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Since opening on the 21 February 1910, the village school in Palterton has always been a lovely place to start one's education.  Generations of children have passed through the school and enjoyed their infant schooling before moving on to secondary education.

The identities of the men in the photograph are left to right: Mr. Churn, Mr. Clayworth, Mr. Ashley. Mr. Mark Wale, Rev. S. Biss ?, Mr. William Henry Bradshaw. They were the school managers known nowadays as school governors.

For such a small school, the standard of teaching has mostly been good and pupils have received a good standard of infant education.  Most of us acquired sound skills and knowledge in a happy and pleasant school community. Many former pupils have gone on to enjoy outstanding success in their chosen careers.  Some have become heroes. My school days in Palterton were happy although I cannot remember many incidents.  Most certainly I was taught to a good standard by caring teachers.  We were taught country dancing which was similar to the "Morris Dancing".  Perhaps it was the same. Perhaps what has not been realised by parents and scholars alike, is the huge turnover of teachers and their appalling sickness record in this school over the years. Always there seemed to be a shortage of teachers and coupled with an apparent lethargic approach by the school "managers", it has been a magnificent effort by the Head teachers and their devoted staff to achieve the high standards.

Mischief was never far away for the schoolboys.  For many years the boys played football and cricket in the school yard during break periods, whilst the girls played skipping and "hopscotch". Winter was the time for long "slides" on the ice in the playground.  The months of January and February often resulted in school closures due to the village being marooned by deep snow and lack of heating. I seemed to spend a lot of time on the school roof of this Edwardian building, having climbed up the drainpipes, allegedly looking for balls that we had kicked thereon whilst in the playground.  Actually we were bird nesting.  There seemed to be a House Sparrows nest everywhere 'in' and 'on' the school roof.

During the week 8 to 15 July 1944, there was a National 'Salute the Soldier week'.  Of course it was war time. All the children throughout the County entered a competition which consisted of either an essay, a drawing or a painting on a topic, that may have been connected with the war.  I wrote an essay and was fortunate to win one of the prizes (First) that were being awarded.  I would have been aged nine years at that time.  The prizes were announced on the 3 August 1944. A childhood friend of mine chose to draw a poster in this competition and gained a third prize.  He received Savings Stamps to the value of the princely sum of seven shillings and sixpence (pre decimalisation). This photograph taken in 1948, shows the pupils who were in the top class at Palterton Infants school, at that time. It is the earliest known school photograph of the pupils. One of my proudest achievements and memory of the school came around fifty years after I left the school, when I discovered the original Admissions Register and School Log Book, both dating from 1910.  I discovered them in the old damp air raid shelters that were located in the school yard, where they had lain for years.  They are now safely preserved in the Derbyshire County Record Office at Matlock. I have examined the two Log Books for Palterton Council School.  These book are hardbound and are in good condition.  These books make interesting reading and reveal an insight into the weekly, (sometimes) daily events within the school.  To peruse a few selected extracts, please visit page two. Palterton Council School The teachers and staff - Victorian Day 10 October 1996. L to R: Andrea Fox - teacher, Gill Lewis - school sec., Lynn Tingle - teacher, Leslie Barringer - Headmistress, Sally Roberts - teacher, Laura Robinson - Education Care Officer. They may have been good teachers, but their 'can-can' dancing - well the jury are out on that one! The VILLAGE SCHOOL page one Email: ronstan@richardsbygonetimes.co.uk Home Page: http://www.richardsbygonetimes.co.uk/ Created 2 December 2001 Last updated: 24 November 2005