Moor Road School - Log Book extracts

Moor Road School buildings in 2008	An early picture of the pupils c1920

The School opened on 3rd June 1889 with Mistress Prudence Darnell. It was for children up to the age of seven.

On that day 48 were admitted, 29 boys and 19 girls, being 13 over 5 years of age and 35 under and “seven others whose names I have failed to ascertain, who have been sent with pence in their hands. Had no help in the morning, Mr Knight promised to send a monitress from the girls’ school. Accordingly Carrie Clark came for the afternoon and is to remain until permanent help is decided upon”.

Mr Samuel Knight was chairman of the School Board and visited several times each week.

07 June 1889	The week has been one of great difficulties. The children as a whole have very little idea of school routine. Out of the 48 only 11 know their letters. Only 2 can them through. 10 others can write a few of them. The remainder cannot make a stroke. Adding and subtracting is out of the question. Three only can write the figures through and very few even of the older ones can count 20.
02 October 1889	An additional teacher having been applied for, Helena Harris came on trial.
02 June 1890	Clara Groome commenced duties here today.
30 June 1890	Amelia Mantle aged 12 years commenced duties today in the place of Carrie Clark who has been transferred to the Infant School in Alfred Street.
11 July 1890 Staff	Clara Groome Certificated teacher of 2nd class Helena Harris Candidate Amelia Mantle Monitoress
26 January 1891	It having been decided by the Board to have several children moved from the Boys’ and Girls’ schools to the Moor Road school on account of the boys’ and girls’ schools being overcrowded, fifteen boys have been sent up from the boys school and twenty-one girls from the girls’ school. Miss Skinner (ex PT) has been appointed to assist with this new Standard 1 and has accordingly commenced duties today.
06 February 1891	Helena Harris leaves school today
09 February 1891	It has been decided that Priscilla Clark should come up from the Girls’ school to render temporary help in the place of H Harris until permanent help can be arranged.
23 February 1891	A school bell has been affixed to the school buildings & has been used today for the first time.
13 March 1891	A Mantle took 1st and 2nd classes with a lesson on “coal” this morning.
8 May 1891	Mr Bradfield visited the school this afternoon.
3 June 1891	Mr Varnon and Mr Dibson H.M. Inspectors visited the school this afternoon.
26 June 1891	Miss Skinner finishes her term of engagement today.
10 September 1891	Mr Denton visited the school this morning.
8 January 1892	The reason why several children are away from school is because they have fever in the house.
9 February 1892	Opened the Penny savings bank in connection with the school today and eleven children brought pence and have taken deposit forms home.
29 June 1892 Staff	Clara Groome Cert teacher 2nd class A Mantle P T 1st year P Clarke Candidate A Mantle is now recognised as a pupil teacher. The engagement is intended to commence from the first day of May 92.
26 July 1892	Mr Spencer visited school this afternoon.
7 September 1892	Enquiries have been made concerning the absence of several scholars and I hear the cause of the absence is due to “Scarletina”.
18 November 1892	One scholar left school today the family are leaving the village.
6 January 1893	The attendance has been low all week owing to the cold weather and snow.
28 April 1893	Two or three children are away from school through “Scarlet Fever”.
30 April 1893 Staff	Clara Groome Cert teacher 2nd class Amelia Mantle P T 2nd year Priscilla Clarke P T 1st year
21 August 1893	The attendance is much lower this afternoon perhaps this is owing to the bell not ringing as it got out of repair this morning. Have sent to have it seen to.
8 September 1893	Sent to the bank 14/2 this week the sum realised from the sale of childrens work done during the year.
1 December 1893	The attendance on the whole has been lower, several are away through Scarletina.
9 March 1894	Many children are absent through Measles.
9 April 1894	The measles is still prevalent among the children, that being the cause of the absence of many of them.
1 June 1894 Staff	Clara Groome Cert teacher Amelia Mantle 3rd year P T Priscilla Clarke 2nd year P T
26 July 1894	Mr Bradfield visited school this morning.
24th June 1895	School is being closed this afternoon for the Independent Wesleyan Sunday School Treat.
28th June 1895	The school is being closed on Monday on the occasion of the Band of Hope Excursion.
26th September 1895	School was closed on Monday and Tuesday and also on Wednesday afternoon it being feast week.
30th September 1895	Annie Wescombe from the girls school commenced duties here today as monitoress.
15th December 1895	A Mantle is sitting for scholarships exam next week at Northampton; her exam commences on Tuesday but have given her leave of absence for the week.
19th February 1896	The attendance is rather lower this afternoon caused by some of the children following a circus procession.
20th March 1896	The attendance has not been quite so good this week some are absent through whooping cough.
27th March 1896	Received notice of A Mantle failure at scholarship exam.
17th April 1896	P Clarke attends the P.T exam tomorrow at Wellingborough.
8th May 1896	A Wescombe has been examined in standard VI today at the girls’ school as candidate P.T.
15th June 1896	School is being closed this afternoon on account of the Independent Wesleyan Sunday School Treat.
June 1896 Staff	Clara Groome Certificated teacher Amelia Mantle 4th year P.T Priscilla Clarke 4th year P.T Annie E Wescombe Candidate
2nd July 1896	School is being closed this afternoon for a church tea.
7th July 1896	A days holiday was given yesterday for a Band of Hope Excursion.
13th July 1896	As some of our children are attending the Old Baptist tea the school is closed this afternoon.
11th September 1896	Have given half holiday this afternoon as the builders are breaking a doorway through in connection with the enlargement.
22nd September 1896	A half holiday has been given yesterday and today on account of Rushden feast.
11th December 1896	The attendance has been rather better this week. Several of the absentees are away through “measles”.
15th December 1896	The two P.T are away; one at Bedford and the other at Northampton attending the scholarship exam. Annie Adams a monitoress has been sent up from the Alfred Street Girls to assist in their absence.
18th December 1896	The attendance during this week has been much lower. “Measles” and the severe weather are the causes of the absence of so many.
13th January 1897	Have used the new room today for the first time.
1st April 1897	Heard from the education dept that A Mantle and A P Clarke have both passed the scholarship.
7th May 1897	A Wescombe is still away. Mabel Hartwell a standard VI scholar from the girls’ school has been assisting me during her absence.
7th July 1897 Staff	C Groome Certificated teacher A Mantle Assistant teacher Ex P.T A P Clarke Assistant teacher Ex P.T A E Wescombe 1st Year P.T
12th July 1897	School is being closed this afternoon there being two Sunday School Treats.
6th September 1897	Mr Colson visited school this afternoon.
13th September 1897	Children are away through whooping cough this week.
28th September 1897	Opened school both yesterday and this morning but was obliged to close on account of the short numbers not half the usual number being present. (Rushden Feast)
30th September 1897	Mr Newell visited school today.
25th January 1898	Opened school at 1-30 and closed at 3-30 this afternoon on account of a church tea being held.
14th March 1898	As only 80 children were present this afternoon. Registers were not marked and half holiday was given on account of a circus parading in the town.
25th March 1898	The attendance has been very low both morning and afternoon today through the inclemency of the weather.
6th June 1898	Miss E Manning who has served her apprenticeship in the Board School Stanwick commenced duties here today as assistant (Ex P.T).
15th June 1898	A half holiday is being given this and tomorrow afternoon on account of the Agricultural Show.
15th June 1898 School Staff at beginning of school year	C Groome Certificated teacher A Mantle Assistant Ex P.T A P Clarke  Assistant Ex P.T A E Wescombe P.T 2nd year Miss E Manning Ex P.T commenced duties on June 6th.
27th June 1898	A half holiday is being given this afternoon for the Park Road Sunday Treat.
1st July 1898	A holiday is being given on Monday that being the day for Bands of Hope excursion. A great number of children are away from school with measles.
14th July 1898	The attendance is very low all the time through the epidemic. The number of children away through measles this week is 96.
22nd July 1898	As the measles are very bad amongst the children. The school is being closed for five weeks for the summer holiday which is a week earlier than usual.
23rd September 1898	School is being closed Monday and Tuesday in next week for Rushden Feast.
7th October 1898	May Brooks a scholar in the 6th standard at the Girls school has been helping here yesterday and today with a view to becoming a teacher.
28th October 1898	Ivy Morris a Girl from the 6th standard has been helping here this week, Rose Mould came last week and May Clarke the week before.
21st November 1898	May Brooks is still here helping with the 1st and 5th classes.
23rd December 1898	Every child has received a Xmas card and those who have attended regularly and punctually have been rather better rewarded.
17th January 1899	Mrs Vann visited school today.
6th February 1899	The attendance has been low today through the bad weather.
	Here a page of notes about the lessons to be taught. List of Lessons for Babies Dog, cat, fly, plants, orange, apple, fish, rain, snow, sky. Talks on dressing a doll, setting a tea-table, cleanliness, punctuality and children’s picture books. List of Lessons for 1899-1900 Animal Object Various Spider Leather Rain Fly Boots Snow Cow Orange Wind Horse Apple Sky Sheep A potato A hand Sparrow Cocoa A head Pigeon A tree A birds nest Hen A plant A walk Chick Bread The school-room Fish Flour Its furniture Conversational lessons Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. Cleanliness, Punctuality, Obedience and Kindness. The body and its uses. Setting a tea-table. (Signed?) I. Gill 28.iii.99
5th June 1899	A half holiday this afternoon owing to Queen Street School Treat.
3rd July 1899	A holiday for the Band of Hope excursion.
10th July 1899	Half holiday on Monday and Thursday afternoon on account of Baptist and National School treats.
12 July 1899	H.M inspectors report, there has recently been a change of teachers. Good discipline has been established and the school promises to reach a high standard of efficiency in the future.
School Staff	F E Strickland Certificated Teacher A Mantle Ex P.T  A P Clarke Ex P.T E Manning Ex P.T A E Wescombe 2nd Year P.T
17th July 1899	Half holiday for Sunday School Treat.
27th September 1899	The school was closed on Monday and Tuesday for Rushden Feast
3rd November 1899	Miss Mantle left for Alfred Street Infant School.
6th November 1899	Mrs M Beaven from Desboro begain her duties here as Assistant Ex P.T.
24th November 1899	The attendance has been poor all week owing to the prevalence of whooping cough. I have been notified of 44 cases.
27th November 1899	Florence Rose Burrow born April 14th 83 and apprenticed January 1899 has been transferred from the Military Rd Bd School Northampton to this.
15th December 1899	The weather has been very severe consequently the attendance is very poor.
20th February 1900	School closed on the 16th owing to the bad weather.
1st March 1900	Received the news of the “relief of Ladysmith”. Gave the children a half holiday.
2nd April 1900	The school will be closed to-day for the Urban Council Election.
25th April 1900	The school is open for the children’s Parents and Friends this afternoon from 2-30.
25th June 1900	Half holiday on account of the Independent Wesleyan Sunday School Treat.
3rd July 1900 School Staff	F E Strickland Certificated Teacher E Manning Ex P.T M A Bevan Ex P.T A Wescombe P.T 2nd Year F Burrow P.T 1st Year May Brooks Monitoress
31st August 1900	May Brooks has left school.
21st September 1900	School closed on Sep 24th and 25th for Rushden Feast.
12th October 1900	Closed school on Tuesday for the elections.
1st February 1901	Attendance very poor all week owing to the inclement weather.
15th March 1901	Mr Bradfield visited the school this afternoon.
30th April 1901	Mr Noble visited school this afternoon.
6th June 1901	Closed school this afternoon for the National School Treat.
17th June 1901	Closed school for half day because of the Wesleyan Sunday school treat.
24th June 1901 School Staff	F E Strickland  Certificated Teacher E Manning Art 50 P Clarke Art 50 M A Bevan  Art 50 A Wescombe Scholarship Year F Burrow  P. T 2nd Year
28th June 1901	Attendance poor all week especially the last two days Measles are still prevalent.
1st July 1901	Monday holiday for “Band of Hope” Pic-nic.
15th July 1901	Half holiday for the Baptist Sunday school treat.
20th September 1901	Closed school on Monday and Tuesday for Rushden Feast.
28th October 1901	Miss Manning has been transferred to Newton Road School and her place taken by Annie Carter Art 50 from the National School, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, Birth 6/11/1881.
29th November 1901	Mr Colson and Mr Wescombe have visited school this week.
13th November 1901	A Carter and F Burrow have been absent this week attending the scholarship examination.
30th April 1902	Miss Clarke left school today.
2nd June 1902	Closed school for the day in celebration of the cessation of hostilities in South Africa
9th June 1902	Closed school this afternoon for the Independent Wesleyan Treat.
16th June 1902	Closed school this afternoon for the Congregational School Treat.
30th June 1902 Teaching Staff	F E Strickland Certificated Teacher P Clarke Art 50 M A Bevan Art 50 A Wescombe Art 50 A Carter Art 50 F Burrow Scholarship Year
14th July 1902	Closed school this afternoon on account of the Baptist Sunday school Treat.
1st September 1902	Annie Martha Wills (30/3/1882) from Wellingborough Victoria Infants began her duties here as Assistant Art 50.
19th September 1902	Closed school on Monday and Tuesday for Rushden Feast.
21st November 1902	Miss Wills having obtained an appointment at Wellingborough left here today.
24th November 1902	Mrs Movie a trained certified Teacher has been appointed for one month.
5th January 1903	Miss Kate Underwood 15/11/79 from Abbey Infant School St Albans. Commenced her duties here as Assistant Art 50.
23rd February 1903	I commenced duties this morning as head mistress pro: tem: in the absence of Miss Strickland through sickness.  C E Moore
11th March 1903	Sangers Circus visited the town. As a consequence attendance fell.
20th April 1903	Opened school with an attendance of 160 this is owing to measles in the district.
8th May 1903	The epidemic of measles still prevalent.
15th June 1903	Closed school this afternoon for the Wesleyan School Treat.
22nd June 1903	Half day holiday for the Congregational School Treat.
26th June 1903 Teaching Staff	F E Strickland Certificated Teacher A Wescombe Art 50 A Carter Art 50 K Underwood Art 50 F Burrow Art 50
29th June 1903	Closed school this afternoon on account of the Park Rd Wesleyan Treat.
10th July 1903	Miss Underwood has been from school this week attending the certificate examination.
17th July 1903	Holiday on Monday afternoon for the Baptist School Treat.
18th September 1903	Closed school till Wednesday morning on account of Rushden Feast.
29th January 1904	Inclement weather, attendance very poor. Measles still prevalent.
17th March 1904	The attendance fell to 187 on account of the visit of Sangers Circus to the town.
28th March 1904	Closed school on Monday for the Urban Council Election.
20th June 1904	Half day holiday for the Baptist school treat.
30th June 1904	Florence Rose Burrow resigned her appointment as assistant art 50 today.
4th July 1904	Half holiday for school treat.
7th July 1904	Half holiday for the National school treat.
11th July 1904	School closed for the afternoon for the Baptist school treat.
15th July 1904	German Measles are prevalent in the district, consequently the attendance at school is poor.
2nd September 1904	Mrs Mayes (F Burrow) came as supply on Wednesday.
19th September 1904 Teaching Staff	F E Strickland  Certificated Teacher Annie Wescombe Article 50 Annie Carter Article 50 Kate Underwood Article 50 Florence Mayes Article 50
23rd September 1904	Closed school on Monday and Tuesday for Rushden Feast.
24th January 1905	Scarlet fever is prevalent in the district.
3rd February 1905	Attendance still poor owing to colds and fever.
18th May 1905 Teaching Staff	F E Strickland  Certificated Teacher A Wescombe Article 50 A Carter Article 50 K Underwood Article 50 F Mayes Article 50
29th May 1905	Half holiday for the Congregational School Treat.
26th June 1905	Half holiday for the Independent Wesleyan school treat.
6th July 1905	Half holiday for the National school treat Miss Underwood not at school this week. Attending certificate examination.
10th July 1905	Half holiday for the Park Rd Baptist School Treat.
21st July 1905	Have a number of children absent from school suffering from whooping cough.
24th July 1905	Half day holiday for the Park Rd Wesleyan School Treat.
25th September 1905	Closed school on Monday and Tuesday.
29th September 1905	Attendance poor this week owing to wet weather.
27th October 1905	The attendance has fallen this week owing to sickness.
6th November 1905	Closed school to day for the Urban District Council Election.
24th November 1905	Attendance poor the latter part of the week owing to inclement weather.
17th January 1906	Closed school for General Election.
14th May 1906	Closed school this afternoon for the Park Road Wesleyan Sunday Treat.
16th May 1906 Teaching Staff	F E Strickland  Certificated Teacher K Underwood Certificated Teacher A Wescombe Article 50 A Carter Article 50 F Mayes Article 50
21st May 1906	Half day holiday Sunday school treat.
30th May 1906	On Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 3-30 to 4 the children in the 1st class will occasionally have a gardening lesson.
25th June 1906	This afternoon school is closed on account of the Wesleyan Sunday School Treat.
9th July 1906	Closed school in the afternoon for the Park Rd Sunday School Treat.
19th July 1906	Closed school this afternoon for the parish Sunday school treat.
21st September 1906	School closed on Monday and Tuesday for Rushden Feast.
16th November 1906	Wet weather attendance not so good.
28th November 1906	Many children from school with colds attendance poor.
30th November 1906	Florence Burrows left school today.
3rd December 1906	Edith Norman (inscrip) 18/8/1875 began her duties here today as assistant mistress Art 50.
11th January 1907	The attendance has bee poor during the week as a number of children are absent from school suffering from measles and mumps.
18th January 1907	Sickness still prevalent.
25th January 1907	Attendance Poor.
29th January 1907	Closed school by order of the medical authority till February 11th.
11th February 1907	Opened school this morning with an attendance of 76. Children suffering from Measles and Mumps.
18th February 1907	School closed on account of Measles.
8th April 1907	Miss Ellen Morris of Stanwick commenced training as a supplementary teacher.
1st May 1907	Miss Morris from Stanwick returned to her own school today.
13th May 1907	School closed for the afternoon on account of the Mission Sunday School Treat.
27th May 1907	Miss Morris has returned for one week so as to complete her months training.
17th June 1907	Half holiday for the Congregational School Treat.
24th June 1907	Closed school in the afternoon for the Wesleyan School Treat.
1st July 1907	Half holiday for the Park Road Wesleyan Sunday School Treat.
11th July 1907	Holiday this afternoon for the National Sunday School Treat.
15th July 1907	Half holiday for the Baptist Sunday School Treat.
18th July 1907	On account of General Booth’s visit to Rushden the children were taken to see him passing through the town.
23rd September 1907	School closed today and Tuesday for Rushden Feast.
18th November 1907	Miss Harriot Spencer of Clapham C of E school began her month’s training in this school this morning.
25th November 1907	Mrs Tye is filling, for a time, the vacancy caused by the illness of Miss Wescombe.
27th January 1908	Attendance very poor. Have 50 children absent through colds and coughs.
9th March 1908	Miss Ethel M Childs from Wadenhoe C of E School and Miss Caroline Cozens from Potterspury Parochial School began their month’s training in this school this morning.
25th March 1908	Received notice of the death of Miss A Wescombe.
28th May 1908	Closed school this afternoon for the Mission Sunday treat.
19th June 1908 Teaching Staff	E Millie Strickland  Head Mistress Kate Underwood Certificated Assistant Annie Carter  Assistant Art 50 Edith Norman Assistant Art 50 Mary Tye (supply)
6th July 1908	Independent Wesleyan School Treat this afternoon – half holiday.
9th July 1908	Church of England Sunday School Treat closed this afternoon.
13th July 1908	Closed school this afternoon for the Park Road Baptist treat.
31st July 1908	Closed school for the summer holiday. Mrs M L Tye’s duties expired.
31st August 1908	Amy Elizabeth Cunliffe, 21/5/1890. Newton Road School, began her duties here as assistant.
9th November 1908	Miss Lilly Wilson, C.E School Norton commenced her month’s training to-day.
November 1908 Teaching Staff	E M Strickland Certificated Teacher K Underwood Certificated Teacher E Norman Uncertificated Teacher A Cunliffe Uncertificated Teacher
4th December 1908	Miss Lilly Wilson completed her training to-day.
1st February 1909	Miss Beatrice Inns from Gayton, National School began her month’s training this morning.
26th February 1909	Miss Inns finishes her month’s training today.
19th April 1909	Miss Carrie Stubbs from Roade commenced her month’s training to-day.
10th May 1909	Miss Ethel Childs from Wadenhoe. C of E School has returned to school to-day to complete her month’s training, which was broken last year owing to the illness of her mother.
14th May 1909	Miss C Stubbs completed her month’s training to-day.
17th May 1909	Miss Annie Jackson of Stow-Nine-Churches commenced her month’s training to-day.
21 May 1909	Miss Ethel Childs completed her month’s training today.
18th June 1909	Miss Jackson completed her month’s training to-day.
5th July 1909	Miss Helen Matthews of Collingtree C of E School began her month’s training to-day.
15th July 1909	Closed school for Sunday School Treats.
30th July 1909	Miss Matthews finishes her month’s training to-day.
30th August 1909	Sylvia Lillian Minney from Finedon Mulso School began her duties here as Assistant.
10th January 1910	Miss Laura May Keeble from Rothwell C.E Infants School commenced her month’s training to-day.
19th January 1910	Closed school today for General Election.
4th February 1910	To-day Miss Keeble completed her month’s training.
3rd March 1910	Closed school for Urbal Council Election.
14th July 1910	Closed school for the Sunday School treats.
5th September 1910	Miss Daisy C Wise from Wooton C of E School commenced her month’s training to-day.
12th September 1910	Miss Constance E Bird Sudborough C E School began her month’s training to-day.
26th September 1910	Closed school to-day and Tuesday for Rushden Feast.
30th September 1910	Miss Wise completed her training to-day.
7th October 1910	Miss Bird completed her training to-day.
28th October 1910 Teaching Staff	F E Strickland Certificated Teacher K Underwood Certificated Teacher E Norman  Uncertificated Teacher A Cunliffe Uncertificated Teacher  S Minney  Uncertificated Teacher
9th January 1911	Miss Ellen Wilford from the Infants School Crick began her month’s training to-day.
16th January 1911	Miss Nellie Lock from Lichborough School Weedon began her month’s training to-day.
3rd February 1911	Miss Wilford finished her training to-day.
6th February 1911	Miss Olive Louise Russell from Milton Parochial School Northamptonshire began her month’s training to-day, also Miss Margaret Smith from Charwelton C of E School.
10th February 1911	Miss Nellie Lock finished her training to-day.
3rd March 1911	Miss Russell and Miss Smith completed their training to-day.
24th April 1911	Miss Ivy Ingle from Hinton-the-Hedges commenced her month’s training this morning, also Miss Mable Amos from Flore C of E School.
19th May 1911	The Misses Ingle and Amos completed their training to-day.
26th May 1911	Miss Bonsor completed her training to-day.
16th May 1911	School closed for coronation holiday.
13th July 1911	Closed school for Sunday School treats.
11th September 1911	Miss Mabel E Town of Easton Maudit, and Miss Maggie Kelly of West Haddon commenced their month’s training to-day.
6th October 1911	Miss M Town and Miss Maggie Kelly finished their training to-day.
9th October 1911	Miss Coleman of Weedon Lois and Miss Killpack of Whilton commenced their month’s training.
7th December 1911 Teaching Staff	F E Strickland Certificated Teacher K Underwood Certificated Teacher A E Cunliff Certificated Teacher S L Minney Uncertificated Teacher E Norman Uncertificated Teacher
3rd November 1911	The Misses Coleman and Killpack completed their training to-day.
8th January 1912	Miss Mabel Bayliss from Culworth End School commenced her month’s training.
8th July 1912	Miss Dwyer from Aston-le-Walls commenced her four week’s training as a supplementary teacher to-day.
1st August 1912	Miss Dwyer completed her training today.

Extract from Memories of the 1890s by R E Bayes From his school days, which began at Moor Road Infants, Mr. Bayes recalls Walter Wood, the quiet and patient gentleman who was his headmaster at Alfred Street; George Capon, his favourite teacher there; and Watson his favourite instructor at Newton Road School. The first headmaster at Newton Road “had tremendous energy, a Welsh name, and an unshakable confidence in the efficacy of corporal punishment. He was not without certain resemblances to Squeers of “Dotheboys Hall.”

Editor's note: We have been unable to locate further records for this school. If you know the whereabouts of any information please let us know.

Moor Road School - mainpage

NRO Ref: Acc 05 Jul 2001