A schoolroom was subsequently erected in 1817 with funds raised by voluntary contributions and the Parochial Returns of 1818 record that there were 60 children supported by subscription and four children educated from the income amounting to eight guineas from the endowment in what became known as the National School
There was in addition a small girls' school and the Curate, the Rev John Edwards stated that the poorer classes thankfully availed themselves of the means provided for the education of their children.
By 1833, 125 children attended the school. They were charged one shilling (5p) a quarter except for six who were paid for from the endowment. The returns of the National Society's School Enquiry 1846/7 recorded that 68 boys and 41 girls received instruction in the school. Of this number, 48 boys and 32 girls attended both on weekdays and Sundays, 19 boys and 6 girls on weekdays only and one boy and three girls on Sundays only.
They were taught by a master and asistant mistress and five paid monitors. The total expenditure in salaries amounted to £44 6s and the estimated annual cost of maintaining the school was £63 1s.
The new school was completed in 1861 and the original building was retained as an infants department.
It was proposed to charge 1d per week for the children of farm labourers, 2d or 3d for the children of gentlemen's servants and mechanics and 6d for the children of small farmers. The school received an annual government grant and an additional classroom for infants was added in 1883 at a cost of £173, raised by local subscription and with local builders Bailey & Son carrying out the work.
The British School was sold to become the village's Church Hall.
The National School was taken over by the Local Education Authority and became known as Hethersett Voluntary Controlled School. It became a state school and also a church school with the village Rector playing a pivitol part in the management of the school.
In 1972 a First School was built elsewhere in the village and in the same year the school's swimming pool was opened. Today the school is known as Hethersett Voluntary Controlled Middle School.
She visited her brother Joseph who was the agent for Edward Lombe. Caroline had a great interest in the provision of education for children and, although now in her fifties and living in London, she raised sufficient capital for a school to be established in Henstead Road.
When the schools were amalgamated in 1951 the British school building was sold to the church and the proceeds used to establish a fund for the education of children in Hethersett and Great Melton - the Caroline Lindley Trust. The Trust Fund is used to promote further education beyond the normal school leaving age.
The National School, a spacious brick building with master's house and good playground attached was built in 1860 at a cost of £700, and is attended by 50 children. The master receives £8 3s 4d yearly from £272 8s 8d three per cent consols left by Wm Hughes for the education of six poor children.
The old school, built in 1817, now an Infant School, has also about 50 children in attendance.
The British School is a pretty brick building in the pointed style, erected in 1854, and attended by 40 boys and girls and 30 infants.
Population 1861 1,169.
To mark the Millennium the school is producing a booklet on its history. It will include anecdotes from the past, photographs and articles as well as a diary of a year in the life of the school at the end of the century. It is anticipated that this will be ready by the summer.
Over the past few years the school has been visited on three occasions by Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) Inspectors.
In March 1998 Ofsted government inspectors visited the school for the second time in 18 months to look at the progress made following the initial visit. (Details of the original Ofsted report are available on the government's Ofsted site).
This time the school received a glowing report. Details of this can be read by following the accompanying link.
Our 1998 Ofsted Report update
In January 2000 the Ofsted Inspectors returned and produced an even better report, a resume of which can be read here.
Our 2000 Ofsted Report
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Report on Governors' Annual Parents Meeting 1998
Report on Governors' Annual Parents Meeting 1999
Report on Governors' Annual Parents Meeting 2000
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