The Old Vicarage B&B, Little Ouse

Little Ouse School and Schoolmasters

The following diary of the Little Ouse is a compilation of the page Little Ouse through the Years.

The Little Ouse School was housed in very poor premises-an iron hut used also as a mission room, which still exists. Shortly before the First World War a new site was bought and a teacher’s house erected, but the school itself was not furnished with new buildings until 1927. They are an attractive example of semi-permanent timber construction.

  • There is a picture in the Littleport Society Archives of the men laying the beams for the first floor of the school house.

This map shows the location of the old School (iron hut) in Little Ouse along the river by the Draining Pump. This also served as the Anglian Mission until the church was built in 1869 (church shown on map).

The map predates the building of the new Little Ouse School in 1927.

Also in Little Ouse village, on the Norfolk side of the river, is Feltwell Fen School, known until 1929 as Feltwell Anchor School. This was built by Feltwell School Board in 1889 for 60 children at a cost of £650, and was enlarged by a classroom for 27 infants in 1914, after a merger with the Little Ouse (Isle) School had been rejected. In the great floods of 1915, 1916, and 1917 the buildings were used as a refuge for homeless families.

Headmasters

  • John S. Fendick, 1889 – 1890
  • Joseph Sleigh Browne, 1890 – 1897
  • John Blott, 1897 – 1899
  • Joseph Peter Piper, 1899 – 1900
  • Adam Eastwood, 1900 – 1906
  • Richard Harris, 1906 – 1910
  • Ernest William Smith, 1910 – 1920 (Born Leicester 1885, Died Whittlesey 1950)
  • E. H. James, 1920 – 1952
  • W. P. Register, 1952 – 1973
  • Bennett Jones, 1973 – 1985 (Died 17th October 2025)

1870, April

  • 4th, Monday – Cambridge University Library Special Collections – The Little Ouse School was the last of three new Littleport schools established by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education between 1869 and 1870, serving the dual purpose of school and Anglican mission church. On it’s opening day, 4 April 1870, forty-one children were admitted with more arriving later in the week. In 1885 the Littleport School Board assumed control over the administration of the school. The building itself was cold, uncomfortable and poorly ventilated, consisting of an iron hut measuring 43 feet 6 inches by 16 feet 3 inches. While it was considered unsuitable from the outset it was not replaced until 1927.

1885

  • The Littleport School Board assumed control over the administration of the Little Ouse school.

1888, February

  • 20th, Monday – Cambridge University Library Special Collections, entry on Little Ouse School from the logbook – The work of the Infants’ of the last fortnight has come to a standstill. One half are away owing to the bitterly cold and snowy weather, and unfortunately this half is composed mostly of dunces.

1895

  • 1895, Cambridge University Library Special Collections, entry on Little Ouse School from the logbook – report on Little Ouse School – Mixed School: The tone and discipline of the School continue very good, and the attainments have improved, although spelling in the second standard, and mental work throughout the School require further attention. Grammar is now good on the whole, but note singing fails to reach the level required for the higher Grant. In view of the improvements effected under unusually difficult circumstances, a Grant may this year be recommended under Article 105 of the Code.

1896, March

  • 20th, Friday – Headmaster Log Book – Owing to Wednesday being a wet day more than half the scholars were absent.

1896, April

  • 17th, Friday – Headmaster Log Book – Many of the older children are absent, setting potatoes or hoeing, or horse keeping while their mothers are at field work.
  • 24th, Friday – Headmaster Log Book – A set of cricket materials, formerly belonging to the Parish Cricket Club has been handed over to the school this week. The boys take great interest in the game. Cricket apparently has also a good effect on the attendance of the boys as their average is much higher this week.

1896, June

  • 19th, Friday – Headmaster Log Book – Several children have been absent this week pulling gooseberries.

1896, October

  • 2nd, Friday – Headmaster Log Book – Many of the older scholars are absent picking potatoes.
  • 23rd, Friday – Headmaster Log Book – Work in standards 3 and 4 is practically at a standstill owing to the irregularity of attendance.

1897, February

  • 12th, Friday – Headmaster Log Book – The floods have prevented many children from attending this week.
  • 26th, Friday – Headmaster Log Book – A great many children suffering from severe coughs and colds.

1897, July

  • 27th, Tuesday – Headmaster Log Book – School closed today on account of the Littleport Feast and Flower Show.
  • 30th, Friday – Headmaster Log Book – The attendance has been very extremely low this week owing to Littleport Feast.

1897, December

  • 3rd, Friday – Headmaster Log Book – Examined all standards this week. All standards now their work well except standard 11, a few of whom are much behind owing to their bad attendance.
  • 10th, Friday – Headmaster Log Book – Received a parcel of calico for girls needlework. The needle work has much improved during the last fortnight.

1898, December

  • 23rd, Friday – Headmaster Log Book – Closed today for Xmas vacation.

1899, January

  • 2nd, Monday – Headmaster Log Book – Re-opened to-day. 44 present. The stove top has broken, the harmonium broken and scratched, one window completely blown in and one reading sheet torn up during the Xmas holidays. The cupboard, desk and table drawers, locked previously to the holidays were found undone.

1899, February

  • 8th, Wednesday – Headmaster Log Book – Complained as to the fire not being properly lighted and window left open three time this week.
  • 13th, Monday – Headmaster Log Book – Only one fire lighted this morning. The woman who cleans the school refused to come to light the fire consequently Mrs Blott again had to light it.

1899, November

  • 17th, Friday – Headmaster Log Book – The caretaker did not make a fire in the large room to-day because she said the chimney wanted sweeping. I swept the chimney.
  • 22nd, Wednesday – Headmaster Log Book – The tortoise stove is choked with soot and the man who gets a shilling a week for just keeping tidy does not consider it his duty to sweep it.
  • 23rd, Thursday – Headmaster Log Book – A man came from Littleport to look at the stoves.
  • 27th, Monday – Headmaster Log Book – The stoves have been put to rights.

1900, January

  • 30th, Tuesday – Headmaster Log Book – School inspection by Mr. J. J. Steele. He thought the school was very much behind the times. I have been at work 4 months and as the children are not quite up to rate I shall keep them working on without charge to the end of the school year.

1900, February

  • 22nd, Thursday – Headmaster Log Book – I have given three months notice to leave this appointment. I was asked by the clerk of the Board to do so.

1910, June

The description of this photograph at the Littleport Society – Ernest William Smith – headmaster of Little Ouse School (circa 1910-1920)

This is an intriguing photograph. For a start why was it taken? It looks like a studio backdrop. Perhaps he had just qualified as a teacher and why would you have a photograph taken without your wife! I would therefore date it to pre 1911. Mr Smith is evidently a man in his early 20s when this was taken. His stud collar on his shirt and waistcoat all date him to the Edwardian period. However, his coat/jacket are curious. We can’t see the length of it but the wide lapel with what appear to be a satin inlay would have made this an expensive item when created. Widths of collar vary, this style was popular from the 1870s to the early 1900s. Many of the Edwardian ones were becoming slimmer in the lapel. There are also three rows of buttons displayed. Which probably means as we can’t see the bottom that this may possibly be an early Edwardian frock coat (early 1900s). Shorter in length than the Victorian more like a modern (1950s length) suit length. The material is also quite robust looking at the picture, which would indicate a mid to late season jacket. It is a very stylish jacket.

The description of this photograph at the Littleport Society – 4 unidentified men constructing the upper floor of of the Little Ouse School House.

I am presuming that this is the School Masters House and not the School itself. Due to the number of joists (load bearing) on that top floor. This does not look like the top of a half-timbered school house. This then dates the picture as pre Great War. Though the clothing could be anytime from late Victorian to the 1930s.

1920

  • The granddaughter of Mr E. W. Smith provided several black and white pictures including; her grandfather and the engine house to the Littleport Society. In her letter she details that:
    • He was born in Leicester in 1855
    • Her grandfather left Little Ouse for World War 1.
      • Need to identify his service record.
    • She believes that he moved from Little Ouse School to Pymoor School in 1920.
    • He died in Whittlesey in 1950.

1927

  • The Little Ouse School was rebuilt. this year. Further information required.
    • It appears that the new School Master’s house was built pre the Great War. However, it took till 1927 to rebuild the school.
    • The Little Ouse School was housed in very poor premises-an iron hut used also as a mission room, which still exists. Shortly before the First World War a new site was bought and a teacher’s house erected, but the school itself was not furnished with new buildings until 1927. They are an attractive example of semi-permanent timber construction. 
    • See comments for 1870 – The Old School house and Anglican mission, this is believed to be what is now the New from Old workshop next to the pumping station.
    • https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/cambs/vol4/pp95-102

This picture shows the Old School House to the left. To the right, there are two large houses with outbuildings. These and the gardens now occupy the area of the Little Ouse School, which was decommissioned and demolished (date to be confirmed). To the extreme right you can see a white painted house. This is the start of the row of houses that were the Council Houses in Little Ouse.

1930, October

  • 31st, Friday – Barbers Almanac 1931 – Concert in connection with Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute in Brandon Bank Schoolroom. The proceeds were divided between Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Institute Funds.

1932, December

  • 16th, Friday – Barbers Almanac 1934 – Annual Christmas entertainment of the Brandon Bank (Feltwell) school children.

1937, March

  • Barbers Almanac – Concert, arranged by the Little Ouse and Brandon Bank Women’s Institute, held in the Brandon Bank Schoolroom. The Pymoor Ten Sisters supplied the entertainment.

1939, December

  • Barbers Almanac – Marriage, at St. John’s Church, Balby, Doncaster of Dr W H James to Miss B. C. Bolton, of Doncaster. Dr. James is the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. H. James, of School House, Little Ouse.

1947, August

  • Barbers Almanac – Kathleen Hensby and Doreen Pendle, scholars of Feltwell Fen School, Anchor Drove, Little Ouse, gained scholarships to Thetford Girls’ Grammar School.

1948, July

  • Barbers Almanac – The following pupils of the Town Schools were successful in passing the Entrance Examination to Ely High school for Girls and Soham Grammar School : — Girls, Jean Atkinson, Mary Butcher, Doreen Clarke, Norma Clarke, Dorothy Crane, Beryl Easy, Jean Gotobed, Maureen Handley, Margaret Harwood, Mary Lofts, Sylvia Neve, Marilyn Rutterford, Grace Strafford, Barbara Taylor. Boys, Robin Baumber, Lionel Criddle, Brian Easy, Ronald Sallis, Peter South, Terence Stevens, Frederick Thurling, William Norman (Little Ouse).

1949, June

  • Barbers Almanac – A party was held in the Old Church School, Little Ouse, to celebrate the 21st birthday of Miss Mary Fincham, of the Bungalow, Whitehouse Road.

1952

  • Little Ouse seniors transferred to Martin School, Littleport.
    • Little Ouse school is now a Primary school only.

1952, October

  • Barbers Almanac – Mr. W. P. Register, of Littleport, appointed headmaster of the Little Ouse School. Mrs. Register was appointed assistant mistress at the same school.

1953, April

  • Barbers Almanac – Children of Little Ouse School subscribed £3 to the Lord Mayor of London’s Flood Relief Fund.

1953, June

  • Barbers Almanac- School children from Black Horse Drove and Little Ouse toured the Coronation route in London.

1953, July

  • Barbers Almanac – Littleport County Primary School Scholarship winners. Girls:­­ Barbara Cole, Mary Firby, Ann Fendick, Barbara Register, Jean Firby, Mary Rudderkam, Christine Butcher, Adrienne Neilson. Boys :­­Bernard Burling, David Feltell, Michael Levett, Michael Lister, John Starling, John Thorpe, Terence Simper, Edwin Whitehouse. A. W. Register (Little Ouse).
  • Barbers Almanac – Children of the Littleport and Little Ouse schools saw the Coronation film “Elizabeth is Queen” at the Regal Cinema.

1953, September

  • Barbers Almanac – A collection at Little Ouse School in aid of Dr. Barnardo’s Homes amounted to £3/9/4.

1953, December

  • Barbers Almanac – Members of the Little Ouse County Primary School held their Christmas Party in the school.

1954, January

  • Barbers Almanac – Visit paid by the school children of Little Ouse and Brandon Bank to the pantomime “Puss in Boots” at the Embassy Theatre, Peterborough.

1954, June

  • Barbers Almanac – Outing of the children of Little Ouse County Primary School to Whipsnade Park. They were accompanied by their Head Master Mr W P. Register, Mrs. Register and several parents.

1954, November

  • Barbers Almanac – Little Ouse school children collected £3 12s. 9d. for Dr. Barnardo’s Homes.

1955, March

  • Barbers Almanac- Plans for an additional classroom, etc., at Little Ouse C.P. School, together with the provision of central heating for the existing school and the new classroom, were approved at a meeting of the Isle of Ely Education Committee. The total estimated cost was £3,275.

1955, July

  • Barbers Almanac – Local Primary School scholarship winners. Littleport­­ Sherry Everett, Margaret Fletcher, Anne Kitchen, Christine Howe, Janice Brown, Hazel Smith, Clive Taylor, David Clarke, John Lee, William Duffin, Peter Green, Brian Kerridge, Stephen Missin, Peter Wilderspin. Black Horse Drove­­Heather James, Patricia Gaul, Hazel Smith. Little Ouse­­ David Register.

1956, March

  • Barbers Almanac – The following pupils of local schools were successful in passing the entrance examination to Ely High School for Girls and Soham Grammar School:—Littleport County Primary—Eileen Bell, Jean Chapman, Janis Lincoln, Frances Davies, Meryl Wilderspin, Linda Sewell, Rhodene Carter, Monica Turner, Shane Gordon, Robert Powell, David Baumber, John King, Ashley Tassell, Peter Gorham. Black Horse Drove Coronation—Mary Smith, Linda Cullen, Avis Langley, Robin Butcher. Little Ouse County Primary—Richard Register.

1956, October

  • Barbers Almanac – A collection by children of Little Ouse School for Dr. Barnardo’s Homes amounted to £2 10s. 4 1/2d.

1957, October

  • Barbers Almanac – Mr. W. P. Register, of School House, Little Ouse, fishing in the river there, landed a fine 27 Ib. 4 oz. pike. It was 43 1/2 inches long and 21 inches round its girth.

1959, July

  • Barbers Almanac – Little Ouse School annual sports and country and maypole dancing display.

1960, February

  • Barbers Almanac – Children of Little Ouse County Primary School collected £2 for the Isle of Ely Society for the Blind.

1960, December

  • Barbers Almanac – Almost £11 was raised at a Whist Drive held in the school at Little Ouse in aid of the Cricket Club.

1961, May

  • Barbers Almanac- It was revealed that local collections for the Royal National Life­boat institution raised £21 11s. 0d. Mrs P. Morton was the organiser. Collections at Little Ouse, under Mr. Register, yielded £2 0s. 6d.
  • Barbers Almanac – A Garden Fete at Little Ouse raised £110 for local School and Women’s Institute funds. It was opened by Mrs. J. H. Martin, of Littleport.

1963, December

  • Barbers Almanac – Children of Little Ouse Primary School and the Coronation School, Black Horse Drove, provided the background of a Carol Service held in St. John’s Church, Little Ouse.

1964, May

  • Barbers Almanac – P.c. Morton of Littleport visited Little Ouse School to talk to the children on road safety.

1964, September

  • Barbers Almanac – Garden fete at Little Ouse. The profit of £138 was shared by St. John’s Church, Brandon Bank Methodist Church and the County Primary School.

1965, May

  • Barbers Almanac – Cambs. and Isle of Ely County Show. Local winners in the floral arrangement classes were Mrs. E. J. Register (Little Ouse) with two first and two second awards and Mrs, J. Gilbert (Littleport), one first and one second award. In the class for clubs, Littleport Flower Arrangement Club was second.

1965, September

  • Barbers Almanac- A fete, held at Little Ouse in aid of St. John’s Church, Brandon Bank Methodist Chapel and Little Ouse School, realised £154.

1974, August

  • 8th – Barbers Almanac – The P.T.A. & Headmaster of Little Ouse fear that the village may “die” unless the Littleport Parish Council inject some form of life into it.

1974, September

  • 19th – Barbers Almanac – Little Ouse raised over £300 from a Fete organised by the P.T.A. The cash is to help bring “life” back to the village. Littleport Parish Council promised to back requests for street lights and a pavement in the hamlet.

1976, February

  • 19th – Barbers Almanac – Mr John Rampton has given free potatoes to the children of Little Ouse School. The price of potatoes has made them a luxury!

1976, November

  • An assorted collection of articles and newspaper cuttings relating to an article about Little Ouse School by journalist Anne Garvey in 1976, and two versions of an article titled ‘The Fen Tigers’. The articles and letters (which are mostly critical of her article) span November 1976 to September 1977.

1977, September

  • 22nd – Barbers Almanac – At Little Ouse a Gala Fete on Saturday was well attended and over £250 is expected as a result. The Fete was organised by the PTA.

1981, November

  • 4th, Wednesday – Shock new proposals to change the face of education in the Ely area have emerged in a secret report. It suggests closure of five more schools at Little Ouse, Stuntney, Prickwillow, Black Horse Drove and St Audrey’s, Ely together with Bedford House further education centre. At Littleport the Village College buildings would become a new county primary school.

1985

  • Little Ouse School closed down.

2025, October

  • 28th, Published – The Ely Standard – Bennet Jones, Little Ouse, passed away peacefully on 17th October, 2025, aged 99 years. A much loved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to so many. The funeral service will be held at St George’s Church, Littleport, on Thursday, 6th November at 10 a.m. followed by burial at Parsons Lane Cemetery. Please join us for refreshments afterwards at The Swan, Littleport.
    • The last school master of Little Ouse. When the school closed Mr Bennet and his wife remained in the School House.