During the middle years of the last century, a small private school operated in Bourne, tucked away in domestic premises off the main North Road where parents who could afford it sought an education for their children that would hopefully give them a good start in life.

This educational establishment had no official name but was known throughout Bourne as “Miss Close’s little school”, being run from a red brick terraced house at No 3 Elm Crescent (pictured above), the home of Miss Evelyn Close who had inherited the property from her parents.

The school had around 35 children on the roll, from toddler age through to 14, whose parents were prepared to pay for the privilege of a private education. There was a staff of three but accommodation was cramped although three forms managed to fit into the low classroom building. The standard of teaching, however, was extremely high and many pupils left to continue their education at Bourne Grammar School which was by then admitting girls, while others left to go out to work.

Prior to the Education Act of 1870, which provided for elementary schools to be built and run by the state, private schools thrived although the life of many was short-lived. They were not regulated and anyone could start one, a venture that could prove to be quite profitable because there was an obvious demand for this type of education, particularly for girls whose parents sought the teaching of certain subjects required in their training to become respectable young ladies likely to attract a husband. Instruction was therefore given in such matters as social accomplishments, a subject that was not on the curriculum at the National School which had opened in North Street in 1830, the only other available to them because the Old Grammar School was restricted to boys only.

These small schools, often run from private houses with a room or two converted into classrooms, were usually run by spinster ladies of moderate means as a method of supplementing their income but the majority appear to have been regarded with affection by the pupils who attended.

Many such schools existed around Bourne in the early 19th century, in West Street and South Street, and even the Red Hall once housed such an establishment between1849-61 before it became part of the town’s railway station. This school was founded by Miss Elizabeth Sardeson while staff, pupils and servants all lived together in the 17th century mansion where the interior had been divided up to provide classrooms and dormitory accommodation. Teaching was therefore on a very personal basis and the girls would have spent their time studying languages, the classics, history, music and the social graces, all subjects considered befitting for young ladies from well to do families about to enter Victorian society.

There was even a private school at Dyke run by a clergyman who placed an advertisement in the local newspaper in 1823 saying: “The Rev James Stockdale, B A receives into his house six pupils (from eight to fourteen years of age) and educates them for commercial purposes, or trade, or prepares them by classical instruction, for a public school, according to the several views of their friends. Terms 32 guineas per annum, including every charge, except for books. The situation is mild and healthy."

One of the longest running of these private schools in Bourne was based in the stone-built house at No 61 West Street and run by Miss Charlotte Layton (1834-1914) whose father kept the Bull Hotel in the market place [now the Burghley Arms]. She opened in 1854 and ran it for fifty years, catering for day and boarding pupils, first for young ladies and later accepting boys. Miss Layton was a much-loved teacher and when she died in 1914, aged 80, the floral tributes at her funeral included several from past pupils who still resided in the town.

Another prominent private establishment was based in Stamford House at No 75 West Street, a school for weekly boarders which catered for children from outlying farms. The owners were the Misses Elizabeth Jane Smythe and Mary Chamberlain and in 1909 they were also advertising: "Paying guests received, including French ladies wishing to acquire English, conversation, reading etc. Entire charge and tuition of children undertaken for parents going abroad etc. Every home comfort. Tennis & croquet. Terms moderate."

The school was extremely popular and during the Great War of 1914-18 the demand for places was so exceptional that some of the boarders were accommodated at the house next door. The pupils were originally mainly girls although boys were later admitted and the curriculum laid stress on such subjects as art, particularly painting, and music and the pupils gave regular concerts at the Corn Exchange.

Miss Smythe, who had been one of the principals for twenty years, died suddenly on Saturday 2nd February 1918, aged 59. The school subsequently closed but Stamford House remains today as a private residence.

A strong musical tradition persisted at Austerby House, a private school for girls run by Miss Elizabeth Burrows during the early years of the 20th century. There was also a mixed kindergarten and although other subjects were taught, the accent was on music and many of the senior pupils were successful in Royal Academy and Royal College of Music examinations. Children were also given the opportunity to perform in public with an annual concert at the Corn Exchange for the benefit of the town when children could demonstrate their skills and in 1905 they even staged an operetta, The Flower Queen by George Frederick Root, to great public acclaim.

But Miss Close’s little school appears to have been the most popular of these educational establishments, continuing in business until she died in 1943, aged 63. This was one of the last private establishments in Bourne but by then, state education was changing out of all recognition and the town was soon being served by three schools spanning the entire age groups for both primary and secondary education from which has developed the system that we have today.