More Houses – But Still No Action
Rushden’s New Estate

  Still another call for a school to be built on Rushden’s new housing estate, as planned before the Government’s economy campaign began, was made on Tuesday at a meeting of the Rushden Education sub-Committee.

  Mr. Perkins opened the question by enquiring whether there had been “any consoling message” about the prospective new school on the Irchester-road estate.  Sixty-odd new houses were to be put up, he said, and it was time something was done.

  The chairman (Mr. L. Baxter) replied that there had been no news.  He agreed that the school was needed, especially for the smaller children.

  Mr. Allebone:  There is no reason why we should not write to the appropriate committee and ask them when they are going to make a start on it.

  Mr. Perkins:  There is a bigger birth rate in that area than in the other areas – at least, we hope there is, with the nice Council houses!

  Ald. Horrell:  I think the additional houses are the strongest part of the argument.

  Mr. Perkins added that the Board of Education was allowing other buildings, perhaps not so necessary, to be proceeded with throughout the country.

  It was decided to communicate with the County Education Committee, asking for steps to be taken.

Woodwork Problem

  The attendance return for the December quarter showed 1982 scholars on the roll, compared with 1917 for the corresponding period of last year.  The percentage of attendances made was 88.1; and an epidemic of measles was noted.

  Woodwork instruction was discussed at a meeting of the School Managers, when it was complained that although the centre was at Newton-road school, only one half-day per week was allotted to the boys of that school, while the Alfred-street school had three half-days, and for the rest of the week the instructor was at the Intermediate school.

  It was suggested either that another teacher was required, or that Alfred-street should be allotted another half-day.

  The Clerk (Mr. J. Ferris):  There are some boys who cannot go.

  The Chairman (Mr. Allebone) commented on the fact that some of the boys had their instruction fortnightly.  “It is ridiculous,” he said, “for a boy to do woodwork on a Tuesday and have to wait a fortnight for the next lesson.”

  The question was adjourned pending enquiries.

“I Wish I Knew”

  Asked about the suggested renovations at the Newton-road school, Mr. Allebone said if they were to be done this year they would appear in the year’s estimates.

  Mr. Corby:  But will they go through this year?

  Mr. Allebone:  I don’t know.  I wish I did.

  Following a request by Mr. W. A. E. Sherwood for the provision of a teachers’ room at South End, it was decided to inspect the school in order to see if there was any part that could be partitioned off.

  Mr. Capon said the absence of a room was disconcerting.

  The Rev. C. J. Keeler mentioned that some of the children were subject to fits, and the teachers had no convenient place to take them when they were ill.

  Mr. W. W. Rial, late headmaster of the Alfred-street Mixed School, was thanked for his gift to the school of the contents of a small museum which was his private property.

  Members in attendance were Mr. L. Baxter (chairman of the sub-committee), Mr. A. Allebone, C.C. (chairman of the Managers), Rev. C. J. Keeler, Messrs. F. Corby, F. Green, C. W. Horrell, C.A., E. A. Sugars, E. Freeman, L. Perkins, M.B.E., W. E. Capon and J. White.