In the time of the Priory and up to its dissolution we may infer that the education of a few promising children would be undertaken by the monks, with a religious aim.
After this there would be a gap and there is no record of formal education in the village before 1842. Doubtless the sons of the well-to-do would be sent away to be educated and a certain amount of learning would pass from generation to generation.
In 1842 the National Schools were built by the Ministry of Education and the National Society (Church of England). The Bassett & Rashleigh arms with those of the Priory appear over the entrance.
Site plan for the Old National School
Although the Education Act of 1870 made attendance compulsory and free, this was not yet in force in Tywardreath and in 1879 we have records of children sent home for failure to pay their school pence.
In 1881 the Tywardreath School Board took over the premises and although there were complaints of bad ventilation and sanitation it was not until 1903 that the present boys school was built. Even then the girls remained in the National Schools until 1916, when the present girls school was opened and the National schools were made over to an educational trust.
Mention must be made of the private schools. One, at Little Par was conducted by a Miss Harris. Another in the house now known as "The Burrows" (previously "Pen Nevis" and earlier still as "Mount View") was taught by Miss Daniel and after this closed a school was carried on in the premises occupied by Mr Roberts.
Pupils in front of the Old National Schools about 1911
The reports, which are still available of the work done in the board schools are excellent and while it would be invidious to mention names, Tywardreath may well be proud of many of its sons and daughters who received their early training in the village schools and who now occupy positions of some importance throughout the world.