On June 6th the school known as Rushden Board School, which had formally been worked as a mixed school, was divided into separate Girls’ & Boys’ Departments. The staff of teachers appointed for the Girls’ Department being as follows,

1. Head Teacher (Alice Hunt)

2. Certificated Assistant (Prudence Darnell)

3. Ex. P.T. from Infant Department. (Mary Ann Elstow.)

On the morning of the 6th June 18887. The school was visited by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board School, visited again in the afternoon by the same gentleman.

Visit paid to school by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board.

Number of scholars on the books for June 10th was 152 and the average attendance 124. I find on looking over the work of the different scholars, that it is very poor, and done in an untidy manner (as a rule). The Upper Standards are far below the average.

Attendance very poor in the afternoon of June 13th, owing to a school party being held in the village.

School visited by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board.

Visit paid by Mr. Knight and permission given to close school June 21st & 22nd. The attendance during the week ending June 24th was very poor. The average falling from 125 to 101. The attendance on the morning of the 27th greatly improved, but fell off again considerably in the afternoon, owing to a school treat being held in the neighbourhood.

Visit paid to the school by Mr Knight.

Permission given to close the school on Monday July 4th owing to a number of the children, going away from the neighbourhood to a distance on the occasion of a school treat. School visited by Mr. Knight, chairman of the Board. The attendance during the week has improved.

Holiday on account of a school treat.

School opened on Tuesday morning. Attendance poor. Visit paid by Mr. Knight, chairman of the Board. A girl whose name is Elizabeth Linnitt (Standard II) attended school on Tuesday morning for the first time since May 26th. She gave considerable trouble over her work during the morning, so she was put out of the class to stand by herself, but not punished in any other way. At the close of the morning, she was dismissed with the others. She went home and said she had been punished and this caused a great deal of trouble. Her mother came to the school, and although a teacher who was in the same room all the morning, and a number of children said it was not so, the mother and child both persisted in their statement. I then refused to take the girl again, for I thought the moral tone of the school, would probably be affected through her.

Visit by Mr. Knight on the morning of July 8th. School this week only opened eight times owing to holiday on Monday. So far the two assistants have worked conscientiously and well, but their work is difficult owing to the bad attendance, and the number of half time scholars especially in the upper (IV to VII) Standards. Standard II cannot make the progress they ought on account of having no constant teachers. Standards V, VI, and VII being mostly half timers, great attention is needed to be given to them, and I can only leave them at times to go to Standard II. Standard I are in a backward state and Miss Elstow coming from the Infant School takes charge of this class, this being most like her former work.

Attendance this morning only fair. School closed this afternoon on account of so many children going to a school treat held in the village.

Visit paid by Mr. Knight. Attendance of the week slightly improved. Several of the scholars in this school absent, on account of little ones in the same family being all ill with measles. The previous standard work especially of the Upper Standards is in a very low state. This causes great difficulty in their present work especially with the half-time scholars.

I had occasion to punish a girl for idleness. The order of the school has given me great trouble during the last seven weeks. The order was decidedly in a very poor state, and on that account I have had to be strict in regard to many little matters. Attendance during the week has been better, but several children are still absent owing to measles among the little ones at home.

On Thursday morning, July 21st, the school was visited by Mr. Knight. A great many children were away from school in the afternoon, owing to a school treat being held. I have adopted the plan of causing every child who is absent from school to bring a note from the parents, stating the reason for the absence; and I think this will do away with much of the present staying away from school.

On Friday afternoon I punished a girl by giving her one strike with the cane for refusing to do her lesson. (Mary A. Baker Standard II) she was kept to do her lesson after the other children were dismissed, but was fetched out of school by the mother, who caused a great disturbance. This kind of thing has given considerable difficulty to me during the time I have been in charge of the school.

I have this day examined the registers and found them correct. Sam Knight Chairman of the Board.At a committee meeting held on Friday evening July 22nd it was decided to engage Annie Ladds (Standard VII) as candidate on probation. She commenced her duties on Monday July 25th. During the week she has helped with Standard II and has worked very nicely. This class has been neglected a little owing to their being without a teacher of their own. They are very backward in their Spelling. I have taken the principal share of the work with this class. This week myself, so that the young candidate might have some idea of my methods of teaching. On Tuesday 26th of July the school was visited by Mr. Knight Chairman of the School Board.On Wednesday the 27th and Friday 29th of July I took a Grammar lesson with the 4th Standard. The Upper Standards have a very meagre knowledge of Grammar and on account of this I have found it necessary to commence again with the “Parts of Speech”. I have just commenced to use the Midland Grammar Books, in the Standards above the II.

Took needlework this afternoon instead of Friday as I found it necessary to have quiet work. Mr. Knight Chairman of the Board visited the school and examined the registers.

Visit of Mr. Knight chairman of the Board. Lessons taken instead of needlework, this afternoon on account of the change in the work yesterday afternoon. The attendance during this week has been a little better but several scholars are absent, owing to measles at home. In testing the school work of the scholars, I find that spelling is weak in most of the classes.The school is closed this weekend (for a month) for the Summer Vacation. Weeks ending the, 12th 19th & 26th include the above named holiday.

The school was re-opened. The attendance in the morning was 112. I took Standard II for an Arithmetic Lesson.

Attendance this morning very much better. I looked over the Dictation of Standard III and found that the writing was very badly done. The spelling was moderate. I took Standard II for a Copy Book Lesson and also helped afterwards with the Arithmetic. Mr. Knight visited the school in the afternoon. I took a singing lesson with Standard I, II & III

Complained of the disorderly way in which Standard I were attending to the Arithmetic Lesson. I again examined the dictation of Standard III. The writing was slightly improved. I took Standard II for their first dictation lesson on paper, and also helped with Arithmetic.

Took Standard IV for a Grammar Lesson, then examined the same Standard in Reading and Dictation. The writing of the class is very poor. The last lesson I examined Standard II in Arithmetic. The class did fairly well with this work.

Owing to Miss Darnell being unwell I took Standard IV during the morning. The work taken as a whole was an improvement upon that which the children did when I first took charge of the school. The work of the Lower Standards has not been sufficiently grasped by many, and now when working their Standard Arithmetic, it is done incorrectly owing to their inability to apply the simple rules. With regard to the needlework, especially in the upper standards, great difficulty is experienced. The girls are mostly engaged when away from school in the boot trade. They used coarser needles and thread, not only this, the work being thick and hard, their fingers get very clumsy and dirty and then when they have school needlework, the work is not only very much inferior in quality, but on account of their clumsiness they are unable to ply the needle nimbly as they ought and the work (specimens especially) is not completed in the time allotted.Miss Darnell was so unwell on Friday afternoon that she had to go home again. Emily Tye Standard V punished for not attending the lesson.Average attendance for the week 116.

I took the 4th standard this morning for dictation and arithmetic. This afternoon I took Standard II for a dictation lesson.

I took Standard IV for a grammar lesson and in the afternoon Standard II for arithmetic.

Standard I have this morning had their first lesson in holding the pen. Took Standard II from 11 – 12 o’clock. I took writing in copy books this morning, the first instead of the second lesson as specified in the time table. My reason for doing so was that I might give a little attention to the pens of Standard II

Attendance this morning 122. Spent greater part of the morning with standard II. Took a grammar lesson, also with Standards IV, V and VI. Miss Elstow left at 4pm this afternoon. Beatrice Sergeant punished with one swipe with the cane on her hand for not attending to her lesson after being repeatedly told to do so.

School visited by Mr. Knight. I took Standard I for a mental arithmetic lesson. I sent the monitor to take a Reading Lesson with Standard I & II whilst I examined Standard II in Reading.Average attendance much better this week than for some time.

School visited by Mr. Knight

School visited by Mr. Knight. I took a dictation lesson with Standard II and also Arithmetic.In the afternoon I took Standard Iv for singing and afterwards Standard I & II. The Standard I which came from the Infant Department are with the exception of a few improving but the children for the present Standard I were and still are very backward.

Gave out and examined the dictation of Standard II. Also helped with the writing lesson of Standard I

Took an arithmetic lesson this morning and also in the afternoon with Standard II. Took IV, V & VI Standards for a grammar lesson.

Heard Standard II read. Average attendance this morning rather below the average. Took lessons all afternoon with Standard I & II instead of needlework part of the afternoon.

Examined Standard I in Dictation. The class has improved in this subject during the past month. The writing is still poor. I took Standard IV, V & VI together for a Grammar Lesson this morning and again this afternoon. Also took the same class for a singing lesson. There is some difficulty with regard to the kinds of reading books used in the various classes in the school. Most of the reading books have transferred from the boys’ school and I am compelled to have so many sets in use. The teachers have worked conscientiously, but their work is difficult owing (especially in the Upper Standards) to half time scholars. Had occasion to punish Beatrice Sergeant for very careless work.

I examined Miss Darnell’s Standard III. They did their arithmetic fairly well, but their dictation was very poor indeed. The writing also I complained of, it being ill shaped & too small.Standard I has improved in Arithmetic but this is only a small class of 33 children. Standard IV did not satisfy me in the quality of their work. Standard III & IV are both worked by the same teacher.

Took Upper Standards for a Grammar and Singing Lesson. The attendance through the week, has been much lower than for the last two weeks.

Attendance today very poor. The great number of absences during the week is owing to the Feast being held next week. Mr. Knight visited the school this morning. Examined Standard II in dictation again this morning. The lesson in both Standards was done a little better. Permission given by the Board to close the schools during week ending September 30th owing to Rushden Feast being held that week. Gave a lesson on the analysis of a sentence to Standard V & VI. Week ending Sept 30th 1887, School closed.

Attendance very much better in the afternoon, than the morning. Took over the Second Standard Arithmetic. It was very poor.

Took  Miss Darnell’s Standard IV for a Grammar Lesson. Also again in the afternoon. I also gave a dictation lesson with Standard V. I find it necessary to take many of the lessons of this Standard myself, because the class is only in charge of a monitor.

Took  Standard II for a writing lesson. The other Standards are working more carefully. The attendance during the week ending Oct. 7th was greatly improved to that of any previous week.

Today being stormy the attendance especially in  the morning was poor. It improved a little in the afternoon. Work during the week in the classes has gone on carefully. Second Standard on Thursday had their first lesson in short division. I took Standard II for a Reading Lesson on Thursday afternoon.

Took Standard II for an arithmetic lesson. Attendance during the week has fallen off owing partly to rather wet weather.

The attendance this morning has been poor. Standard II are working at short division by 2 and 3 this morning. I took a mental arithmetic lesson with them The answering on the tables was fairly done, the other part not so quickly answered. Standard I had a copy book lesson. This was carefully attended to by the teachers, who took great pains in pointing out imperfect work.

Took Standard IV with V and VI for a Grammar Lesson. Miss Darnell took a lesson on the Adverb with Standard IV. Listened to a Reading Lesson given to Standard I by Miss Elstow. The children were not particularly attentive, many of them twisting about instead of minding the lesson.

Arithmetic of Standard II done on paper for the first time. The setting down was very fairly done. The workings of the sum not so well done. Took the first lesson in Bills of Parcels with Standard V. The writing of the II Standard mentioned to the teacher, it being much too small and very irregular in form.

The arithmetic of Standard II was again done on paper. It was a little better than yesterday morning’s work. The dictation was not done as well as it should have been, so it had to be done over again.

I still find great difficulty in working with the half time scholars, a great many of these are not employed at the factories, but work at home. The latter especially are most irregular in their attendance, frequently only one morning in the week, for several succeeding weeks. The attendance during the week has been slightly improved.

The dictation of Standard II was taken by the monitor. This Standard took their first Reading Lesson from  the “World at Home.” The division sums not quite understood by a number of the children. The other Standards were working in a quiet manner.

Miss Elstow took a lesson on the Verb with Standard II. The monitor a Reading Lesson with Standard I. Standard IV taken with Upper Standards for grammar. Standard II in the afternoon took singing with Standard I with Miss Elstow, the monitor standing by. Standard V & VI took singing exercises with Standard III & IV whilst I took an Arithmetic Lesson on Division with Standard II

Standard I had their first recitation Lesson. Standard II had writing in copy books first lesson instead of second.I have this morning examined the registers and found them correct.
George Denton (pp Chairman of the Board.)

A wet day and a rather thin attendance on this account. Visit paid by Mr. Denton, vice chairman of the board.

Standard I had a lesson this morning on Greatest Common Measure and Standard II on a Complex Sentence.

I took charge of Standard II for their Arithmetic and Dictation Lessons this morning. A visit paid this afternoon by Mr. Knight chairman of the Board.

This morning being so stormy the attendance was not quite so good. Tom Standard I & II this afternoon for a singing lesson.

Lesson given to Standard V on Least Common Multiple. The arithmetic of Standard VI is got on with slowly, owing to the half time scholars. I took Standard II and III for a writing lesson, on the formation and joining together of the different letters. The writing of the latter standard being so small and ill-shaped, I find it necessary to use double lined paper for all writing exercises.

Took  Standard IV for a Grammar Lesson. Took Standard II for Dictation and Standard V & VI for Arithmetic. Took Standard II, IV & VI for singing in the afternoon.

The attendance during the week has gone down a little owing to bad weather, and illness among some of the younger scholars. In Standard I as many as six being absent the whole week.

Second Standard Dictation this morning slightly improved from that of the previous day. Standard IV took a grammar lesson with standard V & VI. Standard VI this morning had a lesson on the Adjective Sentence. The attendance owing to bad weather has not been quite so good today.

I took Standard IV for Grammar this morning whilst Miss Darnell took a Grammar Lesson with Standard III. Miss Elstow took the Grammar of Standard II, a lesson on the Verb. Standard V had this day a lesson in Addition of Fractions. This afternoon I took an Arithmetic Lesson with Standard II instead of their usual Spelling Lesson.

Visit paid this morning by Mr. Knight Chairman of the Board. I examined Standard II Arithmetic this morning. They did the sums in a careful manner, but the setting down in some cases, was rather poor. The average this week  is lower than that of the previous weeks, but I think this is on account of the very wet weather and many of the younger children being ill.

Visit paid by Mr. Knight Chairman of the Board. Attendance poor this morning, but very much better this afternoon. I took Standard IV for all their morning’s lessons. The class worked very well.

I took Standard IV with Standards V & VI for Grammar this morning, also again for a Grammar Lesson in the afternoon. Miss Elstow left Standard I in charge o a monitor while she took the Grammar of Standard II. The lesson was very well taken. She teaches using examples of the same word used as a noun and a verb. Miss Darnell took a lesson on the different kinds of adverbs with Standard III. I also took the Arithmetic of Standard II. This class is improving in the quality of their work, but the spelling is still poor. In the afternoon the Upper Standards took a new school song. “Angels whisper low and sweet.” I afterwards stood by whilst Miss Elstow took the singing of Standard I & II. The chief fault in the lesson was that the teacher did too much of the work.

I took Standards II & II for a writing lesson this morning.

Took  the Upper Standards for Grammar. Standard IV parsed a sentence whilst Standards V & VI did analysis. The Upper Standards took singing together again this afternoon, the song taken in two parts.

I left Upper Standards this morning in charge of the monitor whilst I took Standard II for a Spelling Lesson and afterwards for Reading. The attendance this week has been much better. I have found it necessary to open and close school fifteen minutes earlier (on account of the short days) in the afternoon, as some of the children have a distance to go.

Attendance today rather poor and this I think can be accounted for by the damp foggy day. One girl this week and one last week (Langford and Maddock) because they have been spoken to about coming only half time instead of whole. Visit paid by Mr. Knight Chairman of the Board. Miss Elstow absent from school this afternoon owing to illness. Owing to this I was compelled to let a first class girl take Standard I with lessons instead of needlework. The girls Langford and Maddock have been allowed to come half-time by a previous teacher and through my remonstrance have left. Neither of them have passed Standard II as several were doing. The same thing and more trying to do it, I found it necessary to put a stop at once to the practice.Miss Elstow absent from school from Monday morning until Friday morning owing to illness.The attendance during the week has not been good owing to stormy weather the beginning of the week. Two girls named Sugars have left the school this week because they were not allowed to still come as half timers. They have both failed to pass the proper Standard and have been allowed to come as half time scholars without interference.The scholars have this week taken a new song “Star of Peace.”Attendance during the week has been much below the average of the previous weeks.Standards II, IV, & VI have this week commenced using arithmetic test cards. “The Adaptable.”

Visit paid this afternoon my Mr. Knight chairman of the Board. Standard V have this morning used a new set of arithmetic cards. “The Leeds School Series.” The attendance this afternoon much better than this morning.

I examined Standard IV in Grammar this morning and afterwards in Arithmetic. This class do their work fairly well as a whole. Some, however, are very backward, these consist chiefly of half time scholars. The teacher of this class works very conscientiously but the work is made very difficult owing to half time scholars and the class consisting of two standards. Standard III and IV have improved in spelling since the last time I examined them.

On November 28th I wrote to Mr. E. Currie Esq. to obtain permission to take the following pieces for recitation by the different classes.Standards V & VI Scott’s “Lady of the Lake” – “The Combat”Standard IV “Casabianca and Hermes of England.”Standard III “Casabianca and the Three Fishers.”Standard II “The Graves of an Household” and “The Three Little Kittens.”Standard I “The Three Little Kittens.”I took Standard II for a spelling lesson. With the permission of the Board a “Lecture on Alcohol” was given to the elder scholars this afternoon.

I took Standard III for a writing lesson and Standard IV again for grammar. This afternoon examined the arithmetic of Standard II which was fairly well done.Standard IV worked better at Arithmetic this afternoon. The attendance this week has been considerably better in the afternoon than morning. The average has been 120.

I took standard II for a dictation lesson this morning.

I examined the arithmetic of Standard III this morning. The work was done fairly in the majority, but very imperfectly indeed amongst some of the half time scholars.

I took this morning Standard IV for a grammar lesson, also Standard II for dictation. This lesson not done well. This afternoon I have taken Standard IV, V & VI for a grammar lesson and then III, IV, V & VI for singing. Miss Elstow took standards I & II for their singing today. Beatrice Sergeant kept back this evening for disobedience to her teacher. Edith Scroxton in Standard II died December 3rd 1887 of fever. The attendance this week so far has not been good – owing I think to a large amount of illness amongst the children of the village and today’s bad weather. I find it very difficult to work Standard VI through their arithmetic owing to the quantity and also all the Standard VI scholars but one being half timers.

This morning I examined Standard IV in reading, dictation and arithmetic. I found that the reading had been carefully dealt with. The writing and spelling considerably improved. The arithmetic was not quite so well done. The attendance throughout the week has been poor. Mr. Knight, chairman of the Board, visited the school on Monday December 5th. This afternoon I took Standard II for an arithmetic lesson.

Visit paid this morning by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board. I find great difficulty (especially in the teaching of arithmetic) with the half time scholars and in speaking to the teachers as to their difficulties I find the same cause for complaint. The needlework too is another source of much complaint. Girls who are engaged in sewing and working at the shoes, so largely made in this district, cannot use their needles so quickly or so well as the other scholars.

I took Standard IV for a grammar lesson with standards V & VI. I afterwards worked with Standard III & IV for the rest of the morning sending their teacher Miss Darnell to Standard V & VI. I find that the work of these Standards is more carefully done, the quality of the work better, than it was a little while ago.

I examined the spelling of this class this morning and also the reading. The monitor having charge of this class, works well and conscientiously.

I examined Standard IV,V & VI (on paper) this morning in parsing and analysis. Standard IV did not do their work very well, especially some of the half time scholars. From 11 o’clock till 12, I took Standard II for dictation and arithmetic. I also took this class for an arithmetic lesson this afternoon. I repeatedly come across children in the different standards who are at a perfect standard-still, because they have no idea of the simplest rules. This gives us a great amount of trouble.One little girl in Standard I has left school this week owing to bad health. I found it necessary to make certain alterations in the time table this week. Such as an extra arithmetic lesson for Standard II & IV, an extra Reading lesson for Standard I. One grammar lesson instead of two for Standard II.

I took Standard IV this morning with grammar, arithmetic and dictation. The writing of Standard II this morning was a little better. There is still several cases of illness among the scholars, and the attendance again this week is very poor. Standard III did their dictation very carefully this morning and so had to be kept to re-write it.

The attendance today has been poor. Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board visited the school this morning.

I took Standard IV for a grammar lesson on paper. It was badly done and so the same lesson was taken again in the afternoon, instead of their usual lesson.

Upper Standard did Grammar again this morning on paper. The half time scholars of the IV Standard are the most backward scholars. The ground work of the upper standards especially, has been done in such a manner that the teachers continually complain, they cannot get on with the present Standard work, as well as they might, because of time spent in showing and explaining what should previously have been known. This I know gives a considerable amount of work, for an examining work. I frequently come across examples of it. The attendance still continues poor. Standards V, IV & II have this week commenced to use Schedule Test (Arithmetic) Cards.

Upper Standard again this morning did their grammar on paper. The attendance today is very poor.

The attendance throughout the week has been very low. The schools are closed today for a week’s holiday.

School re-opened. Lessons taken this afternoon instead of needlework. School visited by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board. The number of scholars on the books during the week ending Dec. 23rd was 148. Present at all 129 and the average attendance 100. This has been the lowest average since the girls have formed a distinct department.

The attendance today has been slightly improved. The numbers today have been 112 and 119. I find great difficulty with the arithmetic of Standard VI. Half time scholars get through the work slowly.

Visit paid by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board. I have this morning examined Standard I & II in arithmetic and dictation. The lessons on the whole were done fairly well. One child in Standard I Annie Elstow has from the beginning of the year had a large amount of time and care spent upon her, but is still very far behind the others. The child is not strong and on that account cannot be pressed too much.

I examined Standards III & IV in Arithmetic and Dictation. The work of both classes was very much neater than when  previously taken. Standard IV did not do their work so well as it should have been done, but this probably is to be accounted for by their irregular attendance lately. Standard III did fairly well.

School visited by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board, yesterday morning also. Standard II attendance poor this morning. The attendance throughout the school this week has been as follows: number on the books 149. Number present at all 135 and the average attendance for the week 113.7. One previous scholar has been re-entered this week, Emma Maddock. Standard III this afternoon had their first lesson in “Darning on canvas.”

Attendance today has been fairly good. 110 present this morning and 115 in the afternoon. Visit paid this morning by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board.

I examined Standard II this morning. The spelling is the weakest subject in this Standard. The arithmetic was done very well indeed with the exception of four or five papers. There were 37 out of 39 present in this class this morning.

I examined Standards II & IV this morning in dictation. The arithmetic of the III and the dictation of the IV were the best papers. The spelling of the Third Standard and also the writing needs great care. The Arithmetic of the Fourth Standard was badly done. Some few have no idea of the work. This is due, I think, to the bad attendance and the half time scholars, for the teacher of the class employs intelligent Methodism in her work. I notice half time scholars, especially those whose turn is in the afternoon seem to be tired with their morning work and do not work as a rule nearly so well as the other children.

I examined Standard I this morning. The reading was very fair. Out of 24 present one child had more than 3 mistakes out of the ten words given for spelling. The arithmetic needs a little more attention to Subtraction. The one child in this Standard who only had 4 words right out of ten was the girl A. Elstow. Her reading too was the worst in the class. The Standard V girls are improving in their arithmetic. Mr. Knight Chairman of the Board, visited the school this morning. The attendance this week has not been so good as that of last number present 136. Average attendance 111.7

Attendance this morning poor. Only 102 present. Several children absent are ill. I took Standard IV with V & VI this morning. The spelling and arithmetic of this Standard needs great attention. Needlework Specimens taken this afternoon. Overseaming in Standard II, the knitting exercise in Standard I, Tucking in Standard V & the Thickened Heel in Standard VI. Standard III are learning the darning exercises.

Standard IV took arithmetic instead of singing this afternoon.

I examined Standard III in dictation and arithmetic. The arithmetic of this Standard needs careful attention. Visit paid this afternoon by Mr. Knight the Chairman of the Board. I took Standard IV for a grammar lesson this afternoon Specimens taken as on Monday.

I took Standard IV again today for grammar. This Standard is one of the worst. The work is most carelessly done. I took the singing of the various Standard this afternoon. Number present this morning 118. This afternoon 119.

This afternoon the attendance has been very bad, only 92 being present. The number on the books for week ending Jan. 20th is 148.Number present at all 136 and the average attendance 111.5. The attendance for the number present up to this afternoon, was better than that of last week, when the same number were present. There have been twelve children absent the whole week. Most of the reasons being illness.

School visited by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board this morning. I examined Standard II this morning in arithmetic. I gave four fairly difficult sums. There were 30 children present and 29 out of the 30 had two or more sums right. The dictation was not so good. Spelling seems to be the weak point of the work in this class. Standard III had an arithmetic lesson this afternoon instead of singing. Standard IV are very slow over their arithmetic. This morning’s attendance numbered 113. This afternoon 114. Monday morning 107, afternoon 114.

I have this day examined the registers and found them correct.

The number present during this week has been 132. The number on the register 147. Two children have left during the week because one was punished for doing her work badly. (Annie Skinner) and one child has been entered. The average attendance has been 110.Most of the children who have been absent the whole of the week, have been so owing to illness.

Took Standard IV this morning for Grammar – I also took Standard II for a little while and questioned them on the noun and the verb. The former picked out much more quickly than the latter. Visit paid by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board. Miss Elstow left school a little earlier this afternoon.

I examined Standard III in arithmetic and dictation. The former subject done very much better than the latter. Standard III had lessons this afternoon instead of needlework. The attendance yesterday and today not quite so good – owing, I think, to the snowy weather.Standard IV this afternoon had a lesson on darning the cross-cut. Standard V – Patching. Standard IV Button-holing.

I punished Beatrice Sargeant for being repeatedly obstinate and disobedient this afternoon and Elizabeth Drage for doing her work carelessly after it being returned four times previously. A number of children are still absent owing to illness. Standard V this afternoon had a lesson on putting in a gusset. Attendance this day has numbered 109 & this afternoon 108. For week ending Feb 3rd the number on the register was 149. Present at all 132 and the average 108. The weather throughout the week has been unfavourable and a number of the children are absent owing to illness.

Number present this morning 110 – this afternoon 111.

The numbers today have been better. 121 children being present  this morning and 118 in the afternoon. I took Standard III for dictation and arithmetic on paper this morning. I also questioned them upon the parts of speech. Standard II do not pick out the verbs as quickly as they should do, considering the number of lessons that have been given upon this part of speech. The Grammar of Standard III has improved since last I took it, but the spelling of this class is still poor.

Ada King punished for doing her work badly, after the same fault had been repeatedly pointed out. This thoughtless work is being constantly complained of by the teachers. The numbers today have been 118 and 112.

The numbers present both this morning and afternoon have been 121. Theodora Clarke and Laura George both punished and kept in to do work which should have been done properly in class time. The number present this week have been 140. Number on the books 150 and the weekly average attendance 118. 9 out of the ten who have been absent the whole of the week are absent owing to illness.

Number present this morning 103 this afternoon 118.

Weather very unfavourable. 106 present. Owing to deep snow only 73 present this afternoon.

Very poor attendance owing to bad snowy weather. 76 present this afternoon.

Numbers present today 87 this morning 90 this afternoon.The monitor A. Ladds absent from school today owing to accident to her foot.

Attendance this week greatly affected by the snowy weather. Number present at all being 130, number on the books 151, and average attendance 93.8. Monitor absent from school today.

Examined Standard II this morning in arithmetic. The lesson was fairly done. I took Standard III and IV for dictation this afternoon. Lesson fairly done. Four or five girls did the lesson badly and were punished and kept in to do it afterwards because a certain amount of time was given in which to prepare it. Standard V had a lesson in darning a hole yesterday afternoon.

Visit paid by Mr. Knight Chairman of the Board.

The average attendance this week has been 105 number present 128, number on the books 151. The weather throughout the week has been very severe and I think it is chiefly owing to this that so many girls have been absent throughout the week. The first Standard has been one of the worst classes, 11 have been absent the whole week out of 36. Standard III had a lesson in sewing on a tape this afternoon.

Visit paid by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board.

Visit paid this morning by Mr. Knight chairman of the Board. The numbers of children attending have been a little better so far this week. Number present this afternoon 115. Many of the children away are unwell.

Holiday obliged to given this afternoon owing to bad attendance. Only 22 children attended

Numbers for today have been 108 & 116. In the 4th, 5th & 6th Standards it seems almost an impossibility to work the scholars to anything like an average in the quality of their work. So many are half time scholars and then if at all dull, they seem to be always behind the remainder of the class. The attendance too throughout the school, the last three weeks has been poor owing to the wintry weather. The average for week ending March 2nd has been 110.3. Number present 135, number on the books 151.

I examined the work of Standard I & II this morning. The writing of both these divisions needs greater attention. The spelling of Standard II was the worst subject. Standard I did their work fairly well. In the last five weeks Annie Elstow in Standard I has only made 11 attendances. She is a delicate child and has been kept away through illness.

The attendance today has been better 121 being present both morning and afternoon. I took the Grammar of Standard II this morning.

I took Standard IV for a needlework lesson on the flannel patch. I find that few have not been taught to distinguish between the right and wrong side of the flannel. This was explained, then the class proceeded to put on the patch. Standard III took a lesson instead of having needlework. Attendance not quite so good today. 117 in the morning 116 this afternoon.

The attendance during the week has averaged 118. The number present has been 146, number on the books 153.

Visit paid this morning by Mr. Knight, chairman of the board.

I examined the grammar of Standard II this morning. The verbs picked out more quickly than when previously examined. Writing of this class improved.

Weather bad his morning and attendance consequently lower.

The average attendance for week ending March 16th is 119, number of children on the book 153. One girl’s name removed on account of long absence from illness. The child Annie Elstow still absent owing to illness. Visit paid this morning by Mr. Knight Chairman of the Board.

Visit paid this morning by Mr. Knight chairman of the Board. Numbers present 114 this morning, 121 this afternoon.

I took the Arithmetic of Standard III & IV this morning. I also gave a writing lesson to standard I & II. The writing of Standard III & IV is still poor, not being large and round enough. I also heard the recitation of these Standards. “Casabianca” was nicely said. Standard VI had a lesson on prefixes this afternoon.

The average attendance for the week has been 118.9. The number on the registers 152 and the number present at all 144. Standard IV did their arithmetic badly this morning, so that many of them were kept after 12 to do it again.

School visited by Mr. Knight, chairman of the Board. Attendance 115 this morning. Very bad weather 122 in the afternoon.

I have this day examined Standard III & IV in arithmetic. Standard III did the work well. Standard IV not so well. This class contains a number of half time scholars and several very dull ones. The attendance of one or two also accounts for the quality of their work. Dora Clarke, a half time scholar has made an average attendance of about 3 during the last 16 weeks. Maud Sawford an average of 1 per week during the last twelve weeks. This girl also is an half time scholar.

Numbers present today have been 124 & 126

Schools closed today for two days holiday. Good Friday and Easter Monday. Average attendance for the week 120. Number present 145, number on the books 153.

School re-opened this morning 107 being present.

Attendance this morning 119, this afternoon 113.

There being a good attendance in Standard I & II this morning I examined these classes. The work in both Standards has improved. The spelling of the II & the arithmetic of the I need a little more attention. The singing exercise was done very fairly by both classes. Annie Elstow Standard I has returned to school this week after an absence of several weeks. She is obviously dull in both spelling and arithmetic. The numbers present during the week has been 143. The average attendance 115.

School visited this morning and afternoon by Mr. Knight, chairman of the Board. Attendance today has been better – 124 present this morning 128 this afternoon.

Examined the dictation of Standard II this morning. The lesson fairly well done. Standard VI & V had a lesson on composition from the blackboard this morning instead of copy books. Numbers yesterday, both meetings were 129. This morning 131.

Standard II had a writing lesson this afternoon instead of singing. Numbers present today 126 & 129. I examined the writing of Standard I this afternoon. The writing on several slates being badly shaped, the faults were pointed out on the blackboard to the whole class.

I have this day examined the registers & compared the numbers & found them correct. Sam Knight, Chairman of the School Board.The average attendance for the week ending April 13th has been 127.6. The number of scholars on the books 153 and number present at all 151. The two children absent are away on account of illness, one of whom Alice Lee is suffering from an attack of bronchitis and for whom I have a medical certificate. This child is frequently away owing to bad health.

School visited by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board.

Standards V & VI taken for a lesson in cutting out this afternoon. Standard II examined in arithmetic today. The lesson being done very fairly on the whole.

I took the recitation of Standard II this morning, also the grammar of Standard IV. Standard I have improved a little in their writing since it was complained about.

The number of children present for the week ending April 20th has been 149. The number on the books 153 and average attendance 122. The attendance this week has not been so good as that of last, but the weather has been stormy and several absences have been owing to illness. Alice Lee is still absent owing to an attack of bronchitis. I find in looking over the work of various classes that it is on the whole done much more carefully than it was six months ago. Both teachers and children have I think tried their utmost. The greatest amount of attention and careful thought is still however necessary. The half time scholars are as a rule the most backward pupils. One girl, Beatrice Sergeant has greatly improved in her behaviour. During the last few months and this I believe is greatly owing to the influence exercised over her by her teacher; for at the beginning of the year she was one of the most troublesome girls in the school. (Standard IV teacher, Miss Darnell.)

School visited by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board. Standard V & VI have for their needlework lesson this afternoon taken cutting out & buttonholing. Standard II practised fixing a seam on strips of paper. Numbers present today have been 124 & 132.

Visit paid by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board. I examined Standard II

Examined Standard III this afternoon in arithmetic, dictation and grammar. The work as a whole was done much more neatly and as a rule more careful working was shown. I also took the reading of Standard IV.

I examined the grammar, arithmetic and dictation of this Standard this morning. I find that the writing in some case is still poor. The lessons were fairly well done. I also examined Standard II in grammar. This class has improved sine I took them the last time, a few weeks previous. The reading of this class has greatly improved, the writing also. Alice Lee has not yet returned to school.

School year ends today. I find Standard I & II steadily working. The spelling of Standard II and the writing of Standard I has considerably improved during the last few weeks. Standard I & II had a sewing test this afternoon. The work was done fairly well. The sewing needs a little more practice to get it completed in the time. The average attendance during the past week has been 128.9. The number on the books 154, number present 151. The child Alice Lee is still away owing to illness. The two other absences are also owing to illness.

I took the grammar and recitation of Standard II this morning also examined the reading of the class. This afternoon I took the singing of the Upper Standards and then afterwards that of Standard I & II.

Attendance today not quite so good. The weather very stormy.

Number for today are 134 & 130. I examined Standard IV,V & VI this morning. I found the work are a rule fairly well done. Upper Standards took a cutting out lesson this afternoon.

The average attendance of the week ending May 4th has been 129. Number on the books 154, number present 153. The one absent during the week is Alice Lee for whom we have a doctor’s certificate.

I took the work of Standard I & II. The arithmetic and dictation was neatly and fairly well done. I also heard the reading recitation and singing of the class. I also examined Standard I, the spelling was well done, arithmetic not so good. Visit paid by Mr. Knight, chairman of the Board. Attendance so far this week, not so good, owing to many of the half time scholars being absent this first part of the week.

Numbers present today 130 and 137. Work carefully proceeding.

List of School Songs for Year Ending April 30th 1888Standards I & II 1. “Angels whisper Low and Sweet”                        2. “Hoary Frost.”                        3. “Little Nell”Standards III, IV, V & VI1.      “Angels whisper Low & Sweet.”2.      “Hoary Frost”3.      “The Foot Traveller”4.      “Star of Peace”5.      “Good King Alfred”

List of Recitation for Year Ending April 30th 1889Standard I “The Clucking HenStandard II “The Faithful Dog.”Standard III “Battle of Blenheim.”Standard IV “Wreck of the Hesperus.”Standard V & VI Scott’s “Lady of the Lake.”

The annual examination of this school took place on Thursday & Friday May 10th & 11th 1888. There were 139 scholars whose names had been on the registers for 22 weeks. The number of exceptions was 2, both of these being excused on account of delicate health. Number of girls present upon Thursday morning was 151.

21 girls sent up from infant department this morning. Several of them are in a very backward condition. Visit paid this morning by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board. Number present today 136 & 138.

Schools closed this afternoon for Whitsuntide holiday. Schedules returned percentage of passes 98.137 scholars presented for examination. 5 failed in arithmetic, 2 in writing, 2 in reading.

Schools re-opened. All the classes commenced the new year’s work. Standard III & IV have new set of Blackie’s Readers.

Visit paid this afternoon by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board.

The number present during the week has been 161, number on the books 175. Average attendance 131.4

Visit paid this morning by Mr. .Knight, chairman of the Board. Number present this afternoon 142. Work carefully proceeding.

Week ending June 8th. Number on the books 176. Number admitted 2, no. left 1 No. present at all 164. Average attendance 135.1. This week 135.2 ( The average attendance during examination week) are the two highest averages since the division o the schools into two departments.

Visit paid by Mr. Knight, chairman of the Board. Number present this afternoon 146.

Number present this morning 148. Visit paid this afternoon by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board.Average attendance for week ending June 15th, 138.8. This is the highest average since the school has been opened. 72 children have made 10 attendances this week. 169 children have been present. This number included half time scholars. Number on the books is 175. Two of the elder scholars have left & one child has been admitted.The writing of Standard III & IV was not carefully done, in the dictation lesson today.

Attendance this morning was 134 schools closed this afternoon, owing to a school treat being held in the village.

Attendance this morning 137. I took the grammar of the upper Standard; also that of Standard II on the verb. Standard II had a lesson on multiplication by 2 figures this morning. Dictation very fairly done; a good number out of the class having no mistakes. Standard V seem slow overtaking the parts in the practice sums. Standard VI & VII carefully writing. The other class works seemed to be proceeding in a careful manner. Writing in Standard IV is still poor. Visit paid this afternoon by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board.

Visit paid by Mr. Knight this morning. Examined the writing of Standard III & IV. This was much improved on the last lesson. The attendance this week has not been quite so good as that of last. The average being 136 against 138  last week. Number of scholars present 164.1 number on the books 174. One child has left during the week having gone to Higham.

The schools closed this afternoon on account of a Sunday School Treat being held in the neighbourhood.

Standard II had a grammar lesson on the verb, taken by Miss Elstow. A child, Roselyn Bayes, entered this week, who does not know her letters, having attended no school whatever.

Top Standard practised a school song this morning instead of having a writing lesson. Standard IV this afternoon took arithmetic instead of grammar the last lesson.

Visit paid this morning by Mr. Knight, Chairman of the Board.The annual report of the schools was received yesterday (Thursday June 28th). The average attendance for the week ending June 29th was 138.1. Number in the books 174, number present 167. The school was opened 9 times during the week.

Schools closed all day

Numbers present this morning 120. I took Standard IV & VI for grammar and Standard II for spelling and reading. Standard II have had a lesson on division this morning.

Standard I had a lesson this morning on Compound Practice. The Dictation of Standard II was badly done. Too many mistakes occur in the Spelling. The writing of the class is moderate. Number present this morning 139. Annie Elstow in Standard I absent this week owing to illness. The arithmetic of Standard V was done a little more carefully this afternoon. Attendance this afternoon 141.

Work carefully proceeding on looking over the writing of Standard IV this afternoon, I found a great improvement. The spelling in the dictation lesson was also well done. Standard II still working at Simple Division. Standard I working carefully. Two children admitted in the last fortnight, do not know a letter or a figure, having attended no school previously. Standard V have taken practice …. Weight today. Visit paid by Mr. Knight Chairman of the Board this morning. Numbers present today 133 (both times of opening.) Several children absent this week owing to illness.

Average attendance for the week 135.5, number on the books 175. One admission. Number present at all 164. School opened 8 times instead of 10 owing to holiday on Monday. Standard V had a lesson on practice (Wine and Spirit measure)this morning.

Holiday this afternoon.

Number present 133, Standard II had a lesson on multiplication by three figures this morning. Standard IV & V were taken together for grammar. Standard VI & VII had an arithmetic lesson during the time. Standard V had a lesson on proportion. Visit paid by Mr. Knight.

Copy of Report for Year Ending April 30th 1888Average attendance 116.6Attendances added under article 12b 7Total 124

Number present 137. Total of passes 402  - 98 percent.Reading 135. Writing 135. Arithmetic 132 = 402Grant 20/8. Total £128 . 2. 8Girl’s School “The school has passed most creditably. The order is excellent.”Monitor A. Ladds – Failure arithmetic.Note A.Ladds was not old enough to be presented as monitor being only 13 years of age.School staff at commencement of the Year.Head TeacherMiss P. Darnell, certified assistant.Miss A Elstow Ex. P.T.Annie Ladds , monitor.

The average attendance for week ending July 13th was 132.2, number present at all 162, number on the books 173. 2 names taken off owing to continued absence. The attendance has not been so good throughout the week.

Number present this morning 138. Standard V had a lesson on bills of parcels. Standard II a lesson on multiplication by 3 figures, including a cipher. The other classes appear to be working carefully.

Number present today 132 & 137

Visit again by Mr. Knight, chairman of the Board. First lesson on a new school song “The Sailor Boy” given. Standard II had an arithmetic lesson on paper this morning. Standard IV a lesson on L.C.M. number present for week ending July 20th 165, number on the books 174, number of times school open 10. Attendances 1368. Average attendance 136.8

Standards IV V & VI taken together this morning for a grammar lesson. Singing taken by all the classes, the last lesson this afternoon.The registers were checked by me this day. Sam Knight.

Visit paid by Mr. Knight (Chairman of the  Board) this morning. Number present 139. Lessons carefully proceeding. Standard II grammar taken by Miss Elstow. Standard I writing by the monitor. Grammar of the Upper Standards taken by myself.

Number on the register for week ending July 27th 172. Number present 163. Average attendance 135.7 Average attendance for the quarter 134.7 Average attendance for corresponding quarter of last year 115.1