Having established a Sunday school in Cheddar in 1789, and encouraging her sisters to set up similar ones throughout the Mendips, Hannah More (1745-1833) opened the first school here in Brislington in around 1796. She was a friend of the Squire of Brislington, James Ireland and the Cottage was part of the estate. Henrietta Cotton was the first school mistress. It all, Hannah More was responsible for the establishment of twelve school in Bristol and its surroundings areas.