Rushden Research Group: South End School Log Book

1897

13 Jan

School opened this morning – Wednesday. The holidays twice had to be extended owing to the workmen not having finished the new water closets and system of drainage. All the teachers present. The attendance is fair considering the amount of illness in Rushden.

13 Jan

The Rev’d W R Morse visited.

18 Jan

The Rev’d W R Morse visited. There are still a great many children absent owing to illness. The work is going on satisfactorily. No assistant has been appointed to St 1 – two monitresses are in charge.

I took St 4 to 7 in recitation.

19 Jan

Took St 3 in recitation.

22 Jan

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon. During the week I have examined St 4 in Geog and History, St 3 in Geog St 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 in Scripture and taught two songs to Groups 1, 2 and 3.

The Drawing seems to be progressing very well. St 4 is perhaps the best.

Received notice that the Diocesan Examination would be held on Feb 9^th. The notice of exam was read out and fixed up in the school.

29 Jan

A great many children have been away through measles but I think the worst is over

29 Jan

Visited the school, tested the registers and found correct.

S Miller

01 Feb

Commenced the 4^th quarter of the school year.

05 Feb

Attendance is still very bad.

09 Feb

Diocesan Examination today conducted by the Rev’d F P Lawson and the Rev’d Carrick vicar of Castle Ashby.

No registers marked today.

380 children present.

Both Inspectors spoke very highly of the “superior tone” of the whole school.

The Rev’d W R Morse visited during the morning.

12 Feb

The usual holiday after Examination.

15 Feb

Sent after the absentees.

17 Feb

The Rev’d W R Morse visited.

18 Feb

Received goods from the Education Supply Association.

19 Feb

W Butler Esquire Her Majesty’s Inspector visited the school this morning on his way to inspect the infant School.

The Rev’d W R Morse visited.

The attendance is still low.

22 Feb

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon and took prayers.

23 Feb

Received the Diocesan Report, which is

The school generally passed a very satisfactory examination. The answering in G 3 was excellent and the Scripture abstracts in G 5 showed much knowledge of detail and in Old Testament stories of the typical significance of events also”

“Little Catechism is taken. The writing out of this varies from Fair to VG”

Religious Knowledge:- “Very thorough”

Discipline and tone:- “Excellent”

Repetition:- “Careful”

School in regard to Religious Education as a whole:- “Excellent”

F P Lawson
Diocesan Inspector

23 Feb

The Rev’d W R Morse visited.

25 Feb

Examined the boys in Drawing. Standards 3 and 4 do this work best. Sts 5 and 6 do not finish their freehand off sufficiently well.

26 Feb

Explained some of the principles of model drawing to Sts 5 and 6.

Most of the children now know their poetry.

The Rev’d W R Morse visited in the afternoon and took prayers.

01 Mar

Sent after the absentees. There are still a great many away. Several fresh cases of measles have been reported.

03 Mar

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon.

05 Mar

Examined the Writing in the school. Standard 5 seem the worst. A great improvement has taken place in St 4. St 3 is now fairly good. Sts 6 and 7 are good.

08 Mar

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon and took prayers.

Examined the school in drawing.

10 Mar

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon.

12 Mar

Miss F C M Burton and Miss Howard both away unwell.

Attendance during the week has gone down. There is still much sickness.

15 Mar

Mr Bayes, the attendance officer, called this morning. Heard that scarlet fever had broken out in Victoria Road.

Miss F Burton returned to school.

16 Mar

Miss Howard returned to school today. The Rev’d W R Morse visited on Monday afternoon.

19 Mar

Dr Owen and R Marriott Esq visited this afternoon and inspected the “offices”. I called their attention to the improvements required for the school playgrounds.

23 Mar

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon and informed me that Miss A Hawthorn had been engaged to come on Saturday ready to begin on Monday in the place of Miss Carter.

26 Mar

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon. He had received a telegram from Miss Hawthorn this morning stating that she had accepted another engagement.

Miss Carter left this afternoon. She commenced duty on 10^th January 1893. She is to be married on Easter Monday. I am sorry to lose her. The Rev’d D Dewar visited and lectured on the 24^th.

01 Apr

2^nd visit of Inspection under Art 84b

I Gilt

01 Apr

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this morning.

02 Apr

The attendance has improved somewhat, average being 310.

09 Apr

During the week I have examined all the Standards in Drawing. Standard 3 have gone back since Miss Carter left. Most of the children are very interested in their work. The fault in the work is the lack of finish to the drawings. This I am hoping to rectify.

09 Apr

The Rev’d W R Morse visited twice during the week on the 8^th with the Rev’d

Boyne Bunting, a former curate of Rushden.

15 Apr

School closed today until Tuesday morning for Easter holidays.

20 Apr

Attendance poor today. Sent after the absent ones.

22 Apr

The Drawing Examination today conducted by h Wilkinson Esq H M Inspector.

School closed this afternoon.

23 Apr

The attendance during the week has been poor owing to the Easter holidays.

26 Apr

The Rev’d W R Morse and J Claridge Esq visited this afternoon and distributed the 83 certificates awarded the children by the Band of Hope Union “ for excellence in writing on account of the lecture given by W Finnemore Esq.” Both gentlemen addressed the children.

27 Apr

The Rev’d W R Morse visited.

28 Apr

A large number of children have given in their names for examination for labour certificates.

30 Apr

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct. W R Morse

End of the school year.

Copy of Government Report (Received 1^st July /97

Mixed School “Tone and discipline are satisfactory and the progress in elementary subjects is creditable especially in the 1^st class. The children of the fourth standard might have shown greater proficiency in History and Geography, and there is a large preparatory class below the first standard in a very backward condition. The singing is exceptionally good. In arranging the teaching staff care must be taken to satisfy the requirements of Article 73 of the new Code. The floor of the main room is unsound and the playground requires a good coating of gravel.

Infants School – the character of the teaching is severely mechanical and the listlessness and inattention of the children indicate that more interesting and brighter methods are desirable. The habit of answering in complete sentences should be encouraged and a vigorous effort made to interest the children in their work. The medium grant under Article 98 (b) of the Code has again been leniently recommended. Care must be taken not to overcrowd the classroom and the requirements of Article 73 must not be ignored. More Reading books are required.

E J Strachan has obtained a Second Class in the Queen’s Scholarship Examination.

E A Swann and E Ginns are recognised under Article 68 and C Munday is continued under that article. L B Hanger is recognised under Article 33. She is not qualified by age for admission as a Pupil Teacher. Miss Burton and Miss Glover will receive their certificates in due course.

A G C Vann B A F C M Burton		Head Master Certificated Assistant
N J Howard M S Fountain L Drake E J Strachan		Art 50 ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,
C Munday E M Colson L Hollis L B Hanger		Art 68 ,, ,, 3^rd Year P T 1^st year P T

W R Morse
Correspondent

03 May

All the classes re-arranged today and the children put up in their new classes.

The Rev’d W R Morse visited in the afternoon.

Received the children from the Infant School and divided them into their divisions with the assistance of Miss Glover. St 1 two divisions and St 0 who are backward children unfit for St 1 work.

08 May

Examination for half timers at Newton Road Board School. 61 children from this school were examined.

10 May

Sent after absentees.

11 May

Violet Brown left school at 3.45 this afternoon, her mother being unwell.

12 May

Violet brown absent. Heard from her parents that she was unwell. I also heard that she was at a “Ball” last (Tuesday) evening.

13 May

Miss Drake took charge of St 5 this afternoon and Miss Strachan St 3, the latter in the middle class room.

Poetry commenced today in Standards 6 and 7 and 2.

14 May

The arrangement of the classes has now been completed. Miss Burton 6 and 7 assisted by Miss Hollis.

Miss Drake St 5

Miss Howard and Miss Fountain St 4

Miss Strachan St 3

Miss Colson St 2

Violet Brown and ... Hanger St 1

Miss Munday the non-standard or Preparatory class

Drawing Sts 5, 6 and 7 Miss Burton

St 4 Miss Fountain

St2 and 3 Miss Drake

St 1 Miss Colson.

17 May

Received the half time schedule from H M Inspector and Form 101* from the Department.

Violet brown returned to school this morning.

21 May

A number of children have applied for certificates for half time during the week.

28 May

During the week the children have learned the National Anthem as a three part song.

The attendance has diminished. Many people think it is not important for their children to attend regularly at this time of year.

31 May

Admitted three children today.

Commenced teaching a new Jubilee Song “Happy Children”

04 Jun

School closed this afternoon for a week – Whitsuntide holidays.

14 Jun

School re-opened today. A great many absent owing to a Wesleyan Sunday School Treat being held in the afternoon.

16 Jun

The Rev’d W R Morse and the Rev’d H Fry visited school this afternoon.

18 Jun

School closed today for a week’s holiday in commemoration of H M Diamond Jubilee.

28 Jun

School re-opened today. The Rev’d H K Fry visited.

01 Jul

The Rev’d H K Fry visited this morning.

30 Jun

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this morning.

09 Jul

This has been the great ‘Feast’ week, the annual holiday was not given on Monday, the Temperance Society not having had their usual “trip”. The attendance has been poor but better than I expected.

The Rev’d H K Fry visited twice during the week.

12 Jul

The school closed this afternoon owing to the Baptist Treat. The Rev’d J R Blunt visited this morning.

13 Jul

The Rev’ds W R Morse and H K Fry visited this afternoon.

15 & 16 Jul

School closed in the afternoon owing to a Bazaar being held in the Hall grounds for the benefit of the Schools.

20 Jul

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct. W R Morse

23 Jul

During this week I have been examining the school in their work. The weather has been very hot and many children have been away.

The Rev’d H K Fry visited twice during the week.

30 Jul

This week I have continued the examination.

The Rev’d W R Morse visited on Thursday and stayed for prayers.

School closed this afternoon for a month’s holiday.

30 Aug

School re-opened after summer holidays. Although the Managers have advertised no assistant has been obtained in Miss Drake’s place.

01 Sep

The Rev’d J R Blunt visited this morning.

02 Sep

The Rev’d H K Fry visited this afternoon.

03 Sep

Several children have been admitted this week from the Board School.

10 Sep

There have been several children away gleaning this week.

17 Sep

I was absent on the 18^th. Mrs Vann taking my place.

Miss Munday was away on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday through illness.

The Rev’d W R Morse and the Rev’d D L Clarke, vicar of Belgrave, visited this morning.

20 Sep

Sent after absentees. I have found several boys playing truant lately, the fields being now a great attraction.

24 Sep

During this month I have given great attention to the Reading particularly at the lower part of the school. In St 1 it is very bad. This is always one of the greatest difficulties with which we have to contend.

The Rev’d J R Blunt visited on Monday and Thursday mornings.

School closed today for a week’s holiday, next week being ‘Feast’ week. The attendance has been bad today owing I think to home preparations for the ‘Feast’

15 Oct

Visited the schools and tested the registers which were correct. W R Morse

04 Oct

School re-opened today

06 Oct

The Rev’d J R Blunt visited.

08 Oct

During the week I have re-arranged the school. Sts 4, 5, 6 and 7 have the large room, St 3 the Wing room, Sts 1 and 2 in the classrooms at the back. The desks have also been changed.

The Rev’d W R Morse and Mr Mason visited on the 6^th and Mr Mason and Mr Perkins visited on the 7^th to arrange about some improvements in the school and yard.

13 Oct

The Rev’d J R Blunt visited this morning.

15 Oct

During the week I have examined Sts 3 to 7 in their paperwork.

The attendance was very bad on Tuesday afternoon the 12^th owing to Sanger’s Circus visiting Rushden. This reduces the average for the week very considerably.

22 Oct

A number of children have been away owing to illness, scarlet fever and typhoid fever are both prevalent in the town.

Arrangements have been made for pantry cupboards in the large and wing rooms.

Paths are to be made in the playground and in Infant Sch is to be thoroughly “done up”

The Rev’d W R Morse visited. The Rev’d H K Fry also visited.

25 Oct

The men have commenced working in the yard. Play impossible – marching exercises instead.

Heard of fresh cases of fever.

29 Oct

The Rev’d W R Morse visited in the afternoon.

The school seems to work satisfactorily under the fresh arrangement.

01 Nov

Miss Munday informed me that she was leaving at the end of this month.

04 Nov

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this morning.

05 Nov

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon.

Gave a special list of absentees to the attendance officer. Many children are away through illness.

08 Nov

R Butler Esquire inspected the school this afternoon (Art 84b)

12 Nov

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct. W R Morse

11 Nov

Mr Martin, the Sanitary Inspector, called this morning and informed me of the prevalence of fever and the need of disinfecting the schools.

R Butler Esq inspected the school this morning (Art 84b). He was present during the whole of Wednesday.

12 Nov

The Rev’d W R Morse visited.

15 Nov

The Rev’d W R Morse visited.

19 Nov

The attendance has diminished owing to illness. The Rev’d W R Morse visited in the afternoon. The Rev’d J R Blunt visited yesterday morning and this morning and took Sts 2 and 3 in Scripture.

22 Nov

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon.

23 Nov

Examined St 4 in Writing and Arithmetic this work being done in “quarterly” exam books.

24 Nov

Examined St 5 in Composition and Arithmetic. The Rev’d J R Blunt visited and took St 4 in Scripture. Miss Howard absent, unwell.

25 & 26 Nov

Examined Sts 6 and 7 in Writing and Composition and Arithmetic in quarterly exam books.

The attendance has been poor, illness seems on the increase. Miss Howard still absent.

30 Nov

Miss C Munday left today. The Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon.

01 Dec

Miss A M Copson who had been appointed assistant mistress in the place of Miss Munday came about 4.15pm but did not stay. It is doubtful whether she will come again.

01 & 03 Dec

The Rev’d J R Blunt visited and took Sts 5, 6 and 7 in Scripture.

I have examined Sts 2 and 3 in Writing and Arithmetic this week.

07 Nov

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon and informed me that Miss Copson could not come owing to bad health.

08 & 10 Dec

The Rev’d J R Blunt visited and took Sts 1 and 2 in New Testament.

10 Dec

During the week I have examined all above St 1 in Reading.

The attendance is still very low owing to illness.

15 Dec

The Rev’d J R Blunt visited as usual this morning and the Rev’d W R Morse visited in the afternoon.

17 Dec

The attendance is still bad.

This week I have examined Sts 1 and 2 in Reading and the latter in Writing and Arithmetic. I was particularly pleased with the marked improvement in the Reading of St 1.

18 Dec

Form 17A (VS) received this morning from the Education Department stating that the grant of £215 will be paid as soon as possible to the London Agent of the Bank at which the school account is kept and that the grant is made for the purpose of increasing staff and appliances.

22 Dec

The Rev J R Blunt visited this morning and took St 5 in Scripture.

The Rev’d W R Morse visited in the afternoon.

23 Dec

School closed for Christmas holidays. The registers were marked in the afternoon as instead of the usual work we had a concert. The attendance was good and the children enjoyed themselves.

1898

03 Jan

School opened this morning. Miss Howard away, unwell. No assistant has yet been appointed in place of Miss Munday.

07 Jan

The attendance has been much better all this week. Miss Howard has been away the whole week and Miss Colson is away today, unwell.

The Rev’d J R Blunt visited this morning and took St 4 in Scrip.

A half holiday this afternoon.

10 Jan

Miss Howard still away. This shortness and absence of staff make it exceedingly difficult to carry on the work properly.

12 Jan

The Rev’d J R Blunt visited and took St 4 in Scripture.

14 Jan

The Rev’d H K Fry visited in the afternoon.

The attendance during the week has much improved. Miss Howard has been away all the week, unwell.

17 Jan

Miss Howard returned to school today. Read to the school the notice that the Scripture Examination would be on February 8^th next at 10am.

19 Jan

The Rev’d W R Morse visited and took prayers in the afternoon.

21 Jan

During the week I have examined Sts 4 to 7 in Writing and Arithmetic.

24 Jan

The Rev’d H K Fry and the Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon.

25 jan

The Rev’d W R Morse visited in the afternoon and took prayers.

28 Jan

The attendance has been slightly better this week but there are still many away ill. End of the 3^rd quarter of the school year.

31 Jan

The Rev’d J R Blunt visited this morning and the Rev’d H K Fry in the afternoon.

04 Feb

Saw the attendance officer respecting several absentees.

Received notice that the Drawing would be under the Inspection of the Education Department.

08 Feb

Diocesan Examination today, 374 present. The Rev’d F P Lawson assisted by the Rev’d Cobbold conducted the exam.

The Rev’d W R Morse visited. The registers were not marked.

11 Feb

Holiday today as usual after the Scripture exam.

18 Feb

The school is making satisfactory progress considering the shortness of staff.

It seems impossible to get Assistants. We have offered large salaries but have not had a single application.

The Rev’d H K Fry visited on the 16^th.

21 Feb

Cautioned the children against stone throwing and explained the dangers of it. Read the circular from the Department respecting throwing at telegraph wires.

25 Feb

The Rev’d W R Morse visited in the afternoon and brought the Scripture Report. The following is a copy:-

“The general results of the examination were very satisfactory. In Group 5 the answering was hardly general enough to justify the marks given. But the abstracts showed that excellent instruction had been given and that a considerable number of the scholars had a very creditable knowledge of their subject.

Discipline and Tone “Excellent”

Repetition “Very careful”

School in regard to Religious Education as a whole “Very Good”

F P Lawson
Diocesan Inspector

01 Mar

The Rev’d H K Fry visited this morning.

04 Mar

The attendance during the week has been slightly better than last week. A half holiday was given this afternoon at general request to celebrate Mrs Vann’s election as a member of the School Board on Monday last.

08 Mar

The Rev’d H K Fry visited this afternoon.

11 Mar

The Rev’d H K Fry visited this afternoon. No assistant has yet been obtained. The school is doing well in spite of the shortness of staff. The lower standards are suffering most from this.

14 Mar

Sanger’s Circus visited Rushden today. The attendance was better in the morning than on other similar occasions as on Friday I promised a holiday in the afternoon if the attendance were good in the morning.

Holiday this afternoon.

18 Mar

The Rev’d H K Fry visited this afternoon.

22 Mar

Miss Strachan away today with bad eyes. Took St 3 myself and gave them a lesson in their paperwork.

29 Mar

Art 84 bi (2)

[J Gilo]

19 Apr

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct. W R Morse

07 Apr

School closed this afternoon until Wednesday next the 13^th inst.

13 Apr

Attendance rather poor this morning even allowing for it being Easter wk. Sent after all absentees.

22 Apr

The 4^th quarterly examination in Standard work in exam books completed this week.

29 Apr

End of the school year. Re-organisation and classification completed.

Copy of Government Report.

Mixed School “The discipline is well maintained and the general progress of the scholars in the upper division of the school creditable. In the lower division the object lessons should be treated more intelligently so as to quicken the children’s powers of observation and the higher mark for this subject has been awarded with hesitation. Geography is fair and Needlework satisfactory. Singing is good especially in the upper division. The Recitation is lacking in expression and the written exercises of the children require more careful supervision. The notes of the lessons should be carefully revised by the Head Teacher before the lessons are given by the staff. The syllabus of work should be duly drawn out the reports on periodical examinations regularly kept and the examination papers should be available at the visits of inspection.”

“The staff of the Mixed School should be at once strengthened so as to meet the requirements of Art 73 of the Code which are not at present satisfied (Art 108)

A G C Vann B A Oxon Miss F C M Burton				Head Master Certificated Assistant
Miss N J Howard Miss M S Fountain Miss E J Strachan Miss E M Colson				Art 50 ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, 68
Miss L Hollis Miss L B Hanger V Brown				4^th Year P T 2^nd Year P T Monitress

W R Morse
Correspondent

02 May

Beginning of school year. New registers duly signed used. Detachment received from the Infant Depart’t.

03 May

--- Bryling Esq Diocesan Organising Inspector visited and examined individually all the children received from the Infant Department. He said they were the worst he had known in his experience.

The Rev’d W R Morse visited.

04 May

G Miller Esq visited in the afternoon and heard the 1^st class sing.

06 May

G Miller Esq and G S Mason Esq visited in the afternoon.

09 May

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon.

13 May

During the week I examined the children received from the Infant Department.

Mr Bayling’s report is undoubtedly correct. Still they are no worse than the three preceding years and a few are a little better. Many have no idea of reading or writing or figures and more than half should be sent back into the Infant School.

19 May

School closed today – Ascension Day.

20 May

This week I re-arranged the desks in the two end classrooms at the back.

The lessons have been so ordered that each class may have a classroom for reading and class subject, the large room being used for Arithmetic and Writing.

27 May

The new arrangement seems to work well, little time is lost in changing rooms as this takes place after reor..tion.

School closed today for Whitsuntide holidays – one week.

06 Jun

School opened today. Sent after absentees.

10 Jun

I am very pleased with the working of the school but the staff ought to be strengthened at once. St 1 is progressing but until I can receive children from the Infant Department in a much more efficient condition, the work in my department must continue to be seriously impeded.

13 Jun

The Rev’d H K Fry visited this morning.

14 Jun

The Rev’d H K Fry visited today.

School closed until the end of the week owing to the First visit of the County Agricultural show to the town. The school was decorated and illuminated each evening of the Show. The Show was held in a field at the back of the school.

20 Jun

The Rev’d H K Fry visited. The Rev’d J R Blunt also visited this morning.

22 Jun

The Rev’d H K Fry visited this morning and took the 1^st class in Scripture.

24 Jun

The Rev’d J R Blunt visited this morning and took the 1^st class in Scripture.

Heard that a mild form of measles was getting prevalent.

27 Jun

Another case of measles reported. No children admitted to the school whose homes were not free from measles.

29 Jun

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught.

01 Jul

The Rev’d J R Blunt visited and taught.

Measles seems to be getting bad. There are now many away through illness.

04 Jul

Band of Hope seaside trip. School closed as usual today.

05 Jul

The Rev’d H K Fry visited this morning.

06 Jul

School closed this afternoon. Church Sunday School Treat.

07 Jul

The Rev’d J R Blunt visited and took the 1^st class in Scripture. The Rev’d H K Fry also visited in the morning.

The attendance has been worse this week than for several weeks.

11 Jul

School closed this afternoon – Baptist Sunday School Treat.

15 Jul

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this morning.

The Rev’d J R Blunt took his class this morning. The Rev’d H K Fry did not attend on Wednesday, being absent on his holidays.

Heard that the Medical Officer for Health wished to close the school owing to an epidemic of measles.

During the week I have been taking the quarterly examination principally in Reading.

20 Jul

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon and conferred respecting the closing of the school. Recommended that Dr Owen should be seen and matters respecting our schools explained to him and that we should then follow his advice.

21 Jul

Received notice to close the school for 5 weeks.

Miss Colson absent this afternoon with leave.

22 Jul

Miss Colson left school this morning unwell and was absent in the afternoon.

Completed the quarterly examination today. Mrs Robinson has been acting as temporary Assistant Mistress during the last 4 weeks and has had charge of St 3. Miss Strachan and L Hollis going to St2 and 1 respectively.

School closed for 5 weeks owing to epidemic of measles.

29 Aug

School not opened. The workmen have not yet finished.

30 Aug

School commenced today although improvements not yet completed. During the holidays Miss F C M Burton resigned her position as first certificated assistant mistress in this school. This will be a great loss as she has always been exceedingly interested in her work and a thorough efficient teacher.

The following teachers commenced duty today, Miss E White, Certificated Assistant, late Head Mistress of Easton Maudit National School.

Miss L R Goodwin Art 68, late P T in St Mark’s Infant School No 1 Peterborough.

Mr W Sedgwick, Certificated Assistant P T in Board School South Bank and late of Bede Training College, Durham.

                                Art 84b I1
                                        W H J Salt
                                                 5 Sept 1898

02 Sep

School closed today to enable the workmen to complete alterations and improvements.

05 Sep

School opened twenty minutes late this morning, owing to desks not being in their proper places. Scripture lesson omitted.

The large room now presents an attractive appearance.

07 Sep

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and took the 1^st class in Scripture.

The attendance this week has been bad.

There are now many more cases of measles. The attendance officer called and reported several fresh cases. Violet Brown away this week ill.

12 Sep

The Rev’d H K Fry visited.

Attendance bad.

13 Sep

Mr W T Stanton gave a Temperance Lecture at the beginning of this morning’s attendance. Messrs J Claridge and J Jacques were also present.

The attendance keeps very bad.

14 Sep

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and took the 1^st class in Scripture.

The average attendance during the week shows a further decrease of 18. It is now 16 lower than when we received notice to close for measles.

19 Sep

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct. W R Morse.

21 Sep

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught as usual.

23 Sep

The Rev’d J R Blunt called this morning but did not take his class. The Rev’d W R Morse visited in the morning. The Rev’d H K Fry also visited.

The attendance has been bad all this week. Measles are now very prevalent.

School closed this morning for Feast week.

Miss F C M Burton, Miss F A Simpson and Mr F Margetts, all former teachers here, and Mrs Vann visited the school this morning.

03 Oct

School re-opened this morning. Attendance still bad. Admitted 3 girls.

05 Oct

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and took his usual class.

07 Oct

The Rev’d J R Blunt did not take his class this morning.

The attendance has been bad all the week.

Fresh cases of measles occurring daily.

During the week I have commenced the examination in reading.

10 Oct

Attendance no better.

12 Oct

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught as usual.

14 Oct

The Rev’d J R Blunt took his Scripture class this morning.

The attendance has been worse than ever this week. It is impossible to do this quarter’s work satisfactorily. The average is now 71 lower than when the medical authority closed the school owing to an epidemic of measles. 108 children in the registers have not been “present at all” this week.

17 Oct

Attendance a little better today.

Several children returned who have been absent through measles.

19 & 21 Oct

The Rev’d H K Fry visited today and took the 1^st class.

22 Oct

Attendance not so good at the end as the beginning of the week. Two fresh cases of measles reported. The Rev’d W R Morse visited on Wednesday afternoon.

Received notice that the school would be required on Tuesday next for C C Election.

25 Oct

School closed today – C C Election.

27 Oct

The Rev’d W R Morse and the Rev’d Coles from Madagascar visited this morning, the latter gentleman gave a very interesting and instructive lecture to the children instead of the Scripture lesson.

He Exhibited many things he had brought from Madagascar. A collection was made among the children in the afternoon and the following day and it amounted to 6/6.

27 Oct

The Rev’d W R Morse visited again in the afternoon and took the closing prayers.

28 Oct

During the week I received some apparatus from the E S Association.

03 Nov

Absent this afternoon.

04 Nov

Have been conducting the quarterly examination during the week. The work throughout the quarter has been much upset by measles, the attendance being very bad all the time.

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught this morning.

08 Nov

The Rev’d W R Morse and Rev’d H K Fry visited at the close of afternoon school.

09 Nov

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught as usual.

11 Nov

W H J Salt Esq H M Sub Inspector visited this morning, inspected the registers, heard the 1^st class sing and the poetry and reading of Miss Hollis, a scholarship candidate. Miss Goodwin, the other candidate, was away ill on Thursday and Friday.

14 Nov

The Rev’d W R Morse visited.

16 & 18 Nov

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught as usual.

17 Nov

School closed this afternoon.

18 Nov

The attendance this week has been somewhat better – 4 fresh cases of measles reported.

21 Nov

Admitted several children, all backward according to age.

22 Nov

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon.

23 & 25 Nov

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught as usual.

Received Form 17A (VS) stating that a grant of £200 would be paid as soon as possible to the London Agent of the Bank at which the School Account is kept.

This grant is made for the purpose of maintaining increased salaries of Misses Howard, Burton, Fountain and Strachan £20, increasing staff (Pupil Teacher) £12, partly paying salary of Certificated Teacher £50, providing books £15, effecting repairs to floor and partition £103, and my Lords will require to be satisfied that it has been so expended.

30 Nov

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught as usual. This week Mr Sedgwick has taken Sts 5, 6 and 7.

01 Dec

The Rev’d W R Morse visited.

02 Dec

The attendance during the week has improved a little. There is still much sickness.

06 Dec

The Rev’d W R Morse and the Rev’d H K Fry visited this afternoon.

07 Dec

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught.

09 Dec

The attendance has improved a little this week. During the last two weeks

Mr Sedgwick assisted by Miss Hanger has had charge of Sts 5, 6 and 7 in the Wing room, Miss White St 1, Miss Goodwin assisting. The alteration seems to be working well. Mr Sedgwick however informed me today that he is resigning his position here, having received an offer of a situation with more money nearer his home.

15 Dec

Visited the schools and tested the registers which were correct. W R Morse

14 & 16 Dec

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught.

17 Dec

The attendance has been a little lower this week. Miss Hollis has been absent all week attending the Scholarship Examination.

23 Dec

The attendance has been lower this week owing to Christmas preparations at home. The Rev’d H K Fry did not take his class this week.

The children assembled this morning and sang some carols and had games but the school was closed early until Monday week.

1899

02 Jan

School opened this morning. Miss Goodwin was absent and Mr Sedgwick came late with leave. Miss Howard was late. Attendance poor in the morning, better in the afternoon.

Admitted three children.

04 & 06 Jan

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught the 1^st class.

04 Jan

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this afternoon and took prayers at the close.

06 Jan

The attendance on most times has been fair considering that the other schools have a holiday this week.

Mr Sedgwick leaves today having accepted a situation with a higher salary nearer home.

09 Jan

No assistant has appeared in place of Mr Sedgwick. It is very bad to have the school disorganised at this time of the year.

11 & 13 Jan

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught. This week he has taken Sts 5 to 7.

13 Jan

Spoke to all the teachers together about method of lessons, impressing upon them the necessity of cultivating the thinking powers of the children on every possible occasion.

The weather has been bad this week on several days otherwise the attendance would have been better.

16 Jan

Still no assistant has arrived. Standards 5, 6 and 7 unprovided for. How can the work be done properly?

18 & 20 Jan

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught.

20 Jan

The weather has been exceedingly wet several days this week, the attendance has suffered in consequence. Lily Hollis has assisted with St 3 since the holidays.

25 Jan

Miss Hollis went home unwell this morning an was away in the afternoon.

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught.

26 Jan

The Rev’d W R Morse visited in the afternoon.

27 Jan

Miss Goodwin away unwell.

02 Feb

Visited the schools and tested the registers which were correct. W R Morse

30 Jan

Still no Assistant Master in place of Mr Sedgwick.

01 Feb

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught.

02 Feb

The Rev’d W R Morse called in the afternoon.

03 Feb

The Rev’d H K Fry called but did not stay for his lesson.

08 Feb

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught.

10 Feb

The Rev’d J G Forrest visited and took Mr Fry’s class.

The attendance has been better this week than any time since the summer holidays. It has now returned to its normal condition.

15 Feb

The Rev’d H K Fry visited and taught.

17 Feb

The Diocesan Examination took place today, the Rev’d canon Lawson and the

Rev’d E E Law, vicar of Raunds, attended.

All the Rushden clergy visited at intervals during the examination.

No registers were marked today.

20 Feb

Admitted several children.

23 Feb

The 3^rd quarterly examination was completed this week in Sts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

24 Feb

Holiday as usual after Scripture exam.

02 Mar

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct. W R Morse

03 Mar

The attendance has been lower again this week, a great many children are suffering from bad colds.

No assistant has yet been provided in Mr Sedgwick’s place, vacancies occurring at this time of year and remaining unfilled seriously injure the efficiency of the school. It is now two months since the vacancy occurred.

08 Mar

The Rev’d H K Fry visited this morning and informed me that owing to pressure of work the Rector had advised him not to come for Scripture lessons until after Easter.

09 Mar

The rev’d J G Forrest visited this afternoon. The Rector also visited.

10 Mar

The attendance has improved again this week, the average being 307.4.

Admitted several children this week.

17 Mar

The results of the 3^rd quarter show a decided improvement in the efficiency of the school in Sts 1, 2, 3 and 4 both in elementary and class subjects. St 1 of course is not so good as it ought to be but considering the condition of the children when they were admitted (see page 122) into the department good work has been done. The 1^st class in the first instance has been much put about through changes and lack of teachers, the work of the first quarter showed promise of a successful year. The arithmetic has suffered most.

20 Mar

Miss Goodwin away ill today.

22 Mar

The Rev’d W R Morse visited and brought the Scripture Report, which is as follows:-

“E.....ting in G V where there has been more than one change of teacher the school passed a very satisfactory exam in Scripture; in Groups 3 and 4 the knowledge shown was excellent. But it is to be regretted hat this year no writing out has been practised either of Scripture stories or of the limited amount of Catechism taught and for the first time for many years the Inspector learned that no special effort had been made in the singing”

“The discipline and tone are excellent”

F P Lawson
Diocesan Inspector

24 Mar

Miss Goodwin away all this week unwell.

27 Mar

The school was used today for the Urban Council Election.

28 Mar

Miss Goodwin returned.

30 Mar

School closed this morning for the Easter vacation.

10 Apr

School opened this morning. All the teachers present.

11 Apr

The Rev’d W R Morse visited in the afternoon.

14 Apr

The attendance has been bad today, the wet weather I suppose being the cause. During the earlier part of the week the attendance was good.

20 Apr

Fourth examination of Sts 3 and 4 on paper. The attendance was good.

April 26 1899
A Cartwright H M I

26 Apr

Holiday given this afternoon at H M Inspector’s request.

28 Apr

End of school year. 4^th quarterly exam completed this week.

Copy of Government Report

Mixed School “The children are well behaved and a good tone prevails. The singing of the first class deserves praise. Creditable progress is being made in the elementary work but the lower part of the school seems to suffer from defective infant teaching and the upper from a change in the staff and the number of half time scholars. The papers are generally neat but there is some weakness in Spelling and Composition, and the upper standards are weak in Arithmetic. Geography is fair and needlework is on the whole good. The girls’ cloakroom is not satisfactory; a new one should be provided.

L Hollis has obtained a second class in the Queen’s Scholarship Examination.

L R Goodwin is recognised under Art 68 and E M Colson is continued under that Article.

Leah B Hanger has passed fairly.

My Lords have sanctioned the omission of the annual inspection due in May 1900.

A G C Vann BA Oxon Miss M E White			Head Master Certificated Assistant
Miss N J Howard E J Strachan M S Fountain L Hollis E M Colson L R Goodwin			Art 50 ,, 52 ,, 50 ,, 50 ,, 68 ,, 68
L B Hanger V M Brown			3^rd Year P T Monitress

W R Morse
Correspondent

01 May

Commenced new year with new registers. Classes re-organised. Several new children admitted from the Board School.

I left school this afternoon at 3 to attend Ruri-decanal Conference. Mrs Vann was present at school.

Miss Howard was away unwell.

02 May

School closed today in consequence of the visit of Barnum’s Show to Wellingborough.

05 May

The attendance has been fairly good this week and the school has seemed crowded. Miss Howard returned to school yesterday.

12 May

School work proceeding satisfactorily.

Labour examination tomorrow at Newton Road Board.

19 May

School closed today for Whitsuntide holidays – one week.

29 May

School opened this morning. All the teachers were present. Attendance fairly good in the afternoon.

31 May

The Rev’d J G Forrest visited in the afternoon.

02 Jun

The work has been progressing satisfactorily.

06 Jun

The Rev’d H K Fry visited.

09 Jun

The weather has been very fine but the attendance much lower this week than last.

15 Jun

The Rev’d H K Fry visited.

16 Jun

The attendance has been slightly lower than the preceding week.

19 Jun

School closed this afternoon owing to two Sunday School Treats taking place today.

21 Jun

The Rev’d H K Fry visited.

22Jun

Miss White away this afternoon unwell.

23 Jun

Miss White returned to school this morning.

24 Jun

P T Scripture Examination today.

30 Jun

The Rev’d H K Fry visited in the afternoon. I was only present a short time this afternoon having met with a bicycle accident on Wednesday evening in which I injured my knee.

03 Jul

School closed today, Annual Temperance Trip.

04 Jul

I was unable to be present today, my knee having become worse.

05/06/07 Jul

Only visited a short time in the afternoon each day.

06 Jul

The Rev’d W R Morse visited this morning. Miss Strachan away this week.

10 Jul

School closed this afternoon – The Baptist Sunday School Treat.

11 Jul

The Rev’d H K Fry visited.

13 Jul

School closed this afternoon, the Church Sunday School Treat.

The weather has been very hot lately and the attendance poor.

17 Jul

School closed this afternoon, Wesleyan Sunday School Treat. The many “Treats” are a great upset to the attendance and work of the school.

21 Jul

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct. W R Morse

21 Jul

During the week I have been engaged with the quarterly examination.

Miss White went home unwell on Thursday morning and was unable to come in the afternoon. The weather has been exceedingly hot.

01 Aug

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct. W R Morse

04 Aug

During the week I completed the examination for the 1^st quarter.

This afternoon I resigned my position of Head Master of this school after a service of 14 years 7 months. The school was closed for a month’s holiday.

04 Sep

I, Wm H Brown took charge of the school this morning vice Mr Vann. The number of scholars present was 276.

The Rev’d H K Fry visited the school at the opening.

Miss Fountain having left during the holidays, the staff at present is incomplete.

05 Sep

Rev’d W R Morse visited school in the afternoon.

06 Sep

Owing to a heavy thunderstorm this morning the attendance is only 277, much lower than yesterday.

07 Sep

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct. W R Morse

08 Sep

Singing taken throughout this morning in the Solfa Notation instead of the staff Notation. Average attendance for the week 297.7.

11 Sep

Examined St 3 in word building and Arithmetic. The Arith’c is very weak indeed, and many scholars have no idea of working easy problems, while the putting down of the sums is far from satisfactory. The word building is much worse than the Arith’c and I have given instructions that the subject must be thoroughly taught and tested, not simply copied from the blackboard.

12 Sep

Examined St 2 in Word building and Arith’c. The writing taken this time on slates was satisfactory but both Arith’c and Spelling were weak. Have told the teachers to commence the word building again making it thorough and to give sums in Concrete Form.

13 Sep

Examined St 1 and 4. St 1 did comparatively good work, especially in Transcription.

Owing to the presence of a circus in the town the attendance is reduced from 312 in the morning to 280 in the afternoon.

15 Sep

Have completed the exam’n of the school in Writing and Arith’c. 4have done some very neat papers but the spelling is very weak indeed. The composition in 5 is in an extremely backward state. 6 and 7 good. The Arith’c in 5 was fairly well done, in 6 good and 7 very poor.

The percentage of average attendances during the past week have been

St 2

St 1

St 3

St 4

St 6

St 5

86.9

84.8

82.7

81.1

79.7

74.5

These figures although an improvement on last week show that the attendance is far from good.

18 Sep

Mr A V Goodyear late a student in Saltley College has commenced duties here this morning. He is in charge of 5 and 6 and Miss Colson has taken charge of St 3.

19 Sep

Miss Goodwin and Miss Brown both absent unwell this morning.

20 Sep

Miss Goodwin and Miss Brown have both returned to school today.

Art 84b I1

W H J Salt

21 Sept 1899

22 Sep

Mr Goodyear received the results of his Certificate exam this morning – first class in each part. In order to fulfil the requirements of Art 73 Miss White has taken charge of St 3 and Miss Colson one division of St 1.

Owing to Rushden Feast the school closed this afternoon till Wednesday morning.

27 Sep

Re-opened school – 287 present.

29 Sep

The classes have now begun to use copy books without headlines. St 2 have now proper books in which to write their word building exercises. Much attention has been paid to pen holding and the writing throughout is improving.

Stds 5 and 6 have commenced Geometrical and Model Drawing this week.

Visited school and tested the registers which were correct. W R Morse

Percentage of average attendance

Std 2

Std 1

St 4

St 3

St 5

St 6

83.7

82.6

82.2 Total av 80.8

79.8

76.6

75.5

02 Oct

The school commences this morning with a new timetable approved by H M I on

Sep 30^th.

04 Oct

Examined St 4 in Composition and found a great improvement. The papers were much better written and the composition much more sensibly done altho’ there are still too many weak scholars.

06 Oct

The attendance this week has been somewhat better.

St 3 St 2 St 1 St 4 St 5 St 6			87.3% 84.1 84.1 82 77.3 76
Whole school 83%

13 Oct

All the classes are now supplied with good and suitable reading books. Many of those previously in use were in a very dilapidated condition.

Miss Howard ceased duties here this afternoon and as yet no one has been appointed to fill the vacancy.

Yesterday a visit was paid by one of the Managers – Mr G Miller.

The attendance this week has made a further improvement being 84.3% for the whole school

St 3

St 1

St 4

St 2

St 6

St 5

87.6

87.2

84.8

79.3

75.5

16 Oct

Opened school this morning with two teachers short. Miss Brown not having returned from Northampton and no-one having been appointed for St 4. As often as possible I am taking the class myself.

The Rev’d H K Fry paid a short visit.

16 Oct

Visited the school and inspected the Drawing.

Henry [Tunaley] S.I.

20 Oct

Miss Strachan is absent this afternoon with leave of absence. Part of the Reading lesson with 5 and 6 I spent in a Conversation lesson with the boys and girls respecting the causes and progress of the war with the South African Republics.

The attendance this week is the highest for a long period

St 3

St 1

St 2

St 4

St 6

St 5

89.8%

88.3

86.5 86% for the school

80.3

77.7

23 Oct

Miss Goodwin away ill today. I have begun the 2^nd periodical exam this morning on the work done during the past 7 weeks.

24 Oct

Miss Goodwin still absent. Owing to the main room being required for exam’n St 3 is taking El. Science before and Word building after play instead of vice versa.

25 Oct

Miss Goodwin resumed duties this morning.

Rev’d W R Morse visited the school.

27 Oct

During the week I have completed the exam’n of all classes except 4 in the elementary and class subjects. Much improvement is shown in the written work of all the standards. Spelling is better and Composition in 5 is advancing on the right lines. Arith’c although better is still weak. The children are learning to speak out better in reading and so give complete sentences in oral answering.

The Geog in 2, 5 and 6 is V G indeed and El Science in 1 and 2 showed that much interest has been taken in the subject.

Repetition throughout is very good.

Owing to fever breaking out in some parts of the town, the school is being disinfected tonight. There are no cases of fever connected with this school.

30 Oct

Miss Brown away from school owing to a cold.

Visited the schools and tested all the registers which were correct. W R Morse

01 Nov

Miss Strachan has this morning received the intimation that she has obtained a second class in both parts of the Certificate Exam’n 2^nd Year Papers.

The school was visited this afternoon by Rev’d W R Morse, Mr Miller, Mr mason, Mr Marriott and Mr Claridge, managers of the school, and Rev’d canon Clayton and another representative of the Diocesan Society. The buildings were inspected with a view to formulating plans for new offices.

03 Nov

Am leaving school at 3 o’clock to catch a train for the North. Mr Goodyear in charge.

06 Nov

Miss Brown has not yet returned to school.

The attendance is not quite so good as it has been owing to sickness.

Whole school

87.2%

86.4

85.5

81.2

Am still carrying on the school without a teacher for standard 4. Miss Howard is expected to resume duties in 3 weeks.

07 Nov

Miss brown returned to school this morning. Attendance in the afternoon very unsatisfactory owing to Sanger’s Circus. 241 present.

10 Nov

Miss Hollis absent with severe cold.

Owing to the bad attendance on Tuesday afternoon the percentage of average attendance has fallen to 82.4

85%

82.4

82.2

80.4

78.1

13 Nov

Miss Hollis returned to school this morning.

17 Nov

Work has been proceeding in a satisfactory manner during the week.

I have tested the spelling and Arith’c of St 4. The former shows a decided improvement but Arith’c is still weak.

The attendance has been comparatively good.

Whole school

88.9

85.3

84.8

83.3

82.5

85.3%

20 Nov

School during the winter months will meet at 1.35 instead of 1.50, all lessons, marking registers etc. beginning ¼hour earlier.

24 Nov

During the week there has been much sickness among the scholars and the attendance has been lowered in consequence.

The Rev’d W R Morse and Mrs Morse visited the school on Tuesday and The Rev’d H K Fry on Wednesday.

On Thursday I examined St 6 in Composition, and the result was very good, 2 only failing out of 20 examined. Several had done excellent papers.

Percentage of Av attendance 84.8%

27 Nov

During the past eight weeks I have chiefly been occupied in teaching St 4. Today Miss Howard has returned and has taken charge of this class.

30 Nov

I have tested 2 and 7 in Composition. The results were extremely satisfactory.

Have also inspected the exercise books of St 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7. The books in 2, 3, 6 and 7 are very neatly kept and in most cases the writing is painstaking. Altho’ much improved the books in St 5 are not so good as the others, and I have been assisting the teacher of this class. Today I have given a special lesson to the whole school on good manners, behaviour in the street and the evils of stone throwing.

01 Dec

Miss brown, monitress, has now terminated her engagement.

There is a very great deal of sickness and the attendance is again low. Fever is keeping several scholars away.

08 Dec

Work has been progressing very satisfactorily, the classes being occupied in revision preparatory to the Periodical Exam’n which commences on Monday.

Miss Colson is absent today with leave of absence.

Was obliged to send Miss Hollis home at 2.45pm.

11 Dec

Miss Colson and Miss Hollis at school again today.

15 Dec

During the week I have been engaged in examining the school. The paperwork throughout has greatly improved especially in Comp’n and word building. The exercise books are much neater and the handwriting shows that great pains have been taken with it. Word building in 2 a Composition in 6 and 7. Handwriting in 2a and 4 have been done excellently. The Reading in 2a, 3 and 4 was exceedingly good. Recitation throughout was very good and the class subjects show good progress. Unfortunately the attendance is falling off. The severe frost and snow has kept many young children at home, while colds and sore throats are very prevalent.

73.3%

75.3

76.6 whole school 78%

83.1

74.6

80.6

The Rev’d H K Fry visited the school on Wednesday and the Rev’d W R Morse on Thursday.

21 Dec

I have examined the Singing, Drawing and Drill during this week. Good progress has been made with the Sol fa Notation but the time and tune tests are somewhat weak.

Drawing – on paper throughout is very good except in Geom’y and Scale Drawing.

The attendance during the week is about the same as last week.

Today the following children have been promoted to higher classes on account of their good work and also to encourage others in their attendance and attention to work.

N Fountain

Jas Pennes

Wm Robinson

Wm Livingston

Bertha Brawn

L Harris

Rose Lewis

Florence Tiney

From 1 to 2

From 2 to 3

From 3 to 4

From 4 to 5

Miss Goodwin Art 68 terminates her engagement on Dec 31st hence this is her last day at school.

The school closes this afternoon for the Christmas holidays, this time extended to a fortnight.