|
 Ordnance Survey maps of the area indicate that there were
two schools in Gartmore in the mid 19th century. There has been
State primary education in the village for about 150 years and the present
school building dates from the time of the Disruption of 1843. The school
is shown on the Ordnance Survey map of 1862 as a single rectangular
structure and a second classroom was added in 1875. The Education Act of
1872 stipulated that a register of pupils and a log-book of events and
attendances be kept. From these a fascinating account of early village
school life emerges.
There
was careful preparation for the annual inspection on which the revenue of
the school and salary of the staff depended. Diseases swept through the
school resulting occasionally in the death of a pupil. The log book also
refers to extremes of weather leading to damaged roofs, blocked roads,
absenteeism and frozen ink! The Graham and Cayzer families of Gartmore
House were generous to the school with gifts as varied as strawberries,
tennis balls and an annual Christmas Tree complete with a present for each
pupil. 
At
the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, 315 children were evacuated
to Gartmore and the school roll rose from 32 to 171. After a few weeks
many children returned to their homes and the school roll dropped steadily
until 1967, when there were 25 pupils and one teacher. In 1979 two mobile
classrooms were erected in the playground following the demolition of the
corrugated-iron dining room.
The refurbishment of the old school building
commenced in 1994 to provide additional accommodation and new classrooms
for children of primary school age. Children attending secondary school
travel by bus, some to McLaren High School in Callander, 12
miles away, others to Balfron High School, 8 miles away. |
