From The Country Churchman, Warminster And District Edition, Vo.9, No.10, October 1968:
Maiden Bradley. Church Of England Aided School.
The official notice from the Chief Educational Officer, Wiltshire County Council, for the closure of Maiden Bradley School has been duly posted on the main school door according to law. The number of pupils now at the school does not justify the continuance of keeping the school open on economical grounds and follows the closing down of like situated Infant and Junior schools throughout the country.
The School in our midst has been established for a great number of years and there are a large number of parishioners who received their education there, and these can look back to the days when the numbers were really large. Such, and those amongst us who taught at the school will be more saddened to see its closure, for it breaks much of the communal life of the parish.
The School Managers viewed the closure of the School with apprehensive gloom, as indeed did many of the parents of present pupils which is so understandable; but due to the economic situation and strain throughout the country and changing conditions such an ultimate move was inevitable.
It is all the more distressing because it means we will lose the services of our Headmistress, Miss Pointon, who has been with us for so short a time and cemented a position so effectively giving much modern instruction and teaching to those under her charge at the same time giving much help and advice to the children’s parents. We can be assured that Miss Pointon will lay a sound foundation in the lives and minds of the present pupils as they go to another school. Happily we hope we shall have a term or two yet of Miss Pointon’s valued services for it is not expected that a move will be made before, at the earliest, the Easter term.
The pupils who will be at the School at the time of closure and those who come after are to be transferred to Kilmington C. of E. Controlled School, which is under the headship of Miss Mason. Our parish, of course, adjoins that of Kilmington and is in the diocese of Bath and Wells. Agreement has been arranged with the Church Educational Authorities of both dioceses and the Incumbent therefore of Maiden Bradley will have access to the School and be on the management board.
The Managers of our School opposed the idea of our infants and junior pupils going to Mere because of distance, and in any case, this school is not, at present, suitably situated for further numbers as it was felt a “Village” school would be preferable. It is, recorded with appreciation the help, advice and understanding the County Educational Authorities gave in meeting the wishes of Managers and parents.
We are glad that Mrs. Robinson who was the Assistant Teacher at Maiden Bradley School has taken up a new appointment at Sutton Veny and we express our thanks to her for all she did and wish her all success in her new appointment. We certainly live, now-a-days in a changing world, more than ever before, and not least in the way of educational institutions.