Firle CE Primary School, Sussex - a short history 1845 to present

Situated beside a small wood on the edge of the village of Firle, near Lewes, with the beautiful Sussex South Downs as a backdrop, Firle School has provided an idyllic rural education for countless children since its formation in 1845. Records are a bit vague for its first 65 years but we know that in 1846 the land was given to the vicar by Lord Gage of Firle Place and that the school costs were paid for by subscription among the local churchgoers.

Pupil numbers were far higher In the early part of the 20thC than they are today. Headteacher Mr Price (1910-1918) had 182 children on his role – all taught in the main building – but this was soon to be limited to 145 due to lack of space. Water was drawn up by teachers from the well and the classrooms were heated by open fireplaces up to and beyond the introduction of electricity in 1933.

During the Second World War school carried on as normal, although numbers increased since some children had been evacuated from London and surrounding areas. It had no air raid shelter and children played in the woods opposite because of the threat of bombing from the planes and doodlebugs that were often seen overhead.

In the early days children brought their own packed lunches. In the 1950s, they were cooked by a Mrs Smith in the village hall and the children would walk down there every day.

When Ringmer County School opened in 1957, Firle became an Infant and Junior Mixed School to age 11, not 15. The resulting lower pupil numbers were increased from 37 to 61 when Glynde Primary School closed in 1965 and Selmeston Primary School three years later. A prefab building was brought in to provide an extra classroom.

HEADTEACHERS
Mr John Meredith Price (1910-1918)
Miss Keast (1918-1925)
Miss Pogson (1925-1934)
Miss Lay (1935-1935)
Miss Bradford/Bernier (1935-1945)
Miss C E Wood (1945-1968)
Mr J M Cornford (1968-1972)
Miss Di Morris (1972-1994)
Mrs Sandy Coleman (1994-1998)
Mrs Lesley Mason (1998-2005)
Mr Douglas Kidd (2005-present)

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