There's a surprisingly rich source of local information about The Old School House. Whilst in the throes of purchase Beth stumbled upon a well documented local history of the building. For those not so fussed about Frank Brokenbrow's scholarship to Colston's Hospital, Bristol in 1875, here's the boiled down version
North Wraxall School was established in 1832 following a parliamentary investigation of 1818 which showed little education for the local parish children. Some 50 children were benevolently instructed by the rector, Michael Wyatt, on Sundays at his own expense.
With a contribution of £35 from the Lord of the Manor, Mr Metheun, and further self funding from the church, Mr Wyatt had the school hall and house built of stone with a flagged floor. It initially catered for 30 children with desks set around the perimeter wall. Here the wee bairns were taught reading and sewing by a mistress whereas the parish organist instructed them in reading and swimming. Clearly a well balanced education though admittedly most of them were ploughing the fields by the time they could walk.
In 1869 a wooden floor was put down and an additional school room built for the pricey sum of £400. Emboldened by this spending spree the school house was raised a further storey for £100 ten years later.
Thereafter the building has remained quite unchanged save for a fire on 19th March 1943 which levelled the infant's room. This was then rebuilt for £713 9s 0d and put back into use the following year.
A chat with some of the locals at the local Easter Service did reveal a few extra tit-bits. It turns out a batty old lady had the second school hall knocked down and replaced with stables. These in turn were razed to the ground with the advent of the horseless carriage, which is where we are now.
The building was only listed in 1982, right after some questionably tasteful alterations from the swinging 70s.
There has been quite a roster of teachers over the years, the number of pupils hovering around the 50 mark for much of the school's serviceable life. Attendance peaked in 1880 with 109 registered scholars. The 1950s saw the decline of the school as children moved to Chippenham and Castle Combe to complete their educations.
Of note on the exterior of the building is a benchmark in the form of a broad arrow (think archery) with a horizontal bar cut at its point. These are used by the Ordnance Survey as a reference elevation and feature on prominent stone buildings. These were used historically as a place where a height above sea level could repeatedly be taken from using a measuring stick.
North Wraxall school was famed for remaining open throughout the year with a minimum of holidays - including instruction on Christmas day. Beth and I will be reinterpreting this life of drudgery albeit in perhaps a more labour intensive way.
And for those of you with a deep seated interest in local history or too much time on your hands, there's plenty on the local area too, courtesy of Wiltshire Council.