Bratton Primary School - Carpenters Lane
Bratton Primary School - Carpenters Lane


Bratton County Primary School was opened in 1928. The school was known as “the school in the garden” because, as an experiment, it had gardens created all round it. The children were encouraged to have their own little plot and were taught to grow a variety of vegetables and flowers. There were 3 classrooms with a staffroom and 2 cloakrooms, one for boys and one for girls.

The toilets were housed in a brick building across the playground. In the winter they were very cold, often frozen and the playground was slippery. As there was no corridor outside, the classrooms also became very cold as they faced north.

The school day started at 9.00 a.m. and concluded at 4.30 p.m. The heating provided by “tortoise” stoves was poor but useful for drying the children’s coats, shoes, etc. on rainy days. In 1931 the Education Authority decided to send all children of 11 years and over to school in Westbury as a matter of policy.

During the Second World War evacuees from London were welcomed into the school. Some remained after the war and became residents of Bratton.

Many changes have taken place over the years. The school kitchen and hall have been built and a closed corridor now runs the length of the classrooms. Outside a playing field and patio have been added. The most recent addition was a large classroom for the youngest children. A temporary classroom was moved, without being dismantled, on an elevated temporary “roadway” to the village green where it is a village asset and is now the home of the Cygnets Pre-School.

Today the children look very smart in their school uniforms; they are friendly and regularly welcome visitors to the school. They are a credit to the village.

'Early Education in Bratton' by Kathleen White



[Return]
Bratton History Association.

The Bratton History Association aims to provide all those curious about local history with an opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, and discover more about the history of Bratton and Wiltshire. Activities include monthly meetings, talks by professional historians, visits to places of interest to historians, and our own local history project.

Copyright Bratton History Association 2015-2026

Bratton History Association Privacy Statement
Web Design by Blue Engine Web Development © 2008-2026