In early 1860, tenders were called for the erection of a schoolhouse at Foxhill.
The successful tenderer, Mr Midgley, was given one condition, that the building had to satisfy the local committee and be completed within four months of acceptance, or he would forfeit 20 shillings per week after that time. By the end of the four months, the building had only just been started.
Midgley approached the committee asking for an advance. Concerns were raised about the green timber being used and the likelihood of it shrinking. As the building progressed it became clear the chimney was unsafe, and Midgley was asked to rebuild it. One year after accepting the tender the schoolhouse was finally completed, but as expected the floors had shrunk and needed replacing, and the room required relining where boards had pulled apart.
The school opened the following year, but after only three years of operation problems emerged around the running of the school. The roll sat at 18, but average daily attendance was only eight. At least one parent was deeply dissatisfied with the standard of education. Mr W. A. Morrison complained that the school was little more than an infant school with very irregular hours, which prevented him from sending his children at all.
He believed the underlying issue was that the school was controlled by a committee that also managed three other schools. Locals argued that two schools were enough for any committee. A public meeting of residents was called in March 1865 to discuss a proposal to separate the local educational district, giving Wakefield and Foxhill their own school committee.
Mrs Rawlings was schoolmistress in 1864, followed by Miss Holder in 1866 and Miss Hinde in 1868. The 1868 annual report showed little to no progress, with daily attendance sitting at only 10. While the teacher faced criticism, the Inspector instead blamed the parents for the ill taught condition of their children.
By the mid 1870s Harry Ladley had taken charge of the school, and reports showed a great improvement. Ladley’s most notable student was Ernest Rutherford, who started school on 14 March 1877 at five years and five months old. Ladley resigned in December 1884, and Mr Peart took over as schoolmaster. Within five years the roll had increased to 75. Peart remained until 1892, when John Thomas Veysey was appointed after 13 years teaching at Haven Road School. The school grew steadily in size and performance, gaining strong reports in annual inspections.
In December 1902, an event shook the Foxhill community when Veysey was assaulted by Frederick Mace at the Foxhill Railway Station in front of a crowd. Mace was angry about what he considered inappropriate attention given to his youngest daughter by Veysey, and had already withdrawn her from the school. An earlier complaint had been made regarding improper conduct with female students. Three girls gave evidence, prompting an Education Board investigation that ultimately acquitted Veysey. In 1900, another charge of undue familiarity with a girl was made, supported by evidence from two further students. That hearing, held before the Foxhill Committee, resulted in a recommendation that Veysey seek another placement.
Mace wanted justice for his daughter, but Veysey sued him for substantial damages and was awarded £10.
Veysey remained at the school until the end of 1907. By 1937 the school needed rebuilding. The new school opened in March 1938.
A final blow to the community came when they were informed by Minister of Education Trevor Mallard that Foxhill School would close on 28 January 2002.
