The History of our School Buildings

Cranborne CE VA First School is a Voluntary Aided Church of England First School, founded in 1828, originally for the education of all children from 5 years until they left school at 14 or earlier.

 

An extract from the earliest Log Book in July 1863 states:-

 

Summary of the Report of her Majesty's Inspector on this school - "Discipline and order good.  I am much pleased with the general improvement throughout the school during the past year.  More grammar might be taught with advantage.  The names of the teachers of Cranborne School
(1) Letitia Young, Certificated Teacher
(2) Sophia Jane Spray, Pupil-Teacher, candidate for admission into the Salisbury Training School
(3) Mary Ann Lauring, Pupil-Teacher
(4) Elizabeth Andrews, Pupil Teacher

    I.H. Carnegie, MA, Vicar of Cranborne and Manager of the Cranborne National School"

 

In 1963 the school became a Primary School for children from 5 -11 years and in 1973 a First School for children aged 4 -9 years.  The buildings were completely modernised in 1967 to form four large classrooms and a separate hall block, modernised in 1995.  A new school office, upstairs headteacher office and two 1st floor storage areas were added between 2002 and 2005.

 

January 2010

After nearly two years of planning and consultation we are now about to start the building process which will give us wonderful new facilities for the children at our school:

·        a new hall for gym, indoor games and collective worship

·        an accessible classroom for the older children

·        a kitchen from which we can develop a hot school meal service

·        a staff room for professional reflection and much needed breaks.  The staff room will ‘double up’ in the school day as an area for 1:1 tuition or small group work.

 

These plans are the result of extensive consultation with the local community.  I am keen to keep you as fully informed as you wish to be. Copies of the latest plans are available:

·        on the school website

·        in the school office

·        in the village shop and post office

 

The work will all be sealed off at the back of the school and the children will have no access to it.  All health and safety regulations will be fully enforced and I am reassured that it is safe to go ahead with the careful demolition of the old school hall during term time.  

 We will start collecting a book of memories of things that have happened in our old hall so if you, or anyone in the community, have anything to contribute please jot it down for us!