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School Records

Education in can be traced back many centuries. The earliest schools were set up before the year 1000. In c.635 St Aidan established a school on , c.672 St Wilfrid established a school at and c.700 St Benet Biscop established a school at . Churches in the county with Saxon origins possibly also had schools attached to them. Between 1100 and 1500, monks, hospitals, charities and parishes provided schools and pupils from Northumberland attended universities. The main centres of education were , Hexham and Tynemouth. A school was established at Norham in the fourteenth century and schools also possibly existed at Warkworth, , Berwick and . A ‘ludi master’ (school master) is mentioned at Norham in 1300 so other than monastic schools this school can claim to be the oldest in the county.

During the 19th century, a wave of reforms changed social and political life. In 1870 the Forster’s Education Act was passed. This established school boards to provide elementary education where there were no schools already in existence. In 1880, a second Education Act raised the school leaving age to 10. Attendance was now enforced. The 1889 Technical Instruction Act gave Northumberland the opportunity to establish a Technical Education Committee and organised evening classes in technical subjects.

In 1891 a third Education Act abolished the need for parents to pay fees for pupils in elementary education. In this year, Northumberland County Council offered scholarships to boys to have secondary education. From 1898 girls were also eligible for these scholarships. Balfour’s Education Act of 1902 abolished school boards and established Local Education Authorities (LEAs). From this point, education was to be organised by county and borough councils. In 1906, the Provision of Meals Act made Local Education Authorities responsible for providing food for undernourished elementary schoolchildren.

The early 20th century saw conditions improve in schools with the provision of playing fields and swimming baths. The 1918 Education Act raised the school leaving age to 14 and provided additional services in schools including medical inspections, nurseries and provision for education for special needs children. The Hadow report of 1926 recommended that children leave elementary education at 11 and then transferred to a . This was not implemented during the 1920s and 1930s as a result of economic conditions. World War II delayed the implementation of raising the school leaving age to 15.

The 1944 R.A. Butler’s Education Act established the 11+ examination, raised the school leaving age to 15 and the Board of Education now became the Ministry of Education. All fees for education provided by local government were abolished. The 11+ examination was used to determine whether a pupil was to be transferred to a grammar, technical or secondary modern school. The 1960s and 1970s saw a large amount of development and change. The school age was raised to 16 as result of the 1973 Education Act. The pattern of how a child was transferred at 11 was changed to comprehensive schools. Northumberland County Council followed the Leicestershire example of a three tier system in First (5-8/9 years), Middle (8/9-13) and High Schools (13-18).

Northumberland County Council also ran other types of schools. Two boarding schools in Marton (Cheshire) and Brown Rigg (Bellingham) were set up to cater for pupils whom it was felt would benefit from a boarding school education. These two schools have now closed. The County Council also ran hospital schools at Northgate, and Stannington.

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The table below outlines the some types of records that have been deposited for individual schools from a variety of collections. Some schools are part of the County Education Series (CES), other school records are found in Anglican parish records (EP) amongst others. Please see staff if you are unsure of collection references. Many of the Northumberland school admission registers have been digitised and indexed and can be searched on www.findmypast.co.uk

Schools marked * also have either original or copy material at Berwick Record Office.

Some school records are subject to closure periods. Some of the records below are not accessible to the general public in the search room. If you would like to access information about an individual in a closed record please consult a staff member who will be pleased to advise on the process of making a request. The following closure periods apply to school records:

Minute and log books: 30 years Admission and attendance registers and punishment books: 100 years Records that contain sensitive information (e.g. health records): 100 years

School Reference Admission Attendance Punishment Number Registers Registers Books Church of Controlled First CES 1 1853-1912 - - Acomb County First CES 2 - - - Adderstone and Warenford Council CES 3 1939-1980 1928-1959 1928-1959 Allendale County First CES 4 - - - Allendale Brides Hill NRO 5750 - - - Allendale County Middle CES 5 - - - Allendale St Peter’s County Primary (Sparty CES 6 1930-1972 - 1943 Lea) * Allenheads County Primary * CES 7 - - - Controlled County CES 8 1908-1954 - - Primary * County Primary CES 9 - - - Alnwick College of Education CES 273 - - - Alnwick The Duchess County High CES 10 1899-1907 - - Alnwick The Duke’s County Middle CES 11 1968-1980 - - CES 10/2/1 Alnwick Higher Grade O/CM/ED/77a - - - Alnwick Lindisfarne County Middle CES 12 - 1981-2005 - CES 13/1/1&2 Alnwick North County Infants CES 13 - - - Alnwick St. Andrew’s Mission Hall O/CM/ED/77a - - - NRO 1652/4 Alnwick St John’s Roman Catholic Aided First CC/CM/ED/R - - - RCP 2/12 Alnwick St Mary’s Roman Catholic Special CES 14 - - - Agreement Middle Church of England County Primary CES 15 - - - (Medd Memorial Schools) Amble Links County First CES 16 1914-1970 - - Amble County Middle CES 17 - - - Amble Gibson Street Wesleyan M1/J4/15 - - - Amble St ’s Roman Catholic Aided CES 328 1879-2005 - 1936-1949 First CC/CM/ED/R Church of England Controlled * CES 18 1899-1960 - - Roman Catholic RCP 5/67 - - - , County Middle CES 19 - - - Ashington Cavendish First CES 293 1956-1974 - - Ashington County High CES 20 - - - Ashington, The Hirst Schools CES 21 1896-1974 - 1928-1950 Ashington Hirst Park Middle CES 284 - - -

2 School Reference Admisson Attendance Punishment Number Registers Registers Books Ashington Hirst County Primary CES 322 1964-1974 - - Ashington Hirst Junior Boys CES 321 1967-1974 - - Ashington Hirst Junior Girls CES 320 1956-1974 - - Ashington Junior Instruction Centre CES 23 - - - Ashington Technical College CES 274 - - - Ashington St Aidan’s Roman Catholic Aided O/CM/ED/77a - - - Ashington Welbeck County First School CES 323 1974-1980 - - Astley County High CES 22 - - - Church of England Aided First * CES 24 1869-1981 1963-1982 1928-1948 Barrington County Primary CES 25 1876-1967 - - Beadnell Church of England Controlled First * CES 26 1870-1983 - 1928-1934 & 1946 Beal County Primary * CES 27 - - - Beaufront County First CES 28 - - - County Middle CES 312 1939-2005 1945-2010 1973-1983 Colliery Church of England CES 30 1917-1951 - - (Sleekburn Church of England) Bedlington Colliery Central Kitchen CES 37 - - - Bedlington Council CES 29 1920-1941 - - Bedlington St. Benet Biscop Roman Catholic CES 282 1908-1983 - - Aided High Bedlington Secondary CES 32 1932-1967 - - Bedlington Station Council CES 279 - - - Bedlington Station and Guidepost Grouped CES 33 - - - Secondary Bedlington Station Practical Instruction Centre CES 36 - - - Bedlington Village Infants CES 31 1917-1974 - - Bedlington West End County First CES 281 1908-1974 - 1928-1972 Bedlington Westridge County Secondary CES 34 - - - Bedlington West Sleekburn County Secondary CES 39 - - - Bedlington Nedderton County Primary CES 38 1967-1976 - - Bedlington Whitely Memorial and East EP 39/111-114 - - - O/CM/ED/77a Bedlingtonshire County High CES 35 1942-1986 - - Belford County First CES 40 - - - Belford County Middle CES 41 - - - Belford Presbyterian * CES 85 - - - Bellingham County Middle CES 47 - - - Bellingham County Primary CES 42 - - - Bellingham Hareshawhead Council CES 43 - - - Bellingham National CES 45 - - - Bellingham Reed’s Charity CES 44 - - - Bellingham, Smalesmouth Hott County CES 46 1873-1966 - - Primary Bellingham St Oswald’s Roman Catholic CES 86 - - - County First CES 48 1888-1927 - - Church of England Primary CES 49 - - - Berwick Bell Tower Schools * CES 50 1903-1932 - - Berwick County Primary CES 51 1906-1975 1893-1908 - Berwick Grammar and High* CES 56 - - - Berwick Holy Trinity Church of England Aided CES 53 1921-1962 - - First * EP 38/122-125 & 129-130 Berwick St. Mary’s Church of England CES 52 1903-1961 - 1949-1970 Controlled First EP 38/122-125 Berwick Whitadder Bridge National * CES 54 - - - EP 38/123 & 131-133 Church of England Aided Primary CES 57 1893-1973 - - O/CM/ED/77a

3 PC 11/2 Birtley Church of England Primary CES 58 - - - EP 67/12 & 34-37

Blanchland Church of England First CES 59 1876-1900 - 1932-1975 EP 30/26 Blyth Bebside First CES 278 1869-1952 - 1953-1973 Blyth Bebside County Middle CES 312 1939-2005 1945-2010 - Blyth Cowpen Colliery CES 63 - - -

Blyth Cowpen Grouped Schools CES 291 - - - Blyth Cowpen Roman Catholic RCP 9/2/27-36 1884-1975 - - Blyth Crofton Infants CES 64 1904-1960 - - Blyth District Education Committee CES 76 - - - Blyth English Presbyterian CES 61 - - - Blyth Exhibition Foundation CES 77 - - - Blyth (Cowpen) Forster Board CES 60 1873-1962 - - Blyth Grammar CES 74 - - - Blyth Higher Grade CES 290 - - - Blyth, Horton Church of England CES 73 1904-1913 - - Blyth Junior Instruction Centre CES 75 - - - Blyth Morpeth Road CES 65 1911-1935 - - Blyth National School (Boys) Waterloo CES 66 - - - Blyth New Delaval County First CES 71 - - - Blyth New Delaval County Middle CES 70 1909-1954 1982-2009 - Blyth Newsham Board CES 72 - - - Blyth Plessey Road First CES 62 1892-2008 - - Blyth Princess Louise Road Schools CES 68 1914-1985 - - Blyth Secondary CES 69 1911-1945 - - Blyth South Beach Couty First CES 310 - 2005-2008 - Blyth South Newsham Infants County Primary CES 201 - - - Blyth St Wilfred’s Roman Catholic Junior CES 67 1947-1976 - - Blyth County Middle CES 314 1973-2006 1997-2010 1983-1988 Blyth Wensleydale County Middle CES 311 1978-1990 - - Bolton County Primary CES 78 1938-1968 - - County Primary CES 79 1906-1961 - 1932-1956 County Primary CES 80 1926-1962 - - Branton County First CES 81 - - - Branxton County Primary * CES 82 1905-1965 - - Broomley County First CES 83 - - - Brown Rigg Camp CES 270 1945-1984 - 1975-1984 Byrness County First CES 84 - 1991-2004 - County Primary CES 87 1937-1964 - - Cambo County First CES 88 - - - County Junior CES 89 - - - Cambois County First CES 89 - - - Cambois County Infant CES 292 - - - County Primary CES 90 1869-1972 - 1928-1959 Carrshield County Primary CES 92 - - - Carrycoats Council CES 93 - - - Catton County Primary * CES 94 - - - Church of England Aided First CES 286 1865-2007 1971-2007 1929-1948 Chatton Hazel Rigg County Primary * CES 95 1907-1975 - 1931-1971 Cheswick County Primary CES 96 1875-1962 - - Chillingham National EP 63/4 & 14- - - - 16 Colliery Schools * CES 97 1884-1944 1974-1981 - Colwell Roman Catholic Aided First * CES 98 1868-1960 - - Corbridge St Helen’s Church of England Aided CES 100 - - - First Corbridge County Infants CES 99 - - - Corbridge County Middle CES 101 - - -

4 Cornhill County First * CES 102 1893-2012 1991-2011 1925-1985 Ridsdale Council CES 103 - - - Cowburn County Primary CES 105 1876-1966 - - Arcot First CES 298 1969-1986 - - Cramlington Brockwell Middle CES 306 1979-2008 1991-2008 - Cramlington Crawhall County First CES 303 1969-1987 1983-1986 - Cramlington Hareside County First CES 300 1987-2000 1987-2005 - Cramlington Klondyke County Primary CES 299 1968-1986 - 1969-1984 Cramlington Kramel County First CES 297 1986-1994 2000-2007 - Cramlington County Primary CES 106 - - - Cramlington County Secondary CES 107 - - - Cramlington St Paul’s Roman Catholic First CES 301 1969-1994 2003-2005 1970 Cramlington Parkside Middle CES 304 1909-2006 1969-2006 - Cramlington Stonelaw County Middle CES 305 1974-2000 2006-2007 - Cramlington Shankhouse Schools CES 268 - - Cramlington Southlands Middle CES 307 1969-1992 2000-2007 1972-1985 Cramlington Whytlaw County First CES 302 1969-1987 1979-1987 - Church of England Aided First CES 108 1868-1984 - 1928-1955 Crookham County Primary * CES 109 1932-1959 - - Dalton Church of England Primary CES 110 - - 1928-1956 Deanraw County Primary CES 111 1860-1961 - 1953-1959 Doddington Church of England CES 112 - - - EP 36/18 & 24 Druridge Bay Middle CES 317 1904-2001 1999-2003 - Duddo Church of England * CES 113 1873-1961 - - EP 4 Dunston ZCR - - - East Chevington County Primary CES 114 - - - East Hartford Schools CES 115 - - - East Ord County Primary * CES 116 1909-1967 - - Church of England CES 117 - - - EP 14 Church of England First CES 316 - 2001-2010 Ellingham Church of England Aided First CES 118 1944-1987 - EP 134 Ellington County Primary CES 119 - - - CES 332 Elsdon Church of England Aided County CES 120 1947-1973 - 1928-1948 Primary EP 83 Eltringham Council CES 121 - - - Emblehope Council CES 122 - - - CES 333 Espershields Minsteracres County Primary CES 123 1930-1960 - - Falstone County First CES 124 1874-1980 - 1928-1949 Featherstone Chuch of England Primary CES 125 1875-1960 1859-1882 - Felton County First CES 126 - - - Fenwick County Primary * CES 127 1865-1960 - - Fontburn CES 128 - - - Ford Church of England Aided County First CES 287 - - 1930-1936 Gallowhill Hall Boarding CES 129 1955-2000 - - County First * CES 130 1875-1981 - - Great CES 131 - - - County Primary CES 132 1899-1969 - - Grindon Church of England Controlled County CES 133 1886-1966 - - Primary County Secondary CES 134 - - - Guide Post Fairway County First CES 135 1970-1978 - - Guide Post Middle CES 308 - - - Church of England First CES 137 1872-1974 - 1928-1960 EP 65 Haltwhistle County Infants CES 138 - - - Haltwhistle South Tynedale County Middle CES 136 - - - Haltwhistle Fell Burn Council CES 139 - - -

5 (previously National) Church of EP 99 - - - England Aided First Hardhaugh Church of England Aided Primary CES 140 1900-1963 - - EP 154 Hartburn County Primary CES 141 - 1962-1969 - Hartford Camp Temporary County Primary CES 142 - - - Hartleyburn County First CES 144 1925-1976 - - Haydon Bridge County High CES 145 - - - Haydon Bridge Shaftoe County First CES 146 - - - Healey St John’s Church of England Aided CES 147 1869-1960 - - County Primary Council CES 149 - - - Heddon Church of England County First CES 148 1876-1977 - 1928-1976 EP 37 Henshaw EP 159/30 - - - Church of England Aided Voluntary CES 150 1893-1961 - - County Primary EP 103 Hepscott County Primary CES 151 - - - Herdley Bank County First CES 152 - - - Lee Church of England CES 153 - - - EP 103 Hexham CES 155 - - - Hexham The Sele CES 156 - - - Hexham Queen Elizabeth County High CES 154 - - 1976-1980 Higham Dykes Church of England CES 157 - - - Holy Island County First CES 158 - - - Holystone Church of England Aided County CES 159 1870-1965 - - Primary EP 100 Holywell County First CES 160 1899-1972 - - Horncliffe County First * CES 161 1909-2004 - - Horsley Church of England Controlled CES 162 1908-1965 - - Howick Church of England Aided CES 269 - - - County Primary * CES 163 - - - Humshaugh Church of England Aided First CES 164 - - - Ingoe County Primary CES 165 - - - Ingram Church of England * CES 166 1876-1958 - 1939-1950 Keenley Council CES 167 - - - Kidlandlee Council CES 170 - - - County First CES 169 - - - Kielder Field Study Centre CES 168 - - - Kirkhaugh Church of England CES 171 - - - EP 107 College of Agriculture CES 275 - - - Kirknewton Church of England County First CES 288 - - 1966 EP 3/45-47 County Primary CES 172 1867-1971 - 1928-1954 Knaresdale Church of England Aided County CES 173 1869-1976 1968-1970 1928-1966 Primary EP 70/18-19 Church of England Controlled Primary CES 174 - - 1901-1906 EP 64/27&37 Lilswood Church of England CES 175 1875-1958 - 1928-1933 EP 163/2 Linton County First CES 176 - - 1958-1966 CES 119/1/1 Church of England CES 177 - - - EP 12 County Primary CES 178 1870-1965 - - Church of England Controlled CES 179 - - 1928-1946 First Lowgate County First CES 180 - - - Lowick County First CES 181 1870-1938 - - Lucker County Primary * CES 182 1910-1960 - 1928-1949 CES 183 1932-2002 - 1926-1962

6 County Primary CES 184 1863-1972 - 1901-1958 County Primary CES 185 1908-1961 - 1928 & 1931- 1955 Mickley County First CES 294 1907-1955 - - Middleton NRO 1652/46 - - - Camp County Primary NRO 3900/99 - - - Milfield County First CES 186 1890-1956 1991-2005 1900-1958 Mindrum County Primary * CES 187 - - - Mitford Church of England Aided Primary CES 189 - - - Morpeth Abbeyfields (formally Kirkhill) County CES 193 - - - First Morpeth Chantry County Middle CES 191 - - - Morpeth County Boys (see under Morpeth County First Goosehill) Morpeth County First Goosehill CES 194 1874-1973 1960-1990 - Morpeth Corporation Infants (see under Morpeth County First Goosehill) Morpeth Girls High CES 190 - - - Morpeth Stobillgate County First CES 277 1964-2011 1988-2012 - Morpeth Newminster County Middle CES 192 - - - Morpeth County First CES 194 1874-1909 - - Morpeth Northgate Hospital CES 271 - - - Morpeth St James National CES 188 - - - Netherton Northside County First CES 195 - - - County Primary CES 196 1892-1957 - - Newbiggin by the Sea Cleveland First CES 199 1957-1981 - - Newbiggin by the Sea Church of England CES 198 1869-1932 - - Newbiggin by the Sea County Middle CES 197 - - - Newham Council * CES 200 - - - Newton by the Sea County Primary CES 202 1875-1961 - - Newton Hall CES 203 - - - County Primary CES 204 - - - CES 205 1911-1960 - - Norham County First CES 206 - - - North Seaton County Primary CES 207 1904-1974 - - Northwich, Marton Camp Cheshire CES 209 1955-1975 - - Old Bewick Church of England * CES 210 1911-1960 - - Old Hartley County Primary CES 143 1936-1963 - - Ordley CES 211 - - - Otterburn County First CES 212 - - - County Primary CES 213 1916-1971 - - Ovington Church of England CES 214 1870-1941 - 1900-1944 County First CES 215 1910-1979 - - Coates Endowed Special Agreement EP 20/75-84 - - - Middle Ponteland College CES 276 - - - Ponteland First CES 218 1914-1969 - - Ponteland High CES 285 - - - Ponteland Cottage Homes County Primary CES 217 - - - Ponteland County Primary Parents and NRO 5856 - - - Teachers Association Prudhoe Council CES 220 - - - Prudhoe Eastwood CES 221 - - - Prudhoe National CES 222 1902-1958 - - Prudhoe Secondary CES 219 - - - Isabel Wilson School (Prudhoe and Monckton CES 272 1962-1984 - - Hospital) Prudhoe St Matthew’s Roman Catholic Aided RCP 8/2/30-33 - - - First CES 326 2004-2014 Radcliffe County Primary CES 223 - - - Red Row County Primary CES 283 - - - Church of England CES 224 1873-1982 1948-1982 - EP 15/40-47 Rochester Lord ’s Church of England CES 225 - - - Roddam Church of England Controlled NRO 632/Box V - - -

7 County First CES 309 - - - Rothbury Thomlinson Middle CES 296 - - - Rothley CES 226 - - - County First * CES 227 - - - EP 126 County First CES 208 - - - Seahouses County Middle CES 228 - - - CES 229 - - - Seaton Hirst County Middle CES 324 - - 1973-1977 Seaton Terrace CES 230 1909-1965 - 1928-1963 Infants CES 231 - - - CES 232 1923-1980 - - Shotley St James Church of England CES 233 1912-1960 - - EP 49 Shoreswood Church of England Controlled * CES 234 1891-1959 - - EP 4 Simonburn Church of England CES 235 1873-1897 1954-1964 - Sinderhope Council CES 295 - - - Slaley County First CES 236 - - - South Broomhill CES 237 - - - South Charlton CES 238 1974 - - Southernknowe County Primary CES 239 - - - NRO 3900/130 Spittal County Primary CES 315 - - - CES 240 1913-1934 - - CES 241 - - - Stamfordham Roman Catholic RCP 14/2/22-24 1873-1937 1964-1970 - Stannington County First CES 242 1879-1963 - - Stannington Children’s Hospital CES 243 1923-1966 1981-1982 - NRO 3000 Stobswood CES 244 - - - QRD 10 Thorneyburn Church of England CES 245 - - - NRO 758 Thornton Church of England Controlled CES 246 1917-1961 - - NRO 3900/135 CES 247 - - - Tillmouth County Primary * CES 248 1878-1954 - - Tritlington CES 249 1874-1920 1961-1964 1933-1961 East County Primary * CES 250 - - - Tweedmouth Springhill County Primary CES 55 - - - NRO 3900/138 Tweedmouth West County Primary * CES 251 - - - CES 252 - - - Wall School CES 253 1906-1971 - - NRO 309/N30/3 Wark on Tyne Church of England Aided First CES 280 1939-1965 - - Wark County Primary CES 91 1927-1975 - 1948-1968 Wark Crookbank NRO 1652/22 1952-1958 - - EP 54/67 Warkworth County First CES 254 1901-1964 2001-2003 - West Lilburn Church of England County Primary CES 255 1931-1961 - - West Woodburn County First CES 104 - - 1900-1937 Whalton Church of England County First CES 289 - - 1928-1951 Whitley Chapel Church of England Aided County First CES 257 1895-1974 1967-1980 - Whittingham Church of England Controlled First CES 258 - - - Whittonstall County First CES 259 - - 1956-1976 Widdrington Church of England CES 260 - - - Windyhaugh CES 261 - - - Wingates Church of England CES 262 - - - Woodside Billsmoor CES 263 - - - Church of England Controlled CES 266 - - - EP 33/119-124 Wooler County First CES 265 - - - NRO 2058/57 Wooler Glendale County Middle CES 264 - - - County First CES 267 - - -

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