British School for Infants, Sarum Hill

A co-educational school was opened on the south side of Sarum Hill in 1840 supported by subscriptions, pupil fees and grants from the Government. The number of pupils grew sufficiently for an infants’ school to be erected on the opposite side of the road which opened in 1875. By 1884 the roll was 134 boys, 96 girls and 148 infants.

In 1888 the Fairfields Board Schools were opened on new premises in the town, the British School buildings having been condemned by the Education Department. Children transferred to the new school along with their Headmaster, George Gage.

The Junior School was sold in 1890 and used as a fruit and vegetable store by a local greengrocer. The Basingstoke Evening School Foundation was created by the proceeds of the sale to assist junior children with school fees and purchase of equipment and senior pupils progressing to university or other approved institutions of technical, professional or industrial instruction. The funds for this charity expired in 1999.

The Baptists purchased the building in 1908 for use as a church which was subsequently demolished for a new construction. The Infants’ School was used as a private school until 1912 after which the Council variously used it for cookery, technical and arts classes. It became a youth theatre workshop and an Irish Centre and in 2000 the Albirr Mosque.