Back to School!

Lockdown seemed as good a time as any to shake things up a little.

And the National Lottery Heritage Fund has helped us – so, thank you!

After our first decade we thought it was time to re-open by re-telling the fascinating story of the School’s unique link with Samuel Wilderspin and his Infant System – back in the early 1800s.

We’ve re-shaped your visit so you’ll go “back to school”, straight into the world’s only reconstruction Mr. Wilderspin’s Model Infant School of 1845.

Then new displays and historical classroom settings tell the story of the Barton Church School, including a new Wartime Classroom showing the part played by the School in the Second World War.

You can help too – tell us what you think about our re-telling of the Wilderspin Story.  We’ll then look at things again over the summer and tweak things further in time for a big bash in September as part of Heritage Open Days.

Kickstarting Tourism

The Trust is grateful to the Humber Business Growth Hub for help with improving our shop and visitor reception as we prepared for post – Covid reopening.  We received £1,750 towards upgrading our Shop & Visitor Reception with funding made available by the  – SME Restart & Recovery / Kickstarting Tourism programme part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Smart Energy investment in the Joseph Wright Hall

We have had support from Smart Energy Greater Lincolnshire to help us invest in more efficient heating for the Joseph Wright Hall, as part of an £8.5 million Smart Energy programme part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Lottery Club

Support our work restoring the former Church School & Primitive Methodist Chapel.

Two draws a year pay out a £50 prize, a £25 prize, two £20 prizes and two £10 prizes!

The annual subscription is only £15 (less than 30p per week!) by standing order only.

To participate and support the Trust, please print the Standing Order from and return it to us.

Click here for the WNS Lottery Standing Order Form

The Summer 2024 Draw winners were:

£50 prize    Stuart Aldridge

£25 prize    James Simpson

£20 prizes   Brian Pettifer and Alan Smith

£10 prizes   Monty Marti and Danielle Smith

Would you like to join our Education Team?

Due to increased demand from schools we require more Education Assistants to deliver “off the shelf” sessions to visiting school groups.  Teaching experience is helpful but not essential – what’s needed is self-confidence and enthusiasm!  Full training and induction is, of course, provided.  It’s very fulfilling and there’s a little remuneration too.

Please get in touch if you might be interested and we can give you more details.

email: wilderspinschoolmuseum@gmail.com

tel: (01652) 635172