Honouring our past. Inspiring our present. Shaping our future

This year marks a truly special milestone for our school and village: the 200th anniversary of Welton St Mary’s C of E Primary School. As we celebrate, it feels only right to look back at the remarkable story of our school’s beginnings and the man whose vision made it possible.

If you have ever walked through St Mary’s Churchyard, you may have noticed a grave, just by the church entrance, enclosed by simple iron railings. It belongs to Rev. William Williamson – curate and later vicar of Welton, and the founder of our school. For 57 years he served this community, leaving an extraordinary legacy that still shapes our village today.

Born in Birstall, near Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, William Williamson came to Lincolnshire as a curate in 1825. Just one year later, on 21st June 1826, he laid the foundation stone for Welton Parochial School. The school began with just 35 scholars recorded in 1828, but Williamson’s ambitions reached far beyond that modest start.

Letters discovered in the Lincoln Archives – addressed to Earl Brownlow of Belton House, who helped fund the venture – reveal his determination to provide education for both boys and girls in Welton. These letters, spanning 1826 to 1846, give fascinating insights into examinations, progress, and plans for the school’s future.

By the late 1820s, Williamson’s dream of separate schools for boys and girls was already forming. Shortly before his death in 1882, aged 86, the original single schoolroom had grown into two buildings to achieve that goal. Throughout his life, he worked tirelessly to keep education in Welton rooted in the parish, resisting efforts to transfer control to the school board. Thanks to his steadfast vision, the foundation of what we now know as Welton St Mary’s was firmly set.

Two centuries on, we are proud to honour Rev. Williamson and continue what he began. To mark our 200th anniversary, we are celebrating throughout the year with a range of special events and activities, including:

• A whole-school history trip to Normanby Hall
• A special service at Lincoln Cathedral
• A Victorian Day bringing history to life for our pupils – complete with polished boots, perfect manners, and plenty of learning!
• And, most excitingly, our 200th Birthday Summer Fayre on Saturday 20th June, where we warmly invite the entire community to join us.

Victorian Day

At the fayre, visitors will be able to enjoy a photographic journey of the school from the 1950s through to today. You will also be able to explore our school logbooks and their transcriptions. Follow click on the links below to read transcripts of the log books and uncover fascinating firsthand accounts of what education was like in Welton as far back as 1899. These transcriptions have been carefully prepared by local volunteers – Dawn Bowskill, Janet Freeman, Liz Clarke, and Neave Vardy – whose dedication has brought the history of the school and its pupils vividly to life. Alongside these, the original punishment book offers a striking glimpse into Victorian discipline and daily school life.

Log Book 1899 Log Book 1907-1915 Punishment Book

To make our celebration even richer, we’d love your help. If you have photographs, stories, artefacts, or memories connected to the school, please share them with us by visiting the school office or emailing alumni@welton-st-marys.lincs.sch.uk. We are especially keen to hear from former pupils, so that today’s children can learn how the school has changed – and stayed the same – over two centuries.

Welton St Mary’s has stood at the heart of our village for 200 years. Thanks to the vision of Rev. William Williamson, it remains a place where education, community, and history come together. We look forward to celebrating this remarkable milestone with you all – past, present, and future.