Our History

Over 150 years of service

Clive School opened its doors to children on 13th January 1873. This followed the 1870 Education Act that provided opportunities for children to receive an education (for a small fee). Owing to the "zeal and an ability" of the Certificated Master, In April of 1873, 169 children were recorded on its books. Numbers fluctuated over the years and 150 years later about 90 children are registered, including Nursery aged children.

We celebrated our 150th birthday with a Victorian Day. The children experienced a little of what the Victorian children would have experienced in the 1870s - sewing (for girls), gardening (for boys), times tables, handwriting. This was after the children had lined up at the gate in single sex lines and been instructed by the 'headteacher' - "You come to school to prepare yourselves for future work. What you learn here you will apply to your working life. You will be dutiful at school and to those who provide you with employment. Repeat after me - I must not lie or steal, I must not be discontented or envious, God has placed me where I am, He has given me my work to do, I will not try to change my lot in life, It is a sin of which I will never be guilty".