The ClayTAWC building has been an integral part of Clay Country since the 1830s, proudly serving as a Church of England infant school, with the building itself dating back to mid-Victorian times.
The infant school closed its doors in July 1996, after educating so many generations of pupils and preparing them for the outside world. The village school was considered a focal point of the community, as it still is today: a place where the community could come together, socialise and be educated.
The twentieth century provided mixed fortunes for the old school. Two world wars brought tragedy and sadness, with influenza and scarlet fever bringing despair. However, there were many happy times too, including school treats (like the Summercourt fair), a visit from the circus in 1904 and the seasonal community activities of Christmas and Easter.
In January 2000, work commenced on the old school building, turning it from a beloved infant school into a new Training and Work Centre for local people of the Clay area who might need support with further education to seek new jobs.
In 2013, ClayTAWC was successful in securing vital funding to retrofit the building to boost its eco-friendly credentials. Work started in March, with new windows installed, loft insulation and re-cladding. The purpose of the retrofit was to improve energy efficiency so that the money saved could be ploughed back into the community. After many months of hard work, the building was finished in July, and during that whole period ClayTAWC’s doors remained open for courses, activities and the general public.
Today, ClayTAWC is still serving as a vital community space, expanding from its educational roots to provide skills workshops, social activities, children’s workshops, community information rooms and so much more.