In the early years, there were no schools in Carterton. Children had to journey to neighbouring villages, and in bad weather arrived wet and cold, having travelled by foot, bicycle or donkey cart. Carterton Junior School opened in 1928 with two classrooms and 19 pupils aged between 4 and 9. By the following year the number had risen to 80.

Pleasures were simple, clubs few. There was a library of sorts above the emporium (now the Aviator) from which books could be borrowed for one penny a time. Two brothers Tom and John Foxcroft would entertain children with talk about astrology and tell them their horoscopes. Most children were expected to help out with chores around the home or on the land.

The coming of an airfield had a considerable impact, particularly after the change of command from USAF to RAF in 1965. That year a second primary school, Brize Norton Aerodrome School, opened on camp. This was renamed Gateway in 1970. Two further schools, Edith Moorhouse and St Josephs, were erected on a shared site in 1969, and a secondary school/community college was opened in Gateway 1972. Over the years the college has suffered five catastrophic fires, not all accidental, so that little of the original fabric survives. In 2003 a fifth primary school, St Johns, opened to serve the growing new community on Shilton Park. To date (2005) youngsters still need to transfer to Burford or Witney for post-16 courses.