Walter Wood came to Rushden to take over as Headmaster of the General School in 1877 following the retirement of George Hustwaite, and the school became a Board School.

Walter was born in Wellington SOM, and had married Mary A (born in Melton Mowbray) before he arrived here.

Two years later the new Board Schools were built in Alfred Street, and Walter and his wife moved into the school house there. A daughter Katie was born in 1889. In 1891 Caroline Desborough was living with them as a domestic servant.

The buildings were damaged in the Great Fire in 1901 at Cave's Factory across the road from the school.

Aged just 53 Walter died suddenly in 1904 and was buried in Rushden Cemetery, Grave B 631.

Mary A remained in Rushden until she was 86 years old, and was then buried alongside her husband.