St Mary's CE VC First School

Charminster School was officially opened in March 1874 with Mr Pearce Rosewarne as head teacher and his wife Mrs Elizabeth Rosewarne in charge of sewing and infants. Eight of the first term's entry were under 3. By 1881 numbers of children had increased to 206. Albert Groves became head teacher in 1903 and brought a plot of land so the boys could be taught gardening, the girls had cookery lessons in the village hall.

In 1935 the school was wired for lighting and in 1936 water was available via a standpipe in the playground it was another 20 years before full water and mains drainage was available.

The original old buildings were finally pulled down in 1976 after being in use for 102 years.

To go to the Village School website, click on the image above.