A Brief History
There has been a school in North Thoresby for nearly 200 years, begun by far-sighted people, long before education was made compulsory.
One of the earliest records of schools in North Thoresby is that of 1818 which records the Mapletoft Charity School, still in Church Lane, as being a school "endowed by a former rector where approximately 22 boys were taught free by a master".
The Mapletoft School seems to have been the main village school, although documents mention other schools operating in the village in the early 1800s, including a Sunday School which taught the 3 R's!
Even so, records show that education provision for the poor in the village was inadequate. In the 1880s the Mapletoft School received a series of warnings that "the standard of attainment was falling so low that it would not be granted a certificate of efficiency unless it improved".
Following an inspection in 1888 it failed to be granted a certificate and closed the following year.
In 1856 the Wesleyan Methodists built a 'Day School' next to the Chapel (now the Wesley Centre), which became successful in providing much-needed Elementary Education in the village. It generally received good reports on its efficiency.
Later, in the late 1880s. the 'Day School' became a 'Board School' and finally a Local Education Authority School although the property continued to be owned by the Methodist Church. Primary Education continued in this building until 1985, when the present school building was opened.
The process of change, in buildings, equipment and curriculum, has continued over the last few years. High-technology, ensures that North Thoresby Primary School keeps up to date.
We believe we carry the torch of educational excellence first hoped for
in North Thoresby in the early 1800s.