TWO pupils from Holbeton primary went to a recording of The Antiques Roadshow earlier in the year with documents that give a fascinating glimpse into the history of the school.

Eve and Ellie, along with two members of staff, made the trip to the Royal William Yard in Plymouth, where the popular programme was being recorded.

They took with them a recently discovered poster, dated 1885, which was given to the school last year by the grandson of a former teacher.

Eve and Ellie also took a roll book, which the school has always owned, that dates back to 1882, 10 years after the present school building was erected by WF Splatt Esq, and given by him ‘for the use of the parish of Holbeton’. The first school in Holbeton was founded in 1835.

The poster was produced by the ‘School Board’ and advertises ‘Holbeton and Mothe-combe School’. The original Mothecombe School is now the tea house at the Mothe-combe beach car park.

The ‘Subjects of Instruction’ are advertised as: for boys – reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar and geography; and for girls the same, but with geography swapped for needlework.

Fees are listed at between 1d per week for seven-year-old children of labourers and tradesmen, to 4d for 14-year-olds, to be paid weekly or fortnightly in advance. There are ­different rates for ‘parishioners’ and ‘out-parishioners’.

The roll book lists every child, the date of their entry to school, their date of birth, address, last school and achievements. Seven-teen children are recorded as starting in 1885, the year the poster was produced.

Eve reported: ‘We went to the Royal William Yard in Plymouth with an old poster and school book. We got there and we had to find the place with antiques and things like that.

‘We waited in the line for about an hour. It was a long time. Then, all of a sudden, the camera crew came over and said, “What do you have here?”.

‘We said it was a very old poster about our school. Then Eric Knowles came over and talked to us about the poster. It was really interesting as he brought the story and history of the school to life.’

Antiques expert Mr Knowles said the poster had great historical value, especially as the school has the roll book of the time.

Years 3 and 4 will be studying the Victorians as a topic this term and the poster and roll book will be used to bring the period to life.