Box Schools Founded Alan Payne May 2017
Report from The Wiltshire Times
Box New Schools Opened, 1875
On Tuesday 16 November 1875 the Lord Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol visited Box for the dual purpose of holding a confirmation of 85 children at St Thomas à Becket and opening the new parochial schools in the presence of a large number of ladies and gentlemen from Bath and adjacent parishes.[1]
The New Schools consists of one spacious room, capable of division, with a double wooden partition lined with felt to deaden the sound. There are three convenient classrooms and a comfortable residence for the master, which is not yet quite complete. The entire cost of the building will be £2,480, of which about £1,800 has been subscribed by the parishioners and others. The vicar, Rev GE Gardiner, to whose persevering zeal so much of the success of the undertaking is due, has made himself responsible for the remaining sum. About 200 persons sat down (for luncheon in the schoolroom) including the Lord Bishop and the Rev GE Gardiner. Later on, the workmen employed in the erection of the building, about 70, were provided with a substantial repast.
Box New Schools Opened, 1875
On Tuesday 16 November 1875 the Lord Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol visited Box for the dual purpose of holding a confirmation of 85 children at St Thomas à Becket and opening the new parochial schools in the presence of a large number of ladies and gentlemen from Bath and adjacent parishes.[1]
The New Schools consists of one spacious room, capable of division, with a double wooden partition lined with felt to deaden the sound. There are three convenient classrooms and a comfortable residence for the master, which is not yet quite complete. The entire cost of the building will be £2,480, of which about £1,800 has been subscribed by the parishioners and others. The vicar, Rev GE Gardiner, to whose persevering zeal so much of the success of the undertaking is due, has made himself responsible for the remaining sum. About 200 persons sat down (for luncheon in the schoolroom) including the Lord Bishop and the Rev GE Gardiner. Later on, the workmen employed in the erection of the building, about 70, were provided with a substantial repast.
Role of Box Church
The Education Act of 1870 was revolutionary, the first piece of state legislation to require national education for children aged 5 to 12 years. It was important even though it did not compel compulsory schooling nor grant free education (although poorer parents were subsidised). The New Schools were much needed. By 1875 the old charity school at Springfield House was reported as in a ruinous state, which are so bad that they are shut out from Government aid.[2] The managers of the girl's school at Henley and Ditteridge Parish school agreed to put their resources and their pupils towards the New Schools.
The New Schools were not universally popular and, of course, the Methodist Schools were excluded from the new arrangements. There was also a dispute in 1871 between the education authorities and the vicar Rev Horlock representing the trustees of the donations made for the old charity school at Springfield House.[3] His concern was the destination of the income from those trusts. On the other side was the requirement of the Act for a School Board to be established to supervise the management of schools.[4]
It was resolved by an Order of the Charity Commissioners in June 1873 which appointed as trustees of the funds the vicars of Box, William Speke and four others, giving the trustees discretion to apply income to any new school in Box. The arrangement was in place in time for the old Poorhouse (Springfield House) to be sold in 1879 and the sum of £100 raised under the authority of the Local Government Board and applied to educational purposes along with Springfield Cottage occupied rent free by the schoolmaster of the National School.[5] The way was clear for Rev George Gardiner, appointed as Box vicar in 1874, to plan the construction of the New Schools in Box.[6]
Financing the Schools
Land for the New National Schools was generously donated by the trustees of the Northey family, Edward Richard and William Brook Northey, for the use of the vicar and churchwardens to be used for a school or schools for the education of children and adults or children only of the labouring, manufacturing and other poorer classes in the parish of Box aforesaid and also in the adjoining parish of Ditteridge, and as a residence for the teacher or teachers of the said school ... and no other purpose ... in union with and conducted upon the principles of the National Society.[7] The land was part of Farm Mead and had previously been used for agriculture by the tenant of Manor Farm.
With Rev Gardiner's help, the churchwardens placed an advertisement for the building of the schools in July 1874: Builders desirous of tendering for Schools at Box, Wilts (400 children) are requested to send their names to the Churchwardens of Box, on or before 15th inst.[8] The design contract went to James Hicks of Redruth, Cornwall, who was a very experienced architect and had built several other schools, most of them in the Gothic style so popular at that time. The actual work was undertaken by local builder Joseph Bladwell of Bath.
The size of the schools, capable of teaching 400 children, was so ambitious that the churchwardens and vicar found themselves in debt. A bazaar was held in the Bath Assembly Rooms in December 1875.[9] There were bran pies, lotteries and all kinds of contrivances to extract money from the pockets of the visitors. It was an unashamed bid to fundraise for the New Schools relying on Christmas goodwill. The plan may have been over-ambitious but it was carried through to completion.[10] As well as public subscription and part of the income from the old charity school trusts, Box Schools were supported by Government grants in its status as a Church of England Public Elementary School. There is an interesting letter from Rev EW Northey in 1904 requesting repayment of his loan of £150.[11]
The Education Act of 1870 was revolutionary, the first piece of state legislation to require national education for children aged 5 to 12 years. It was important even though it did not compel compulsory schooling nor grant free education (although poorer parents were subsidised). The New Schools were much needed. By 1875 the old charity school at Springfield House was reported as in a ruinous state, which are so bad that they are shut out from Government aid.[2] The managers of the girl's school at Henley and Ditteridge Parish school agreed to put their resources and their pupils towards the New Schools.
The New Schools were not universally popular and, of course, the Methodist Schools were excluded from the new arrangements. There was also a dispute in 1871 between the education authorities and the vicar Rev Horlock representing the trustees of the donations made for the old charity school at Springfield House.[3] His concern was the destination of the income from those trusts. On the other side was the requirement of the Act for a School Board to be established to supervise the management of schools.[4]
It was resolved by an Order of the Charity Commissioners in June 1873 which appointed as trustees of the funds the vicars of Box, William Speke and four others, giving the trustees discretion to apply income to any new school in Box. The arrangement was in place in time for the old Poorhouse (Springfield House) to be sold in 1879 and the sum of £100 raised under the authority of the Local Government Board and applied to educational purposes along with Springfield Cottage occupied rent free by the schoolmaster of the National School.[5] The way was clear for Rev George Gardiner, appointed as Box vicar in 1874, to plan the construction of the New Schools in Box.[6]
Financing the Schools
Land for the New National Schools was generously donated by the trustees of the Northey family, Edward Richard and William Brook Northey, for the use of the vicar and churchwardens to be used for a school or schools for the education of children and adults or children only of the labouring, manufacturing and other poorer classes in the parish of Box aforesaid and also in the adjoining parish of Ditteridge, and as a residence for the teacher or teachers of the said school ... and no other purpose ... in union with and conducted upon the principles of the National Society.[7] The land was part of Farm Mead and had previously been used for agriculture by the tenant of Manor Farm.
With Rev Gardiner's help, the churchwardens placed an advertisement for the building of the schools in July 1874: Builders desirous of tendering for Schools at Box, Wilts (400 children) are requested to send their names to the Churchwardens of Box, on or before 15th inst.[8] The design contract went to James Hicks of Redruth, Cornwall, who was a very experienced architect and had built several other schools, most of them in the Gothic style so popular at that time. The actual work was undertaken by local builder Joseph Bladwell of Bath.
The size of the schools, capable of teaching 400 children, was so ambitious that the churchwardens and vicar found themselves in debt. A bazaar was held in the Bath Assembly Rooms in December 1875.[9] There were bran pies, lotteries and all kinds of contrivances to extract money from the pockets of the visitors. It was an unashamed bid to fundraise for the New Schools relying on Christmas goodwill. The plan may have been over-ambitious but it was carried through to completion.[10] As well as public subscription and part of the income from the old charity school trusts, Box Schools were supported by Government grants in its status as a Church of England Public Elementary School. There is an interesting letter from Rev EW Northey in 1904 requesting repayment of his loan of £150.[11]
Building Work at the New Schools
It was evident almost from the start that the design of the schools was inadequate for 400 children and there were various plans for extending the building. More Education Acts increased the age range to 14 years and necessitating separate rooms for the education of older children. In 1893 the builders T Merrett & Son of Box were instructed to add wings for lobbies as changing rooms and classrooms for older children in all of the schools, Boys, Girls and Infants.
We get some indication of the primitive nature of the Schools in the early 1900s with considerable debate about the sanitary arrangements, deemed by the Council to be inadequate.[12] After much discussion it was eventually agreed to install Earth Closets in the Schools. It isn't stated what facilities existed beforehand. Little wonder that the Schools were closed for a whole term in 1908 at the instruction of the Union Medical Officer of Health for reasons unspecified (possibly an outbreak of scarlet fever).
There were always repairs and alterations needed to the Schools. In 1909 there was a lot of discussion about removing the galleries in the Infant School, which had been installed in the original design. They were deemed to be unnecessary and a hazard but the cost of removal was the huge sum of £9.10s.[13] Those in the Boys' Classroom remained until at least 1912.[14]
Teachers
At first there were only four teachers: a head master, one teacher for the boys, a mistress for the girls and an infant teacher.[15] Rev Gardiner gave all of the religious instruction in the Day Schools during the week and the management of any Sunday School held in the school premises.[16] The teachers were supplemented by stipendiary (paid) pupil monitors and assistant teachers and, we might imagine, the churchwardens and managers were in regular attendance. The first recorded head of the Girls' School was Emma Andrews (born 1836) who lived at Hazelbury Hill.
There is no record of the first Headmaster but it is probable that William John Burrows (1846 - 1914) was one of the first teachers. He moved to Box between 1876 and 1879 and lived with his wife Juliana and seven children in the charity teacher's schoolhouse at Springfield Cottages, Box Churchyard. The new School House in 1881 was let out to Robert Newman, stone quarry foreman, whose wife Sarah was the school caretaker. Burrows' tenure as Headmaster was a rocky one. In 1910 an extension of his time as headmaster was refused by the Council Board of Education for reasons unknown but his proposed successor, WSA Thomas of Abergavenny, declined the position. The assistant head resigned and William Burrows was temporarily re-appointed until Mr Oliver William Drew took up the post from 1912 until his resignation in 1914.
The number of staff in 1891 was at least six: William John Burrows at Springfield Cottages, George Saunders (born 1872) who lodged at London Road, Lucy Woodley head of the Girls' School (born 1858) in School House with a servant, Rosina Smith (born 1869) assistant schoolmistress, Annie Wingrove (born 1859), infant schoolmistress who lodged in a house in the Devizes Road, and Fanny Hayward (born 1869) teacher of infants. They were assisted by no less than six pupil teachers, mostly aged about
17 years. These were bright ex-pupils who had trained in separate establishments, before returning to the school to get work experience and take over certain teaching roles. Despite the number of teachers, the overload of work on staff took its toll and Rosie Smith was obliged to resign owing to over pressure of the brain (stress) in 1889.
It was evident almost from the start that the design of the schools was inadequate for 400 children and there were various plans for extending the building. More Education Acts increased the age range to 14 years and necessitating separate rooms for the education of older children. In 1893 the builders T Merrett & Son of Box were instructed to add wings for lobbies as changing rooms and classrooms for older children in all of the schools, Boys, Girls and Infants.
We get some indication of the primitive nature of the Schools in the early 1900s with considerable debate about the sanitary arrangements, deemed by the Council to be inadequate.[12] After much discussion it was eventually agreed to install Earth Closets in the Schools. It isn't stated what facilities existed beforehand. Little wonder that the Schools were closed for a whole term in 1908 at the instruction of the Union Medical Officer of Health for reasons unspecified (possibly an outbreak of scarlet fever).
There were always repairs and alterations needed to the Schools. In 1909 there was a lot of discussion about removing the galleries in the Infant School, which had been installed in the original design. They were deemed to be unnecessary and a hazard but the cost of removal was the huge sum of £9.10s.[13] Those in the Boys' Classroom remained until at least 1912.[14]
Teachers
At first there were only four teachers: a head master, one teacher for the boys, a mistress for the girls and an infant teacher.[15] Rev Gardiner gave all of the religious instruction in the Day Schools during the week and the management of any Sunday School held in the school premises.[16] The teachers were supplemented by stipendiary (paid) pupil monitors and assistant teachers and, we might imagine, the churchwardens and managers were in regular attendance. The first recorded head of the Girls' School was Emma Andrews (born 1836) who lived at Hazelbury Hill.
There is no record of the first Headmaster but it is probable that William John Burrows (1846 - 1914) was one of the first teachers. He moved to Box between 1876 and 1879 and lived with his wife Juliana and seven children in the charity teacher's schoolhouse at Springfield Cottages, Box Churchyard. The new School House in 1881 was let out to Robert Newman, stone quarry foreman, whose wife Sarah was the school caretaker. Burrows' tenure as Headmaster was a rocky one. In 1910 an extension of his time as headmaster was refused by the Council Board of Education for reasons unknown but his proposed successor, WSA Thomas of Abergavenny, declined the position. The assistant head resigned and William Burrows was temporarily re-appointed until Mr Oliver William Drew took up the post from 1912 until his resignation in 1914.
The number of staff in 1891 was at least six: William John Burrows at Springfield Cottages, George Saunders (born 1872) who lodged at London Road, Lucy Woodley head of the Girls' School (born 1858) in School House with a servant, Rosina Smith (born 1869) assistant schoolmistress, Annie Wingrove (born 1859), infant schoolmistress who lodged in a house in the Devizes Road, and Fanny Hayward (born 1869) teacher of infants. They were assisted by no less than six pupil teachers, mostly aged about
17 years. These were bright ex-pupils who had trained in separate establishments, before returning to the school to get work experience and take over certain teaching roles. Despite the number of teachers, the overload of work on staff took its toll and Rosie Smith was obliged to resign owing to over pressure of the brain (stress) in 1889.
School Standards in 1872
Pupils advanced by passing tests in various standards of difficulty introduced in 1872. They were not related to year groups but to ability levels. Children could leave school if they achieved standard six but many never got to that level before they left aged 14.
Pupils advanced by passing tests in various standards of difficulty introduced in 1872. They were not related to year groups but to ability levels. Children could leave school if they achieved standard six but many never got to that level before they left aged 14.
Standard
One Two Three Four Five Six |
Reading
monosyllables elementary book advanced book poetry newspaper fluent |
Writing
copying dictated words dictated phrases dictated sentences dictated newspaper paraphrase |
Arithmetic
six-times table short division long division weights & measures bills of parcels fractions |
Pupils
When the New Schools started, equipment for teaching was typically Victorian: slates and chalk for writing, the Bible for reading, lists of the Kings of England, maps of the world showing the British Empire and pictures of the Old Testament stories.[17] Lessons included gardening for boys and needlework for girls.
Enforcement of attendance at the Schools was left to the discretion of the local boards in the 1870 Act. In practice many pupils attended for half-days, working in agriculture for the remaining time. Compulsory education up to ten years of age was introduced in 1880 and free education in 1891. Nonetheless there continued to be a difference between roll numbers and attendees of about 6%, some of which was older girls required to help at home. Half-day pupils were common in Box, and the School Managers issued numerous half-time certificates to pupils aged 12 and 13 who had attended more than 300 times in the previous five years. They issued too many certificates including permission for a month's employment break and the School was directed to cease certificates by the Council Director of Education in March 1907.
Managers Appointed
In October 1903 the supervision of the Schools moved away from the churchwardens to a newly appointed Box Schools Managers committee under a reorganisation required by Wiltshire County Council. The first committee comprised Rev W White (chairman), RN Pictor, Esq, quarry owner, Walter Browning of Box Mill and Joseph Hill Fry of Sunnyside, Box (who was appointed as the correspondent (honorary secretary) liaising with the Council).[18]
The committee was immediately called into action because of an outbreak of scarlet fever. They inspected the classrooms and the yards and closed the Schools for three days, ordering cleaning and disinfecting by Thomas Merrett. The assistance of Dr JP Martin was sought and he was co-opted onto the committee. In December 1903 Walter John Burrows was approved by the Council to be appointed as Headmaster at a salary of £128 a year with a deduction of £12 for the rent of his cottage, which he had previous occupied rent-free. The managers decided to forgo the rent in the short-term but the issue rumbled on for years.
The work of the School Managers was extensive and very hands-on: the appointment and remuneration of staff, deciding school holidays, permissions for children to leave school if they were over 13 and had passed the required Standards, and matters relating to constant repairs of the premises. It was too great a work and in 1904 Foundation Managers were appointed to represent the Church's position in the ownership of buildings and religious education. They comprised the vicar, Dr JP Martin and Walter Browning, churchwardens, and WES Pinchin.
When the New Schools started, equipment for teaching was typically Victorian: slates and chalk for writing, the Bible for reading, lists of the Kings of England, maps of the world showing the British Empire and pictures of the Old Testament stories.[17] Lessons included gardening for boys and needlework for girls.
Enforcement of attendance at the Schools was left to the discretion of the local boards in the 1870 Act. In practice many pupils attended for half-days, working in agriculture for the remaining time. Compulsory education up to ten years of age was introduced in 1880 and free education in 1891. Nonetheless there continued to be a difference between roll numbers and attendees of about 6%, some of which was older girls required to help at home. Half-day pupils were common in Box, and the School Managers issued numerous half-time certificates to pupils aged 12 and 13 who had attended more than 300 times in the previous five years. They issued too many certificates including permission for a month's employment break and the School was directed to cease certificates by the Council Director of Education in March 1907.
Managers Appointed
In October 1903 the supervision of the Schools moved away from the churchwardens to a newly appointed Box Schools Managers committee under a reorganisation required by Wiltshire County Council. The first committee comprised Rev W White (chairman), RN Pictor, Esq, quarry owner, Walter Browning of Box Mill and Joseph Hill Fry of Sunnyside, Box (who was appointed as the correspondent (honorary secretary) liaising with the Council).[18]
The committee was immediately called into action because of an outbreak of scarlet fever. They inspected the classrooms and the yards and closed the Schools for three days, ordering cleaning and disinfecting by Thomas Merrett. The assistance of Dr JP Martin was sought and he was co-opted onto the committee. In December 1903 Walter John Burrows was approved by the Council to be appointed as Headmaster at a salary of £128 a year with a deduction of £12 for the rent of his cottage, which he had previous occupied rent-free. The managers decided to forgo the rent in the short-term but the issue rumbled on for years.
The work of the School Managers was extensive and very hands-on: the appointment and remuneration of staff, deciding school holidays, permissions for children to leave school if they were over 13 and had passed the required Standards, and matters relating to constant repairs of the premises. It was too great a work and in 1904 Foundation Managers were appointed to represent the Church's position in the ownership of buildings and religious education. They comprised the vicar, Dr JP Martin and Walter Browning, churchwardens, and WES Pinchin.
Annual Reports
The Schools were flourishing in the Edwardian period with the number of pupils exceeding the original 400. Of particular concern was the number in the Infant School, which the Council had restricted to 107 but had reached 120 in 1905, made up of 85 pupils five years and over and 35 under five. The Headmistress of the Infants, Miss Tarrant, was ordered not to admit any child under four years old.[19] The Schools were popular with parents and by comparison there were only occasional cases of absences from attendance.
From 1910 we have copies of the Annual Report of the Managers to the Council which summarised teaching staff and pupils as shown below.
The Schools were flourishing in the Edwardian period with the number of pupils exceeding the original 400. Of particular concern was the number in the Infant School, which the Council had restricted to 107 but had reached 120 in 1905, made up of 85 pupils five years and over and 35 under five. The Headmistress of the Infants, Miss Tarrant, was ordered not to admit any child under four years old.[19] The Schools were popular with parents and by comparison there were only occasional cases of absences from attendance.
From 1910 we have copies of the Annual Report of the Managers to the Council which summarised teaching staff and pupils as shown below.
Year
1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 |
School
Boys Girls Infants 5+ Infants -5 Total Boys Girls Infants 5+ Infants -5 Total Boys Girls Infants 5+ Infants -5 Total Boys Girls Infants 5+ Infants -5 Total Boys Girls Infants 5+ Infants -5 Total |
Head - all qualified
William John Burrows Elizabeth Ann Lewis Annie Elizabeth Goddard, later Mabel Annie Jones William John Burrows William John Burrows later Oliver W Drew Elizabeth Ann Lewis Mabel Annie Jones Oliver W Drew Oliver W Drew Elizabeth Ann Lewis Mabel Annie Jones Oliver W Drew Oliver W Drew Elizabeth Ann Lewis Mabel Annie Jones Oliver W Drew Oliver William Drew later Harry Tinley Elizabeth Ann Lewis Mabel Annie Jones Oliver W Drew |
Certified
2 3 1 6 3 2 1 6 2 2 1 5 2 2 1 5 3 2 1 6 |
Uncertified
2 2 3 7 2 2 2 6 3 2 4 9 3 3 2 8 2 3 3 8 |
Pupil Teach
1 1 1 1 0 0 0 |
Staff
Total 4 6 4 14 5 5 3 13 5 4 5 14 5 5 3 13 5 5 4 14 |
Children
118 135 96 14 363 123 141 91 11 366 125 140 76 20 361 121 129 74 17 341 121 126 83 18 348 |
Impact of New Box Schools
The improvement of education in Box because of the New Schools is undeniable with the shift in employment from manual labouring and domestic labour to skilled and clerical work. The need for education was obvious to many and won the approbation of villagers who wanted a say in its running. In October 1910 an amazing petition was sent to the School Managers signed by 130 parents saying: We the undersigned parents having children attending Box Schools beg to approach the Staff of Managers and Teachers with a request that the children shall not be made to stand out in the playground without hats and coats during the winter months, viz November, December, January and February. We look upon this as a dangerous practice which has often given the children colds causing unnecessary suffering and expense. We trust you may all give this your kind consideration and grant the favour we are asking.
The improvement of education in Box because of the New Schools is undeniable with the shift in employment from manual labouring and domestic labour to skilled and clerical work. The need for education was obvious to many and won the approbation of villagers who wanted a say in its running. In October 1910 an amazing petition was sent to the School Managers signed by 130 parents saying: We the undersigned parents having children attending Box Schools beg to approach the Staff of Managers and Teachers with a request that the children shall not be made to stand out in the playground without hats and coats during the winter months, viz November, December, January and February. We look upon this as a dangerous practice which has often given the children colds causing unnecessary suffering and expense. We trust you may all give this your kind consideration and grant the favour we are asking.
As proof of the role of the Schools in village affection, at the 1916 wedding reception of stoneyard owner Alfred K Lambert (1876 - 1965) and Miss Elizabeth Anna (Bessie) Lewis (1875 - 1962), head mistress of the Girls' School, photographs were taken at the rear of the Schools.
In the next issue we have an article about the consequences of war on the Schools in the period from 1914 to 1945. If you have any memories of Box School in that period or after, we would love to hear from you.
In the next issue we have an article about the consequences of war on the Schools in the period from 1914 to 1945. If you have any memories of Box School in that period or after, we would love to hear from you.
References
[1] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 20 November 1875
[2] The Church Rambler, 1876-78, p.29, https://ia802604.us.archive.org/10/items/churchrambleras01lewigoog/churchrambleras01lewigoog.pdf
[3] Recited in Inquiry into Endowed Charities (County of Wiltshire) Parish of Box, including the Ancient Parish of Ditteridge, 19 May 1904, p.4
[4] The first Box School Board comprised Rev GE Gardiner, Capt Balfour, Mrs Gardiner, James Vezey and CJ Pictor (The Bath Chronicle, 10 May 1877).
[5] Inquiry into Endowed Charities (County of Wiltshire) Parish of Box, including the Ancient Parish of Ditteridge, 19 May 1904, p.5
[6] John Ayers, A Christian and Useful Education: The Charity School at Box, B Ed Thesis, p.26
[7] Inquiry into Endowed Charities (County of Wiltshire) Parish of Box, including the Ancient Parish of Ditteridge, 19 May 1904, p.9
[8] The Bath Chronicle, 9 July 1874
[9] The Bath Chronicle, 23 December 1875
[10] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 13 November 1875
[11] Minute Book of the Box School Managers
[12] Minute Book of the Box School Managers
[13] Minute Book of the Box School Managers
[14] Minute Book of the Box School Managers
[15] Claire Higgens, Box School: A Centenary History, p.8
[16] Inquiry into Endowed Charities (County of Wiltshire) Parish of Box, including the Ancient Parish of Ditteridge, 19 May 1904, p.9
[17] Clare Higgens, Box School: A Centenary History, 1975, p.8-9
[18] Minute Book of the Box Schools Managers
[19] Minute Book of the Box Schools Managers
[1] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 20 November 1875
[2] The Church Rambler, 1876-78, p.29, https://ia802604.us.archive.org/10/items/churchrambleras01lewigoog/churchrambleras01lewigoog.pdf
[3] Recited in Inquiry into Endowed Charities (County of Wiltshire) Parish of Box, including the Ancient Parish of Ditteridge, 19 May 1904, p.4
[4] The first Box School Board comprised Rev GE Gardiner, Capt Balfour, Mrs Gardiner, James Vezey and CJ Pictor (The Bath Chronicle, 10 May 1877).
[5] Inquiry into Endowed Charities (County of Wiltshire) Parish of Box, including the Ancient Parish of Ditteridge, 19 May 1904, p.5
[6] John Ayers, A Christian and Useful Education: The Charity School at Box, B Ed Thesis, p.26
[7] Inquiry into Endowed Charities (County of Wiltshire) Parish of Box, including the Ancient Parish of Ditteridge, 19 May 1904, p.9
[8] The Bath Chronicle, 9 July 1874
[9] The Bath Chronicle, 23 December 1875
[10] Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser, 13 November 1875
[11] Minute Book of the Box School Managers
[12] Minute Book of the Box School Managers
[13] Minute Book of the Box School Managers
[14] Minute Book of the Box School Managers
[15] Claire Higgens, Box School: A Centenary History, p.8
[16] Inquiry into Endowed Charities (County of Wiltshire) Parish of Box, including the Ancient Parish of Ditteridge, 19 May 1904, p.9
[17] Clare Higgens, Box School: A Centenary History, 1975, p.8-9
[18] Minute Book of the Box Schools Managers
[19] Minute Book of the Box Schools Managers