Appledore Village School – a History

Even though the Appledore school closed its doors for the final time in 1991, it had a long and varied history, dating back as far as the records that can be found currently,  to 1662 (or maybe 1519). 

Whilst the village now has no school and children are bussed or driven elsewhere,  there are many residents who did attend before its closure and have happy memories of their time within its doors.

Our amazing historian Alan Tribe has surpassed himself this time by producing a comprehensive and compelling history of Appledore School, from its humble beginnings in St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Church to its final home on School Road.

Alan has traced not only its early beginnings, set up as a vital tool to educate the children of a relatively poor community, but has fleshed out the background of the personalities involved and how each became a part of its history.  The many teachers and helpers who worked at the school, as far back as he can check the records, have been included in this story and the colourful lives of teachers and pupils told, we believe for the first time, in a cohesive and thoroughly researched document.

Many gaps remain in the list of teachers, as records are patchy, but there is certainly a good many whom current residents would remember from their time at the school.

In pdf format, the document is downloadable here.

If you can help fill in gaps with any knowledge you have, please contact us.  We are also contemplating having the booklet printed, so interest in obtaining a printed copy would also be welcome.  It will help us in our decision on whether to go ahead and how many copies to produce.