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Northampton Mercury July 14th 1877, transcribed by Susan Manton
School Board, Monday – Present Messrs. G. Denton (chairman), W. Colson (vice chairman) R.S. Wright and R.O. Burcher. The sites committee reported that, having viewed the sites offered for building new schools, they were of opinion that, as there was no likelihood of a public road being made through Mr. Knight’s property, the site offered by Mr. Skinner was not a suitable one, and they therefore, advised the Board to obtain that by Mr. H. Packwood, near Higgins Lane, subject to approval of the Education Department.
The report was adopted – the Census Committee reported that they ad appointed Messrs C. Hewitt and E. Knight to make house-to-house visits and take the number of children from three to 14 years of age. The enumerator had made the census and presented it to the committee at an adjourned meeting. It was forwarded to the Clerk for him to embody in a report to the Department. Mr. Colson said that Mr. Knight met him just as he was coming to the meeting and told him that he omitted to call at three houses. It was resolved that Mr. Knight’s sheets be returned to him for correction; and the chairman forward them to the Clerk. It appears from the report that the population in 1871 was 2,122 and the village having increased it was thought that there should be accommodation provided for 600 scholars, the only permanent school in the village being the National School, which contains sufficient accommodation for 317 scholars. the Temperance Hall contains accommodation for 165 scholars, while the Infant school only contains accommodation for 71 scholars; but as the two last named places were let to the Board as temporary accommodation only, it was advised by the committee that application be made for power to provide accommodation for 350 scholars. Mr. Butcher did not think that the committee had established the fact that the Temperance Hall was only held on a temporary tenure, as he was sure it might be rented as a permanency. The other members were of a different opinion, and Mr. Colson said that, seeing there were 659 children in the parish and making a deduction of 10% for those not at school and attending other schools, there was a deficiency of accommodation for 280, and he thought they should adopt the report, which, being seconded by Mr. Knight, was done and the Clerk was instructed to sent a copy of the same, with a plan of the parish, showing the position of the present schools and the site of the proposed new school, to the Education Department. On proposition of Mr. Knight, seconded Mr. Colson, it was resolved that the salary of the sewing mistress be £15 per annum, she to fix the work at home before going to school. A letter was read from the department, acknowledging the receipt of the appointment of Mr. and Mrs. Wood, as master and mistress of the Board Schools. A letter was read from the rate collector asking the Board if they wanted another receipt before October to state the amount at the meeting. As the subject was not on the agenda the Board could not issue a precept but the Clerk was to inform the overseers that a precept of £70 would be issued at the next meeting. The chairman suggested the advisability of the Board forming themselves into a visiting committee to visit the schools. Mr. Knight suggested that the sewing mistress be empowered o provide sewing materials for the schools as some of the children did not bring work with them. To be considered next month, Mrs. Knight to provide sewing materials in the interim.
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