Parish Magazine of St Aldhelm's and All Saints, Branksome, 1896-97
St Aldhelm's School
The local church school, St.Aldhelm's featured large in the life of the community. The names of regular scholars at the school and infant school were published monthly. The most popular name for boys was Charles, followed by William, Harry, Arthur, Albert and Fred. Lily was the favourite for girls, with Daisy, May, Mabel, Dorothy, Elsie and Nellie coming close behind. Local Dorset surnames such as SEARLE, RIDOUT, CARD, MAIDMENT, SPICER, WRIXON, HARDY, KELLAWAY and WAREHAM were abundant. The magazines record that both schools had to be closed in June 1896 due to a measles epidemic - and of the nine burials over the next two months, 7 were of children under 5 years of age. The following month, all the children who passed the Diocesan written exam in Religious Knowledge were treated to a charabanc trip to the New Forest. Later that year, it was announced that St.Aldhelm's pupils, Frederick KING, John HOUSTON, Charles SEARLE, Henry STOKES Thomas JUDD, John HODGES, Charles BOWLER, William PRUDAMES and Ernest PIKE had all won scholarships entitling them to three years free instruction in Art and Technical Drawing at the Bournemouth School of Science and Art. In December, 1896 HM Inspectors to the Girls' School reported that "note singing is making good progress and needlework is being efficiently taught." In the Infant School it was noted that "The class drill and discipline have improved….and slate work is well and methodically taught"
The school always had an annual outing, paid for by subscription. In June 1896 the children went to a field by All Saints' Church (known as Bury's Field) "The older ones were marching, the younger ones driving thither in the wagons". 700 children were then given tea and afterwards "there was no end to the racing. and races of every kind which almost defy description!" The church relied on donations and subscriptions from wealthy parishioners to supply the £200 a year it needed to top up the school's Government allowance. If donations fell, the Government grant would fall in proportion. In October 1896, Mrs BURY donated £10 and, intriguingly, a Mr. W.SHAKESPEARE gave three Guineas.
The influence of the church upon the school is evident throughout. There were regular inspections by the Diocesan Bishop's Inspectors. In September 1896, Arthur WILTSHIRE gained the highest mark in the Religious Knowledge exam, followed closely by Charles SEARLE. Charles SEARLE also obtained full marks in the Prayer Book and Catechism exams. Charles was later to return to the Boys' School as Headmaster. All the children who passed the written exam in Religious Knowledge were treated to a charabanc trip to the New Forest.