The History of Garboldisham Church Primary School

Garboldisham Primary School opened its doors on September 18^th 1871 - as a  Church School, with the first headmaster writing in the Log Book “Commenced School after the Harvest Vacation.”  John Fincham - Master .  Since that time head teachers have stayed for only a year or so (John Fincham 1871 - 1872) and Mr Tink (1872 - 1873), but others have stayed, and left their mark on the school, pupils and village alike - Mr Knights (1889 - 1922), Mr Stafford (1922 - 1941) and Mrs Dennis (1977 - 1998).

The school took the children through their whole school life - in just two classrooms.  The current Large Room was split into two with a curtain across,  both these classes were taught by the head teacher, and a pupil teacher - who was generally a young person from the village who had no qualifications, but worked there way through the system by learning “in the job” and the Small Room the headmaster’s (usually) wife who taught the youngest.  In this way upwards of 90 children were taught, and the large numbers, and the custom of the time, meant that almost all lessons were taken with the children remaining seated at long desks and forms.

With it being a Church School the local clergyman took a keen interest - a practice which continues with our own incumbent - and the Log Books speak of regular visits by the Reverend whoever of the time - who would examine the children on their scripture knowledge.  Other regular visitors were the Molyneux- Montgomerie farmily who lived at Garboldisham Hall.

In the early years, the school was also home to an Evening School where older children could continue their education have completed their allotted formal education time

Attached to the School was a School House, which was for the use of the Headteacher. And later was let, by the church to a tenant.  When the last tenant died, the School requested, and was granted the use of the School, and in the 1990’s FROG’s Hall came into use providing the School with a Library, Technology room and much needed storage space upstairs.  More recently upstairs in FROG’s Hall has been revamped to provide a head teacher’s office and Staff room, a resource store and small working area. 

With numbers in the school remaining in the 90’s, extra space was required to provide smaller class numbers, and two mobiles were placed in the front playground.  Sadly these somewhat dilapidated buildings remained in place for over 30 years, but were finally replaced in 2005 with two new purpose built classrooms in the shape of the Victory building.  So called because it was built on the bicentenniel of Admiral Lord nelson’s victory at Trafalgar - and a victory to have got rid of the mobile classrooms!!!  In addition, a field to the south of the school was leased from a local farmer, and the School now has its own adjoining playing field.   

Remodelling of the grounds of the school has been undertaken through much help of the Parents and Friends of the School, and has resulted in the charming environs seen today.

The School Log Books  provide a fascinating insight into School (and village) life over the past century and more.  In 1877, on September 18^th, attendance was very bad with many of the children still gleaning in the cornfields, owing to bad weather having prolonged harvest.  Whooping cough, in the days before vaccination,  appears to be an annual scourge on attendance, it being commented upon in 1883, and similarly school was closed in February 1891 because of an outbreak of measles. 

It is interesting to note that today, a fair proportion of pupils come from outside the Garboldisham catchment area - a sign that so many small village schools have closed - viz. Blo Norton, South Lopham, Bridgham etc.  We are fortunate that our School remains vibrant and viable with presently 74 pupils, but we do have to remain vigilant and ready to “fight our corner” to ensure that the traditions and education which has been provided for so long in our charming buildings, continues.