Fishcross school opened in 1875 after community procession

Many people not only from Fishcross but Sauchie and the surrounding areas congregated in honour of its opening.

At 3 o’clock that afternoon, they met in the playground of the school, and formed into a line for a procession, marching in through the new school building and making their way to the old school, then known as Devon School.

This procession was headed by Hunter who played his bagpipes.

At the old school, the 100 or so people were invited to sit and listen to John Snaddon who presided.

He spoke of the interest in education in Fishcross and how it would help establish a thirst for knowledge in the children, helping them in later life in finding work and expanding their minds.

They were then entertained with songs and recitations for around two hours before reforming the procession and making their way to the ground behind the newly constructed schoolhouse for the school master.

There, the events of the afternoon ended with some dancing.

They wished the new Fishcross Public School every success and the headteacher James Paterson well in the new premises.

He would remain in the position until 1919 when he retired after 46 years of service.

In 1919, the school closed for a time due to a measles epidemic.

In 1936 the school unintentionally became embroiled in “strike” action.

Parents of 58 children in Sauchie refused to send them to school as it was proposed they should attend Fishcross school due to lack of capacity in Sauchie.

They were unhappy that their children would have to walk from Beechwood, which they deemed to be too far and too dangerous for wee ones.

With that in mind, the council offered school transport.

By May 1938, subsidence had become an issue due to mine workings, so the local Education Committee asked for the manager of the Alloa Coal Company to visit and see the damage for himself.

Telfor, accompanied by Atherton Gray of the council, thought the damage had been exaggerated and was not serious.

In the months before this, a classroom had become unusable, with plaster falling from the ceiling.

Telfer agreed to assist the council when repairs were carried out, and the coal company would also help with costs.

Electric lighting was also installed that year.

In 1991, the school was extended and modernised, with a new garden established in 1998, but in 2019, it was threatened with closure.

It remains open to pupils and is an integral part of the local community.