FOR a century and a half Settrington School has stood in the centre of the village as its focal point.

Over the years the school was where a strong community was bound through friendships and memories in common.

It has educated generations of Settrington folk, son sitting where his grandfather sat in his time and where everyone knew how the families fitted together down to second and third cousins.

Ivy (Mitchell) Ireland, now aged 92, was five when she joined Miss Surginson's infant class.

"I thought Miss Surginson was wonderful," said Mrs Ireland. "I was very pleased to be there. I remember learning to knit and I made a little bonnet for my dolly."

When she was ten, Mrs Ireland got a scholarship to Malton Grammar school.

She later returned to Settrington as a student teacher.

School gave her lifelong friends, and she particularly remembered Enid Clarkson (Caisley), Violet Ethell, Maud Boyes and Laura Ward.

The outer appearance of the school is much the same today as when Mrs Ireland was a girl, apart from trees which used to grow by the playground.

It was thanks to the support of Lord Middleton of Birdsall and the Venerable Charles Maitland Long, Archdeacon of the East Riding, that the school building opened in 1852. It was called Settrington National School.

Originally there was one 50ft main room and a room just 13ft by 10ft for the infants. In 1897 more than 21 infants were taught in the little side room.

There was one stove in the main room which sometimes smoked and was often not enough to heat the room.

Added to the cold and fumes was the noise of 100 children, including infants which made the room difficult to teach in.

Inside the school nowadays, there are partitions and walls, replacing curtains which were first used to separate out areas for teaching.

Notable difference in the modern playground is in the facilities for boys and girls about which an inspector voiced concerns. The 'offices' as they were known, were earth closets with double seats.

There had probably been a school of sorts at Settrington since medieval times through a chantry established some time in the 1300s and abolished in around 1580.

And before the present building was opened, there was a small school on the beckside next to the blacksmith's shop.

How children were taught underwent a great change in the 1860s, when rate-aided schools like Settrington started to be remunerated for pupils according to performance.

Each child was individually tested by inspectors. The church, too, tested the children. In 1871 the Rev G Wyndham Kennion reports that he tested the first division - ages seven and eight - on the first 20 chapters of Genesis, the first 12 of St Matthew's Gospel, the catechism throughout and the order for morning and evening prayers.

Former Settrington School headteacher Colin Wrigglesworth is researching the history of the school and education in the village.

He points out that for most of the 19th century education was not compulsory nor was it free.

Attendance was a concern in agricultural areas.

"Settrington's log books begin to record visits from the school attendance officer and notes are made when the relieving officer calls," he said.

He adds from the records: "23 Oct 1901: A number of boys are off school this week picking potatoes." In the previous week, William Boyes and George Bush were off school employed in bush beating.

Girls were just as likely to be kept home to help with the Monday laundry.

The headmaster closed the school according to the harvest. In fact the summer holidays were known as the harvest holidays.

Gleaning, haymaking, hirings fair and gardening were all activities likely to keep children away from school.

Times are different now, but still the school gets glowing reports from the inspectors, just as they did 100 years ago.

Present head teacher Yvonne Wilson said Settrington All Saints CE Primary School was a happy, friendly and successful school.

"Central to its success is its ethos, which reflects Christian principles and value."

She adds: "Our wish is that each child will grow up to be a thoughtful, caring and responsible individual with a lively and enquiring mind."

The school's open evening is on October 16 at the village hall.

Everyone is welcome, particularly old and new pupils. There will be a photographic display. Any photographs, memorabilia, anecdotes and memories would be much appreciated.

You can contact the school on (01944) 768238.

Updated: 09:40 Wednesday, September 04, 2002