In 1873, a new school was built next door to the original building, and in 1953 the Infant Room was enlarged and an office/staff room added. The Elizabeth Lane Room – now a third classroom – was built in 1991 using funds from the Elizabeth Lane School Foundation, set up when the original School House was sold. The Foundation still supports the school’s activities and can assist with individual children’s educational needs.
In 2002 we designed a new outside play and learning area for our youngest children in the front garden. In 2004 a 2600m2 playing field behind the school was secured to provide a safe environment for outdoor play and games, and new building work was carried out to link the two buildings of the school and provide much-needed office and library accommodation.
In a cruel twist of fate, upon completion of this work a fire ignited in February 2005, gutting the core of the school. Lessons were temporarily held first at the Global Retreat Centre at Nuneham Courtenay and then in Portakabin accommodation in the new playing field, while the school rehabilitation programme was pursued. The rebuild allowed for structural improvements to be made to the buildings, and initiated a move to build a small school hall. The school received an
Oxford Preservation Trust award in 2007 for the sympathetic nature of the rebuild.
The village and surrounds provide a rich and varied resource for learning activities. Throughout its long history Marsh Baldon School has remained very much part of the local community – never has its relevance and support been more felt that in the aftermath of the fire.