Teaching The Heathens

The 3 Rs plus riots, rebellion and religious conflict

Howard, one of our members, gave a very interesting and engaging talk telling the story of schooling in the village of Mannings Heath through the 19th century.

The story tells of 100 years in the life of a small Sussex village and of the religious, educational and political events that shaped the teaching of the children through times of major social and industrial change – some of it being riotous and rebellious.

It includes the impact of a World War on village life and the teaching of the children and tells of village politics and rivalries, battles between the village and the County and National authorities, clashes between the Methodist and Church of England local leaders and, most importantly, acts of individual generosity and endeavour – all the stuff of real life.

And this is what the battles were all about – the school built in 1883 for 80 children of Mannings Heath.