School re-opened after Christmas Vacation. Admitted three new children.

No gardening lessons have been possible this week owing to wet weather. Conditions for this work have been very unfavourable for some considerable time now.

Miss F.E. Dickens absent by permission of managers.

Mr. S. Saddler absent, attending Examination Board of E.M. by request of the L.E.A

Miss Dickens returned to duty. Heavy fall of snow during the night has seriously affected the attendance. No present 200 no on roll 308.

Mr. Joseph Allen resumed duty after being with the Forces since August 30^th 1915 in place of Mr. A. Andrews who ceased duty here at Midsummer.

Attendance still poor owing to severe weather.

School very cold – shortage of coke.

Mr. N.A.E. Sherwood resumed duty – returned from H.M. Forces.

Accident to Gladys E. Payne 1.25pm

Lily I.M. Chamberlain (PT) absent. Influenza.

Mr. S. Sherwood (C.T.) sent to take charge at Broughton.

L.I.M. Chamberlain still absent.

Visited by Mr. Millican H.M.I.

Mr. Sherwood returned from Broughton.

Mr. H. Hales taking duty at Alfred Street Rushden owing to depleted staff there. Returned March 17^th.

Miss Rose Tuffrey absent – personal sickness.

Mr. H. Hales absent attending funeral of uncle (afternoon).

Miss C. Watson taking duty at Newton Road Infants’ School.

Mr. S. Saddler absent attending an Examination Board Meeting of the E.M.E. Union.

All Pupil Teachers absent – social function at Centre.

School closed in the afternoon – Lord Sanger’s Circus.

Mr. Wm. Sherwood taking duty at Earls Barton and Mr. W. H. Lucas acting as substitute for the rest of the week.

School closed at noon for the Easter Holidays.

School reopened after Easter Vacation. Misses Pollard and Dickens absent in the morning owing to bad weather conditions. (Snow) Mr. W.H. Lucas present for the day.

Mr. Sherwood has been asked to take up duty at Earls Barton again and Mr. Lucas is taking his place.

Admitted 10 boys and 8 girls from Moor Road Infants and 9 boys and 16 girls from North End Infants’ School, a total of 43 children.

Mr. S. Saddler absent – influenza.

Miss R. Tuffrey absent influenza & May 15^th.

Mr. J. Allen absent in the afternoon – funeral of a friend.

Ascension day. Owing to service at St. Peter’s Church 14 children were absent during the morning and 106 in the afternoon.

Miss E. Chamberlain absent, attending a drawing exam at Centre.

School closed at noon for Whitsuntide.

Miss F. Osborne taking supply duty at Newton Road Infants’ this week.

School re-opened after the Whitsuntide Holidays.

Miss Bugby still absent.

Mr. S. Saddler absent attending meeting of Exam Board of East Midland Education Union.

Moss Bugby returned to duty today.

School closed in the afternoon – Peace Holiday. Vera Hardy, a scholar from Alfred Street School attending for a probationary period of teaching.

Visited by Messrs. Lawrence and Steer who inspected the boys’ garden plots. Owing to the wet nature of the ground for the first three months of the year preventing the proper preparation of the ground for planting and the prolonged drought for the past eight or nine weeks the crops are poor.

A few of the older gardening pupils sent to the gardens this morning to finish gathering the bush fruits.

Miss Chamberlain absent ill. Miss Osborne absent ill in the afternoon.

Of the four children sent in for the “A” County Scholarships two viz Francis Craft and Ivy Easton have been offered free places.

School closed in the afternoon to get ready for the “Peace Celebrations.”

Mr. S. Saddler absent attending “Exam Board Meeting” of the E.M.E. Union. P.Teachers Misses Chamberlain and R. Tuffrey absent on 17^th 22^nd and 24^th taking the Oxford Senior Exam.

School assembled a little earlier in the afternoon in order to close earlier to complete sports postpones from Saturday owing to rain.

P.Teachers attending today instead of the 29^th as there was then an Open day at Wellingborough High School.

School closed for the Midsummer Vacation at the end of the afternoon session.

School re-opened after the midsummer Holiday one week extra allowed this year for Peace. Nineteen children left during the interval. Two children admitted.

School closed for the usual Feast Holiday.

School re-opened after the Feast Holiday. Three children left during the holiday to take up their scholarships, Ivy Easton having decided not to take advantage of the free place offered to her.

Mr. Lucas left for college.

Frosts during the past week have completely destroyed the French Beans sown in June for experimental purposes, consequently they have proved a failure

Have proposed to teachers a short test weekly in some subjects, the object being to notice individual work of the children, thus any marked class weakness and suggestions for teachers’ benefit in future work.

Results in arithmetic this week are rather poor in some classes due mainly to careless manipulation, or insufficient thought before attempting the exercise.

Mr. S. Saddler absent, attending Examination Board Meeting of the East Midlands Education Committee.

Miss L. Chamberlain absent – indisposition.

Mr. H. Hales absent in the afternoon session by permission of the Managers (Visit to hospital)

Miss R. Tuffrey absent in the afternoon – personal illness.

Stock received for ensuing half year.

Miss L. Chamberlain absent (Neuralgia) Visited by Mr. Millican H.M.I.

Medical inspection commenced.

Medical cards reporting defects sent out to parents.

A cold raw morning attendance lower than usual.

On arrival to school this morning found that the caretaker had met with an accident and the rooms were unswept and fires not lighted.

Misses Tuffrey and Bugby absent (P.T.’s) – interview by College Authorities. Miss chamberlain absent prize distribution at Centre. Mr. S. Saddler absent in the afternoon.

School closed at noon for Christmas Holidays.

School re-opened after Christmas Holidays. A new radiator has been placed in no. 7 room to improve the heating in that room if possible.

A serious drop in the attendance this afternoon due to a matinee at the Theatre of the pantomime “Dick Whittington”. 118 children absent altogether.

19 children left school during the holidays.

Mr. S. Saddler absent attending Examination Board Meeting of the East Midland Education Union.

The P.Teachers attended today, the centre having re-opened.

Mr. J. Allen absent in the afternoon on account of Medical re-examination by Military Authorities.

Gardening lesson taken today from 9.30 – 10.30 in order to take advantage of a frost for digging purposes.

Miss R. Tuffrey absent all day. Illness at home

Rather poor attendance today due to influenza

Miss N. Pollard absent owing to influenza. Attendance still poor.

School closed in the afternoon so that the staff might have the opportunity of meeting with the H.M.I. together with the other teachers in the Rushden area for our Education Conference.

Mr. S. Saddler absent.

Miss F. Osborne absent owing to influenza. A very rough stormy day causing a considerable drop in attendance.

As two teachers are now absent some arrangement of classes has been necessary in order to keep up with the work.

Miss Pollard resumed duty today.

In order to meet the wishes of the B. of Education re- physical Exercises, four lessons of 20 minutes duration have been substituted for the two of 30 minutes. This arrangement has necessitated the drafting of a new time table which will be tried for a few weeks before final adoption.

The three pupil teachers are to be absent all day as they are witnessing “Hamlet” at Northampton with the Headmistress of the County High School.

Miss R. Tuffrey absent – personal illness.

Mr. D. Sherwood absent in the afternoon – interview in London.

Miss L. Chamberlain absent – severe cold.

Miss M. Bugby absent – measles in the house.

The school was thrown open during the afternoon for the benefit of parents and friends. Quite a large number availed themselves of this opportunity of seeing the children and their work. The managers present were Messrs. J. Claridge, and W. B. Sanders and Rev. P. Robson.

Miss R. Tuffrey returned today.

Gardening lesson taken today as the proper time proved too wet for operation. School closed at 4.30 for Easter Vacation.

School re-opened after the Easter Holidays. Staff all present. Sixteen children left during the holidays, fifteen for employment and one transferred.

Weather has proved too wet for gardening during the past wee, the ground being practically water logged. The P.T’s are attending today instead of the Mar 4th

Miss Chamberlain absent – tonsillitis & April 29th

Stock received from Messrs. Arnold for the ensuing half year. Several kinds of exercise books have been reduced at the County Education Offices. The wool supplied (in accordance with instructions received by Messrs. Arnold from the County Education Offices) is of a very coarse and poor quality. Miss R. Tuffrey absent in the afternoon – personal sickness.

Ascension Day. In consequence of a service being held at St. Peter’s Church 110 children were absent in the morning and 82 in the afternoon to attend there.

Owing to the persistent rain with consequent consolidation of the soil in the school gardens the crops of onions, carrots and turnips are very poor, while the parsnips have failed almost entirely.

Visited by Mr. Steer, assistant horticultural instruction for the county, who visited the school gardens. His attention was called to the state of the tools.

Received notice that the present Cookery Course is now completed and that the same girls are to take a course in Laundry at Higham Ferrers on Friday commencing June 4^th.

In accordance with the wishes of the Local Education Authority today is being celebrated as Empire Day instead of May 24^th (Whit Monday). Lessons on Empire suitable for the age of the class, patriotic songs uses of colonies etc and drawing of Union Jack and patriotic emblems were part of the programme. School closed at noon for Whitsuntide Holidays.

School re-opened after Whitsuntide Vacation.

Misses R. Tuffrey and M. Bugby absent for the day attending centre for Drawing Exam. School will be closed at 4.15pm on Thursdays for the next ten weeks to permit three teachers on the staff to attend a class at Alfred Street School at 4.30pm

Ten girls commenced a course in Laundry at Higham Ferrers Centre today.

Mr. S. Saddler absent attending E.M.E. U. Education Board Meeting. Visited by Messrs. Sanders and Vorley, the latter checking the registers.

Mr. S. Saddler absent attending E.M.E.U. meeting.

Beatrice A. Lovell a scholar of Higham Ferrers Council School attended for a probationary period of teaching. Miss Chamberlain absent – influenza.

Mr. Sherwood absent. Feverish cold (Afternoon only)

No gardening has been possible this week owing to persistent rain.

Beatrice Lovell absent this week by permission of the County Authority.

School closed in the afternoon by request of the County Education Committee to permit the teachers to attend an address by Mr. T. Reed H.M.I. in “Handwork in Schools”.

P. Teachers absent attending Oxford Local Exam. Absent also on July 22^nd and 29^th.

Mr. S. Saddler absent attending E.M.E.U.

Beatrice A. Lovell completed her period of probation today. Received time table back from the Education Offices for amendment – secular instruction at 9.45. This will mean considerable re-arrangement and curtail of the time devoted to other subjects.

Visited by two old members of the staff – Miss A. Matthews and Mr. W. Bragg. School closed for Midsummer.

School re-opened after the Midsummer Holidays. Misses R. Tuffrey and Mr. S.E. Bugby completed their P.T. courses at the end of July and are entering college, while Miss Chamberlain who also completed her P.T. Course is remaining on the staff at present. During the holidays, clever boys and girls left for work, two girls left for Wellingborough High School and one boy and one girl left the district. Admitted 13 boys and 9 girls from Moor Road Infants’ School and 19 boys and 19 girls from North End Infants’ School and one boy from New Zealand. Total 61.

Staff at the Commencement of the School Year

Mr. S. Saddler – Head Teacher.

Mr. Joseph Allen – Certified Teacher.

Mr. Harold Hales – Certified Teacher.

Mr. A. E. Sherwood – Certified Teacher.

Mrs. F. Baker (nee Dring) – Certified Teacher.

Miss F.E. Osborne – Certified Teacher.

Miss Ellen Pollard – uncertified

Miss Florence E Dickens – uncertified.

Miss L. Chamberlain (P.T.) temporary.

Miss L. Chamberlain absent ill.

Mr. H. Hales and Miss Pollard absent ill.

Mr. Hales returned to duty this morning.

Miss Pollard returned this morning though still far from well.

Miss L. chamberlain ceased duty here today, having been appointed at Kempston, Beds. Cookery classes commenced today 18 girls attending at Newton Road Centre this morning and 10 in the afternoon.

School closed for the usual Feast Holiday Monday and Tuesday Sept 27^th and 28^th. Forwarded requisitions for the ensuing half year to the managers for signature.

Visited by Mr. T. C. Millican H.M.I and Captain Parker who inspected the physical exercises.

In view of the charge in the length of the time devoted to religious instruction, the attention of the staff has been directed to the special points in the time table whereby the utmost may be made of the time devoted to the various subjects.

School meeting in the afternoon earlier in order to permit children to visit a circus.

Mr. S. Saddler absent all day – personal illness.

School session for the afternoon commences today at 1.30 instead of 2pm for the winter.

Visited by Mr. Vorley, one of the managers.

The school this morning was not heated, though the morning was a wet and cold one.

Visited by Mr. T.C. Millican H.M.I

Mr. S. Saddler absent to attend East Midland Education Union at Nottingham.

Dental inspection commenced by Miss R. Halliday.

Dental inspection completed. Cards forwarded to office. On November 9^th.

Received notice from the County Education Offices of the items removed from the requisition list sent in during September.

Mr. J. Allen absent through illness – severe cold.

Received notice that the medic inspection will commence December 2^nd.

A frosty morning suitable for digging. Gardening taken 9 – 10am instead of 11 -12noon. Mr. Steer, horticultural instructor visited the gardens. Attention was again directed to the state of the tools.

Mr. H. Hales absent in the morning. Gave an unprepared composition test to all classes. Results very good especially in the lower classes.

Medical inspection commenced at 1.30 by Dr. Newton. Stock for half year arrived from Messrs. Arnold.

No gardening lessons have been taken since Nov 23^rd owing to the wet condition of the soil. Very poor attendance this morning, 79 children absent due to heavy fall of snow and severe frost.

Attendance poor all week due to the sharp spell of weather.

School closed at 4pm for Christmas Holidays.

Report by H.M. I. Mr. W.J. Hands.

Inspected on November 3^rd 1920

The school has now almost entirely recovered from the very unsettled condition which prevailed during the war period. The Headmaster brings keenness and enthusiasm into his work; his suggestions and criticisms are thoughtful and helpful and his influence has produced a spirit of healthy mental activity in all the classes. In every way he is well seconded by a loyal and industrious staff.

Arithmetic is taught on intelligent and sensible lines’ but whilst Arithmetic is a strong subject in the school the Head Teacher should not allow it to be the sole basis of promotion.

Classification is the weakest feature; a large proportion of the children are working in classes unsuited to their age and the fact that only 14 scholars out of 313  children on the roll have managed to reach the highest standard suggests the need of considerable revision in the system of promotion and of school organisation.

English is being taught with increasing success. In many cases, especially in the upper classes, the influence of the books read and the poetry learnt shows itself in the well chosen language employed in the written composition.

The teaching of Geography and History is ordinarily well informed but the inclusion in the syllabus of the incidental study of local history would probably make the later subject more interesting.

The children generally are eager to learn, they might, however, be allowed greater freedom both in comment and enquiry, and in the upper standards class debates and free discussion should take place more frequently.

A good deal of the time spent in class teaching in the highest class might be discontinued; the children should be encouraged to find things out for themselves. The habit of independent study might be increasingly strengthened by the taking and making of notes of what is read and heard.

It was suggested to the Head Master at the inspection that further conferences might usefully be held with the Head Teachers of the two contributory Infants’ Departments, in order to ensure as far as possible uniformity of requirement with respect to the admission of scholars to Standard I and a closer co-ordination of teaching methods.

Comment on the report by Mr. Holland Secretary for Education.

“The Managers and staff are to be congratulated on the underlying soundness of the work the school is doing for its pupils.

Admitted nine new children, eight from the Infants’ Department. School re-opened after the Christmas Vacation with a good attendance. Staff all present.

Staff conference to discuss H.M.I’s report etc.

Visited by Mr. T. Williams with reference to system of pruning fruit trees.

A few cases of chicken pox and of mumps reported during the past fortnight.

Misses Pollard and Dickens absent all day visiting St. George’s Infants’ School Northampton in order to watch methods etc.

Miss E. Pollard ceased duty today having been appointed at Wollaston.

Miss C. Watson has been appointed to take the place of Miss Pollard but at present she is on the sick list suffering from shock.

Mrs. Baker absent during the morning session owing to a bilious attack. Mr. Millican looked in for a few minutes this morning.

Miss Watson took up duty this morning in the place of Miss Pollard.

Miss F. Dickens absent, paying an educational visit to Kingsthorpe Infants’ School, Northampton.

Miss F. Dickens absent ill.

Miss C. Watson transferred to the Infants’ Department as the Education Committee contend that the staff here is too large. This is caused by the number of Certified Assistants being in excess of that fixed by the authority for this school. The result is that there are six teachers for seven classes and only three teachers available for needlework.

Mr. S. Saddler absent attending E.M. E. U. Examination Board Meeting at Nottingham.

It has been necessary to revise the times devoted to needlework owing to scarcity of lady teachers on the staff. The two lowest classes will now take needlework on Tuesdays and Thursdays instead of the times given on official time table.

An accident happened to a scholar named Hilda Hurst during the physical exercises and medical attention was necessary. Time 11.15am.

Tested all the classes in English etc.

A serious drop in attendance has taken place during the past month owing to epidemic sickness, mumps, influenza etc. the percentage attendance for the past four weeks being 92.6%, 90.5%, 87.0% and 84.6%

Thursday. School closed at noon for the rest of the week to enable the teachers to visit the exhibition etc. of scholars’ work at Northampton. Attendance slightly better this week.

School closed for Easter Vacation.

School re-opened after Easter Holidays. There is still a fair number of cases of epidemic sickness (chiefly mumps.)

No improvement yet in attendance.

For the morning session Mr. Perkins of Newton Road School is acting as Hon. Invigilator for the Annual Schools Exam and Mr. Saddler is acting at Alfred Street Schools in the same capacity.

Attendances very little better yet.

Ascension Day. A service at St. Peter’s Church is the cause of the absence of 115 children in the morning and 60 in the afternoon. Requisitions for the ensuing five months sent in to the managers for consideration.

School closed at noon for Whitsuntide Holidays.

School re-opened after the Whitsuntide Holidays with a slightly improved attendance.

Mr. J. Allen absent in the afternoon. Indisposition. No gardening possible in consequence.

Mr. J. Allen returned to duty this morning.

Visited by Mr. J. Thorpe regarding the practical part of the observation lessons. Mr. S. Saddler absent for part of the afternoon session in order to be present at the funeral of the late Mr. J. Claridge who was vice-chairman of the local managers.

Received the sad news that Miss Lily Chamberlain, a pupil teacher last year at this school has passed away during the weekend.

Visited in the afternoon by Mr. E. Freeman who checked the registers.

Visited by the Rev. P. Robson, one of the school managers.

Stock received from Messrs. Arnold and Co. The amount has been curtailed at the office, in some cases to a very narrow working limit.

Owing to the long period of excessive drought the garden crops will be very poor in quality and quantity this year, the fruit shrivelling up and the little seeds dying off.

Stock checked by Mr. A. Mantle. Received notice from the County Education Offices that Vera Barker has been called upon to attend the Oral Examination for the Junior Scholarships on July 2^nd.

Miss Mason, school nurse, visited the school and inspected the children reported upon in the Medical Inspection.

Visited by Nurse Mason for routine inspection of hair and teeth, also on 12^th. Several tests in various subjects have been given during the past few weeks in order to find out how the rearrangement of the various classes carried out at the end of June will work.

School closed all day for the Annual Sunday School Treats.

Received notice that Vera Barker has been awarded a Junior County Council Scholarship.

Mr. Saddler absent attending East Midlands Education Union Examination Board Meeting.

The school was thrown open during the afternoon session for the benefit of the parents and friends. A large number attended and were allowed to inspect the work done by the children and also to watch the work being done. From opinions expressed during the afternoon such visits as these will no doubt tend to secure the hearty co-operation of the parents in their children’s school work.

Visited by Messrs. Anderson and Markham of Kettering.

School closed at the end of the afternoon session for the Midsummer Holidays. Miss F.E. Dickens Uncertified Assistant ceased duties this day.

School re-opened after the midsummer Vacation with a good attendance. No teacher has yet been appointed in place of Miss Dickens.

The staff at the commencement of the school year.

Mr. S. Saddler – Head Teacher.

Mr. J. Allen – Certified assistant..

Mr. W. Sherwood – Certified assistant.

Mr. H. Hales – Certified Assistant.

Mrs. F. Baker – Certified assistant.

Miss J. Osborne – Certified Assistant.

Admitted 11 boys and 19 girls North End Infant School.

9 boys and 10 girls Moor Road Infant School.

1 girl – Private.

Miss Vera Moore acting as a supply teacher for a time commenced duty this morning. She has just left Reading College.

Visited by the School Nurse, Miss Mason, who examined a number of children and excluded two girls for the rest of the week.

Admitted two children who are visiting the town for a few weeks. Nurse Mason paid a visit in connection with the cases seen on September 1^st.

Amy Byron, a pupil at Wellingborough High School commenced as a pupil teacher today.

Miss V. Moore ceased duty this afternoon.

Miss Hilda May Smeathers, birth April 28^th 1903, commenced work as an uncertified assistant. She was a P.T. at All Saints School, Wellingborough.

School closed for the usual Feast Holiday.

Commenced inspection generally of written work especially composition.

Medical Inspection commenced this morning

Medical inspection completed today. 49 girls and 59 boys examined. Cards despatched to office.

No gardening lessons were taken this week owing to Medical Inspection taking place at the time.

Received notice that Miss H. Smeathers has been recognised as an Uncertified Assistant under schedule 1c of the code of regulations from 1^st August 1921.

Mr. S. Saddler absent in the afternoon attending an East Midlands Educational Examination Board Meeting.

Visited by Mr. W. Abbott with reference to Physical Training.

Tests in composition and arithmetic have been given during the past two weeks.

Attendance this afternoon considerably affected by a matinee performance of “The Kid”.

Attendance similarly affected on the afternoon of these two days.

Miss A. Bryon absent today – illness.

English test given to most of the classes this week.

Visited by School Nurse who examined the children noted at the recent Medical Inspection.

Mr. W.H. Abbotts Physical Exercises Demonstrator spent most of the day here, taking most of the classes for the benefit of the teachers.

Miss H. Smeathers absent all day. Illness. A class of sixteen girls commenced a course of laundry at Higham Ferrers this afternoon.

Visited by Messrs. Corby & Sanders (Managers.)

Mr. J. Allen absent owing to illness.

Miss A. Byron absent all day attending prize distribution at Wellingborough County high School. Miss H. Smeathers absent in the afternoon to attend the same function.

Gave a kind of intelligence test to the upper classes with the view to testing progress in the future.

Regret to report accident to a girl during physical exercises, resulting in a broken arm. Time 3.5 minutes to 3.

Visited by Messrs Hands, Millican and Parker H.M.I. and Mr. C. Cameron Assistant Secretary.

Nurse Mason paid a visit to inspect the children noted at her previous visit on September 1^st 1921.

Registers examined.

School closed after the afternoon session for the Christmas Vacation.

Copy of the Report of H.M. Inspector.

The Headmaster is responsible for a class of 57 children (Standards VII and ex-VII and has to supervise a staff of six assistant teachers. In these difficult circumstances it is very greatly to his credit that such good work is being done in the school. It is however hoped it may be possible to provide some additional assistance in order that he may have fuller and better opportunities of influencing the work of his staff.

There are singularly few weaknesses in the instruction, and the work of the school, as a whole, is on a very good level of efficiency. The children in the Headmaster’s class are alert and eager and are trained to do as much as possible for themselves – their written work is most creditable.

Comment on the report by Mr. J. L. Holland Secretary for Education.

The Headmaster and his staff are much to be commended on the efficient state of the school.

School finally closed as an ordinary elementary school on this date. The staff has been transferred as follows.

Mr. S. Saddler (H.T.) to Newton Rod Council School

Mr. J. Allen (C) to Newton Road Council School.

Miss F. E. Osborne (C) to Newton Road Council School.

Miss C. Watson (C) to Newton Road Council School.

Miss H.M. Smeathers (U) to Newton Road Council School.

Mr. H. Hales (C) to Alfred Street Council School

Miss D. R. Drage (U) to Alfred Street Council School.

Mr. W. A. E. Sherwood to the Intermediate School