history manuscript, created by Jeni Williams, available at Horfield Primary.
Several memories of Horfield National School were shared with us by the community. To see more of them visit our video archive, or browse our 'Stories from Horfield Common' page.
With thanks to Emily Fletcher and the staff at Horfield C of E School for their assistance.
Several memories of Horfield National School were shared with us by the community. To see more of them visit our video archive, or browse our 'Stories from Horfield Common' page.
With thanks to Emily Fletcher and the staff at Horfield C of E School for their assistance.