The school was described as 'Lord Vernon's Church of England Girls and Infants schools'. It was a handsome school-house for the instruction of girls in the common branches of female education, and in the art of plaiting straw for making bonnets. Girls besides receiving an education were given the job of sewing linen garments, napkins and bed gowns for the residents of Sudbury Hall and for charitable donation to the needy by Lady Vernon. Lady Vernon started a tradition of giving prizes for the best work, hence Hannah received her Nister Book as a prize provided by the Vernon family in 1896 for regular attendance.