Newbold C of E Primary School
Newbold had a school building prior to the Victorian building you see today. Although there are no pictures of this building, it is suggested that the original school faced challenges and failed to attract a school master. A new school that was to be attended by boys and girls was built in 1872 at a cost of around £1500. An adjoining school house was built next door to house the school master. The photograph shows Reuben Sissons, his wife Clara and possibly Daisy Stathem, an assistant teacher and daughter of James Stathem, the village boot and shoe maker.
The school provided education for children of the Worthington Parish and was originally called Worthington Church of England (C of E) School. Children from Worthington and the Gelsmoor area of the parish attended Newbold School until a school was built in Worthington in 1926. Some children also attended from Griffydam.
Over time, the school was extended and adapted to meet the needs of the growing community. In 1884, the school was extended to accommodate a larger number of pupils. In 1899, it was enlarged further to accommodate 263 children.
The original Victorian building was updated in the 1990s with the addition of a modern mobile classroom. Newbold C of E Primary School with its long and interesting history continues to serve the Newbold community.
Newbold Coleorton Heritage Group holds a large archive of school photographs and from time to time these are exhibited at Heritage events. If you are interested in seeing these photographs, please contact us.
Teachers and Head Teachers
Newbold School has had numerous teachers and head teachers, some of whom have written about their time at the school.
Did you know?
Reuben Sissons (1864-1918) was headteacher at Newbold School for 25 years. He was also the organist and choirmaster at St Matthew’s Church in Worthington.
Church services were held at the school. As a church school, religious services were held at the school on a Sunday afternoon. The school was granted a Divine License in 1890 and even had a church lectern.
The School has come under threat of closure on a number of occasions. In 1956, it was given a reprieve when some children from Worthington school were required to relocate to Newbold School due to over-crowding in their own village school. In 1986, Newbold School was the subject of a proposed merger with Worthington School. Once again it was given a reprieve
Newbold School held concerts with musicians from the village and surrounding area giving performances and a concert was given by Coalville Coral Union in 1889.
Every year Newbold School holds a Maypole Dancing Competition. Children from Newbold and other local schools have competed for the coveted Maypole Trophy for over 15 years.
In 2011, Newbold resident Sue Kendrick founded Roots Community Singers. Together with Julie Cooper, the headteacher, the choir began rehearsing in the school mobile under the musical direction of Willow Songsmith. The choir outgrew the school mobile and relocated to Thringstone Members Club in September 2021. The choir is now under the musical direction of Julie Holland, a resident of Newbold.
Soup-a Saturday was a much-loved monthly social gathering that took place in the school, from 2011 until the 2020 pandemic. For £3.00, you got homemade soup, a substantial bread roll, homemade cake and a hot drink. There was always a raffle, and Christmas Soup-a Saturdays were legendary!
