Day Schools in Lenton

In 1855 it was realised the school was inadequate in view of the increased attendance of the boys, and the building was increased to house 180 boys and 120 girls. It was in 1871 that the Misses Wright, of Lenton Lodge, Church Street, donated the cost of an infants school, which was built on the other side of the railway level crossing (the bridge over the railway not having been built at that time)- Previous to the bridge being constructed over the railway, the access road, church Street, ran adjacent to the Churchyard and over the railway level crossing, hence the crossing keeper's house at the side of the railway line (this house was very recently demolished)(See Dedication of the New Parish Church for picture including the level crossing). The bridge was built around 1890, about the same time as the bridge which was built to take the Derby Road over the railway (Midland Railway at that time).

In 1896 this school was enlarged at a cost of £1,579 and became Lenton Church Boys School, the infants returning to the original building facing the Church. Among some early financial papers of the Church in 1908, is an invoice from the Midland Railway Company, Derby, for "1 year's Rent to Midland Railway. Right of Light. 5/-d." This appears to be the charge by the Railway Company for the right to have a window (in the school) overlooking the railway line.

Possibly the headmaster of the new boys school was Mr. John Oldham, who for many years was the choirmaster of the Lenton Priory Church. He retired from the day school in 1922 and was followed by Mr. F. Stole who left in 1932 for another appointment. Both these gentlemen and their families lived in the Master's house, the one nearest to the recreation ground entrance.

The Church Schools were administered under a trust of which the Vicar of Lenton, at the time, was the Chairman. Church teaching was an important part of the curriculum of the schools, in which the clergy assisted, in addition to which a service for the school children was held in Church on alternate Mondays and on Saint's days. The first schools we read of in Lenton were what we might call "private schools" where a small fee was charged. One of these schools was run by John Roughton in a house on Gregory Street. (Although now demolished the house stood next to the white Hart, the front of the house facing Leen Gate.)

The other school, known as the "Dames" school, was in the second house on the right of Abbey Street after leaving Gregory Street (now demolished). John Turney, who later in life became Sir John Turney, also Mayor of Nottingham in 1880, and who was born in Priory Place (a row of terraced houses running off Gregory Street near the 'Red Cow' - original houses and "Red Cow,' all demolished and replaced) was educated at the 'Dames" school for the fee of two pence (old money) per week.

The Church Schools, unfortunately, are no longer in existence for the purpose they were first intended. The main school, facing the Church, being closed in October 1954, from when it served as a Parish Hall for some years. It was felt that the heavy expenses regularly arising in maintaining the whole complex were not justified and it was put up for auction by the Diocesan Board. Attempts had been made to have an old people's housing complex erected on the site (by the Vicar at that time) but his suggestion was turned down. A Community Centre and a Library wore among other suggestions.

The schools and one house were purchased by the Sikh community and with the help of a very substantial grant they were able to renovate and considerably repair the whole building for use as a temple. The detached house, nearest the recreation ground entrance, was sold to a private buyer who has done considerable work on it to modernise the interior, and much needed maintenance on the outside.

Consequently the Church has been without a Parish Hall now for some years, a great disadvantage as it means there is no accommodation for parish business meetings, no place for social gatherings, no hall for sales of work and bazaars and nowhere for a youth organisation to meet.

The remaining section of the Church Schools which had continued in the school near the railway bridge was also closed, the premises being purchased for industrial purposes and the scholars were transferred to the Lenton Council School. It was possibly the popularity of the Church Schools that prompted the introduction of a temporary school to be held in an unoccupied factory in New Lenton in 1871. This school was conducted upon purely unsectarian principles, and the attendance after three years was 438, the accommadation becoming quite inadequate.

Thomas Bayley, head of the leather tanning business, which was in Lean Gate, Lenton (premises have been restored and now occupied by a gaming machine firm), employer of four to five hundred people at that time, staunch non-conformist, preacher at the weekend, donor to the erection of Circus Street Hall (Baptist chapel), together with another local employer, Benjamin Walker, lace manufacturer, Spring Close, Lenton. opposed the monopoly of Church Schools in Lenton, and were responsible for this move for alternative education. Both these gentlemen were strong supporters of the Temperance Movement and formed the Lenton Temperance Society in 1858.

As mentioned, the accommodation in the factory became inadequate and the committee of management took steps to find a more permanent building. This was facilitated by the fact that certain gentlemen had promised to build by voluntary subscriptions a school on School Street (now Lenton Boulevard), and this was opened in June 1874. This is the complex at the junction of Lenton Boulevard and Sherwin Road.

Thomas Bayley purchased Lenton Abbey (on Derby Road near St. Barnabas) from Henry, the eighth Lord Middleton. This was originally part of the old Priory domain. It became an orphanage, founded by and largely aided by Miss Catherine Bayley.