11: Donnison School
Facing the front of the church, walk down a red brick path called Church Walk to the left of the church. The Donnison School is on your right, half way down the path.
Donnison School is an 18th century charity school for young girls. When Elizabeth Donnison, the wife of the church warden, died in 1777 she left money in her will for the establishment of the school.
The school offered free education to 36 girls between the ages of seven to sixteen. On arriving at the school the girls would be provided with clothing and shoes with additional clothing given to them at Christmas and midsummer, along with two new pairs of shoes. They were taught reading, writing, arithmetic, religious knowledge and knitting.
The original schoolroom dates back to 1798. Look slightly to your left and you will see the
schoolmistress' house which was built in 1827.
