School was re-opened this morning. 199 girls present.

Carrie Clarke P.T. absent.

Carrie Clarke has been absent all week – owing to suffering from illness. She could not leave home until the latter part of the holiday consequently she has had permission to be absent this week. The attendances in Standards 5 & 3 has been very poor this week. 20 girls were absent out of 58 in Standard 3 this afternoon. The average for the past week is 206. Number on books 276. Number present at all 253.

I have taken the second division of Standard III during Miss Clarke’s absence. The first year P.T. has assisted me with Standard 6 & 7.

Carrie Clarke resumed duties on Monday. I have asked Miss Summersgill to release L. Sargent so that she may assist with Standard IV. It has been very inconvenient to allow her to remain in the Infants till the present, as there has been no teacher supply her place. During the time the P.T.’s are studying I am obliged to take Standard 3 with 6.

Louis Sargent gave a criticism lesson on Thursday on the “Roman Invasion.” The lesson was very well given and the teacher showed signs of great improvement. The attendance this afternoon is very poor only 184 being present. Mr. Knight visited school on Monday. Mrs. Hird reported on Tuesday that she had noticed a great deal of writing on the walls in various parts of the playground. I thoroughly questioned the girls but failed to find a single culprit. There seems every reason to believe that this disfigurement takes place when the school is open for the band practice.

I have taken Standard III this morning as Miss Chandler had a severe cold so I sent her home. The garments for examination have been commenced in Standard II. The teachers studied as usual and work has proceeded to the timetables. Today I have commenced sending books to girls in the Upper Standards who have attended regularly and make good progress in their work throughout the past week. I hope shortly to be able to extend this privilege to Standard IV & V and so encourage good attendance and hard work.

Have this day examined registers and found them correct. C.L. Bradfield.

A holiday was given on Monday and Tuesday afternoon owing to Rushden Feast. The attendance this week has suffered somewhat owing to the Feast, especially on Monday and Tuesday mornings. The examination sewing has been commenced in Standards II, III & IV.  Standard V girls cut out. Standard II garments and Standard VI cut out. Standard III

Mr. Knight C.S.B. visited school on Monday and Wednesday and Mr. Bradfield on Wednesday.

Mr. Knight visited school on Monday. The school was very cold on Tuesday. The cleaner reported that is was owing to repairs to the heating apparatus not being completed in times for fires to be lit. The cookery classes commenced on Thursday morning. Miss Edwards is the teacher. Demonstration lessons  16 girls on Thursday morning and practice on Thursday afternoon, Friday morning and afternoon. 16 girls attended each practice. I have been absent from school since Wednesday at noon, with a severe cold. Miss Jacques has taken charge and the work seems to have proceeded very nicely. The average for the past week is 214.

There was no criticism lesson given on Thursday. The P.T.’s answered a school management question instead. Standard III object lesson was taken at 3.5 instead of 3.45 on Thursday afternoon because the illustrations were requires for Standard 2

Mr. Knight visited school this morning

The average for the past week is 211.

A case for the library books has been made and fitted this morning by Mr. Woodward. So far the granting of books for regular attendance has worked well. We are waiting for a supply from the Board so that the privilege may be allowed to Standard IV & V.

I have been absent from school since Oct. 31^st until Nov. 17^th with a bad throat. Dr. Owen, medical officer of Health, says this was caused by the bad drains in school which were condemned some months ago. During my absence Miss Jacques has had charge and Miss Summergill has instructed the Pupil Teachers. While I have been away a lecture on alcohol was given to the upper standard girls by Mr. Finnemore. This was attended by Messrs. Harper and Parkin, two of the resident ministers. Miss A. Ladds, assistant, has also been absent 10 days through illness. She returned to duty this morning. The attendance during the last few weeks has been considerably less owing to sickness. Mr. Knight attended school this morning to give instructions about children who wish to attend Newton Road School.

I have this day examined the registers and find them correct. J. Colson.

School opened yesterday after a fortnight’s holiday. The attendance was very poor partly owing to the severe weather. I returned to school this morning after being absent since Nov. 20^th. I took cold after being in school on Nov. 19^th and consequently had a relapse and my throat still hinders me from teaching as much as I prefer of feel compelled to do. During my absence Miss Jacques C. Assistant has been in charge and the P. Teachers have been instructed by the Infant mistress. Louisa Sargent P.T. was absent during the first week in December with a bad throat. Carrie Clarke P.T. was also absent from 14^th to 21^st December from the same cause.

On November 20^th the Newton Road School was opened, when between 40 and 50 girls who lived in the neighbourhood of the school were transferred. Several girls went to Newton Road who had been receiving cookery lessons. These have attended this school each Thursday or Friday in order to complete their attendances. During certificate work Miss A.M. Cowling was absent in order to attend the Cut examinations. School was closed on Friday 21^st December at 3.45. That afternoon the scholars met at 1.15.

The Board have kindly granted the sum of 50/- for the purchase of books for the school library. I submitted a list which was approved by the Board and has been approved by the Board and has been furnished by the publishers this morning. Mr. Bradfield, a member of the Board has also kindly given 10/6 to the school library. The library now contains with the books I have given over 60 books. Louisa Sargent has not returned to duty this week as she is suffering from a fractured collarbone. Clara Manning and Violet Colson were appointed candidates on January 7^th at 3/- per week. They are girls from the first class and their names are still retained. Standard I are now altogether in the girls’ school. Miss Summergill kept them in the Infants for a few weeks during my absence but one of the girl’s staff taught them. C. Manning has been marked return on Standard VII Reg.

Mr. Bradfield visited the school today. Louise Sargent is still absent. The attendances is rather poor chiefly owing to sickness and severe weather.

Standard VI & VII took sewing today until 3.30. Mr. Knight visited school this afternoon. Standard VI worked from the new Waddington cards. The works was well done. May Smith has attended Higham Cookery Class today. She had 2 practices to make so has attended there instead of Miss Perkins taking her alone. The Cookery classes are now discontinued as the attendances required are completed

The average attendance for last week has improved. No on register 274, no present 258. Average 213.2

Louisa Sargent returned to duty yesterday. Mr. Knight visited school on Monday. Mr. Gill H.M.I. passed through school today on his way to Infant Department.

The attendance is again poor owing to severe weather and sickness. The criticism lesson last Thursday was given by F. George. The lesson was not so very well given. This scholar is not through enough in her work, especially in her home studies. I have repeatedly to complain of the indifferent way in which her work is brought. C. Clarke was absent yesterday afternoon with toothache. The P.T.s were examined on Saturday at Higham Ferrers in connection with the N. Northants P.T.s scheme. L. Sargent did not attend owing to her accident.

I have examined throughout the school in reading, arithmetic , writing and grammar. The papers were very clean and neat, Standard II, III, IV & V & VI have all improved in arithmetic. Standard V is very weak. The chief faults throughout are owing to carelessness. The needlework with very few exceptions is now finished. Poetry and Mental are progressing well. The whole of the work is as satisfactory for the time of the year. Mr. Knight visited school today.

The attendance this morning is very poor only 199 being present. On Thursday Feb. 7^th Miss Cowling was absent all day ill. The chairman visited school this morning. I ordered sufficient wooden dumbbells for the upper Standards as the iron ones in stock are too heavy. The P.T.s papers were returned on Friday with a list showing their position at the “North Northants Ass. P.T. Exams”. L. Sargent did not attend owing to illness and C. Clarke and F. George did not do as well as capable of doing. Carelessness in arithmetic and grammar was their chief faults.

I returned to school today after a fortnight’s absence through illness. The work has proceeded as usual. Standard VI & VII have worked with Standard I one of the monitors assisting. Miss Cowling was absent on Feb 15^th through illness. Messrs. Knight, Spencer & Bradfield have visited school during my absence. V. Colson monitor is absent, through an accident received in school. It appears after I had left school on Tuesday, she was playing by one of the class room doors and pushed her arm through the glass sustaining a severe cut.

The attendance in Standard II has been especially poor during the past week. I have sent notes to all irregular children asking for the co-operation of the parents in the matter of attendance.

The school was closed on Monday on account of the rooms being used for the School Board Election. Mr. Bradfield visited school on Tuesday. I examined the school throughout in sewing yesterday. The specimens were on the whole well done and if the faults I pointed out are corrected the girls should shortly become a credit to their respective teachers. The new dumb-bells are now in use and the girls thoroughly enjoy their instruction in drill. The songs required for the exam have now all been taught.

M. Durham in Standard VII has been marked absent in mistake. The attendance has been altered and a foot note added.

Violet Colson returned to school on Monday. I have examined Standard I & “ in arithmetic and word building. Standard I arithmetic has improved very much but there is still much to be desired. The writing was spoiled by being in many cases too thick. Standard II work was very satisfactory. I have arranged for Standard V half timers to take arithmetic and composition during the times given to object lessons. This alteration is on Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon.

I have been examining Standards 3&4 this morning in arithmetic, dictation, word building. In consequence of this then lessons in Standard V & VI were altered from 9.40 to 10.50 arithmetic being taken the last lesson instead of the first.

Standard VI & VII have worked today from the new “Problematic Test Cards”. The work was very well done. No girl had less than two sums right. The attendance has been very poor for the last fortnight. The same girls week after week only attend 7 or 8 times. I gave Miss Jacques permission to absent herself from school on Wednesday as that might attend the Northampton School of  Cookery.

The attendance during the week has now been lower through many calls of influenza. Mr. Bayes visiting officer, visited school yesterday.

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

Mr. Newell Member of board visited school this morning.

I gave Miss Cowling leave of absentees on Wednesday. I have this week examined Standard III, IV,V VI & VII in arithmetic and writing. Standard I have improved very much indeed since their last monthly exam in arithmetic. Their writing was very nicely done. Standard III & IV work was well done on the whole; the dictation is showing special improvement. One girl in Standard IV had less than two sums correct. The problems in all classes show that the principles of the arithmetic are well understood. The work throughout the school is progressing very nicely. The attendance during the past weeks has slightly improved.

Louis Sargent has been absent today through having a swollen face and severe cold. Miss A.M. Cowling has also been absent all day. I have received no reason for her absence. I suppose it is through illness also. I have had Standard II in the large rooms with Standard III,VI & VII. F. George has assisted me with Standard II. An order has been received from the Publishing company. There are 4 rulers short and the ex. Papers.

Louis Sargent has returned to duty. Miss Cowling sent a postcard saying she is suffering from Influenza. The pupil teachers went into the boys dept. yesterday to be examined in drawing. Mr. Colson & Mr. P. Cave visited school on Tuesday. I have examined Standard I & II in the elementary subjects and English. There were 4 weak children in arithmetic & Standard I & 2 in Standard II. The work on the whole was nicely done.

Miss M. Soutar commenced duty yesterday. She acts as my substitute during absence, and after the examination takes the headship of the school.

School has closed today for Easter Holiday and re-opens on Wednesday morning. The attendance for the past week has been poor, average 208

I returned to duty this morning and found everything in a very satisfactory condition. The Gov. Exam is fixed for May 15^th & 16^th

I have altered “The Singing Lesson” this morning from 11.30 to 10.20 as I wished to be free to examine Standard II.

Miss Ladds was ill in school this morning so I sent her home. I find a girl named Annie Alderman now on Standard II register, was not entered on the admission register when she was first admitted to the school. I cannot account for this as I have always admitted all children myself. I can only presume she must have been admitted without any reference to me whatever. I have entered her now and placed an asterisk for reference to this explanation.

Work has proceeded as usual during the past week. The attendance has improved. The average is 220.4

Miss Wright has been obliged to return home on account of increased ill health. This school I now entirely under my charge. Signed Margaret Soutar.

Mr. Knight Chairman visited the school today.

Recitations for the year ending 30^th April 1895

Standards V VI & VII “King Robert of Sicily.” (Longfellow.)

Standard IV “Prisoner of Chillon.” (Lord Byron.)

Standard III “Sale of the Del. Lamb” (Mary Howitt)

Standard II “Children’s hour” (Longfellow)

Standard I “Down in a field.” (ill. Sunday Friend.)

Songs 1894-5

Divisions III & IV Standards III, IV, V, VI, VIII

1. An angel form is moving.
2. See our oars will feel here a stray
3. Aldorous Aurora gaily breaks
4. Soft tender words, oh scatter them.
5. Sound, sound the tambourine.

Division II Standards I & II

1. Flower girls.
2. Playtime
3. Soft tender words
4. Sweetly on the evening air.
5. The Cuckoo.

Recitation year ending April 30^th 1896

Standard V, VI, VII “Legend beautiful” & “The Home of Evangeline.” (Longfellow.)

Standard IV “In the Children’s hospital.” (Alfred Lord Tennyson.)

Standard III “Lessons from the Gorse.” (Mrs. Browning.) & “Sunshine and Shower (anonymous.)

Standard II “By the Sea.” (Lewis Morris.)

Standard I “The Sea (Unknown) & “My Poor Sarah Ann” (Sunday Friend.)

This school had its annual examination on the 15^th & 16^th and 17^th. The average attendance for this week is 235.

The new Standard I have come in this morning from the Infant School. I am very much pressed for want of space. I have arranged that C. Clarke and L. Sargent scholarship students may have half-day study for three days of the week. I wish also to make an arrangement for Miss Ladds who sit for certificate in June.

School Staff 1895-1896

Head Teacher   Margaret Soutar

Cert. Assistant J. Jacques.

Cert. Assistant M.J. Chandler

Assistant Ex. P.T. A.M. Cowling

Assistant Ex. P.T. A Ladds

4^th year P.T. Carrie Clark

4^th Year P.T. Louis Sargent.

2^nd Year P.T. Fanny George.

Candidate on probation Violet Colson.

Candidate on probation Clara Manning.

I attended the board meeting and received permission to send Standard I back to the Infant Rooms owing to the overcrowding of my school. Miss Ladds has gone with them. Miss Jacques received permission from me today to go to Northampton, so that she might finish her course of training in cookery.

The sewing lesson continues until 3.20 this afternoon in order that the sewing bags may get forward.

This school is closed during the afternoon; the garments are to be sold. Average attendance for the week 205.4

Miss Chandler is absent from school today by permission.

Miss Ladds is at home this morning; she is studying for certificate and is far from strong. I wish her to have a few half days release from school work, so that she may have a chance of success in her coming examination. The combination of the fifth standard has made it necessary for me to have them taught in the schoolroom. I am now able to have the First Standard in my own school.

The examination schedules have been returned; the results are very unsatisfactory especially in the Fifth Standard. School closes today for Whitsuntide one week holiday. Average attendance 187.6

Re-opened school this morning after the Whitsuntide Holiday. Attendance unsatisfactory 228. All the teachers are at work and I have given each one her class work for the month. Miss Ladds has my permission to remain at home during the mornings for the next fortnight. That will finish her time for study. I shall take her class. All the failures have been transferred to their proper classes. I have been unable to enter all the names on the standard V register; they will remain where they are until the quarter’s end.

The afternoon interval on Friday is from 3.45 to 4. I wish to assemble all the scholars on that day for the last half hour. Average attendance 235.5

Sewing lesson is continued today until playtime in order that the knitting wool may be wound.

Louis Sargent at home this morning; she wished to be present at her brother’s wedding. The knitting lesson this afternoon continues until playtime.

On Wednesday and Thursday afternoon the knitting lesson was continued until playtime

Owing to the excessive heat this afternoon the various classes will go on with their knitting until 3.45 – playtime. Average attendance for the week 232.4

I found a mistake in Miss Cowling’s register ; the mistake was made on Wednesday afternoon, the attendance 43 was given instead of 44. I have strictly forbidden all the teachers and her in particular to send any child out of school without my permission and I find that she has disobeyed my order. I shall again repeat my orders to all the teachers on Monday morning.

School opened this morning; all the teachers are in attendance but the attendance of the children is very poor = 184. I left school at 11.40 this morning. I wished to see Mr. Jenkins, Newton Road on school business.

Evening School Report.

The school is well lighted and well warmed, the girls are attentive, they apparently take keen interest in their lessons and give promise of credible progress in the future.

Average attendance 26.2

Hours instruction 210.

I have examined the school throughout this week. The work is unsatisfactory: several girls in Standard IV were quite unable to keep up with their class and I have placed them in the Third Standard. Four girls in Standard V are also unfit for that Standard and unless them improve during the next months must go into Standard IV. Average attendance 225.6

The school was closed this afternoon for the Congregational treat.

I have this day examined the registers and find them correct. J. Colson.

The knitting lesson is continued today until playtime. I wish to get it finished. Average attendance for the week is 231.2

Holiday will be given this afternoon for the Baptist Sunday School Treat. I am taking the afternoon lessons this morning, as so much time has been lost with those Monday afternoon holidays.

Lily Clayton was insubordinate this morning & spoke rudely to me. I talked to her at my desk and then I found that her disobedience was one of her mother’s grumblings. I have continued the knitting lesson after play this afternoon.

Jenny George has my permission to be absent from school this afternoon. she wished to attend the Higham Sunday School Treat. Average attendance for the week 229.1

This school was closed on Tuesday 22^nd July : the rooms were required for election purposes. I admitted three girls on Monday and one this morning. I am short of register space and have had to make use of the seventh standard register for this week.

Many of the children are absent this afternoon owing to the Church Treat. The others who have not finished their knitting will knit during the afternoon. I have given C. Manning permission to be present at the treat.

I received the Government report this morning on the following page I have made an exact copy of it.

Government report.

The unfortunate illness of the Head Teacher which eventually necessitated her resignation has probably interfered with the ordinary progress of the scholars of the school does not maintain the creditable position of two years ago. The girls are very orderly and attentive and musical drill and singing by note are both very effective. The arithmetic of the Third, Fifth and Seventh Standards and the composition of the Fifth and Seventh are apparently the weakest points in the elementary subjects. English is creditable and the needlework is good. Recitation is accurate, careful and intelligent. The school will probably recover its lost ground during the coming year and making allowances for the illness of the Head Teacher I recommend the highest principle grant.

L. Sargent and F. George have passed fairly, but Sargent should attend to Grammar, George to Music Grammar and History.

C.E. Manning and V. Colson are recognised under article 33 of the code.

C. Clarke Arithmetic.

James Heygate Clerk of the Board.

Average attendance for the week 222.8

I received the following notice along with the Government Report.

“My Lords have sanctioned on the special recommendation of Her Majesty’s Inspector the omission of the annual inspection of the Girl’s Dept. of your school due in May 1896.

I have continued the knitting lesson this afternoon until playtime.

I have finished examining Standard V,VI & VII and they are taking knitting this morning while I continue examining the other standards.

I am examining Standards II & III in oral work this morning; the other classes are knitting as I have examined them throughout.

Average attendance for the week 220.7 this school closed this morning for the Summer holiday – four weeks.

This school re-opened after the midsummer holiday, all the teachers are present. Attendance 210.

Average attendance 215.4

C. Manning is away from school today. Her father called and told me that she had been unwell during the night and was therefore unable to attend to her duties. Miss Cowling and Miss Ladds gave the first of their object lessons today. There is still much to be desired in the preparation and method of instruction throughout the school.

C. Manning is still absent from school.

C.  Manning came to school this morning. I sent her home hoping that by Monday she would be able to attend to her duties without interruption. Average attendance for the week 221.2

I have again had to censure Miss Cowling about her registration. It’s from no lack of knowing my wishes on that point. I have repeatedly impressed upon her the necessary care that a register requires.

 I was to unwell to come down to the P.T.’s lessons this morning.

It was a quarter past nine before I came to school today.

I am still unfit to be at school but came at 8 this morning and Mr. Newell called this afternoon before I got to school. I entered school at 2.15. Average attendance 214.7

This school was closed during Monday & Tuesday for Rushden Feast. The attendance is very low this morning. I insist on punctuality, attendance at school morning and afternoon and find a great difficulty in securing it. I received a great deal of impertinence from a woman this morning because her child was late and as I had punished her on a previous occasion for being late, she thought & her only to come and tell me what I ought to do. The girl has gone home this morning and I do not with her to join her class again until she can conform to the rules of the school.

The school was closed on Wednesday afternoon (25^th). The attendance has improved this morning. Nellie Ellard’s father came to see me this morning regarding this child. He apologised for the impertinence her mother gave on the previous day and asked me to take the child back and that he was willing she would conform to the rules of the school in regard to punctuality.

Miss Chandler is late this morning; she went home yesterday afternoon and had permission to return by a later train.

Average attendance 200.8. Miss Cowling asked leave from school due to attending a friend’s wedding.

Miss Chandler has been transferred from my school to Newton Road School. I have admitted four new scholars but have not entered their names on the registers as I am in doubt as to which standard to place them.

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

Average attendance for the week  219.5

I have examined the school throughout in every subject. None of the classes are sufficiently interested in their work to give me satisfaction. I am disappointed throughout.

Average attendance for the week 218.7

Mr. Mantle visited the school today.

Dictation and Composition lessons will be given during recitation lessons on the timetable by some of the teachers. Both of those subjects are in a backward condition and an occasional recitation lesson may be spared. The first class girls are back finishing the teaching of standard IV needlework. I have now started Standards I, II & III with their garments and hope to get on with the other classes during the weeks.

Average attendance for the week 214.5

I have continued the sewing lesson today with Standards II, III & IV until playtime.

I am taking cutting out with half of Standard V this morning.

C. Manning is absent from school this morning. Her mother called to tell me she is ill. The girls who are taking cookery have gone to Newton Road this morning. They began their lessons last Thursday. Thursday demonstration, Friday practice.

I have continued the sewing lesson today until playtime. (II,III & IV) Average attendance for the week 215.9

I left school this afternoon 3.10pm on school business.

I examined Standard IV yesterday on all their work. An improvement has been made but spelling still requires careful attention. I did not take the P.T. lessons this morning. Mr. J. Colson visited the school today. I have continued the sewing lesson until 4.15 when the girls will go home.

Average attendance of the week 210.2

I have finished examining Standard II & III and shall finish Standard III this morning. We have begun opening school at 1.45 in the afternoon and closing at 4.15

I have finished the examination of Standard I today

I have finished the examination of Standard II today.

The children will go on sewing this afternoon until 3 o’clock so that the garments may get finished. Average attendance for the week 210.9

The sewing lesson is continued this afternoon until playtime. Standards II & III are almost finished but IV, V VI & VII will take at least another month to complete their garments.

Miss Cowling’s class are practising their hoop drill this morning.

I was unable to take the Pupil Teachers lessons this morning. I was too unwell. Louis Sargent made a mistake this morning in marking her register, gave an afternoon mark instead of a morning.

Average attendance for the week is 217.0

I was absent from school on Monday through illness.

I shall take a drill lesson with Standard IV & IV after playtime.

Average attendance for the week 202.1. The attendance during the week has been very poor.

I have begun examining the school this morning. I have started with Standard IV this month. One girl in Standard IV arrived at school after the register was closed. I did not send her home as her life is a hard one and her unpunctuality is not her own fault.

I have today finished the examination of Standard IV and am disheartened with the results. One girl, Florrie Clarke has been removed to Standard III, she is totally unfit for Standard IV work. I admitted two girls this morning but have not yet entered their names as I wish to fully test them. I have finished the examination of Standards II & III also of Standard IV. I have examined Standard II this afternoon.

I did not come down to lessons this morning, my throat is giving me great trouble. Average attendance 195.1

I was again absent from lessons this morning; my throat is still relaxed and unfit for work. I finished the examination of Standard I on Monday. S. Knight, chairman, visited the school yesterday. Ellen Harbour Standard IV arrived at school too late for her mark. I allowed her to remain as it is a case of special difficulty.

Lizzie Sharpe on Standard V register is marked absent this morning. Miss Jaques says that she called her name twice and received no answer, while the girl says she answered both times. I admonished the girl and sent her to her class.

This school was closed this afternoon.

A.W.Cowling is absent from school today suffering from a sore throat. Four mistakes were made in the registers this morning; in each case I have made a foot note. It is so windy this afternoon that I did not allow the children to have any playtime; they will stop work and go home at 4 pm

A.M.Cowling is still absent from school. I have altered the object lesson for a singing lesson for Standard V,VI,VII.

A.M. Cowling has returned to school this morning.

The object lesson in Standard I & II will not be given today.

Ethel Harbour has again arrived at school too late for her mark – her mother’s fault. Florrie Baker arrived at school at 2.15. Her life is a hard one. My registers give no account of the attendance of either child for this afternoon.

The first class will go on with their sewing this afternoon. I wish them to get on with their garments. A.M. Cowling will take the….. lesson while I take drill with Standard II.

Instead of the object lesson in the first class I am taking a singing lesson. Average attendance 207.1

The arithmetic lesson began this morning at 9.15 at 11. I wish to arrange the children in their drill places for this evening. They intend giving an entertainment in the Public Hall in aid of the School Library. The school is closed this afternoon so that we may have a full rehearsal in the hall.

L. Sargent & C. Clark have gone to Bedford this morning to sit for Scholarship Exam. The two candidates are helping me with the classes and this afternoon I intend beginning the monthly examination. Mr. S. Knight, chairman, visited the school this afternoon.

I shall continue the examination of the school this morning. The first class will go on with their examination sewing. Two girls in Standard II & III came in after the registers were closed. I did not send them home.

I have gone into the town this morning to pay some school bills & left Miss Jaques in charge.

All the girls are sewing this morning. Average attendance for the week 197.2. this school closed today for the Xmas Holiday. We resume work on January 6^th 1896. Examined the written work only this month and am fairly satisfied with the results.

The work of this school was resumed this morning. All the teachers were in attendance. The pupil teachers came at 8am and all pictures were hung and arrangements made before school work began. A new girl is in Standard I. I have not yet admitted her until I see what are her abilities. The attendance for this morning is 204.

I have allowed the girls in Standard IV,V & VII who have not finished their garments to sew for this afternoon. It is too cold for them to go out and play so they will go home at 4 o’clock instead. May …..aunt cannot tell her age, consequently it is not enters in the admission register. Number 32 in Standard I register is absent; one of the children answered by mistake.

I have gone out this afternoon to Knowles and Bathhouse to see about an order. All the classes are at work and Miss Sargent & Miss Jaques are finishing their examination, sewing and consequently taking an extra sewing lesson.

I have had again to censure Miss Cowling about sending a girl out of school without my permission. She invariably excuses herself, but it is nothing short of pure disobedience and she knows that it is against my wishes. Average attendance for the week 213.9. I find that I have dated the registers the 6^th of January instead of the 10^th the week beginning instead of the week ending. I have not altered them as there are only three more weeks. Mr. Newell, vice chairman, visited school this morning.

We resumed work this morning; all the teachers are at work. I am still helping with all the classes, but especially IV,V,VI & VII. The attendance for this morning is 212. Mabel Wilmott Standard V was marked absent by mistake this afternoon. It has been altered by permission.

I have admitted three new scholars this morning. One in  Standard IV has not yet been entered as I want to see if she is fit for that Standard. I take the standards IV,V,VI & VII for reading and grammar this morning. The new girl in Standard IV has not yet been entered in the admission register; she was absent yesterday morning and I was thus unable to test her arithmetic. Average attendance for the week 212.6

I have extended the drill lesson this morning. All the teachers are at work and the attendance for this morning is 207. Alice Denton Standard V marked present this afternoon. she is absent. Martha Sharpe, Standard II came in after the closing of the registers; I have not sent her home, it is of frequent occurrence.

I have had to send Miss Manning home this afternoon; she is very unwell.

No. 30 Standard I register has been marked present; she is absent. I have made the alteration.

The sewing lesson continues this afternoon until 3pm as it is in a backward condition. Average attendance for the week 207.4

Work resumed this morning, all the teachers are in attendance. I admitted two new scholars this morning but have not entered them on the registers until I have tested them. Attendance 205. I shall not be able to attend school this afternoon. I have not been well for a week now, and S. Baker advised me to go home this morning and lie down for the rest of the day. All the classes are in charge of the respective teachers, others are responsible for their own order and general discipline.

I returned to school this morning. I am unable to teach but intend to look today to the first class needlework. I admitted another scholar this morning.

I am still continuing sewing with the first class, as I am unfit for actual teaching.

I have been absent from school all Thursday and half day today. I am still unfit to resume my duties. I hope to be better by Monday. Two girls have come in today after the registers were closed. I have not sent them home, as that form of punishment has no effect. Mr. S. Knight, chairman visited the school on the 30^th. Average attendance 212.1

I took the P.T. lessons this morning and I am now able to resume my work as formerly. On Friday afternoon I had to censure Miss Cowling for allowing children to do her work and detaining them in the classroom instead of sending them into the schoolroom for the singing lesson. I did this in front of the staff as I find it is no use speaking to her by herself. I got no satisfaction from her, she denied that I had ever cautioned her previously; since then I have received a note from her, which instead of mending matters has seemed to widen the breach. I do not intend to say anything more to her, but I shall appeal to the Board if my wishes are further thwarted. I have begun the monthly examination today, IV,V,VI,VII. I continued the same this afternoon II & III. Many of the children wish to leave early because of a tea. I shall give them a five minutes play and send them home at 4pm

I shall continue the inspection of the examination work this morning II,III,IV,V,VI & VII. Two girls in Standard II came late this afternoon. they stand at the desks. C. Manning is absent through illness.

I still continue the examination this morning, oral works as Varied Occupations are now no longer compulsory and my Standards II & III are backward in dictation. The teachers will take word building or dictation instead of Varied Occupations.

Miss Sargent is not at her regular work today; she is suffering from her teeth. I am examining the oral work of Standard III

I finished the examination of the school this morning; the girls of VI & VII who have not finished their garments are doing so this morning. I am relieving Miss Sargent as much as I can. Average attendance 216.3

Mr. Vorley visited the school this morning.

The attendance has improved during the past two days, today it is 225.

On Wednesday afternoon the last lesson in Standard III,IV,V, VI, & VII is at the discretion of the teachers either composition, dictation or arithmetic. I find that the time for singing is adequate without this half hour. Louis Sargent has my permission to go to Wellingborough this afternoon; she is having attention paid to her decayed teeth.

C. Manning had to go home yesterday; she was unwell; she has not yet returned to school and I have sent for her this morning. Miss Manning has not yet arrived at school and I have received no communication from her home. A.Ladds has received my permission to leave early; she is going by train; also to return an hour later than the opening of school on Monday morning. Average attendance 227.9. Miss Manning called to say that the doctor had ordered her to stay in bed during the next week.

Many of the children are late this morning ; the cause of it is the damp morning; attendance 225. Average attendance for the week 222.9

School work was resumed this morning. I have had two girls this morning come to this school but I have not entered their names on any register until I have tested them.

Mr. Paul Cave visited this school today.

Today and yesterday I have taken the different Standards in Arithmetic on slates. I am not at all satisfied with the results. A.M. Cowling is absent from duty today but has sent no reason.

A.M. Cowling is still absent and I have still has no word from her. C. Manning is again absent through illness.

I have attended the school today and find Miss Cowling absent and am informed by Miss Southam that she was also absent yesterday and that she has not assigned any reason for her absence. L. Newell.

A.M. Cowling has returned to school this morning but no sufficient excuse has yet been given me. Miss Boole, headmistress Leamington Spa, visited today. I have changed my lessons so that she may see the drill. C. Manning has brought me a doctor’s certificate stating that she is unfit to follow her profession for the present. Average attendance 217.4

School work was resumed this morning: all the teachers are in attendance. I have brought the standard iii into my schoolroom so that I may be better able to supervise their work.

I shall examine the school this week. I begin with Standard I today. I found on entering this morning that a Standard III girl was again assisting Miss Cowling with her class. I sent the girl home. I finished the examination of Standard I and will begin Standard II this afternoon.

I shall finish the examination of Standard II this morning & begin the work of Standard III

Miss Jaques has had permission to be absent from school to attend her sister’s wedding. I shall continue the examination of the school this morning.

I have finished the examination of the entire school. The results are fairly satisfactory; the recitation is not so accurate as it might be. Average attendance for the week 206.6

School work was resumed this morning; all the teachers are at work. The result of the last quarterly examination at Higham Ferrers came this morning. Fanny George second year P.T. heads her list; this is by no means good but is an improvement on her previous examinations.

I took Standards V,VI & VII for arithmetic on Monday & Tuesday mornings. On Tuesday afternoon after sewing lesson I took Miss Ladds Standard I and allowed her to study toward her certificate. I took Standard II this morning for arithmetic, reading and grammar.

I shall examine the needlework of the school this afternoon. The ordinary lessons on the time table will not be adhered to. Ada Sears and her sister came after the closing of the register this afternoon; I didn’t send them home but they are habitually late.

I am taking Standard III this morning. I have this day examined the registers and find them correct. J. Colson. Average attendance 214.2 this school was closed this afternoon because of Lord George Sanger’s Circus.

Schoolwork was resumed this morning: all the teachers were present and work went on as usual: the weather is very rough and in consequence the attendance is poor. One girl whom I admitted on Wed into Standard I is only 6 years; she will be transferred this afternoon to the Infant Department.

I am taking Standard IV for arithmetic this morning. I took the first class and Standard V yesterday morning for the same subject and thereafter took the ordinary grammar lesson with Standard IV,V,VI & VII. I was obliged yesterday afternoon to keep two classes after school hours to finish their sewing lesson. I intend taking Standard III myself this afternoon for the same lesson, as the teacher seems unable to teach it satisfactorily. Standard III will go on sewing until playtime.

I shall take Standard III for arithmetic this morning and afterwards IV,V,VI & VII for recitation.

Average attendance for the week 216.0

Miss Clark has had permission this morning to be late for school. She wished to meet one of the trains. No. 49 on Miss Ladds register returned to school this afternoon.-Maud Adams- after a lapse of some months. She was marked left and as I have no more register space, I have admitted her in that same space. Annie Ladds Standard III was marked absent by mistake this afternoon. I have made the necessary alteration.

I examined the paper work of Standard II yesterday; it was not satisfactory as on previous occasions. Today I shall take the paper work of Standard IV,V, VI & VII.. This afternoon I take Standard I for a test in their work. Mr. Newell, vice chairman called this afternoon, but I  did not see him. I did not get to school until three minutes past two.

I shall examine standards II & III this morning. Miss A Ladds has had to go home this morning; she was so unwell. The Standard V,VI & VII will sew this morning from 11 to 12 because of the half timers.

Below is a copy of resolution passed at Friday’s meeting and forwarded to me this morning.

“That all the Head Teachers be required to report to the Chairman, the absence from school from any cause, of themselves or any of their subordinate teachers for more than one day.”

The Easter Holidays are to be from Thursday afternoon before Good Friday to the following Wednesday Morning.

I took the paper work yesterday of Standards II & III also singing of songs; the dictation of Standard III is not satisfactory. I am commencing a sewing examination this afternoon in all classes except Standard V, they will have theirs in the morning 27^th

I have continued the sewing examination this afternoon with those girls who have not yet finished their specimens. Carrie Clark has obtained a second class at the Queen’s Scholarship examination and Louis Sargent, a third class certificate. Average attendance for the week 212.3

I have been unwell all day and left school this afternoon at 4 o’clock; the children had no playtime this afternoon and will stop work at 4.15. Miss Jacques will attend to the  dismissal.

C. Manning finished her time here yesterday. I am now without any help. I took Standards V,VI & VII for arithmetic this morning. I shall assemble the school this afternoon at 4 o’clock so that the teachers may have an opportunity of tidying their cupboards and getting their slates washed.

The children assembled at 1.30 this afternoon to enable us to close at 4pm. I thought I had better do this as the Infant School Department were closing and the boys had a holiday. Mr. Samuel Knight visited the schools this morning. The children will sew until 2.30 and then write until 3.15. The rest of the afternoon will be as Friday. Average attendance for the week 203.8. This school is closed until Wednesday April 8^th for the Easter Holiday.

We resumed work this morning after the Easter Holiday. I got down to school at 8 am and found my two P.Teachers there ready to hang pictures up and attend to other duties. I assisted them as far as I could and before the scripture lesson is finished I expect all will be ready for work. All the teachers are present. Attendance is very poor 165 are present this morning.

Mr. S. Knight called this afternoon in connection with the P.T. question; it has been decided that I hold an examination and had two candidates to help with the work. The children will go out at 3.30 and have an extra playtime. Average attendance for the week 174.3

Miss Cowling asked permission to be absent from school today. Miss Clarke is very unwell and I have had to send her home this morning. There are three new admissions this morning, two for Standard I and one for Standard II. I have no vacant space on Standard I register, so have entered them on Standard II until the end of this school year.

I took Standard I this morning for lessons. I think these sums are an improvement in reading and I have shown Miss Ladds to reduce the figures to half size.

Average attendance for the week 220.3

All the teachers are present and at work; the attendance is 220. I have admitted two new girls this morning, one is here on this morning’s attendance, the other is not.

Songs for Division IV for this year are

Gipsy chorus

Children’s Home

Sweet and Low

Ah, could I with fancy stray.

Three Little Maids from School.

Division III

A bird is sweetly singing.

The Last Rose of Summer

Sleighing Song

Farewell to the Friends.

Happy Peasants.

Division II

Swing Song

Spring Song

Slumber Song

The Swing

Dolly’s Lullaby

This morning no teacher in the schoolroom had any of her things given out at five minutes to 9. I found them in the corridor talking when I went to lines. I asked them to go in and get their things out. Miss Ladds was late, she was not at lines when I got children in.

Fanny George asked permission to be absent from school this afternoon; she wished to attend the confirmation services.

Visit article 84.6 J Giles. Average attendance for the week 220.0

I shall examine Standard II, III & IV this afternoon.

Examined Standard V today: II, III & IV will go on sewing until playtime while I continue the work of V

This being the end of the quarter the children have their playtime from 4 to 4.15 while the teachers do their registers.

Average attendance for the past week 204. Attendance this morning 219

Standards III,IV & V are having a paper examination this morning and they will continue this after playtime. Standards IV & V will have a test again this afternoon to prepare them for the exemption examination on Friday. I shall take recitation during the last half hour with the First Class

I have selected the following recitations for the year 1896 /7

V,VI & VII Selection from “Samson Agonistes” Milton

IV “Pied Piper of Hamelin”. Browning

III “The Idle Shepherd Boys.” W. Wordsworth

II  “In a Laboralong” Lewes Morris. “In Schooldays” J.G. Whiltier.

I  “The Little Red Hen.”

I have decided to take object lessons in Standards I,II & III as a class subject during the school year. I shall continue grammar with Standards IV,V, VI & VII. The other class subject needlework will remain as before.

This morning I arranged the half-time section of this school for examination; the other children are having a test on paper with the exception of III & IV; they are being taught together because of lack of rooms.

I have arranged the school again this morning, admitted the children from Moor Road, Alfred Street and Coffee Tavern schools. There are in attendance this morning 254

School Staff 1896-97

Head Teacher – Margaret Soutar

Cert. Assistant – J. Jaques

Cert. Assistant – Annie Ladds

Assistant Ex. P.T. – A.W. Cowling, C. Clarke, L. Sargent.

P.T. 3^rd year – J. George.

P.T. 1^st year – V. Colson

Candidates on Probation – Annie Adams, Elsie Childs.

Average attendance for the week 245.0

The attendance this morning is on the decrease 228. Some of the children who live in the Newton Road District have gone to the Newton Road Schools. Elsie Childs has had my permission to be absent from school this week.

I did not get down to lessons this morning until a quarter to 9. I am suffering from severe sore throat. Florrie Parker in Standard II came too late to obtain her marks. I have not sent her home as the children are to be photographed this afternoon. Three girls in Standard V have gone to Newton Road to attend the Labour Examination. Attendance this afternoon is 253.

I came to school this morning but am too unwell to remain. I leave Miss Jaques in charge. I attended school this afternoon. Average attendance for the weeks 227.5

Work was resumed this morning after the Whit week holiday. All the teachers are in attendance and I had two new admissions.

Average attendance 219.4

School work was resumed this morning and all the teachers are in attendance. I shall leave school at a quarter to 12 this morning; I wish to go up home as I am not feeling well and I wish to be again present at school this afternoon.

I have had to alter the afternoon lessons because of the Baptist Centenary Service held in the Cottage grounds. Three of the P.T. have had my permission to be present.

The children will continue this final lesson until playtime.

Average attendance for the week 229.4, 220.4

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

We shall close school this afternoon owing to the Queen Street Sunday School Treat. Attendance this morning 216

This school was closed on Tuesday afternoon because of the Co-operative tea for children. Attendance in the morning of that day 205. I again cautioned Miss Cowling regarding corporal punishment and her manner of addressing the children. I hope that she will in time conform to my ideas on this subject.

Average attendance for the week 217.6

I have arranged to give Miss Ladds a half day the next three weeks preparatory to Cert. Exam. I shall take the class with Miss Colson’s help.

The school was closed on Monday afternoon because of the Sunday School Treat. There are two mistakes in Miss Cowley’s register for this afternoon. The children will continue their knitting lesson until playtime.

Fanny George has been absent from school yesterday afternoon and this morning. She is suffering from a severe cold.

Fanny George came at 9 this morning and asked to be rescued from her lessons as she is still unwell. She attended school yesterday afternoon.

School resumed work this morning; all the teachers are in attendance.

I have finished the examination of Standard I: Many of the children have been sent from their respective Infant Schools in an unprepared condition, especially in reading is this seen. I found 21 who could not keep the place, & who had a difficulty in reading the simplest words. The discipline is also very hard to maintain; many of them seem to have never been taught to listen. The teacher of Standard I has a difficult task in front of her but as she is a promising teacher I am hopeful

I examined Miss Cowling’s class yesterday and on the whole am satisfied with the work done. The discipline is not so good as I would wish it; this teacher does not extend the sympathy to the class, that they might have and as they are very young they need it. I am in hopes that I shall be able to give a better report of their discipline by the end of her month. I shall leave school before 12 this morning or I was very unwell. Miss Jaques will dismiss the school.

A.M. Cowling is absent from school today. J. Jaques is too unwell to teach. She is at school. I shall do her work for today. F. George will take Standard II.

This school was closed on Thursday afternoon for the church School Treat. A.M. Cowling has not come to school today neither has she sent any word. I had a note yesterday to say she was ill. The knitting lesson will continue today until playtime as I am short of a teacher. Average attendance for the week 215.6.

This school was closed on Monday the 6^th because of the Band of Hope Seaside Trip. The attendance this morning is very poor and many of the children seem very sleepy. Attendance 179. All the members of the teaching staff are present today. I have today received the Annual Government Report.

“The tone and discipline of the school are very satisfactory and the improvement made in the instruction during the year reflects credit on the zeal and the ability of the mistress who is loyally supported by the members of the staff. The new style of handwriting is making creditable progress and the reading and recitation have received most careful attention with gratifying results.

C. Clarke has obtained a second class in the Queen’s Scholarship Examination.

A. Adams is recognises under Article 33 of the code from 1^st June 1896

E. Childs is not qualified by age for recognition as a candidate on probation

Fanny George – Spelling, music, geography and history.

V.E. Colson has fulfilled the preliminary conditions of the code and may now be appointed as Pupil Teacher.

Miss Jaques marked a girl present but absent on the 8^th. I corrected it with a footnote. Miss Clark is suffering from a bad throat and I have arranged that she has some help this morning. I am obliged to leave school this morning. I am so unwell. I attended school this afternoon at 2 o’clock. In Miss Cowling’s register there is an alteration. I have made it; the child maintains she answered to her name but in any case, the teacher had no right to balance the register until she was sure. I cautioned A.Cowling but as always there was the ordinary excuse.

I did not get down to lessons this morning, but came down at 9 and opened school. I am suffering very much from my throat but hope it will be better by Monday.

C.Clarke came to school this morning but was too ill to remain. I shall take her class with V. Colson to help. I have shown A.M. Cowling how to mark her register and again cautioned her to be careful. I have finished the examination of the school and for the time of year the progress is fairly satisfactory. Attendance this morning 203.

Average for the week 206.7

A.Ladds is sitting for Certificate Examination this week at Leicester. Miss Jaques is absent from school this morning. She has sent a word to say that she is ill. This school closed this afternoon for Baptist School Treat.

J.Jaques returned to school this morning. She is still unwell and I have allowed her to take knitting for today so that she may sit down. I am taking the same with Standard IV; the other classes are working to the Time Table.

Miss Jaques was obliged to go home yesterday morning, the doctor has been called in and he advises rest for at least a few days. I am doing the best I can with the classes in the absence of their respective teachers. Average for the week 221.6

All the teachers are in attendance this morning. During prayers a part of the plaster on the wall in the school fell in but it did no damage only frightened two girls. Mrs. Cave has had communication sent to Mr. Denton to attend to

Government Report 1896

The tone and discipline of School are very satisfactory and the improvement made in the instruction during the year reflects credit on the zeal and ability of the mistress who is loyally supported by the members of the staff. The new style of handwriting is making credible progress and the reading and recitation have received most careful attention with gratifying results. C. Clarke has obtained a second class in the Queen’s Scholarship Examination.

A. Adams is recognised under Article 33 of the Code from 1^st June 1896

E. Childs is not qualified by age for recognition as a candidate for probation.

Fanny George – Spelling, music, theory, geography, history.

V.E. Colson has fulfilled the preliminary conditions of the Code and may now be apprenticed as a pupil teacher.

Staff for the yea beginning May 1896

Head Teacher – Margaret Soutar

Certified Assistant – J. Jaques.

Assistant A – A. Ladds

Assistant Ex, P.T. – A.M. Cowling.

Assistant Ex. P.T. – L. Sargent

Assistant Ex. P.T.- C. Clarke

P.T. 3^rd Year – F. George

P.T. 1^st Year – V. Colson

Candidate on Probation – A. Adams.

James Heygate Clerk to the Board.

The Sewing Lesson will be continued this afternoon; the children are very restless with the heat.

A lecture on Alcohol was given this morning to the Senior Scholars by Mr. Dunnimore. The children will go on with the knitting lesson until playtime.

I did not get down to lessons this morning; my throat was very bad today. I came to school at 8.45am. Fanny George has my permission to be absent from school this afternoon to attend Higham Church Sunday School Treat. In Standard V register B in the first quarter, four mistakes have been made; in each case I have made the alteration and cautioned the teachers to be careful.

All the teachers are at work today. The attendance today has been 208 and 209 and the average for the past week was 214.2 Much of the examination is finished: the most backward classes are four and five; this is caused by there being so many half time scholars.

The attendance this morning is very bad, 194 girls; many of them are at home getting ready for the following week.

A. Ladds & V. Colson have my permission to be absent from school this morning. Standard V will knit; the other classes are working from the Time Table. Yesterday afternoon a girl’s attendance in Standard III register was altered by me. She just arrived at school as her teacher closed the register. This school closed today for the midsummer vacation until August 31^st. Average attendance for the week 204.8

Mr. Knight chairman, visited school this morning.