Slamannan parish was unusual in that by 1695 it had become traditional to hold the school in rented accommodation for six months at the west end of the parish and then for six months in rented accommodation at the east end. In practice this tended to mean half of the year in what is now the village of Slamannan and the other half in the vicinity of Dalquhairn near Avonbridge. The site was probably that shown on Forrest’s map of 1806 at Dykehead on the Lands of West Dalquhairn (see Slamannan Parochial School). In 1696 it was found to be difficult to find suitable property to rent in the west end of the parish and so the appointed period at each location was extended to a year. Every now and again it was mooted that the school should be fixed in one location but it was 1804 before a building belonging to the Kirk Session in the village of Slamannan was picked upon. It was 1808 before it was ready for use as a school.
Slamannan is a large parish and this would have meant that children living near Avonbridge would have around a 4½ mile journey to school. The poor roads would have been impassable for days on end in the winter months. This was not considered practicable by the people living there and so the local farmers formed a school committee and took over the old school building at Dykehead. Functions were organised to raise money for its running and practical help was given when possible. This helped to supplement the fees charged by the appointed teacher who was also provided with accommodation by the trustees.
The parish minister in 1841 provided the following details:
“In the private or Easterdykehead school are taught the common branches, reading, writing, and arithmetic. The school fees are 3d a week. The number of scholars at an average is about 45 in the winter season, but less in summer.”
John Waugh of nearby Easter Arnloss farm took a particular interest in the school and it may have been there that the teacher lived.
“WANTED, A TEACHER for Dykehead School, Slamannan. Salary, £9 a-year, besides School Fees and a Free Lodging.—Apply to Mr John Waugh, East Arnloss, Slamannan, enclosing certificates.” (Falkirk Herald 13 November 1856, 1)
By then the school had moved to the opposite side of the main road.
The school building is shown on the 1st edition Ordnance Survey map on the opposite side of a track from the Babbithill Tomb. That tomb measures just 4.45 x 4.60m and gives an idea of just how small the classroom was. The Ordnance Surveyors in 1860 tell us that it was :
“A private school situate near to Dykehead, the usual branches of education are taught together with Latin and French. The average number of scholars amounts to about 80, the number of females is 50, males 30, and the annual salary of the teacher amounts to about £40.0.0.”
It must have been pretty cramped!
In 1873 the Slamannan School Board was set up and, like many other groups running a school on a shoestring, the subscribers to Dykehead discussed giving it to the new board:
“Notice is hereby given, that a MEETING of the SUBSCRIBERS to, and all PARTIES concerned in, DYKEHEAD SCHOOL PROPERTY, in the Parish of Slamannan, and County of Stirling, will be held in Dykehead School-Room, on FRIDAY – the 18th July, 3 o’clock p.m., for the purpose of considering whether said Property should be transferred to the Slamannan School Board. By order of the committee. Dykehead, 2d July 1873.” (Falkirk Herald 5 July 1873, 1).
The people agreed to hand the school over and as Mr Dempster had left for Drumclair School the Slamannan School Board advertised for a replacement:
“TEACHER ( CERTIFICATED) WANTED by the SCHOOL BOARD of SLAMANNAN for DYKEHEAD SCHOOL. Salary at the rate of £60 per annum, with Government Grant and use of House and Garden. A new School and Schoolmaster’s House are about to be erected for the district. Applications, with testimonials to be lodged on or before 5th December 1874 in the hands of Andrew Allan, Solicitor, Falkirk, Clerk to the Board.” (Scotsman 30 November 1874, 1).
The new school was at Avonbridge and opened in November 1877. The old school at Dykehead was put up for sale and eventually, in October 1879, sold for £122. It became Dykehead Cottage. It was demolished some time ago and the ground incorporated into the field.
| YEAR ARRIVED | HEADTEACHER | YEAR LEFT | No. PUPILS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1856 | Mr Dempster | 1873 | 80 |
| 1873 | Henry Taylor | 1877 |
Sites and Monuments Record
| Slamannan Parish | SMR 2275 | NS 8890 7203 |
Falkirk Local History Society 