Chrishall School 1862 to 1973

Chrishall has had a school for village children to attend since 1862 and until 1973 it was housed in the purpose built red brick school building that has now been converted into houses in the centre of the village.  Backing on to Jigney’s Meadow and with a large playground in front there was plenty of room for the children to work off their energy before attending lessons in one of the two school rooms.  The school house was to the north of the building and was inhabited for many years by the head of the school.  We have photographs in the archive of the well tended front garden and the house continued to be inhabited right up until the mid-1960s.  Visits to the outdoor toilets and the large A-frame climbing frame on the hard tarmac playground are now fondly remembered by past students!

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Dancing round the Maypole

Dancing round the Maypole

I hope you were out at the crack of dawn this morning to wash in the morning dew to preserve your youth and dancing round your maypoles! I remember dancing round the maypole in Chrishall old school playground, although how the pole was held up I can't remember. I...

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The Schools postcard

The Schools postcard

A clear picture of Chrishall old school on this postcard, interestingly titled as 'The Schools'.  This was presumably because there were two classes held in the school at the time.  The school mistress or master would have lived in the school house to the right of the...

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Halloween celebrations at Chrishall Primary school in the 1970s

Halloween 1971

1971 and the very last years spent at the old Chrishall school.  Outdoor toilets and a huge A-frame climbing frame in the playground where a careless tumble sent you crashing onto the tarmac playground.  All fun times!  And some of the best bits were the school...

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Chrishall School Teachers

Chrishall School Teachers

We are hoping to put together a list of all the school teachers from the old Chrishall School here. If you remember any we don't please let us know! 1862:  School opens 1870: Miss Elizabeth Dant 1901: Head: James French and wife Ellen also a teacher 1911: Head: Miriam...

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Cussel College

Cussel College

In the 1980's Irene Cranwell wrote a series of articles for the Village Magazine under the 'disguise' of one of the village pumps.  These articles told elements of the village history and were often written to reflect the broad Essex dialect that used to be heard...

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Chrishall School December 1969

Chrishall School December 1969

This photograph was taken in the old school against the dividing wall between the two classrooms.  It is thought the dividing wall originally could have been folded back to make one big room but by the time this photograph was taken in 1969 it had had so many coats of...

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