--- title: "History" url: "https://stbridgets-par.cumbria.sch.uk/history" school: "St Bridget's CofE School" --- # History ## History ### Picture of the historic school plaque and girls' school timetable: [![](https://files.schudio.com/st-bridget-s-cofe-school/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/picture-of-the-historic-school-plaque-and-girl-s-school-timetable/jo.jpg)](https://files.schudio.com/st-bridget-s-cofe-school/images/gallery/picture-of-the-historic-school-plaque-and-girl-s-school-timetable/jo.jpg) [![](https://files.schudio.com/st-bridget-s-cofe-school/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/picture-of-the-historic-school-plaque-and-girl-s-school-timetable/IMG_3414.jpg)](https://files.schudio.com/st-bridget-s-cofe-school/images/gallery/picture-of-the-historic-school-plaque-and-girl-s-school-timetable/IMG_3414.jpg) The first school in Parton was founded in 1818 and was located in what is now the village hall opposite our current school building. This school was endowed by Joseph Williamson. The girls' (and infants') school which was housed in our current school building was establish in 1837 as, ‘A School for Industry,’ by Mary Robinson. To Quote from Parton Part 1 by D Bradbury: The Education Act of 1870 made elementary education compulsory for all children, and provided the financial means for this to become possible, allowing publicly-funded schools to be built where necessary to bolster the existing "voluntary" schools (which in Parton were deemed adequate, so no "board school" was built here). Although the Parton schools were under the control of the Church of England (with the Rector, Churchwardens and Parish Overseers of Moresby all serving as ex-officio trustees) if they wished to act as "public elementary schools" and receive grants under the new system they were obliged to follow a clause added to the Act by William Cowper-Temple MP, which specified that they could not refuse a pupil on religious grounds, and that if they wished to give religious teaching it must be at the beginning or end of the day, so that parents who objected could keep their children out of the lesson. This may explain entries in the Williamson School trustees' records relating to lessons for the senior pupils about the dangers of alcohol- the Temperance movement was strongly asociated with religious bodies, but these were specifically referred to as "Scientific Temperance Lessons". Equality and the opportunity to reach potential for all, no matter how rich or poor, are at the heart of our foundation. The following document is from the school archive: [![](https://files.schudio.com/st-bridget-s-cofe-school/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/hist-doc/IMG_1911.jpg)](https://files.schudio.com/st-bridget-s-cofe-school/images/gallery/hist-doc/IMG_1911.jpg) ### The sandstone was recently repaired and rendered: [![](https://files.schudio.com/st-bridget-s-cofe-school/imagecache/720x720s/gallery/the-sandstone-was-recently-repaired-and-rendered/School_new.jpg)](https://files.schudio.com/st-bridget-s-cofe-school/images/gallery/the-sandstone-was-recently-repaired-and-rendered/School_new.jpg) [![](https://files.schudio.com/st-bridget-s-cofe-school/images/gallery/the-sandstone-was-recently-repaired-and-rendered/Ols_school.jpg)](https://files.schudio.com/st-bridget-s-cofe-school/images/gallery/the-sandstone-was-recently-repaired-and-rendered/Ols_school.jpg) ### About Us - [Headteacher's Message](https://stbridgets-par.cumbria.sch.uk/about-us/headteachers-message) - [Prospectus](https://stbridgets-par.cumbria.sch.uk/about-us/prospectus) - [Welcome](https://stbridgets-par.cumbria.sch.uk/about-us/welcome) - [Contact Details](https://stbridgets-par.cumbria.sch.uk/about-us/contact-details) - [Meet the Staff](https://stbridgets-par.cumbria.sch.uk/about-us/meet-the-staff) - [History](https://stbridgets-par.cumbria.sch.uk/history) ![St Bridget's CofE School](https://files.schudio.com/st-bridget-s-cofe-school/images/logo/Untitled_design_(11).png) ### St Bridget's CofE School Main Street Parton CA286NY Whitehaven Cumbria CA286NY 01946 592940 ### Useful Links - [Prospectus](https://stbridgets-par.cumbria.sch.uk/about-us/prospectus) - [Policies](https://stbridgets-par.cumbria.sch.uk/key-information/policies) - [Ofsted](https://stbridgets-par.cumbria.sch.uk/key-information/ofsted-and-school-performance) ### Translation © Copyright 2025–2026 St Bridget's CofE School School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://stbridgets-par.cumbria.sch.uk/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)