Winchelsea Centre, 11 High Street North, Ruskington

Image: © Jo and Steve Turner Taken: 26 Apr 2021

Built as a National School (mixed) with master's house in 1868 at a cost of £1,000 raised by subscription and a government grant on a site donated by the Dowager Countess of Winchilsea. In 1885 the master and mistress were given as Jas Alard and Mrs Alard who were still in place in 1889 when it is reported that the school will hold 110 children with average attendance of 100. By 1896 average attendance had dropped to 86 and Charles Beattie and Miss Nellie Cock were in charge. In 1905, now described as a non-provided school (1902 Education Act), attendance was up to 135 with Charles still master but now with 4 assistance mistresses. In 1909 assistants was down to two and 1913 up to three. In 1919 Charles is still master but no assistants are mentioned. It is not clear to me when it closed as a school or when it was opened as a community hub. 'Lincs to the Past' talks of an 1878 school board and school that became the County School about 1947. In 1885 Kelly's says the board met at the National School, the only one mentioned but by 1905 it talks of a Board School erected in 1880. 'Lincs to the Past' further claims 'The Winchelsea County Primary School opened in 1974 in the old Ruskington CE School premises before moving to purpose-built premises in 1992'.

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