The History of Brington School
These pages are constructed with thanks to Dr. Stephen Mattingly and his book, 'Aspects of Brington'.The National School at Little Brington was built in 1851, by the 4th Earl Spencer and he endowed it with £12 per year.
The first hundred pupils had to pay a few pence each week. Although education became compulsory in 1876, children still had to pay fees until 1891.
In 1892, the National School was extended by Earl Spencer to provide classrooms for infants. The capacity of the school was 200, although the average attendance was only 95 seniors and 40 infants.
The first schoolmaster was Alfred Topple, aged 22 and his sister, Maria Topple, the schoolmistress. However, they did not remain at the school for very long and were replaced by Charles Seal and his wife, who taught at the school until 1902.
At this time, absenteeism was very common, with some pupils leaving school, aged 10, to go into service or work on the land.
In 1902, Northamptonshire County Council took over the management of the school and Charles Seal and his wife retired after 50 years service.They were replaced by Tom Franklin Dickinson, who remained headmaster until 1927, when Miss Lomas took over.
THE GREAT WARThe school was not used for soldiers' billets, although, during the school holidays, it was used as a canteen.
The windows had to be curtained at this time, and the upper part was painted dark green to provide a blackout.
By 1915, so many men were serving in the forces, that the farmers were allowed to employ older schoolboys.
The schoolgirls knitted socks, mittens and balaclavas for the soldiers and collected eggs for those in hospital.
In 1917, schoolchildren were granted half-day holidays to pick blackberries for the Food Production Department.
In 1918, the older children helped to distribute ration cards in the village. In July of the same year, an aeroplane landed in Brington and the pupils examined the aircraft. In November, the school was temporarily closed, due to an outbreak of influenza.