Aveton Gifford CofE (VC) Primary School
School History
Aveton Gifford School was built in 1867, in place of the old village workhouse. The Rev William Parr Pitman was instrumental in getting the Church School built. There were four classrooms and children sat at iron-framed wooden desks; there was also a school house for the headteacher and his family. The original school building forms part of the present school, although an extensive half a million pound enlargement programme was carried out in 1991. In the early days the school day started at 9am and finished at 5pm (with a two hour lunch break); parents had to pay to send their children to school. Discipline at the school was maintained through the use of the cane!
We would like to thank the Parish Project Group for providing us with information about the history of our school. They have produced an interesting book: 'Aveton Gifford: a heritage', which contains a section on the school's history. Further information about their work can be found by clicking on the link below.
Please click to view
Class photograph, Circa 1890 (52KB)
Class photograph, Circa 1900 (46KB)
Class photograph, Circa 1900 (51KB)
Class photograph, 1910 (50KB)
School Choir, 1920 (45KB)
Country Dancing Festival, Paignton, 1950 (56KB)
School building, 1960 (39KB)
School Fundraising Event, 1965 (46KB)
Mrs Townsend (Teacher), 1967 (30KB)
Mr Watkins (Teacher), 1967 (28KB)
Mr Trussel (Teacher), 1967 (27KB)
School sports, 1970 (39KB)
Class photograph, 1971 (48KB)
Class photograph, 1982 (99KB)
Class photograph, 1985 (229KB)
Bypass Opening Parade, 1990 (29KB)
Children dressed in Victorian style, 1990 (48KB)
Street Party, 1990 (53KB)
"Goodbye cars and lorries," 1990 (56KB)
"The last traffic jam in Aveton Gifford," 1990 (51KB)
A finale to the celebrations, 1990 (35KB)
Pre-School Group, 1991 (57KB)
Learning about the parish map, 1992 (51KB)
Beating the Bounds, 1992 (51KB)
Beating the Bounds, 1992 (41KB)
Opening of the swimming pool, 1993 (197KB)
Ron Bendell opening the pool, 1993 (111KB)
Whole School, 2000 (56KB)
Pre-School Group, 2000 (50KB)
School Crossing Patrol, 2002 (52KB)
Official opening of the stocks, 2005 (44KB)
School Leavers, 2007 (56KB)
Please click to open
Headteachers 1863 - Present
A list of all the previous headteachers at Aveton Gifford C. of E. (V.C.) Primary School.
File size: 16KB (PDF File)
Punishment Register 1901-1902
An extract from the school's Punishment Register from 1901 to 1902.
File size: 14KB (PDF File)
SchooL Log Book 1992-1993
Read all about the official opening of the school extension and new swimming pool.
File size: 12KB (PDF File)
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History of Aveton Gifford
Read all about the history of Aveton Gifford village.
Wikipedia
Find out how to pronounce 'Aveton Gifford!'
Parish Project Group
Find out more about the Parish Project Group.
