Formal schooling in Wollaston has its roots in the 19th century, though earlier provision — through the church, the chapels and private dame schools — existed before that. The National School, established under the auspices of the Church of England's National Society, provided elementary education for the children of the village from the mid-19th century.
The school building — a characteristic Victorian schoolroom with high windows and a separate entrance for boys and girls — stood near the church. It served the village for many decades, educating generations of children whose parents and grandparents had themselves passed through its doors.
The curriculum was basic by modern standards: reading, writing, arithmetic and religious instruction formed the core. For many children, schooling ended at twelve or thirteen, when they were expected to contribute to the family income — often by working in the boot and shoe trade alongside their parents.
The Nonconformist chapels also ran Sunday schools, which for many children provided their only formal education. These Sunday schools were not merely religious instruction — they taught reading and writing to children and adults who had no access to weekday schooling.
"For many Wollaston children in the 19th century, the Sunday school was the only school they ever attended. The chapels were not just places of worship — they were the village's first public education system."
