SCHOOL
In 1807 there were two private day schools in
Moreton, both of them elementary. In
one a master taught some 28 children,
mostly boys, of whom 9 had their fees paid
by benefactors. In the other a dame taught some 37
children, mostly girls, the fees of 17 of whom were
similarly paid. The rector, William Wilson, was
troubled because both teachers appeared to be nonconformists; he himself had tried unsuccessfully to
establish a Sunday school. (fn. 91) By 1818 there were a
Sunday school and a day school with more than 20
pupils, under the control of Wilson and the Rector of
High Laver; only one of the two earlier day schools
seems to have survived. (fn. 92) Meanwhile Wilson was
planning to build a permanent schoolroom. He collected subscriptions (fn. 93) and, in his will of 1821, provided
for its endowment. Having redeemed the Land Tax
of £23 4s. a year on his living, he directed that this
sum should be paid annually by future rectors for the
support of the school. He made further arrangements
which resulted in £400 3 per cent. Reduced Annuities
being added to the endowment. He required that the
teachers should be Anglicans and should teach Church
doctrine to their pupils. 'I do not', he wrote, 'feel disposed to allow more than £22 a year for the master's
salary.' The education was to be elementary and fees
were to be paid, if the parents could afford them. (fn. 94)
In 1821 the school was built on a site, purchased for
£15, on the north of the Fyfield road, about 300 yds.
west of the church. Subscribers nominated pupils in
numbers proportionate to the amount of their subscription, but any Moreton child could attend by right. (fn. 95)
There were 62 pupils in 1828, 76 in 1833, 70 in 1835,
and 56 in 1846-7. (fn. 96) Most pupils paid 1d. a week; a
few paid more. (fn. 97) Some Bobbingworth children seem
to have attended, their fees being paid by Capel Cure;
in 1823 he paid 4s. a week for the schooling of 12
boys. (fn. 98) The master received at least some of the fees
in addition to his £22 salary, and his wife was paid for
teaching the girls. (fn. 99) Further income came to the
school from charity sermons and private subscriptions. (fn. 1)
After 1850 the school proved sufficient for the falling population of the parish. In 1867 there were 67
pupils, (fn. 2) but in 1871 only about 50. (fn. 3) An inspector
reported in 1871 that accommodation was necessary
for 82 children to ensure universal elementary education in the parish and that 87 places were available at
the school. (fn. 4) By 1880 average attendance had fallen to
47, (fn. 5) but it subsequently increased to 76 in 1899, (fn. 6)
possibly owing to the closing of a private school in the
parish. (fn. 7) The annual grant also increased from £28 13s.
in 1880 to £65 10s. in 1899. (fn. 8) In 1888 the Charity
Commissioners allowed the sale of stock worth £150
towards the £170 needed for a new teacher's residence
and in 1909 a further sale was permitted to provide
funds for a playground. (fn. 9) In a scheme of 1896 the
Charity Commissioners directed that the trustees were
to be the minister, 3 members elected by the subscribers, and 3 others to be co-opted; the teacher was
to be an Anglican and the religious teaching was to be
in accordance with Church doctrine, but admission
was not to be refused on denominational grounds. (fn. 10)
By the Education Act of 1902 the school passed
under the administration of the Essex Education Committee, Ongar District. In 1904 there were 3 teachers
and 98 children. (fn. 11) Average attendance fell from 72 in
1914 to 54 in 1929. In 1936 the school was reorganized
for mixed juniors and infants, the seniors attending the
new Ongar Senior School. In 1950 it was granted
'aided status'. (fn. 12) In May 1952 there were 3 teachers
and 59 pupils. (fn. 13)
Soon after the foundation of the school in 1821, it
was described as 'a neat building with a centre containing convenient apartments for the master and mistress'. (fn. 14)
There was a wing for boys and one for girls. Additions
in 1888 evidently spoilt the symmetry of the early
building. (fn. 15) New classrooms have been added on the
east side and a new master's house on the west. The
buildings are of gault brick.