Village Education

During the 19th century, the church undertook the responsibility for the spiritual and academic education of the children. Early records show that a village school for some 60 children was built on church land and supported by the Vicar, Rev. Beeden Charlesworth.

In 1878 the Rector, Rev. H. B. Cooke built a Reading Room near the church. Its aim was to improve educational opportunities within the village.

The Rector sought to assist young men and adults to widen their education. Papers, periodicals and books were made available. Lecturers gave a wide variety of talks. The venture was well supported.

A second, smaller church, St Matthews, was built with a small school attached, near to the Darfield pit.

The non-conformists became very active and three substantial chapels were built. In 1872 Low Valley Wesleyan Chapel had a small school attached to its chapel.

In the 1890's a body of leading citizens was convened to plan education for the 20th century. Meetings were held in Middlewood Hall, the home of the local Squire. Present at these meetings were C. H. Taylor (Squire), Rev. A. E. Sorby (Rector), Rev. T. B. Barnes (Vicar), F. H. Taylor, J. Jarrett (Houghton Main) and T. W. Mitchell (Mitchell Main).

Their major proposals were: -

1. A new mixed school be built to house 360 children, on land provided by the squire at a cost of £2,500.

2. That £499 be spent to extend Low Valley C. of E. school.

3. That a grant be made available to Low Valley Wesleyan School of £100.

The work on the mixed school began in 1898 and in May 1899 four foundation stones were laid at the front of the school (colloquially know as the Church School).

In 1900 a Local Government Act set up a DARFIELD URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. There were to be nine elected members, with responsibilities for housing, health and social services.

(Photo: The Church of England School)

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In 1902 an Education Act was passed; it laid down how local schools were to be managed. So far as the new mixed school was concerned the Managing Body was to consist of: -

2 church nominees, 2 appointed by Darfield Council and 2 by the West Riding County Council.

Under the Local Government Act the West Riding County Council (W.R.C.C.) was made responsible for providing the major services in Darfield such as police, fire, highways and education.

In 1909 the W.R.C.C. undertook a substantial school building programme in the Low Valley/Snape Hill area. It built an infant school for 240 infants and on the same site it built a mixed senior school to cater for 600 scholars.

The concept of school building adopted by the W.R.C.C. was far more modern than previous schools. In both Low Valley schools there was a large central hall, which could be used as an assembly hall, gym, or multi-play area; teaching classrooms were built off this main central hall. Great competition grew up between Low Valley "Council School" and Darfield "Church School". Such competition helped to lift the standard of education.

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The Foulstone Modern School was built on land in the centre of Darfield. The majority of the School site was a children's recreation ground. Along with well cultivated allotments, running alongside of Nanny Marr. It was built in the late 1930's and officially opened by R.A. (Rab) Butler in the early war years.

The aim of the school was to provide a good standard of Secondary Education for local children aged 11 to 16. A lot has been written about the standard and quality of secondary education in the 1930's much appeared to revolve around the "11 plus exam", this was an examination taken by children aged 10/11 years old.

It was taken on a Saturday morning under strict supervision; desks were set out like rows of soldiers, fresh sets of teachers were responsible for overseeing the exams. With a strict instruction from the man in charge, "when I say start you turn over your exam paper and when I say stop, you stop writing and put your pens down" The atmosphere was very electric and disturbing.

The results of the exam determined the future of the children.

If you passed the exam you were offered a place at Grammar School. The numbers of places available being very limited and for Darfield children were only available at, Mexbrough, Wath or Barnsley. Travelling could be a problem, plus the cost of Grammar School uniform (especially to low paid families). Those who "just failed" were offered a place at Wombwell Middle/Technical School. Those who did not pass the exam were classed as "failures" and provision for their education was very patchy.

Darfield Foulstone Modern School was built to overcome this lottery; it was to provide GOOD Secondary Education for ALL children.

The School derives its name from Alderman T.H. (Tommy) Foulstone who was Darfield's representative on the West Riding County Council (Headquarters at Wakefield); his special interest was education where he sought to increase standards at all levels.

Over the years the Foulstone School has been a very successful school.

Immediately after the War, it had a thriving Evening Institute.

After normal school hours Adult Classes were held and covered subjects such as; Dressmaking, Cookery, Mining, Economics, Local Government, Literature etc. These classes were well supported.

In the 1960's a Special Centre was erected adjoining the school; it was given the name "Centre 17", the aim being to provide a facility for those who had just left school.

At the present time it is a comprehensive school with a roll of over 800 pupils and provides a wide range of subjects, it is well supported by parents and "The Friends of Foulstone".

Village Education