Website produced and maintained for the Hungerford Historical Association
by Hugh Pihlens

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The growing demand for education around 1800 led to the establishment of many small private schools which sprang up all over the country right through the 19th century and into the 20th century.

Many small private schools (or Academies) were run by clergymen. Dame Schools, which were similar to the academies but less expensive, were named schools because they were run by (sometimes elderly) ladies. Both academies and Dame schools were usually small establishments, often having only 6 to 12 children. They were intensely competitive and often just lasted the life time of the proprietor. As a result, we are now aware of at least twelve small private schools in Hungerford.

As early as 1796 the Universal Directory lists the names of various teachers - Joseph Andrews was Master of the Free Grammar School, but other teachers mentioned were Hannah Barnes, Jane Duke, and William Miller. William Miller has already been mentioned in the previous chapter, but the two ladies mentioned probably ran "dame" schools. Click the links below for further information on each school:

Mrs Webb, 18 High Street
John Hives, 25 High Street
Westfield House, Parsonage Lane
Library Cottage: 1, Church Lane
Wilton House, 33 High Street
Buckland House, Eddington
Ann Snook's Day School, Eddington
College House, 130 High Street
129 High Street
Market Place School
Hillside, Salisbury Road
The Manse School, 32 High Street
Miss Booth, Church House (Croft Hall)
Mrs Averill, 17 High Street