EDUCATION.
There was more than one dame
school in the parish in 1737. (fn. 5) Two schoolmasters
were recorded in 1818 and 1819. (fn. 6) In the latter year
there was an unendowed school for 40 or more children; the poor were said to lack the means of education
but to desire them. (fn. 7) The school later lapsed; in 1845
there was only a private academy, (fn. 8) and in 1865 a
dame school attended by 30 boys and girls. (fn. 9)
Ashington C.E. (Controlled) Primary school originated as a National school opened in 1872 on the
north side of Rectory Lane. In that year c. 80 children
attended; fees were 1½d. a week and an annual grant
was being received. (fn. 10) Average attendance was 71 in
1885-6, (fn. 11) but by 1938 had fallen to 64. (fn. 12) There were
110 pupils in 1973, and 120 in 1983; at both dates the
building of 1872 was still being used, together with
a new one on the opposite side of Rectory Lane. (fn. 13)
A night school was being held in 1872, (fn. 14) and in
1887 evening classes were held twice a week in winter
for woodcarving and similar activities, and were said
to be very successful. (fn. 15) In 1981 older children went
to the middle school in Thakeham, and afterwards to
Steyning grammar school. (fn. 16)
Footnotes
| 5 |
W.S.R.O., Ep. I/22/1 (1737). |
| 6 |
Ibid. Par. 9/1/2/1. |
| 7 |
Educ. of Poor Digest, 952. |
| 8 |
Kelly's Dir. Suss. (1845). |
| 9 |
W.S.R.O., Ep. I/22A/2 (1865). |
| 10 |
P.R.O., ED 7/123. |
| 11 |
Rep. of Educ. Cttee. of Council, 1885-6 [C. 4849-I],
p. 599, H.C. (1886), xxiv. |
| 12 |
Bd. of Educ., List 21, 1938 (H.M.S.O.), 401. |
| 13 |
W. Suss. Gaz. 13 Dec. 1973; inf. from W. Suss. C.C.
educ. dept. |
| 14 |
P.R.O., ED 7/123. |
| 15 |
W.S.R.O., Ep. I/22A/1 (1887). |
| 16 |
Horsham and Dist. Citizens' Guide, 1981 (W. Suss. Co.
Times), 67. For the sch. which existed at Buncton between
1844 or earlier and c. 1940, V.C.H. Suss. vi (1), 268. |