In response to a request that the history of the school should be retold in connection with the celebration of the Centenary, we would first of all pay tribute to the work and workers through the many years, knowing that there are past and present scholars willing to give testimony to thegood received in their association with the school.  Through faithful teachers and officers they received an introduction to the Scriptures – a knowledge imparted in youth and remaining through life.

The school commenced in 1848 with ten scholars and one teacher, Mr Benjamin Denton.  Records available suggest that a Methodist Class was commenced as far back as 1781 and that the church was in existence in 1828.  The church and school in the year 1848 met in a small chapel near the Green, the entrance facing to Newton Road.  There had previously been a school which failed for lack of teachers, and one good sister, disappointed with the small attendance, was heard to remark: “Ah!  We had a good school once; we had over 40 scholars.  We shall never have 40 no more.”

As the school began to increase, friends came over from Higham Ferrers to assist.  The first anniversary sermons were preached by Mr Chater, of Wollaston, and the collections amounted to £1/5/0.  The last school sermons in connection with this first chapel were preached in Mr Soames’s barn in Duck Street, the chapel being far too small for special occasions.

In 1852 we removed to more commodious premises called the “New Chapel” in Chapel Lane, now known as George Street.  These were rented of Mr B Denton for £7/10/0 per annum.  The first anniversary services in this place were conducted by Mr Bootman, and the collections totalled £5/0/1.

At about this time – and it is surely worthy of special mention – an evening school was held by teachers of the Sunday School who were interested in education.  It was here that a number of those who afterwards were in business of various kinds in the village received the greatest help then available for boys – in some cases all they ever received.  The work in this building was carried on for 21 years.

The first minutes available of a teachers’ meeting relate to the year 1856, when names recorded were Steel, Tailby, Jaques, Denton, Dickens, Parker, Hewitt, Groome, Brown, Cunnington, Knight, Brayfield and Brightwell, Mr Denton being superintendent and Mr Hewitt secretary.  It is interesting to note that on April 7th of that year it was decided that superintendents and teachers not in their places at the time appointed for opening school be fined – teachers ½d., superintendents 1d.  There were three sessions of School, at 9 a.m., 1.30 p.m. and 5 p.m.  A Mothers’ Tea was held in October.

In conjunction with teachers of the Old Baptist School and Church of England School, a canvass of the village was arranged with the object of finding the number of children in Rushden.  The report shows that there were 151 families and 335 children over five years of age.  Of these, 289 attended school and 46 did not.  Consent was obtained for 16 children to attend.

First mention of Bibles presented to scholars occurs in 1858, when three boys and three girls received them.  In that year also an application was made to the Sunday School Union for a grant of books to form a school library, and on October 11th it was decided to form an infant class.

Mr. G. Denton

Discipline eased, or maybe habits improved, in 1859, for the fines for late attendance were abolished.

January 1861 was marked by the establishment of a penny bank for the village, Messrs Denton, Tailby and Hewitt being the managers.  Deposits were received between 1 and 2 p.m. on Mondays.  A Mothers’ Tea was held “to promote disposition to make deposits instead of buying sweets, etc.”  It was in 1861 also that our oldest living scholar joined the school in the person of Mrs M J Hazeldine, now at the age of 94.

The year 1864 saw Mr G Denton and Mr T Lilley (later of Lilley and Skinner) appointed secretaries.  Another desk was purchased for the Evening School, proving that this had now been in existence for more than 10 years.

It was in 1866 that the first Band of Hope was formed, teachers being responsible for this work also.

Minutes for 1867 give us first reference to “school treats.”  Reports of bad conduct among some of the boys caused much concern.

We come now to 1870, when a branch school was formed at Wymington, teachers being supplied from our school until 1871, when teachers were appointed from Wymington friends.  Messrs Jas Bull and W S Ladds, from Rushden, were superintendents.

In 1872 a united treat with the Baptist school was held in Mr Gross’s meadow at Chelveston.  Wagons were used to carry the scholars, and a drum and pipe band was in attendance.  Parents were admitted after 5 o’clock.