Bournmoor: Schools

The earliest known school in Bournmoor was what was locally known as the "Old Schoolroom" in Wapping Village. It formed part of Short Row (see the "Old Images" page of this site) and it is possible that the house that stands there today, opposite the former garden centre site, itself a remnant of Short Row, was once the Old Schoolroom. This school was established in 1844. Prior to this date, it is believed that the only educational establishment in the village was the Sunday School which was part of the "place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists" (1831 Directory, Lewis & Creighton).

According to Whellan's 1856 directory: "There is also an endowed school, erected by the Earl of Durham in 1844 for the use of the children of his tenantry and workpeople. It is attended by about eighty children, James Smith teacher" (see "Directories & Gazetteers" page of this site).

The school is marked as "Wapping School (Endowed)" on the 1855 OS Map (below).

According to the 1856 directory by Whellan, the Endowed School was intended for approximately 80 children. This school gradually became unfit for purpose as the number of school pupils increased. In 1874, a new school was built to serve the children of the district.

The picture above is from a postcard posted from Sunderland in 1905 and shows what was termed the National; (mixed) Schools, built using the same red(ish) and brown bricks used in the church and parish hall. Built in 1874 for 141 boys and 141 girls, the school was enlarged in 1897 for 161 boys and 177 girls. The boys' and girls' sections of the school amalgamated on 1st May, 1916 and it finally closed as a school on 30th September, 1929. Since 1930, the building has been the headquarters of Bournmoor Cricket Club.

Above is a comparison-photograph to the top picture, taken in July 2008.

Above is a close-up of the west wall of the old school building which illustrates the brick type, colour, context and shapes.

Headteachers of Burnmoor Schools

Mr Legge: 1874 - 1880

Mr T. Allison: 1880 - 1921

Mr E.W. Jewitt: 1921 - 1929

In June, 1880, Mr. T. Allison was appointed head master (he had been head master at the Tudhoe National Schools, Spennymoor, for the 15 months previous) in place of Mr. Legge, who was appointed to a school in Jarrow. For several years afterwards, each department was carried on by Mr. Allison and two pupil teachers in each department, and as the numbers increased assistants were appointed. Mr. Allison became superintendent of the Sunday School and choirmaster at the Parish Church connected with everything in the Parish. His services were in great demand and he always gave them freely and willingly. He retained his connexion with the Sunday school and choir until he removed to Barnard Castle a few years ago. In 1898 two large classrooms were added to the buildings, thus increasing the accommodation to 110. The highest number of scholars attending the school at any one time was just over 400. The schools were fed by the New lambton Infants' School, but this school was closed on the erection of Council schools at the other end of Lambton Village, and only about 500 yards from from the schools at Burnmoor; the building of this school was undoubtedly the first step towards the the closing of the Burnmoor School, and its doom was further sealed by the erection of the Fence Houses Schools about half a mile from the New Lambton Schools.

The New Lambton Schools were opened in August 1911, they cost about £4,000 and accommodated 350 pupils. The Fence Houses Council School was built about two years later at a cost of about £11,000 and accommodated 960. Prior to the opening of these schools, the scholars attending the Burnmoor School came from the village itself, New Lambton, Lumley Sixth Pit, Brecon Hill, Fence Houses, Lambton Park and even from Shiney Row and Fatfield. The opening of the new schools reduced the attendances at Burnmoor School and Miss Hutson was transferred to Easington Lane, and Mr. Allison was left to carry on, which he did until his retirement. In 1914 there was a big reunion of old boys when Mr. Allison was entertained to supper and presented with a gold watch suitably inscribed as a mark of esteem and regard from his old boys, many of whom had risen to very high positions both in the county and country.

Mr. Allison resigned in September 1921, having been head master for 41 1/2 years. Mr. E.W. Jewitt, who had been a scholar and a pupil teacher at the school, was appointed to succeed Mr. Allison. Mr. Jewitt and Mr. C.S. Lambton (the latter has been head master of the New Lambton Council School for 12 years) were the last two pupil teachers at Burnmoor. It is noteworthy that during its 55 years the school only had three headmasters. The girls' department has had more heads, nine in all; they are given in the order of their appointments:

Miss Hodge

Miss Armstrong

Miss Teaman

Miss Sharpe

Miss Thornton

Miss Wilson

Miss Lawther

Miss Forbes

Miss Hutson

Miss Forbes had the longest service, 15 years, which continued up to the time of her death. There have only been four correspondents: The Rev. Canon, A.M. Norman, the Rev. T.F. Paterson, the Rev. S.M. Reynolds, and the Rev. A.J. Gadd. On the last day of the schools, the scholars were entertained to tea by the school managers. When it closed, it had not been decided to what use the school would be put, as the parish was already well equipped with a splendid parish hall, but it was offered to the Burnmoor Cricket Club at a very low rent.

Burnmoor Church Schools closing ceremony

To mark the closing of the Burnmoor Church Schools, which have been in use for nearly 55 years, the remaining scholars, numbering 55, and the staff were entertained to tea by the school managers last night in one of the classrooms of the school. After tea the scholars and their parents and a large number of old scholars, many now grandparents, and parishoners assembled in the main building where the Rector, the Rev. A.J. Gadd, presided. He referred to the great struggle they had to keep the schools open and it was only when the managers had discussed the position with the Bishop of Durham and the County education officials that they reluctantly came to the conclusion that the closing of the schools was inevitable. He presented the retiring headmaster, Mr. E.W. Jewitt (now headmaster at the Castletown School) with an oak Westminster chiming clock and in doing so, paid tribute to the valuable services Mr. Jewitt had rendered to the church as churchwarden. Mr. Jewitt suitably acknowledged the gift. He much regretted the closing down of the school in which he had been first a scholar, next a pupil teacher and later the headmaster. The Rector, on behalf of the managers, presented illustrated Bibles to the other members of the staff. Miss Woodall, who has been a teacher in the school for 32 years and Miss Moore who has been a teacher at the school for eight years. Both suitably replied. Councillor R. Turner (one of the managers) said he remembered the opening of the schools and had known all the members of the staff, mentioning Mr. Legge and Mr. Allison, who had been headmaster for 41 and a half years. He spoke very highly of them both as teachers and citizens. Mr. R. Gray (Churchwarden) and Mr. H. Anderson (Sunday School Superintendent) also spoke testifying to Mr. Jewitt's work in the church and parish and said his leaving was a loss to the parish. Two of the first scholars in Mrs. George Atinson and Mrs. Chapman were present. The gathering closed with the company all joining hands and singing "Auld Lang Syne" and the pronouncing of the Benediction of the Rector

DISCARDED SCHOOLS AS CLUB-HOUSE. WINTER CRICKET?

Around the cricket and lawn tennis club of Burnmoor has centered most of the social life of the village in the past and last night the club decided to extend its activities further by taking over the old Burnmoor Schools as an institute and club-house. This decision was reached at a special meeting of the club, presided over by Mr. M. Croudace. He stated that the Earl of Durham, through Col. H.M. Stobart, had offered the the Burnmoor Schools, which were recently closed for school purposes, to the club on a ten-years ' lease at a very low rental and further, that the Earl and the Lambton, Hetton and Joicey Collieries Ltd. had promised assistance towards repairing them. The chairman stated that a sub-committee had gone carefully into the matter and recommended the acceptance of the offer. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided, with only a few dissentient votes, to take the schools over. THE NEW CLUBHOUSE. The buildings consist of a large room 82ft by 20ft, with a 6ft porch at each end and four classrooms. It is proposed that one classroom be used for billiards, another for a reading room and another for table tennis. Whist drives and dances will also be held. The present institute will be given up and billiard table, etc., will be removed to the schools. Various suggestions were put forward as to other uses the buildings might be put to. One was that a Badmonton Club be formed, which it was thought would be a great addition to the amenities of the village. The main building would also make a splendid place for winter cricket practice. There is not, at present, one in the County and arrangements could no doubt be made for members of other clubs to have practice and probably coaching too. The committee is to meet shortly to consider the various proposals.

Above: The above picture is reproduced with the kind permission of Mrs Anne Sowerby of Bournmoor and shows the Bournmoor School's Netball Team of 1927.

Back row, centre: Annie Edger (Anne's mother)

Front row, second from right: Alice Fletcher Sparks, born 1913 (married William Lishman in 1937). Does anyone recognise any of the other team members?

Above: 1905, Burnmoor Girls IV

Above: 1905, Burnmoor Boys IV

Above: Burnmoor School Children, 1927