School opened today, 282 present in the morning.  Sent after all absentees.  305 present in the afternoon.  Edith G Watson, a pupil teacher in her 2^nd year, returned late to school without permission and without satisfactory reason.

The Rev’d G Richards did not attend as usual this morning.  I have heard that he is leaving Rushden in a few days to go to Ceylon.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited this morning and took the 1^st class in Scripture.  He again visited on the 6^th and gave his lesson on Henry VIII.

The attendance this wk has been very poor although I have sent after the absentees every day.

Admitted 6 children this morning.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited this morning and asked all the children if anyone could say a prayer commencing “Holy Mother of Jesus”.  No child new any such prayer.

A person signing himself as “Puriton” wrote to the Wellingborough News stating that such a prayer had been taught in the “Rushden National Schools” and that if Canon Barker would visit and enquire of the children they would say the prayer off by heart.  This test has resulted in proving the total ignorance of the children concerning any such prayer.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited and took class 1 in Scripture.  He brought applications for post of assistant mistress in this school in place of Mr Hewitt who leaves on January 20^th to go to St Mark’s Training College Chelsea.

The Rev’d Canon Barker took his usual class this afternoon on Henry VIII.  Arthur Ward away from school this wk.

Sent after all absentees.  I find a great many away unwell chiefly with bad colds.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited this afternoon and took class 1 in Shakespeare’s Henry VIII.

Mr Hewitt who has been assistant here for 2 years and 3 months left to go to St Mark’s Training College.

Admitted Annie and Mary Skinner, twins, both in Standard 4 from the Board School.  Also Wm Skinner their brother.  I tried to persuade the mother to allow them to stay on there until the Exam but she said she would rather they lost a standard than have to remain there.

This afternoon I admitted Wm Smith for a few wks.  He is only visiting in Rushden.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited and took the first class in Scripture in the morning.

The Rev’d Hodges, the new Curate in place of Rev’d G Richards, visited.

The Rev’d Hodges took the 1^st class in Scripture this morning.

The Rev’d Hodges visited in the morning and heard the 1^st class sing and the Rev’d Canon Barker in the afternoon took the 1^st class in Henry VIII.

End of 3^rd quarter of school year.

The attendance has not been good.  E G Watson has been away 3 days this wk.

Commencement of 4^th quarter of school year.  Miss H Knib ex student of Oxford Diocesan College began duties as 1^st assistant in place of Mr Hewitt.  Placed her in charge of Standards 5 to 7.

Admitted Geo Jos Palmer in St 2 and Mary Elizabeth Johnson in Standard 4 from Claybrook National School.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited in the afternoon.

The Rev’d Hodges gave his lesson to Standards 5 to 7.  The weather has been very bad today.  The attendance has consequently been poor.

The Rev’d Canon Barker gave his usual Scripture lesson.

The Rev’d Hodges visited and taught as usual.

The Rev’d Canon Barker and another gentleman visited but Canon Barker did not give his usual lesson on Henry VIII.

During the week I have examined Standards 3 to 7 in Arithmetic and Dictation and part of Standards 1 and 3 in Reading.  The attendance has been very bad probably owing to the bad weather.

Admitted Ellen Horn 9 yrs old in Standard 2 from the Board School.

The Rev’d Hodges gave his usual lesson this morning.  The Rev’d Canon Barker visited in the afternoon.

Examined St 2 in Writing and Arithmetic.  Work was neatly but not accurately done.

The Rev’d Hodges attended in the morning and the Rev’d Canon Barker accompanied by the Rev’d Croome, rector of Islip, visited in the afternoon.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited in the afternoon and took the 1^st class in Shakespeare’s Henry VIII.  The attendance has been much better this week, the average being 324.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited after the children had left school this afternoon and informed me that the Diocesan Inspector would not be able to come until Wednesday.

Weather very bad but there was a good attendance in the morning and poor in the afternoon.

Diocesan Examination by the Rev’d J C Beasley, 364 present.  No registers marked.

Weather very bad, there has been almost a continual fall of snow every day since Monday during school hours.

Usual holiday given today after Scripture Examination.

Weather very bad, attendance low in consequence.

Examined Standard 2 in Writing and Arithmetic.  Found 33 children had taken one sum down wrongly, the class is weak in notation.  The papers were very neat.

Examined standards 3 to 7 on paper, found St 3 and 4 had improved.  Standards 5 to 7 did their dictation very badly.

Received Diocesan Report

“A good level of sound religious knowledge is maintained throughout this large school and there were many scholars who did excellently.  Good order and discipline mark the school as a whole.  I was especially pleased with the way in which the lower groups have been taught.  The second group perhaps did the best of all.  Singing very good.  Only those belonging to the Sunday School were examined in Cat^m. It was not so well done as the rest of the work”

                                F P Lawson

Special marks for whole school.

Religious Knowledge “very good”

Repetition “very good”

School in regard to religious education as a whole “very good”

Discipline and Tone “Excellent” The results are much better than last year, see page 318 (79).

Examined Stand 2, found them still weak in putting down numbers, spelling too requires attention.

Examined St 1, 96 present.  The passes were 71½ pc in sums and 70½ pc in writing.  Standards 3 to 7 have improved in their work.

The papers of Standards 3 to 7 were better done this wk.  St 4 passed 95 per cent in writing.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited and took the 1^st class in repetition.

Examined St 1.  They did worse this wk.  Gave 3 sums and passed all with two right, 55 passed 47 failed.

The attendance this wk has been much better, average 325.4.

Took 10 of the 1^st class to Wellingborough to the Northamptonshire Prize Scheme Examination.  All the Pupil Teachers from this school attended.

Gave lessons to Standard 5 in Arithmetic.  Find they have a fair knowledge of their work but are extremely careless.

Examined standard 2.  They passed 75 pc in writing and arithmetic, 4 sums were given, average right 2^31/70.

Examined Stand 1.  Gave 3 sums (1 addition and 2 subt.), average sums right 2^8/96, percentage of passes reckoning two for pass 70^80/96.  Writing 85^40/96 pc.  Their results show a great improvement.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited on Wednesday and gave his usual lesson.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited and took class 1 in repetition.

The results of the examinations this wk have been satisfactory.  The writing in standard 1 was of lower percentage than last wk.  Stands 5 to 7 are weak in arithmetic.

The attendance this week has improved, the average being 321.

Received a note from Mrs Jolly in Crabb Street stating that her son was very delicate and could not attend school regularly.  She asked that his lessons might be made as easy as possible.

During the week I have examined all the children in standards.  I found a general improvement in all subjects.  In standard 1 three sums were given and the average right was 2^9/91.  In standard 2 4 sums were given and average = 2^50/71.

Standards 4 to 7 are weakest in arithmetic.  Most of the children are half timers and this is I think the cause.

Closed school today until Tuesday morning.

Opened school this morning.  Sent after all absentees.  Gave a holiday in the afternoon as a great number of children wished to attend a Band of Hope tea.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited and called registers.

Called registers found correct.

                                                J T B

The attendance this week has been rather bad owing to the number of holidays in the village and neighbourhood.

No examinations this week.

Attendance better this week.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited and took class 1 in Shakespeare’s Henry VIII.

The results of the examinations this wk are still better than the last, two weeks ago.  Average sums right in St 1 2^38/92 (3 sums given).

St 3 did very much better.  Stands 4 to 7 still and I suppose will remain the weakest in arithmetic.  Their writing and spelling are very good.

Sent after all absentees.

Received notice that the government examination would take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday May 7^th, 8^th and 9^th at 9am.

Examined registers, found correct

                                                J T B

The Rev’d Canon Barker took the 1^st class in the repetition.

The results of this wk’s examinations were very satisfactory.  St 2 did best passing 89^26/66 pc in arith and passing an average number of sums right 3^4/66 out of 4.  They passed 86 in writing.

All the pupil teachers attended the Government Examination at Northampton.

Average attendance 313.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited.

Examined Standard 1.  Gave 3 sums.  Average number right 2^43/97.

Writing percentage of passes 99.

St 2 passed 94^14/69 in arith and 74 in writing.  The dictation was taken from a standard 3 book.

The results of Stand 3 to 7 showed a great improvement.  The Grammar of St 4  too seems much better than last year.

Weekly average 325.

End of sch year /88.  The number of children has largely increased during the year.  187 children have been admitted including those from the Infant departments.  41 children have been admitted from the Rushden Board.  These children were very deficient in knowledge, particularly of Grammar and spelling, and they must necessarily tend to lower our efficiency.

Copy of Report

Mixed School “The three lowest standards do their elementary work very well, and the rest fairly well; except that their reading requires attention.  English is fair on the whole but the Grammar of the standards above the third is rather weak.  Geography is very good; order excellent.  Needlework is generally good but the darning is weak.”

Infants No 1 “The school is very successfully taught except in Needlework which is only fair.”

Infants No 2 “The school is in a very satisfactory state of efficiency.”

Your attention is requested to Paragraph 18 of the Circular on Registration (see revised instruction to H M Inspector) F W Margetts, E Waller and F A Simpson have passed well and F J Denton, A Ward, E G Watson and E M Packwood fairly but Margetts should attend to Music, Simpson to needlework at exam, Ward to Spelling, Grammar, Geography, History and Euclid, Watson to History and Needlework at exam, and Packwood to Needlework at exam.  Denton (whose Euclid needs attention) and Waller (who should attend to Needlework at exam) should be informed that they are now qualified under both articles 50 and 52.  T Evans and M Faulkner have passed the exam for recognition as Candidates on Probation under Art 41 but the terms of Art 42 preclude the admission of more than one of them.  The managers are therefore requested to state which they prefer to engage.

R Griffin and G E Wagstaffe are continued under Art 84.  Miss Tyers will receive her certificate in due course.

Geo S Mason

Commenced the new registers.  There are now 524 children in actual attendance in this department and others are to be admitted from Higham hill Sch.

During the wk The Rev’d Canon Barker has attended and heard the whole of the repetition throughout the school.  He said he was thoroughly well satisfied with the manner of the repeating and their knowledge of the words.

The children have prepared their papers for Monday and seem cheerfully looking forward to the days of Inspection.

Mr T H Simpson commenced the examination at 9am this morning.  Standard 3 to 7 proceeded with their standard work in the large room and St 1 and 2 were examined in Needlework in St 1 classroom.

W E Curry Esq was present the greater part of the morning and examined St 4 to 7 in Reading and English.

The examination was continued this afternoon by both Inspectors.

W E Curry Esq and Mr T H Simpson were both present this morning and Mr T H Simpson came again in the afternoon.

W E Curry Esq and Mr T H Simpson were both present during the whole of the morning.  Mr Simpson finished the examination in the afternoon.  Four children were absent through illness.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited each day and remained during part of the examination.

Received the infants from the Upper and Lower Infants Schools.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited.  Fred J Denton continued on the staff as assistant master.  Emily Waller late pupil teacher in the Inf Department commenced duty in this school as an assistant mistress.  Gave her part of St 2.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited this afternoon and brought the duplicate schedules

95 per cent passed in Reading

96   ,,      ,,        ,,       ,,  Writing

84   ,,      ,,         ,,      ,,  Arithmetic

The percentage in R, W and A 92.

This I think is chiefly due to the number of children admitted during the past year, 41 of whom have come from the Board School.

The school on the whole has passed nearly 2 per cent lower than last year.  The great fall was in standard 4 which passed nearly 12 per cent lower than last year.

The school closed today until Monday wk to enable the workmen to commence some alterations in the buildings.

School opened today after Whitsuntide holidays.  The girls’ lobby has, during the recess, been thrown into the large room and another larger lobby built for them.

I was absent on Monday during which Mrs Vann took charge.

Admitted Maggie Farah and Eliza Pearson.

Commenced examining Standard 1 in order to arrange them in two divisions.

Continued the examination of St 1 today.  I found the infants from Mrs Wagstaffe’s school very backward and deficient in intelligence.  10 boys are almost entirely destitute of any knowledge of reading, writing or arithmetic.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited this morning and informed me of further alterations he proposed to make.  Much more room is certainly required for the efficient working of the school.

Sent a long list of irregular children to the attendance officer this afternoon.

Being the 1^st wk after Whitsuntide the attendance has not been so good as desired.  I impressed upon the children the necessity of attending regularly during the commencement of the sch year when the new work is being taught.

Admitted Pamela Reynolds from Risely School.  She has not passed any standard.

Chas Smith St 2 from Wollaston.

Commenced a second examination of St 1.

Completed the second examination of St 1 today.  The children from Miss … are in a very satisfactory state but those from Mrs Wagstaffe’s school are poor generally.  Many of them are undoubtedly not fit to be retained in this department.  9 boys are almost entirely destitute of any knowledge of letters or figures.

Divided Standard 1 into two divisions and put Edith Watson in charge of the upper and Miss Day in charge of the lower division.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited this morning.  Average for the wk 388.

Commenced examining the whole school giving marks for each subject.  Found Standard 2 in the least satisfactory state.  Miss griffin had totally ignored my instructions and the arithmetic in her class was a total failure.  During the whole month the children had not worked a single exercise in arithmetic on their slates.  Not one child who had come from St 1 this year got a sum right.

The 1^st division were also very bad owing principally to faults in discipline and instruction.

Standard 5 did poorly in all the elementary subjects.

Advised the managers to retain Maggie Auger in St 2 she having failed in writing in 1888, reading in /86.  Her mother too has desired me to make her work at school as easy as possible on account of an injury to her head when younger.

Advised the managers to represent the following children in the same standards for the reasons assigned to each:

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited and gave his usual Scripture lesson.

The Rev’d F Sargeantson visited and took the 1^st class in Scripture.

The Rev’d Canon Barker gave his Shakespearian lesson this afternoon.

The results of this week’s exams are fairly satisfactory except in Standard 2.  I have several times found the teachers of this standard very much behind in commencing their lessons.

Average attendance 391.3

Sent after all absentees.

The Rev’d Canon Barker and the Rev’d F Sargeantson visited and taught as usual.

The attendance has improved this wk, average being 397.

Re-admitted Kate Hew.

The Rev’d F Sargeantson visited and took his Scripture class.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited and taught his usual subjects.

The results of the examinations during this fortnight show a great improvement in Standards 3 and 4 but Standard 2 are very bad particularly in arithmetic.

The attendance has not been so good owing chiefly to the bad weather.

Average 392.

Edith G Watson pupil teacher absent this wk.  She has bad eyes.

Holiday today – the annual Temperance trip to the seaside.

The usual lessons have been given this wk by the Rev’d Canon Barker and the Rev’d F Sargeantson

The attendance has been very bad this wk but better than the corresponding wk of last year.  Average 363.

Arthur Ward absent this afternoon.

Admitted Edwd Cecil Ball St 1 and Frances Sarah Ball St 5 from Far Cotton Bd Sch Northampton.

Holiday this afternoon owing to the number of children requiring leave of absence to attend the Baptist Sunday Sch Treat.

The Rev’d F Sargeantson attended and taught as usual.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited and taught class 1 in T Luke.

The Rev’d Canon did not give his usual lesson on Henry VIII.

Average attendance 391.

The Rev’d Canon and Miss Barker visited this morning.  It was decided to close the school on August 3^rd for a month.

The 1^st class was examined this wk in Old and New Testament by the Rev’d Canon Barker.

Average attendance 395

Commenced the usual examination in each standard.

The examination in Scripture was continued by the Rev’d Canon Barker.

The results of the Standard examinations above St 2 were on the whole satisfactory.

Average attendance 398.

End of the 1^st quarter of the sch year.

Quarterly average 397, an increase of 71 upon the corresponding quarter of last year.  To provide for this large increase extensive additional rooms are being built, but the writing of the standards above the second seems to be getting worse owing to the numbers of children and insufficient desk accommodation.  I shall be glad to have more room.

I have been absent, having commenced a month’s course of lectures at Jesus College Oxford.

I returned to school today.  The annual School Treat took place this afternoon.  About 1300 children had tea in the Rectory Field.  The weather was delightfully fine and a large concourse of people assembled in the evening to witness the sports.  The prizes for proficiency, attendance and sports were given away in the evening by The Rev’d Canon and the Misses Barker.

The school was closed for a month.

Opened school this morning.  Experienced great difficulty in arranging the classes.  During the holidays Standard 1 room has been pulled down and three rooms built at the back of the large room but neither of them was sufficiently finished for us to occupy.  A large window has been put in the rear gable wall of the wing, this makes that room much lighter.

Admitted Wm Faulkner Willis St 3, George Arthur Willis and Walter Willis from the Board School.  Also Willie Colson, Florence Ellen Rice, George Watts, Kate Margetts, Frank Mason from the Bd School.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited.

I sent after all the absentees.

The Rev’d Canon Barker and the Rev’d F Sargeantson gave their usual lessons during the week.

The average attendance for the week has been 373.5, 25 less than the wk before the holidays.

Miss E Waller and Frank Margetts away unwell.

Miss Waller returned to school today.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited and enquired about the quantity of new desks absolutely required.  The Rev’d F Sargeantson took the 1^st class in Scripture.

The Rev’d Canon did not attend today.

Frank Margetts returned duty again this morning.  The Rev’d F Sargeantson visited and taught.

The attendance during the wk has been about the same as last week, the average being 374.

Admitted Eva Hew from Wymington.  Her father informed me that he should send his other children after the Feast.

Several parents have applied to me to keep their children at home this wk, to go gleaning.  As they were poor people I have given them permission on the condition that they should attend regularly after the Feast, this they promised to do.

Owing to the visit of Sanger’s Circus to this village today I was obliged to close school this afternoon.

The Rev’d Sargeantson visited this morning and took the 1^st class in Old Testament.

The Rev’d Canon Barker gave his usual Scripture lesson after which he examined the following children

A Tompson, H Harris, Alf Pearson, W Whitehead, F Litchfield, W Cox, A Goodfellow,

J Dickens, G Stacey, F Button, H Clarke, H Warren.

S Ekins, M A Brown, G Underwood, Arthur Stokes and J Wooden were absent.

The attendance has been very low this wk owing to harvest operations and preparations for the Feast.  Closed this morning for a week’s holiday.

Commenced school today.  Used the new rooms for the 1^st time. 

Re-arranged the school.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited.

The Rev’d Sargeantson took his usual class in Scripture

The Rev’d Canon Barker gave his usual lesson this wk.

The working of the school has been rendered much easier by the additional rooms.

Average attendance 359.

Admitted Emily Sharp, Clara Hales, … Clark, Rose Clark.

Mrs Norman called respecting her son James who suffers very much with his head owing to an accident about 18 months ago.  She wishes that he shall be allowed to come a little after the time for admission to prevent any hurt being done to his head.  She also desired me to make his lessons as easy as possible.  I think he should be treated exceptionally.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited respecting some new stoves.

The usual lessons were given by The Rev’d Canon Barker and the Rev’d F Sargeantson.

Average attendance 371, an improvement upon last wk.

Admitted Mary Howes.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited.

The Rev’d F Sargeantson took the 1^st class in Scripture.

The Rev’d Canon Barker taught as usual.

The attendance has not been quite so good this wk, the weather being unfavourable.  Average 366.

Conferred with Canon Barker respecting the staff in this department.  I recommended that Miss Griffin and Miss Waller should receive notice to leave.

Commenced examination of St 3 to 7 on paper.

Admitted Amy Hulatt, Elizabeth Jacques, Kate Lewis, Winifred Withers.

The Rev’d Canon Barker and the Rev’d F Sargeantson taught as usual this wk.

The results of the examinations were satisfactory except St 2 which does badly.

Average attendance 374, 8 better than last wk.

Commenced using the new desks which give additional sitting accommodation for 100 children.

Examined Standard 1 in Reading, Writing and Arithmetic.  The general results are good.

The Rev’d Sargeantson took the 1^st class in Old Testament.

The Rev’d Canon Barker gave a Scripture lesson to class 1.

The Rev’d F Sargeantson taught as usual.

The Rev’d Canon Barker gave his Shakespearian lesson.

On Monday the Rev’d Canon visited and informed Miss Griffin and Miss Waller that their services would not be required after the end of November.

The attendance has been very bad this week owing chiefly to bad weather.

Average 350.4.

Miss Griffin away on Thursday.

The usual examinations this wk.

Admitted Alice Litchfield, Edith Hodby and Ellen Sugars.

No school this afternoon, the annual 5^th Nov procession being too great an attraction.

The Rev’d Canon Barker brought several applications for the vacant assistantships.

The usual lessons were given this wk by The Rev’d Canon Barker and the

Rev’d F Sargeantson.

The attendance has been much better this week.  Average 372.

The new stoves are now in good working order and the rooms have been very warm and comfortable.  The stoves for the large room have not yet arrived.

Emily Waller away this afternoon.

Emily Waller did not return to duty this morning.

The Rev’d Canon Barker and the Rev’d F Sargeantson visited and taught as usual.

The attendance better this week, average 374.5.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited today and desired all the teachers to attend a meeting in the Inf Sch this evening.  Commenced examining on paper this afternoon St 3 to 7

The Rev’d F Sargeantson visited as usual.

The Rev’d Canon Barker took the 1^st class in Scripture.

The Rev’d Sargeantson visited

The Rev’d Canon Barker took the 1^st class on Henry VIII.

Average 364, 10½ lower than last wk.

Harry Pantling’s mother sent to say that her son is not strong enough to attend school regularly, that he is now unwell and that the doctor told her she must not press him to learn.

Arthur Ward who has since May been taking Stand 3, with the help of Frank Margetts, removed to St 4 to take 1^st Division.

Frank Margetts left in charge of St 3 assisted by Millie Fountain who commenced today as monitress.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited today.

The Rev’d F Sargeantson taught as usual.

Half holiday this afternoon the rooms being required for a Parents’ Tea to celebrate the opening of the new rooms.  Nearly 300 parents were present.

Miss E Waller away this morning unwell.  The Rev’d Canon Barker took his usual classes this wk.

Miss Griffin and Miss Waller were allowed to stay until Xmas.  Their conduct during the last month has been abominable, particularly Miss Griffin’s.  They have been absent and have continually come late both mornings and afternoons and when here have simply passed away the time as easily as possible.

Average attendance 364.

Examinations commenced with St 2 with a view to re-classification for the new assistant.

Miss Griffin away this morning.

The Rev’d Canon Barker and the Rev’d F Sargeantson taught as usual.  Found Standard 2 very backward, a disgrace to any teacher in arithmetic.

Average 365.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited the school accompanied by the Rev’d Canon Collings of Daventry.  The 1^st class sang some songs.

The Rev’d F Sargeantson gave his Scripture lesson.

The Rev’d Canon Barker took his class as usual.

The Rev’d F Sargeantson at school.

The attendance has been poor this week.  Average 353.

Edith Watson took charge of 1^st Division St 2 on Monday, Emily Waller going to Standard 1.

Dr Pearson gave a Temperance lecture instead of Scripture this morning.  He was accompanied by the Rev’d J W Tompkins and Mr John Claridge, member of the Rushden Board.  The children thoroughly enjoyed the lecture and sang several songs.

Dr Pearson who had made a long tour in several counties before he came here was very pleased with the singing and order of the school saying the discipline was the best he had met with.

The Rev’d Canon Barker visited and taught class 1.

The Rev’d F Sargeantson attended.

The Rev’d Canon Barker accompanied by Dr Hoffman from the Home Office visited the schools.  Dr Hoffman heard the 1^st class sing and expressed himself delighted with the singing and discipline of the school.

Closed today for a week’s holiday. 

Emily Waller and Rebecca Griffin terminated their engagements today.

Commenced school after a week’s holiday.

Miss M E West from St Edmund’s School Northampton and Miss E Gardner from

St Peter’s Northampton commenced duty as assistant mistresses.  The former I placed in charge of the 3^rd Standard and the latter the 2^nd Standard.

A gloom has been cast upon the inhabitants of Rushden by the illness of the Rev’d Canon Barker.  He was attending the funeral of his wife’s father at Overdean near Brighton on Friday last when he suddenly became insensible and has continued so.

We all trust his life may be spared to continue the good work he has done during the many years he has been in Rushden.

H Sartoris Esq of Rushden Hall visited the school this afternoon.  He heard the 1^st class sing and told them they sang very nicely and he was pleased with his visit.

Gave a half holiday today instead of the 1^st when the weather was bad.

The attendance this week has been better than I expected.  The average is the same as the week before Xmas, 347.

This afternoon I commenced the usual examinations of the upper standards.

During the wk Standards 3, 4, 6 and 7 have copied out their poetry in exercise books that they may each have a copy.  The attendance has been worse this wk.

Sent after all absentees.

Examined St 2 in Writing.  The 1^st Division under Edith Watson has made great progress during the 4 wks she has had charge of them.

Sent a long list of irregular children to the attendance officer.  Many of these attend very badly and although their names are returned every wk there is in many cases little or no improvement.

Admitted Mabel and Emily Oram, Standards 2 and 1 respectively

We the undersigned have examined the registers and found them correct.

                                                                                G H Skinner
                                                                                R O Butcher
                                                                                Managers

Received notice that the Scripture Exam would take place on Tuesday Feb 12 at 9.15am.  The legal “form 2” was read and fixed upon the school.

The attendance this week has increased from 352 to362.

Gave writing lessons to St 5.

During the week I have examined Stand 1 and 2.  Found the latter had improved.  The 1^st Division did their work on paper and the number of sums right averaged 1 more to each child.  The 2nd Division did their work on slates but did better than when last examined.

St 1 did fairly on the whole.

Average attendance for the week 362.4

Mr Bettles called and said Mary had gone away for a week or two for her health.

Examined the registers and found them correct.

                                                                R O Butcher
                                                                Manager

Examined St 3 to 7 in Grammar, Arithmetic and Writing.  St 4 is weak in spelling. 

St 3 has improved.

 The Rev’ F Sargeantson visited this afternoon.

Received notice that the Pupil Teachers Government examination will be held at All Saints School Northampton on Saturday 13^th day of April at 10am.

Spoke to the children about the Scripture exam desiring all to be present.

There was a heavy fall of snow on Sunday night and a great many children were away today in consequence.

Diocesan Examination today by the Rev’d F P Lawson.  There were 437 children present.  Considering the state of the weather the number present was very satisfactory.

Mr Lawson, before leaving, after he had finished the examination said the children had passed an “excellent examination”.

The usual days holiday after exam.  The weather has been very bad all week and the attendance has suffered very much.

The 1^st class St 5 to 7 attended a Temperance meeting at the New Hall and sang a selection of songs.  The meeting was in every way a success.  The hall was quite filled.

The usual examinations were given during the week.  St 2 showed an improvement generally.  St 3 did the best passing 97 per cent in writing and 72 in Arithmetic. 

St 4 results are much better than they were this time last year.

Examined St 1 90 present.  Three sums were given 89^35/86per cent did two or more right the average sums right being 2^36/85.  81^15/85 per cent passed in writing.

Mrs Pettit informed me that Lizzie would be able to come again as soon as the weather improved.

Examined St 2.  Found the results less favourable.

Received the Scripture Report which is much better than any former years.  The following is a copy.

The Rev’d F Sargeantson visited.

The Pupil Teachers and Prize Scheme Examinations – Rushden this year being a centre for the 1^st time.

5 Pupil Teachers and 6 scholars attended from this school.

The results of the examinations this week were on the whole satisfactory.

St 4 did 11 per cent worse in Arithmetic than they did two weeks before, but the average number of sums right this week was 1^63/81 per child against 1^64/80 the previous exam, that is practically the same average number but 11 lower in percentage.  This shows the difficulty the teacher has to contend against and the unfairness of the percentage system.

Miss Barker accompanied by the Rev’d and Mrs Roundtree visited this afternoon.  The 1^st class sang several songs.

The Rev’d F Sargeantson visited.

Examined St 2.  The Arithmetic has improved, 4 sums were given, Average sums right 2^57/90.  Percentage of passes 81^10/90.  The writing was not quite so well done.

The attendance has been very poor during the last month, the weather too has been bad.

It is impossible to get good results with such a bad attendance.

During the last two weeks I have given nearly the whole of my attention to the arithmetic of Standards 5 to 7.

Examined St 3 to 7.

Continued the examination this morning.

The Rev’d F Sargeantson and the Rev’d Roundtree visited, the latter has taken charge of the Church during Canon Barker’s illness.

Examined the registers and found them correct.

                                                                R O Butcher
                                                                Manager

The results of the examinations show a steady improvement particularly in St 4.

Percentage Writing 97^43/87, Arithmetic 70^30/81.

Examined St 2.

The attendance has improved a little this week.  The Rev’d Roundtree visited.

Examined St 1, 84 present.  Three sums given – 57 had 3 right, 19 had 2, 4 had 1 and 4 had 0, sums right average 2^45/84, Percentage 90^40/84.  Writing pc 88^8/84.

Examined St 3 to 7.  Results satisfactory, St 4 occupies 1^st position.

During the week I received the papers for the examination.

The Rev’d Roundtree and his brother Vice president of the Oldham School Board visited this morning.  The 1^st class sang several songs.

The Rev’d Roundtree visited this afternoon.

The attendance has been much better this week, average 368

Commenced the usual examinations.

Results of the examinations very good particularly in Stand 3 and 4.  St 2 has improved, their writing and style of paperwork needs attention.  St 1 Arithmetic was in several cases carelessly done, the percentage being lower than when last examined.

School closed today and on Easter Monday.

Attendance not very good today.

The attendance during this week has been fair considering the amount of holiday making in the town.

End of the school year.

Copy of Government Report

Mixed School “The reading is fair and the written work is generally very creditable. 

The repetition is particularly good, Grammar fairly good, Geography fair, Needlework fair, Singing by note excellent, Order excellent.

Infants School No. 1 “The first class does very well.  In the lower classes the Handwriting and Needlework should be more regular.  Singing and order excellent.

Infants School No. 2 “The school is very carefully and successfully conducted.  Order excellent.  F A Simpson has passed well and F W Margetts E G Watson and E M Packwood fairly but Margetts should attend to History, Watson to Geography and History and Packwood to Geography and Needlework at Examination.

Simpson (where Music needs attention) and A Ward should be informed that they are now qualified under both articles 50 and 52.

F J Denton and A E A Lucas are recognised in this school under Art 50, and G E Wagstaffe is continued under Art 84

Geo S Mason
Correspondent

A few children away celebrating May Day.  Commenced new registers.

The attendance has been better this week.  The Rev’d Roundtree visited this afternoon.  Miss M E Simpson visited the school on Thursday and Friday.  She sails for Madagascar next week.

The Rev’d T C Simpson visited this morning and heard the 1^st class sing.

Gave St 2 a drilling in style of paperwork.

Examined St 1.  Found them going on alright.

Have been trying to get an improvement in the attendance but the attendance officer seems totally unable to bring in the worst cases.

Admitted Arthur and Agnes Barnes, St 3 and 1 respectively, from Olney Board School.

Received the results of P Ts and Prize Scheme Exam.

All the teachers have obtained good positions on the list

Five scholars entered the Prize Scheme Competition and all succeeded in getting prizes. Millicent Fountain being 5^th in the County.  The other prize takers are Wm Brightwell, Annie Evans, T Brightwell, James Waite and George Brown.

The Rev’d F Sargeantson visited.

The results of this week’s exam are most encouraging.  St 3 passed 100 per cent in Arith.  Their dictation was very well done too.  The paperwork of St 4 was very neat and good.  St 4 percentage in Arith 95.  St 2 95.

St 2 average sums right 3^31/97 (4 given).

Admitted George and James Stokes from Wollaston Board.

The Rev’d Roundtree visited this morning and made enquiries respecting a boy who had behaved very badly yesterday in Sunday School.  The boy was absent this morning.

Mr Geo T Mason visited the school.

W E Curry Esq H M I visited this morning.

I asked the children on Wednesday to bring some flowers in pots for the windows in front of their classes.  I told them I wished the flowers still to belong to them and that I should be glad if they would change them at the different seasons.

On Thursday and Friday we had 81 very nice plants brought.  The appearance of the rooms has been very much improved by the flowers.  Not only the children but many of the parents have taken great interest in the matter.

W E Curry Esq, Mr T H Simpson and Mr F Foster commenced the examination this morning about 10.40am.  Mr Simpson examined St 1, Mr Foster St 2 and Mr Curry St 3.

The weather was very unfavourable as it had been raining in torrents from very early in the morning, many children were prevented from attending and most of those present were very wet.

W E Curry Esq and Mr Foster continued the examinations.  Mr Simpson did not come again after Monday morning.

Gave a half holiday on Wednesday afternoon

Took the Pupil Teachers and scholars who had gained prizes at the Diocesan exam to Northampton to fetch their prizes which were given away by Canon Clayton who said that “Rushden had gained many distinctions”

Attendance poor.

Attendance very bad all the week.  Closed school until June 17^th for Whitsuntide holidays.

Received the duplicate schedules

Total percentage 93

Commenced school.  Received the Infants from Mrs Wagstaffe’s school and Miss Tyrer’s department.  Owing to want of room I have been obliged to use one of Miss Tyrer’s for half of Standard 2 

Mrs Watson, mother of Edith G Watson, came after school and said that Edith was suffering from curvature of the spine and would not be able to attend school again for after this week for some time.

The classes have been re-arranged this wk.  Arthur Ward returned to school on the 17^th after an absence of 3 wks.

Edith G Watson absent today.

The Rev’d H Roundtree visited.

Attendance very bad this week.

Holiday today owing to the annual Temperance trip to the seaside.

Attendance still worse, average only 368.

Miss Lucas came to help in this department owing to absence of Edith Watson 4^th Year PT.

Miss F Simpson absent this week attending scholarship examination at Whitelands Training College

Sent after all the absentees.

The Rev’d H Roundtree visited on the 5^th inst. and made enquiries about the school treat.

It has been decided to have the school festival on July 18^th.

Attendance a little better but still very bad.

Holiday in the afternoon owing to Baptist Sunday School Treat.

Mr and Mrs J C Jones of Towcester visited in the morning.

Annual Treat today.  About 1200 assembled at the school at 2pm and marched in procession round the Hall grounds and through the streets to the Rectory where tea had been provided.  After the children’s tea there was a public tea about 360 being present.  The usual sports then took place in an adjoining field and the prizes distributed.  The weather was beautifully fine and a most enjoyable day was spent.  Canon Barker sent a telegram to the children wishing them a happy day.

The attendance was not good today.  The following were decided unfit for Stand 1 work and put into a preparatory class.  Alb Thompson, Nellie Makeham, Bertie Clarke, W Whitehead, Nellie Walker, Henry Auger.

Examined the registers and found them correct.

                                                                Geo S Mason
                                                                           Manager

Received the Government Report, see page 397 (98).

Total grant earned by the Mixed Department     £382.1.9

Infant Department No. 1                                 £121.5.0

     ,,        ,,           No. 2                                  £84.6.3

Visited the school Art 21 am

                                S Ellicock

Absent this week attending a course of lectures at Wadham College Oxford.  School in charge of my wife Mrs E Vann.

School closed this morning for 4 weeks holiday.

School opened today after Summer holidays.  Sent after all the absentees.

A great many children away gleaning.

Admitted several new children.  Mr and Mrs Stone from Northampton and Mrs Day of Mears Ashby visited.

Examined the registers and found them correct.

                                                                Geo S Mason

Arthur Ward, assistant master, absent today owing to his father’s illness.

Received a letter informing me that Mr Ward died yesterday and that Arthur would not be able to come this week.

The Rev’d G and Mrs Clark visited on Wednesday afternoon and heard the 1^st class sing.

The attendance is very poor today.

The following children were placed in the preparatory class, Wm McDonald, H Dickens, W Childs, H Harris, M Burfield, F Dickens, C Goodfellow, L Underwood, C Chettle.

Attendance very bad.  A great many parents applied for permission to keep their children at home for gleaning.

Have endeavoured to get as many children as possible to attend school.

The Misses Darnell from Northampton visited.

Miss West absent this afternoon unwell.

Re-arranged the timetables of the different classes.

Miss West absent this afternoon unwell.

The Rev’d G and Mrs Clark visited this afternoon and said “Goodbye” The Rev’d Gentleman has been doing duty in place of The Rev’d Canon Barker who is still ill.

The attendance is very bad today, only 309 present in the afternoon.

Closed school until Monday wk, next week being the “Feast”.  Miss West away today.

School re-opened this morning.  Have received 10 new desks from Educational Supply Association. Stand 1 now has the wing, Stand 2 and 3 the large room and St 4 to 7 the new rooms.  Sent after all the absentees.

Attendance has not been as good as I had anticipated.  Some are still gleaning and many are away through some of the family being ill with measles.

Miss M Barker visited this afternoon and heard the 1^st class sing.

Mr John Sargent, the attendance officer, called at my request respecting several children who attend very badly.

The attendance has fallen this week chiefly through the large number of children being away ill with measles.

Commenced night school on the 7^th inst. 81 have attended during the week.

Found that two of the assistants when marking the examination papers had marked a large number sums right when wrong.

Measles seems to be spreading very fast through the town.  The attendance is now very bad.

Told all the children that under no circumstances could I have any one attend school when any of their brothers or sisters had measles.

Found several families attending and sent them home.

Attendance very bad, average only 337, 39 lower than preceding week.

The Rev’d F Hird visited the school and checked all registers.  The Rev’d gentleman also gave a Scripture lesson to St 5, 6 and 7

 F Hird Chairman 24/10/89

The Rev’d F Hird visited this morning and taught the 1^st class.

The attendance has again considerably fallen this week, average 292.

The attendance was very bad this morning, only 240 present.  In consequence of an interview with Dr Owen who said the school ought to be shut up, I saw Mr Hird who visited the school and said he would consult the Medical authority respecting the desirability of closing the school.

225 present this morning.

The Rev’d F Hird visited and taught Standards 5 to 7.

Mr Wm Packwood called this morning and said the medical officer would give a certificate if it were thought necessary to close the school.

The attendance has been very bad all the week, average only 232.

Attendance a little better today.

No school this afternoon owing to a procession from Higham Ferrers arriving here about 2pm.

The Rev’d F Hird visited and taught as usual.

The attendance has been much better this week, average 277.

Received a note from Mrs Watson stating that Edith was unwell and that she was going to take her to see the doctor today.  Edith Watson absent today.

 F Hird Chairman 14/11/89

Edith Watson 4^thYear Pupil Teacher absent since Tuesday.  I suppose she is ill but I have received no intimation to that effect from her mother.

The Rev’d F Hird visited and taught as usual

Punished Wm Bailey in Standard 4 for bad behaviour to his teacher.  I am afraid he is getting a bad boy as the policeman was asking me about him a few days ago.

The very bad attendance since the summer holidays has had a wonderful effect on the efficiency of the school.  The results of my last examination show that a considerable number of children have never been to school while several rules of arithmetic have been taught.  The attendance has improved this week, the average being 317 but it is still very bad.

Edith Watson still absent.  Find it very difficult to manage with short staff.

Attendance has improved again today.  Usual examinations commenced.

Received a supply of apparatus from the Educational Supply Association.

The Rev’d F Hird visited and taught as usual.

A further supply of books received today.

Edith Watson still absent.

Average attendance 344, the best for some time.  There are 531 children in the Standards and so it is still considerably lower than it ought to be.  With 43 more children on the books the average for last quarter is 25 less than the corresponding quarter of last year.  Although there has been a great deal of sickness, I do not think the School Board do their duty to the rate payers in allowing the attendance to be so bad.  The same children attend badly week after week and even year after year and no action is taken against them.

Sent Emma Matten home to get her hair cleaned.  I have determined not to have her at school in her present filthy state.  Sarah Smith of the same family too was sent home.  They did nothing their school money

Edith Watson still absent.

Received the wool for the knitting.

The Rev’d F Hird called this morning to say he should not be able to take his class as usual.

Left school this morning at 11.20, Mrs Vann took charge.

The Rev’d F Hird visited and took the 1^st class in Scripture.

The attendance has been a little worse this week.  I have heard of several fresh cases of measles.  Average attendance 341.

Absent from school today.  School in charge of Mrs Vann.  Friday and Monday being sewing days, Mrs Vann was able to render very useful assistance with the needlework.  She examined all the classes and found them going on satisfactorily.

The Rev’d F Hird visited and took his usual class in Scripture. 

The usual examinations in Standard work have taken place this week.

The work has been greatly interrupted this year by the very bad attendance.

Average 338, still lower than the preceding week.

Warned Mr Denton about inflicting corporal punishment and disobedience.  I informed him that future disobedience on his part would be very severely dealt with.

Admitted Ellen Hollis from Fewcott Oxfordsh.  She is 11 years old and has passed St 3.

Admitted John Thos Sewell from Pytchley.

Edith Watson returned to school this morning.

The Rev’d F Hird visited and taught as usual.

Miss E Gardner away today, unwell.

Commenced the usual examinations.

Attendance not so well this week owing I suppose to the approach of Christmas.

The Rev’d F Hird visited.

The Rev’d F Hird and E Barker Esq visited this afternoon.

School closed this afternoon for two weeks holiday.  Miss F A Simpson terminated her engagement as assistant mistress.  She commences after Christmas as a student in Whitelands Training College.  She is an excellent teacher and will be very much missed.  Several of her class gave her presents.