We commenced school this morning after the Christmas holiday – two weeks.

Miss Hill (Art 50) commenced duties here today as Assistant Mistress.

The Rev W R Morse called this afternoon.

Average for the week 145.6.

Only 119 children were present this morning so I sent notes of enquiry to the absentees and found that most of them are absent through influenza.

I sent to Mabel Fountain yesterday for the Quarterly Syllabus of the first class, as it was under her care before the Christmas Holiday, and today when it was required I found the Quarterly Reports had been torn out.

I sent Lizzie Wilson home today because she was so dirty and untidy.

Two new desks for the 2^nd class came today.

Emily Bird, Ethel Bird and Jack Knight are away from school with scarlet fever, these make 11 for the same cause since 16^th Oct.

Rev H K Fry visited the school this afternoon.

The attendance has been very low this week owing to the prevalence of influenza and the rainy weather.

Average for the week only 125.6.

The Rev W R Morse called this afternoon and I told him of what mabel fountain had done with the Quarterly Reports.  I have also let Mr mason know.

Ivy Morris, the Candidate, is trying to play the piano for Marching and Drill this week.

Notice of the Diocesan inspection was received today.  It is to be on 20^th february.

I sent Lizzie Wilson home again today because she was so dirty and untidy and her mother came about it and was very rude.  The child came this afternoon quite clean and tidy.

I have been holding the usual quarterly examination this week, and I find that there has been a decided improvement throughout the school.  The teachers have been more energetic and painstaking and I shall use my utmost endeavours to keep them so.  The children are more interested in their work, and the general tone and discipline are much better.

Reading and Object Lessons seem to be the weakest subjects and must have special attention in the future.

I shall examine again at the end of this month.

The classes are now arranged thus:-

1^st room           -              Class 1 under Miss Hill

Top room         -              Class 2 and 3 under myself and Miss Swann

Babies’ room     -              Class 4 under Miss Ginns and Ivy Morris

Average for the quarter 143.6.

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct.

                                                                                                W R Morse

The attendance has been very bad again this week owing to the severe weather.

Miss Ginns is absent today through illness.

The Managers decided that Mabel Fountain was to rewrite the quarterly syllabus that she had torn, and I received the book today, which she had written again.

The snow was very deep this morning and only 35 children were here; so the Rev Morse sent word to close the school for the remainder of the day.

Only 60 children were present this morning owing to the bad weather, and this afternoon ot was snowing very fast, and only 25 came, as these were very wet and had such wet feet I sent them home again and closed school.

After leaving school yesterday the Managers decided to close the school for the remainder of the week because of the snow.

Average for the week is only 92.6.

It was raining very hard this morning in consequence of which only 75 children were present.  This afternoon the attendance was 123.

The Diocesan Inspection took place this afternoon by the Rev W W Bennett, the Dicesan Inspector.  130 children were present.  Registers not marked.

Miss Ginns is still absent and has been since the 12^th.  I have written to the Managers to ask them to supply me some one in her place, as she is not likely to be able to come again for some time, and I have no teacher that I can put to her class.

Average for the week 124.5.

From now until the end of April the Scripture lessons will finish at 9.30 instead of 9.45 as on timetable and the time be given to secular subjects.

The Rev W R Morse called this afternoon.

Miss A Ginns is here in her sister’s place, but she is quite incompetent, having done no teaching before, and I am in a most difficult position as regards staff.  Owing to deficiency of staff, it is impossible to examine the classes as I entered in Log-book to do, at the end of this month.

A half-day holiday was announced this afternoon to celebrate the relief of Ladysmith.

Rev Forest came to school this afternoon.

The attendance has improved a little this week, the average being 139.5.

Now the days are longer we commence school again at 2 instead of 1.45.

Miss Ginns is still absent from school.  This is the fifth week of absence.

Rev H K Fry visited the school this afternoon.

Received the Report of the Diocesan Inspection today, which is as follows:-

1.       Religious Knowledge      -              Generally intelligent

2.       Repetition                     -              Very good

3.       Discipline and tone        -              Satisfactory

4.       School in regard to
Religious Education
as a whole                            -              Very good

The Infants passed a very good examination.

                                                                W W Bennett
                                                                Diocesan Inspector

Miss Ginns is at school this morning after an absence of 5 weeks.  Her sister is not coming again.

Staff of Teachers at Inspection in March 1900:-

Miss E A Yaylor  -              (Certificated Mistress)

Miss M Hill          -              (Art 50)

Miss E A Swann -              (Art 68)

Miss N Ginns      -              (Art 68)

Miss I Morris      -              (Candidate for Pupil Teacher)

Object Lessons 1900-1901

I inspected this afternoon.  The remarks contained in the official letters of October with reference to the observations contained in Mr Salt’s report should be at once attended to.

                                                B J Glissher
                                                HMI

Average for week 155.7.

Mr Paul Cave and Mr george Miller, two of the managers, visited this school this morning.

The Lord Bishop of the Diocese, Rev W R Morse, Rev H K Fry and Rev Forest visited the school this morning.  They looked at the work the children had been doing and heard them sing.

By order of the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, a half-day holiday was given today.

Average for the week 164.1.

A holiday was given today because of an election of the Urban Council, the schools being used as polling places.

The parents of the children were invited to school this afternoon to see the work they had done during the year.  The children also performed a series of Drills, songs and recitations.

We broke up for the Easter holidays this afternoon.  WE shall commence school again on 23^rd April.

Opened school this morning after the Easter Holiday.

I have allowed Miss Hill and Miss Swann to go and see the work of the children at Newton Rd. Infants School this afternoon, consequently with these two absent, we are not working quite according to timetable.

Average for week 158.7.

Commenced the new registers this morning.  139 children were present.

The First Class have gone into the Mixed Department – 53 have gone up.

New work has been commenced and I have arranged the classes as follows:-

Class 1 in 1^st room under Miss Hill

Class 2 in top room under myself

Class 3 in top room under Miss Swann

Class 4 in Babies’ room under Miss Ginns

The Candidate, Ivy Morris, is to help with class 2 and 3 in the top room.

I admitted 18 new children today, and had 139 present this morning and 143 present this afternoon.

Miss Swann is absent this afternoon.

Miss Swann is absent today through illness.

This has been a very wet and stormy day; only 106 children were present this morning and 117 this afternoon. 

Miss Swann returned to duties today.

I have admitted 10 new children this week.

Average for week 134.

Rev Forest called this afternoon.

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct.

                                                                                                W R Morse

A holiday was given today because it was Ascension Day.

Miss Ginns is absent today.

The attendance has not been good this week – several children are away with whooping cough.

We broke up this afternoon for the Whitsun holiday – one week.

Commenced school this morning after the Whitsun holiday.

The attendance is not good, only 130 are present out of 170 on the books.

Owing to showery weather and thunder the attendance has not been very good this week.

Average 143.3.

I admitted five new children this morning.  Every child in the second class is present this afternoon.

The attendance has been much better this week, the average being 156.8.

Owing to the rain the attendance was small this morning – only 116 present.  A half holiday was given this afternoon because the annual Tea of the Independent Weslyans was being held.

I have been holding the bi-monthly examination this week.

Arithmetic seems to be the weakest subject.  The third class is the least satisfactory as regards its attainments and discipline.  The teacher of this class is not sufficiently bright and energetic and does not vary the lessons sufficiently.  The other classes seem to be making favourable progress.

A whole day holiday was announced this afternoon for Monday on account of the band of Hope Annual Outing which takes place then.

The attendance has not been so good this week as last.  Average 151.5.

A holiday was given this afternoon to allow the children to go to the Annual baptist Tea Treat.

Repetition is being taken today instead of Drill because of the heat.

A holiday was given this afternoon to allow the children to go to the Annual Tea Treat at the Congregational church.

The Rev W R Morse called this afternoon.

A holiday was given this afternoon for the Annual Tea of the Church Sunday School.

Ivy Morris has been doing her quarterly examination papers this week.

Fifteen children are absent because of measles.  Ten new cases have occured this week.

There was a heavy thunderstorm this afternoon, directly the children had assembled, and as it looked very much like returning I dismissed school at 3.45 instead of 4.

Average for week 145.7.  Percentage 78.4.

The Rev W R Morse called this afternoon.  He remarked on the great heat.

We broke up this morning for the summer holiday – 4 weeks.  School commences again on 27^th August.

Average for the week 130.2.

The following is a copy of the Government Report which I received today:-

Infants School

“The school has been unfortunate in being without the services of a regular teacher for the second class during several months, and the numbers are large for the staff and the accommodation.  The numbers in the 3^rd and 4^th classes should not again be allowed to exceed limits of Article 73 of the Code (small print).  That limit has been exceeded in both classes in every quarter of the year.  The teacher is painstaking, but the instruction still lacks brightness.  The Reading is wanting in fluency; too much reliance is placed on the learning of tables and the occupations are meagre.  A separate timetable with shorter lessons should be drawn up for the babies, and a course of study better adapted to their age.  The narrow premises afford no opportunity for Drill.  Several desks in the 1sr class are quite unsuitable.  More suitable slates are needed and apparatus for teaching number.”

I Morris cannot be recognised under Article 33 of the Code.

E A Swann and E Ginns are continued under Article 68.

                                                                                                W R Morse
                                                                                                Correspondent.

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct.

                                                                                                W R Morse

The average for the quarter ending 27^th July is 142.3.  The percentage for that time is 80.8.  A new timetable for the Babies has been drawn up and the working of it is being tested.

The first class girls are taking Knitting for the firdt lesson this morning.

Some children a still away on account of measles.

Average for week 153.3.

The Rev W R Morse called this afternoon.

12 Sep

Several children came to school late this afternoon because of the wedding of one of the Manager’s daughters.

Rev W R Morse came in this morning.

The attendance has been better this week, the average being 163.

Hilda Campion commenced duties here this morning with the view of becoming a Pupil Teacher if found suitable.  She is here for a month on trial.

I am testing the working of a new timetable.

Rev W R Morse and Canon Lightfoot came to school this morning to see about the necessary alterations etc.

                                                Art 82(b) I1
                                                W H J Salt
                                                19 Sep 1900

Average for the week is 164.

Two days holiday have been announced for the Feast.  We commence school again next Wednesday.

We commenced school this morning after the holiday for the Feast.  The attendance was very bad, only 128 present.  It was better this afternoon – 150 present.

Miss hill is absent today through illness.

Miss Hill is again absent through illness.

I have been holding the bi-monthly examination.  The third class is the least satisfactory as regards both discipline and attainments.  The teacher of this class is not sufficiently energetic or bright and the children often get listless and inattentive.  The other classes are progressing favourably with their work and the discipline is good.”

It came on very wet this afternoon and several children were absent in consequence.

Average for wek is 166.3.  Percentage for week is 87.5.

A day’s holiday was given today because of the parliamentary Election.

The Rev W R Morse called this today and informed me that Ivy Morris is now recognised under Art 33 of the Code.

Hilda Campion was absent this afternoon, by permission.

Ivy Morris is absent today through illness.

The attendance has been far from good this week.  Average 153.7.  Percentage 83.5.

The attendance has been much worse this week than last.  Several children have been absent with bad colds and influenza and 4 are away with measles.

Average for week 139.5.  Percentage 75.

Ivy Morris resumed duties again today after being absent through illness since the 16^th of this month.

The Rev W R Morse called this afternoon.

Miss P A Knott commenced duties in this school today as Assistant Mistress (Art 52).  I have put her in charge of the 3^rd class which up to the present has been under an Art 68.

The attendance has been rather better this week.  Average 149.3.  Percentage 80.2.

The first class have attended the best, the percentage of this class is 93.

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct.

                                                                                                W R Morse

The Candidates have been doing examination papers this week.  The time for commencing school in the afternoon has been altered this week so that we begin at 1.45 instead of 2 and dismiss at 3.50 instead of 4.5.  This will continue until the days lengthen again.

The following is a copy of the official recognition of Ivy Morris under Article 33 received by Rev W R Morse 6^th Oct 1900.

Adverting to your letter of the 1^st ultimo, I am directed by the Board of Education to state that H M Inspector reports that the improvement in Ivy Morris’ work is sufficient to justify her recognition under Article 33 of the code.  Care must be taken to see that she does not serve in school during more than half the time that the school is open.

                                                                                                W R Morse

Average for week 154.3.  Percentage 82.

The average for the past quarterv is 155.6 and the percentage for that time is 83.2.

24 children have been to school every time.  This is an increase over last quarter when only 9 made every attendance.

Apex ventilation is required in two of the rooms in large windows at each end of the Babies’ room.

                                                Nov 15 1900        A Cartwright

Received the new timetable this morning after being signed.  There is one for the three upper classes and a separate one for the babies.

Average for week 152.9.  Percentage 80.8.

I allowed Miss Ginns to leave at 3.30 this afternoon.

Ivy Morris has been absent from school with a bad swollen face.

Commenced the bi-monthly examination this morning.

The work is progressing fairly well in all the classes.  The third class has improved in discipline and attainments and there is reason to believe that these will be maintained by the new teacher of this class.  Reading and Mental Arithmetic are the weakest subjects.

Average for week 148.4.  Percentage 78.9.

The Rev W R Morse called this afternoon.

The first class children have started learning to write their own names this week.

Many children are absent this week with bad colds, toothache etc.  Only 139 have been present today.

Average for week 140.6.  percentage 74.7.

The first class girls have finished hemming handkerchiefs, pinafores etc.

The attendance has not been good this week.

We broke up this morning for the Christmas Holiday – a fortnight.

Miss Swann finished her duties in this school today.

We commenced school this morning after the Christmas holiday – only 133 children were present.

The attendance has been bad this week owing to the snow.

The average is only 127.2 and the percentage 67.2.

Work has gone steadily on this week.  The attendance has been rather better.

Average 140.4.

Many children have been absentwith bad colds this week and the attendance has been low.

... Barwick is absent by order of the Doctor through ... of the stomach.

A very heavy snow storm came on just before 9 o’clock his morning in consequence of which only 75 children were present.

Another snowy morning – many children absent.

The Head Teacher is absent by permission and the school is in charge of ...

The children have been learning some songs, drills and recitations to perform at a concert in conjunction with the children of the Mixed Department and this afternoon those who are taking part are going into the Mixed school so as to take each item in order as arranged on the programme.

A holiday was given this afternoon in order to allow those children who are taking part in the entertainment to have a rehearsal in the Public Hall where the entertainment is to take place.  The proceeds are to go towards the alterations and repairs needed in these schools.

The Rev Forest visited the school this afternoon. ...

...

The Diocesan Examination took place this afternoon.  146 childrenn were present.  Registers not marked.

I have been holding the bi-monthly examination this week, and find the work progressing in all the classes.  The better dicipline of the third class has been maintained and the work of this class has greatly improved in consequence.  The children are brighter, more interested in their work and more attentive.

The first class Reading is much better but the Writing of this class needs some attention. 

Some of the second class boys are rather backward with their Reading, which is chiefly owing to irregular attendance.

A holiday was given this afternoon as is usual on the Friday following the Diocesan Examination.

Average for week 137.6.

From now until the end of the school year secualr subjects will be taken on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 9.20 to 9.40 instead of Scripture as on timetable.

Jane Benning is absent at Northampton Infirmary for an operation of the ...

Mr Miller, one of the Managers, visited the school this afternoon.

As the afternoons are lighter now we shall commence school at 2 o’clock as marked on the timetable.

Miss Hill is absent today through illness.

Rev Forest visited the school this afternoon.

Miss Hill returned to school this afternoon having been absent since Tuesday.

Average for week 144.3.

Rev W R morse came to school this afternoon and brought the Report of the Diocesan Inspection, which is as follows:-

1.       Religious Knowledge     -              Very good

2.       Repetition                    -              Careful

3.       Discipline and tone        -              Excellent

4.       School in regard to
Religious Education as awhole  -              Excellent

In each of the three groups the Infants had received instruction very suitable to their ages.  They everywhere answered with intelligence and accuracy and the school as a whole is classed “excellent.”

                                                W W Bennett
                                                Diocesan Inspector of Schools
                                                Oakham Archdeaconry

Hilda Campion is absent this morning in order to be confirmed.

A holiday was announced this afternnon for Monday on account of the Urban Council Election.

Average for week 149.4.  Percentage 82.5.

Jane benning returned to school this morning after having been in Northampton Infirmary for a month.

The attendance has not been so good this week owing to the snow and cold weather.

Miss Hill filled her register in wrongly this afternoon putting 10’s instead of 8’s.  Several other careless things of a like nature I have had to call her attention to recently.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon.

We broke up this morning for the Easter Holiday – one week.  We commence school again on April 15^th.

Average for week 150.1.  Percentage 85.

We commenced school this morning after the Easter holiday.  Ivy Morris, the Candidate, is absent through illness.

Object Lessons 1901-1902

Average for week 159.2.  Percentage 90.4.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon and signed the new registers.

Average for week 161.6.  Percentage 90.8.

We are not working according to timetable this morning on account of preparing the room for the Mothers’ afternoon.

The school was opened to the mothers this afternoon, when the children of each class gave a series of songs, recitations and drills.

Commenced the new registers this morning – 128 children present.

The children of the First Class have been sent into the Mixed Department.  54 have gone up.

New work has been commenced in all classes, which are arranged as follows:-

Class 1 in first room under Miss Hill (Art 50)

Class 2 in top room under Myself

Class 3 in top room under Miss Ginns (Art 68)

Class 4 (Babies) in Babies’ room under Miss Knott (Art 52)

The boys of first class have commenced sewingon buttons – they do this at the same time the girls are sewing, and the boys and girls are both to take Drawing in the Drawing lessons which are to be on Monday, Wednesday and Friday morningsinstead of in the afternoons as marked on timetable.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon.

The children have had to bring their clothes into school today because of the workmen in the lobby.

The children have had to bring theirm clothes in school since Wednesday.  During the week they have subscribed to the Victorian Memorial bringing pennies for that purpose.

Visited school and tested the registers which were correct.

                                                                                W R Morse

We broke up this afternoon for the Whitsun Holiday – one week.  We commence school again on 3^rd June.

We commenced school this morning after the Whitsun holiday.

I admitted 7 new children.

Ivy Morris is absent.

A half-day holiday was given this aftyernoon to allow the children to go to the Church Sunday School Tea Treat.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon and announced a half holiday for Thursday next.

Ivy Morris has been absent today.

Ivy Morris is absent again today and no reason has been sent to account for her absence.

Ivy Morris is at school today and gives the following reason for her absence – She did not like to come because of her failure at the PT exam.

A holiday was given this afternoon on account of a Bazaar being held in the Hall grounds.

A holiday was given this afternoon for the Wesleyan Sunday School Treat.

The following is a copy of the Government Report:-

Infants school

“Fairly good schemes of work are offered.  The teaching is rather mechanical, but is, on the whole, fairly effective, and shows improvement since the last settlement of staff.”

Hilda Campion   candidate            Passed

Ivy Morris         candidate            Failed

E Ginns is continued under Art 68

M Hill and P Knott do not appear to be engaged under written agreements.  I am to refer you to Art 71 of the Code.

The home of H Campion appears to be too distant to allow of the convenient performance of her school duties.  I am diected to enquire whether in the event of admission she will be lodged in some respectable householdnear the school, unless she can conveniently travel to and from her home by public conveyance.

                                                                                                                W R Morse

We are not working to timetable this afternoon, as the children are being photographed.

Average for week 139.6.  Percentage 81.1.  Several children have been absent this week through measles.

A holiday was announced for Monday being the annual outing of the Band of Hope.

A holiday was given today for the Band of Hope annual outing.

Miss Knott will be absent this week at the sertificate Examination.

I have been holding the bi-monthly examination on the last two days of last week, finishing the Kindergarten and needlework this week.

A very fair start has been made in all subjects.  Many of the children in the Baby room have only been to school a very short time but all are interested in their work and are obedient. 

The attendance of the third class is affected by the prevalence of measles.

Staff of teachers at Examination in 1901

Miss E Alexandra Taylor    -              Certificated Teacher

Miss P A Knott                  -              (Art 52)

Miss M Hill                       -              (Art 50)

Miss E Ginns                    -              (Art 68)

Miss H Campion               -              (Candidate for PT)

Miss J E Morris                -              (Candidate for PT)

A half holiday was given this afternoon for Park Road Chapel Tea Treat.

I am testing a new timetable for the afternoons this week.

A half holiday was given this afternoon for the Baptist Chapel Sunday School Treat.

I have been giving Hilda Chapman test papers this week.  Arithmetic and History are the weakest subjects, but a fairly good start has been made in the other parts of the work of a First Year Pupil Teacher.

Many children were absent this afternoon owing to the large fire at Messrs Cave’s factory, and several are absent through measles or blister pox so that the average is only 122.2 for this week.

Only 100 children are present this morning owing to the rain.

The attendance is bad again this morning owing to the rain.

During the dinner-hour a large piece of plaster fell from the ceiling in the Babies’ room.

We broke up this afternoon for the Summer Holiday – Four weeks.

We commenced school this morning after the Summer holiday. 

I admitted eight new children.

The attendance was 153.  Only three weeks attendances have been missed in the registers in order to allow for the extra days at the end of school year.

The attendance this week has been fairly good.  Average 156.3.

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct.

                                                                                W R Morse

Miss Ginns was absent today with permission.

Average for the week 163.  Percentage 85.8.

I am testing a new timetable for the afternoon work this week.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon.

Average for the week 163.9.

The rain came in at the windows during a storm in the dinner-hour and made the floor of the to[ room and Babies room very wet.

Only 134 children were present owing to the rain.

Next Monday and Tuesday Sep 24^th and 25^th were announced as holidays because of the Feast.

Commenced school this morning aftyer two days holiday for the Feast.

Only 144 were present so I sent notes of enquiry after the absentees.

Received the newly signed timetable which has been properly hung up.

The attendance is better today, 173 being present.

I have been holding the bi-monthly examination during the last four days.

The first class has made the least progress during the past two months, especially in Reading which seems not to have been made sufficiently interesting and the new words have not been thoroughly taught before commencing the lesson.  The Arithmetic too is not very satisfactory, enough demonstration has not been given, and the children require rousing to put forth their best efforts.  I have pointed these things out to the teacher of this class.

The second class on the whole are making very fair progress.

The third class Writing needs attention, their letters being ill-formed for want of practice of the elements, and the teacher has taken too much in one lesson.  This I have pointed out to her.  Some guessing still prevails in the arithmetic and the teacher is apt to forget the principles underlying the Kindergarten.

The Babies are happy and interested in their work, and are making good progress.

The discipline in all the classes is good.

Average for the week 173.3.

                                                Art 84 I1
                                                W H J Salt
                                                10 Oct 1901

Average for week 180.3.  Percentage 90.6.  Number on books 199.

Hilda Campion has been absent this afternoon by permission.

Ernest and Herbert Willmott came to school too late to be marked this afternoon.

During the heavy rain last night it came through the roof of the Babies’ room and some of the seats and part of the floor are very wet this morning.

Several children are absent this afternoon because of the rain.

Average for week 177.

The attendance has been good this week.  Average 182.2.  percentage 89.7.

I have been giving Hilda Campion and Ivy Morris examination papers this week.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon.

The attendance has been good this week.  The average is 184.  Percentage 91.1.

The time for commencing school in the afternoon has been altered this week, so that we begin at 1.45 instead of 4.5.  This will continue during the short days.

The attendance has not been so good this week.  The weather has been very foggy and cold especially the first part of the week.

Miss Ginns is absent today, having a bad cold.

Miss Ginns came to school again this afternoon having been absent since the 11^th.

Onlyn 136 children were present this morning so I sent notes of enquiry after the absentees, and find that many are away with bad colds and coughs.

144 are present this afternoon.

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct.

                                                                                W R Morse.

The attendance has been very low all this week, many of the children being absent with bad colds.  Average 137.5.

Thegirls in the first class have commenced hemming pocket handkerchiefs, dusters and pinafores today.

I have been holding the bi-monthly examination this week.

The work of the first class is still the least satisfactory.  The teacher of this class has not sufficient method in giving the lessons especially the Arithmetic and Object lessons which seem to have been given chiefly in a series of unconnected questions and answers with little attempt to develop the intelligence of the children.  The Reading has improved generally but there are a few dull boys who do not seem to make much progress because they are not encouraged by the teacher to put forth their best efforts.  I have pointed out these things to the teacher and suggested how they may be improved.

The Reading of the second class is rather weak but in other things satisfactoryprogress is being made.

The Writing of the third class has improved very much during the two past months, the Arithmetic is still rather weak, but the children think more and try to answer accurately without guessing.

The Kindergarten has improved.

The Babies are happy and interested in their work.  They are intelligently taught and are making satisfactory progress.

The discipline in all classes is good.

The attendance this afternoon is better than it has been for the last three weeks.  164 children are present.

Average for week 162.2.  Percentage 84.5.

The second class commenced hemming handkerchiefs this afternoon.

Ivy Morris has been absent all day.

Ivy Morris is absent again today.  She has inflamation in the throat.

Hilda Campion is doing examination papers today.

Owing to the snow only 91 children were present this afternoon.

Many children are absent today on account of the snow.

We broke up for the Christmas Holiday this morning.  Cards and toys were distributed among the children before breaking up.

We commence school again on the 6^th january 1902.

We coomenced school this morning after the Christmas Holiday.

Ivy Morris returned to her duties, also I have put Hilda Campion to help with the Babies and have Ivy Morris to help with the second class.

I admitted two new children today.

The children are preparing to give a cocert in conjunction with the children of the Mixed Department on 31^st Jan and 1^st Feb respectively so instead of taking work as marked on timetable for last lesson on Friday afternoons we shall give that time to practice of the concert items.

Average for week 169.  Percentage 88.

As Ivy Morris was not here to do her examination papers before the holiday, she has beeen doing them this week.

The attendance has not been so good this week.  Some of the children have bad colds.

We are taking the concert items after three o’clock this afternoon.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon and watched the children performone of the concert items, after which he expressed his with the way it was performed.

It is very snowy this morning and many children are absent.

The Rector visited the school this afternoon and I pointed out to him the damage that the Football boys had done on Satutday viz:- breaking the window in the Babies’ room and taking down the curtains and curtain rod in the first room.

Examination which is to be held on 18^th February at 2.10.

The children who are to take part in the concert tomorrow are going into the Mixed Department this afternoon to practise their songs, drills etc. in conjunction with the bigger children, consequently the children remaining here are not working according to the timetable.

Miss Ginns is absent this morning, helping to decorate the stage in the Public Hall ready for the children’s concert this evening.

A holiday is annmounce for this afternoon in order to allow those children who are taking part in the entertainment to have a rehearsal in the Public Hall.  The proceeds are for the school funds.

The children’s concert was given on two venings in the Public hall viz:- on 31^st January and 1^st February.  The Hall was filled each evening.  This morning one of the teachers is absent inorder to pack up the things at the Hall.

Only 102 children are present owing to the snow.

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct.

                                                                                W R Morse

The attendance has been low all the week owing to the snow and cold, there are also two children away with whooping cough.

The average this week is only 129.7 and the percentage 68.9.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon.

                                                                                                                                                Rushden

                                                                                                                                                13^th Feb 1902

Dear Miss Taylor

                The Managers at their meeting held on Monday evening last wished me to convey to you and Mrs Brown their appreciation of the excellent concert recently given by the scholars and thank you for the great trouble you must have taken in the matter.  They are also of course very pleased with the financial results.

                                                                                Yours truly
                                                                                Geo S Mason

I have been holding the b-monthly examination this week and report on the work as follows:-

The first class work has improved.  The Arithmetic and Object lessons have been given with more method, and the children have been encouraged to put forth their best efforts, consequently they answer with more intellihence and readiness; but both still require careful and thoughtful teaching in order to maintain the improvement that has been made.  This I have pointed out to the teacher.  Writing andNeedlework are very satisfactory and the other subjects have made good progress.

The Reading of the second class has improved and the Arithmetic is answered briskly and accurately.  The other subjects in this class are progressing well.

The third class teacher hjas been painstaking and those subjects which I pointed out as needing improvement have received special attention and are consequently better.

The Babies have been intel;ligently taught, but owing to the severe weather, the attendance of this class has recently been very low.

The Diocesan Examination was held this afternoon by the Rev W W Bennett (Diocesan Inspector).

146 children were present but registers were not marked.

A half holiday was announced for this afternoon as is usual on the Friday following the Diocesan Examination.

Average for week 137.

From now until the end of the school year secular subjects will be taken on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings fro 9.20 to 9.40 instead of Scripture as on timetable.

I sent Ivy Morris, the Candidate, home this afternoon as she was not well.

The attendance has improved a little this week, but is not yet good.

Average 146.5.  Percentage 76.7.

As the afternoons are lighter now we shall commence school at 2 o’clock as marked on timetable.

The Diocesan Report came today, which is as follows:-

1.       Religious Knowledge      -              Very good

2.       Repetition                     -              Very well known

3.       Discipline and tone        -              Very good

4.       School in regard to
Religious Education as a whole -              Very good

The Infants passed a very good examination

                                                                W W Bennett
                                                Diocesan Inspector of Schools
                                                Oakham Archdeaconry

Ivy Morris is absent from school with a bad throat – Inflamation of the tonsils.

Rev J G Forest visited the school this afternoon.

Hilda Campion is absent this morning after 10.45 in order to attend the Newton Road Board School.

Ivy Morris is still absent.

Average for week 154.  Percentage 80.6.

The attendance has improved this week.  Average 162.2.  Percentage 84.4.

Ivy Morris has been absent all the week with a bad throat.

Ivy Morris returned to duties today.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon.

Several children were absent this afternoon owing to a heavy shower of rain during the dinner-hour.

The attendance throughout the week has not been so good as last week.  Average 151.

The attendance has been very poor throughout the week.

We broke up this morning for the Easter Holiday.

Object Lessons 1902-1903

We commenced school this morning after the Easter Holiday.

150 children were present in the morning and 167 in the afternoon.

The attendance has been better this week than it was before the holiday.

Average 164.2.  Percentage 84.7.

                                                April 14 1902

                                                A Cartwright HMI

Average for the week 171.2.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon.

Miss Ginns has been absent all day with a bad cold.

Miss Ginns returned to duties today.

We are not working according to the timetable this morning as we are preparing the room for the Mothers’ afternoon.

Rev W R Morse visited the school and inspected the children’s work which we had arranged on the walls.  They expressed their pleasure with it.

The school was opened this afternoon to the Mothers of the children so that they could inspect the work that had been done by the them during the yeatr.  The children also performed a programme of songs, drills, recitations and Kindergarten games.

Miss Sartoris from the Hall favoured us with a visit and expressed her pleasure with the children and their work.

Average for the week 179.5.  Percentage 85.4.  This is the biggest average and the best percentage for this quarter.

Miss Hill is absent from school today by permission.

Commenced the new registers this morning.

Fifty one children have been drafted into the Mixed Department.

New work according to the Scheme drawn up for the year ending 30^th April 1903 has been commenced in all classes which are arranged as follows:-

Class 1 in first room under Miss Hill (Art 50)

Class 2 in top room under Mistress

Class 3 in top room under Miss E Ginns (Art 68)

Class 4 (Babies) in Babies’ room under Miss P A Knott (Art 52)

Have made up the registers for the past year today. 

The average for year is 153.3.  The percentage for year is 81.9.

There are 155 children on the new registers; average for the past two days is 137.

Several are absent with whooping cough.

Admitted 3 new children this morning and re-admitted two who had been away from Rushden for about 6 months.

Summary of Schemes of Work for the Year ending 30^th April 1903

Class 1  Word building – reading of short sentences constructed from the words built –             two Readers and a Fairy Tale to be read through.

Class 2  Word building of words not exceeding four letters – short sentences constructed        from the words built – reading sheets and one primer to be read through.

Class 3  Word building of words not exceeding three letters – short sentences containing           these words – reading sheets.

Babies  To know the sounds of the letters and to easily recognise small and capital letters.                 To build and name words of two letters.

Class 1  To write simple sentences in exercise books with lead pencil, and to write their      own names and Rushden.

Class 2  All small and capital letters on slates and combinations of letters into easy words.

Class 3  All small letters.

Babies  The elements of letters and seven of the easiest of the small letters.

Class 1  The composition of numbers up to 20.  Notation up to 100.  Tables to 6X12.

Class 2  The composition of numbers up to 14.  Notation up to 20.  Tables to 5X12.

Class 3  The composition of numbers up to 10.  All figures and their values to be known.                 All figures to be made.  Tables to 3X12.

Babies  To count as far as 20.  To know and recognise numbers up to 6.  Figures and their      values up to 6.

Object Lessons and Conversational Lessons  All classes to have one lesson daily.  They will be suited to the time of year and will be taken from the detailed list.  Some of the Conversational Lessons are to be on Form and Colour.

Some of this to be done daily.

Class 1  Mat weaving; Crayon colouring; Paper folding; Word making with cardboard                 letters.  Kinsergarten games.

Class 2  Gift IV, mat weaving, Paper folding, Word making with cardboard letters,                 Kindergarten games.

Class 3  Gift III; Paper ball making, Bead threading, Stick laying, Kindergarten games.

Babies  Gift I; Gift III; Stick laying; Kindergarten games.

Class 1 and 2  Free arm drawing.  The objects drawn are to be in connection with the                 Object Lessons as far as possible.  Boys and Girls.

Class 3  perpendicular, horizontal and oblique lines and simple patterns combining these    lines.

Babies  Upright and lying down lines.

Class 1  Girls hemming and boys button stitching.  Boys and girls to knit.

Class 2  Hemming.  Knitting, pin drill.

Class 3  Needle threading and thimble drill with rhymes and songs.  Position of work drill.

Babies  Needle threading and thimble drill with rhymes and songs.

Four simple poems to be taught in each class.  These are tob in connection with their Object lessons or with a picture story.

Music  Modular practise – hand signs – voice training.  Five songs to be taught in each class.  Three at least to be action songs.  Kindergarten songs.

Arm exercises – dumb bell drill.  Marching.

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct.

                                                                                                W R Morse

Hilda Campion has obtained a second class in Blackboard drawing.

Average for week 146.8.  Percentage 90.

The weather has been showery all the week consequently the attendance has not been quite so good.  Average for week 145.3.  Percentage 88.

We broke up this afternoon for the Whitsun Holiday – one week.

We commenced school this morning after the whitsun holiday and I admitted six new children.

The first class used the free-arm drawing boards today for the first time.

The Head Teacher is absent this afternoon and part of tomorrow morning by permission and the school is in charge of miss Knott.

The following dates have been announced for half holidays for Sunday School Teas viz:- 2^nd, 9^th and 12^th June.

Average for week is 154.5.  Percentage 87.7.

A whole day holiday was given today instead of half day, as announced, in order to celebrate the Proclamation of Peace.

Many children are absent this morning.

Certificates for good attendance were given to those children who made over 400 times during the past year.  Herbert Betts attended every time and 35 others received certificates, each having made over 400 attendances.

The attendance has not been very good during the week.  Average 145.1.  Percentage 82.

I admitted three new children this morning.

A half holiday was announced for this afternoon because of the Wesleyan Sunday School Treat.

The children of each class are having Conversational Lessons on the Coronation this week, they are also learning the words of “God Save the King” in their repetition lessons.

It has been very wett all day and the attendance has been small.  Only 142 children were present in the morning and 124 in the afternoon.

Owing to the bad weather the Church Sunday School Treat was not held, and we did not have a half holiday as had been previously arranged.

The Church Sunday School Treat is postponed until Sunday owing to the rain, therefore no half holiday will be necessary for it.

The Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon.

It was very wet again today and the attendance was not good.

Ella and George Burgess are absent with measles.

Owing to the wet weather the sports in connection with the Church Sunday School Treat could not be held, consequently they are being held today, and to enable the children to get there early we are commencing school this afternoon at 1.30 and dismissing at 3.30 instead of the usual time.

The Government Repprt was received today and the following is a copy:-

Infants school  -  “The order is good, the teaching is brighter and the children take a keener interest in their work, considerable improvement has been effected and satisfactory progress is being made.  Free-arm drawing might be introduced with advantage.  Some of the desks in the third class are unsuitable for infants and should be replaced with new ones.  There was an offensive smell arisinf from the adjoining farmyard.  The windows are too low – a good high window at each end of the room is needed.  There is only one exit from the school; this would be dangerous in case of fire and this defect should be remedied.”

Hilda campion 1^st year Pupil Teacher passed below fair; Arithmetic and english unsatisfactory.

Ivy Clara Morris – Candidate – passed.

Staff for 1902.

                                                                                                                W R Morse
                                                                                                                Manager

The highest grant has been awarded for the first time in the school.

Average for the week 156.5.  Percentage 84.1.

A week’s holiday was announced this afternoon for the Coronation Festivities.

The Coronation Festivities did not take place owing to the King’s illness.

We commenced school this morning after the week’s holiday.  162 children were present.

Owing to the wek’s holiday last week I was unable to hold the Bi-monthly examination of all the classes so am doing it this week.

I have been examining all the classes this week and report on the work as follows:-

Class 1  The work of this class is fairly satisfactory with the exception of Reading and                 Tables both of which are weak and should show improvement during the next       two months.

Class 2  In this class the Reading and Writing are not quite satisfactory, which is probably              owing to several of the children having come from the baby room into this class;    but all are interested and make creditable efforts.

Class 3  The Reading and Writing in this class are the least satisfactory.  More practise in            sounds is necessary, and some of the children are not encouraged to try their best during the Writing lesson, and many do not hold their pencils properly.  I have called the teacher’s attention to these things and showed her how to improve them.  Other subjects are fairly good.

Class 4 (Babies)  This class has made a creditable start in all subjects. 

The discipline in all the classesis satisfactory.

Average for the week is 169.2.  Percentage 89.4.

The Pupil Teachers’ Scripture Examination takes place in this school tomorrow (Saturday).

Miss Knott will be absent this week at the Certificate Examination and her class will be in charge of the two Pupil Teachers under my supervision.

The best attendance of this quarter has been made this week.  Average 170.  Percentage 90.

A half holiday this afternoon was given for the Baptist Chapel Sunday Scool Treat.

Hilda campion and Ivy Morris are doing examination papers this morning.

I have examined the papers done by the Pupil teachers during the week and find they have made fair progress with their work.  A full report is entered on their respective papers.

Average for the week is 169.3.  Percentage 88.6.

As we are breaking up today the pictures etc. are being taken down this morning so that the necessary cleaning etc. may be done during the holidays.

We broke up this afternoon for a month’s holiday.  Some of the children have taken the plants home to take care of them and bring them back when we commence school again, which will be on 25^th August.

Average for week 171.2.  Percentage 89.6.

We commenced school this morning after the Summer Holiday. I admitted eight new children.  The attendance was 183.

Only three weeks attendance have been missed in the registers in order to allow for the days at the end of the school year.

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct.

                                                                                                W R Morse

The attendance has been very good throughout the week.  Average 180.6.  Percentage 91.6.

Several children were absent this morning owing to the rain.

I have been taking the Reading lessons of the first class this week in order to try and make them take a keener interest in this subject as the teacher of this class has allowed them to get into rather listless and inattentive habits.

Average for week 175.4.  Percentage 90.

I have been taking the Reading lessons of the first class again this week.

The attendance has not been quite so good for the latter part of this week as at the beginning owing to the rain.

Average for week 172.4.  Percentage 87.5.

I have put Charlie Walker from the second class into the third class and leonard Hodson from the first clas into the second, as each of them were far behind the others.

Rev W R Morse brought the result of the Pupil Teachers’ Scripture Examination this afternoon.  Hilda campion and Ivy Morris have both passed in the third class.

The attendance is very low today.  Some of the children are out gleaning, and some have gone to see the caravans and shows that have come here ready for the Feast.

Next Monday and Tuesday – 22^nd and 23^rd sept have been announced as holidays for the feast.

Average for the week 167.9.  Percentage 85.2.

We commenced school this morning after the two days holiday for the Feast.

The attendance was very low, only 139 present, and I have sent out notes of enquiry to the absentees.

Art 84 (a) I1
W H J Salt
24 Sept 1902.

The attendance has been very low all this week.  Average 143.9.  Percentage 76.2.

I have commemced the bi-monthly examination this morning.

I have finished the bi-monthly examination today and report on the work of the school as follows:-

Class 1  Some of the work in this class is making good progress but Reading, Recitation                 and Drawing are decidedly weak through the teacher’s lack of knowledge of how       to proceed with the Subject.  The two former are weak through the carelessness      and want of energy on the part of the teacher.  I have pointed these out to the            teacher and suggested how she may improve them.

Class 2  The children who came from the Babies’ room into this class have made very                 good progress during the last two months, and all the work of this class is progressing with satisfaction.

Class 3  The Reading and Writing in this class have improved since the last examination and all the other work has made creditable progress.

Class 4 (Babies)  The children of this class are happy and interested in their work, they are         being intelligently taught, and are making satisfactory  progress.

The discipline in all the classes is very good.

The attendance has been better this week.  Average 169.  Percentage 86.2.

I have been taking the first class Reading lesson today.

Rev J G Forrest visited the school this afternoon.

Average for week 166.5.  Percentage 88.

Several children have been taken off the registers this week as their parents have left the district.  John Brown has gone to Wymington.  Harry and Ida Mackness have gone to Higham Ferrers.  Sidney and Ethel Stapleton have gone to Irthlingborough.

The attendance was very low this morning and I have sent notes of enquiry to the absentess.  Several are away with bad colds.

I gave Hilda campion permission to be away from school this afternoon.

The girls in the first class have commenced hemming pinafores, handkerchiefs etc. today.

Average for week 166.7.  Percentage 88.2.

Miss Knott has received the result of the certificate Examination.  She has gained a third class in each division.

I have been taking the first class Reading again today.  Several children were absent this afternoon owing to a circus being in the town.

Hilda Campipon and Ivy Morris are doing Examination Papers this morning.

The first class chi;dren brought some leaves to draw from this afternoon.

Average for the week 168.8.  Percentage 90.2.

I have examined the examination papers done by Hilda Campion and Ivy Morris last week.  The work done by Ivy Morris is better than that done by Hilda Campion.  A full report is entered on their respective papers.

The average for the quarter ended 31^st Oct is 169.2.  The percentage is 87.2.

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct.

                                                                                                W R Morse

The time for commencing school in the afternoon has been altered this week so that we begin at 1.45 instead of 2, and dismiss at 3.50 instead of 4.5.  This will be continued during the short days.

Average for week 169.9.  percentage 89.8.

The stove in the first room smokes so badly that we are unable to have a fire there.

Several children have been away this week with bad colds. 

Average for the week 165.1.  Percentage 86.9.

The attendance is very low today.  I have sent notes of enquiry to the absentees and find that several are absent with bad colds.  Fred Makeham and his brother are absent because there is fever in the family.  Sidney denton is absent through getting run over with a horse and cart on Saturday.  Elsie Bates and William Clarke are absent with sores.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon and consulted about the stove in the first room which is constantly smoking.

Ivy Morris’ indentures were signed at the Managers’ meeting held today.

The attendance has not been good this week owing to the prevalemce of bad colds.

Average for the week 158.7.  Percentage 83.5.

A social evening, given by the teachers, was held in the Mixed Department.  A good number were present and an enjoyable time was spent.

The old stove has been taken out of the first room, and a new one put in its place.

Only 142 children were present this morning, and on making enquiries I found that many are still absent with bad colds.  James Clough is away because of measles in the family.

Rufus and Olive Barwick are away with measles.

Miss Taylor has obtained the Needlework Certificate and the Knitting Certificate of the London Institute of Needlework.

Six new cases of measles have been notified today.

It is a snowy morning and only 126 children are present.

I commenced the bi-monthly examination on Monday afternoon and have finished today, and report on the progress as follows:-

Class 1  The teacher of this class has put more energy into her work and the Reading and        Recitation have improved very much during the past two months.  Drawing is still         weak, the teacher not seeming to grasp the aim of it.  I shall endeavour to take       some of the lessons myself during the coming term.

Class 2  The work of this class is all making satisfactory progress with the exception of                 Tables which are still rather weak.

Class 3  The work of this class has made steady progressduring the past two monthsand all the children are interested in their work.

Class 4 (Babies)  The work of this class is all making satisfactory progresss.  The teacher is            bright and persevering and all the children seem happy and interested in their work.

The discipline in all classes is satisfactory.

It is a very cold sunny morning and some more cases of measles have been notifiedso we have only 100 children present.  There are only 19 babies in the Baby room.  George Colgrave is absent being in Northampton Infirmary with a bad leg.

The attendance has been a little better today, 118 children being present this morning and 120 this afternoon.

Owing to bad colds, measles and bad weather the attendance has been very low throughout the week.  Average 114.4.  Percentage 59.2.

The attendance yesterday afternoon was 120, but owing to the windy and wet weather only 106 were present this morning.

The first class are not taking free-arm drawing this afternoon because the boards have been revarnished and are not quite dry enough for use.

I have been taking the first class for Drawing this afternoon.

We broke up this morning for the Christmas Holidays.  Miss Knott left at 11 o’clock in order to catch her train.

Toys and cards were distributed to the children before breaking up.

We commence school again on January 5^th 1903.

We commenced school this morning after the Christmas holiday.

It was a very wet morning and only 116 children were present.

The attendance, although far from good, is better today than yesterday.  139 are present this afternoon.  I find on enquiry that many have not yet got better of the measles.

I took the first class for their Drawing lesson this afternoon.

Hilda Campion and Ivy Morris have each been provided with a book in which to gum cuttings from papers, magazines etc. that may be useful for their general information, and I brought them some today to commence with.

It was snowy this morning and only 130 children were present.

I took the first class for Drawing this afternoon.

It has been bitterly cold this week, consequently the attendance has been very low, especially in the mornings, some of the mothers thinking it too cold to send the Babies out then.

Average for the week 131.4.  percentage 70.2.

It was very damp and foggy this morning and the attendance was very bad, only 120 children being present.  I sent notes of enquiry after the absentees and find that some have not yet recovered from the measles, and some have bad colds.

I brought some hyacinth bulbs to school today and placed them in glass jars so that the children may watch the progressand development of the roots.

The attendance has been low all the week, partly owing to the damp and foggy weather and partly from the prevalence of bad colds.  Average for week 131.7.

The attendance this afternoon is the best since the Christmas Holiday, 155 being present.

Average for the week is 151.9.  Percentage 84.3.

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct.

                                                                                                W R Morse

Fred Makeham and his brother returned to school today after being absent for ten weeks because of typhoid fever in the house.

Hilda Campion and Ivy Morris are doing examination papers this morning.

The notice of the Diocesan Examination came today.  It is to be on the 24^th of this month.

The attendance during the quarter just ended has not been so good as the previous one owing to the prevalence of measles and the bad weather.

Average for the quarter ending 31 January 144.7.  Percentage 76.5.

A social evening, given by the teachers, was held in the Mixed Department.

Rev W R and Mrs Morse were present nd a number of other friends of the teachers, and an enjoyable time was spent.

I have examined the examination papers done by hilda campion and Ivy Morris last week.  A full report is entered on their respective papers.

I have commenced examining the classes on the work of the two past months.

The report on the work of the classes during the two past months is as follows:-

Class 1  The improvement noted in the Reading last term has been maintained and the Writing and Needlework are very satisfactory.  Drawing has improved, but is not so good as I wish it to be.  Object lessons are rather weak – they appear to have been given chiefly in a series of questions and answers with little attempt to develop the intelligence of the children or their powers of observation.

Class 2  All the work of this class has been making steady progress during the two past                 months.

Class 3  The teacher of this class is careful and painstaking.  The children are all                 interested in their work and satisfactory progress has been made.

Class 4 (Babies)  Owing to the bad weather and measles many of the children of this                 class have been absent during the two past months.  They are happy and interested in their work and the teacher is bright and energetic, giving the lessons carefully and intelligently.

The discipline in all the classes is good.

Average for the week 158.9.

Rev W R Morse, Mr Mason, Mr Claridge and Mr Poulteney visited the school this afternoon and inspected the building.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this morning.

Hilda Campion went home by leave this afternoon as she was not well.  Her throat was sore and her neck very much swollen.

Average for the week 166.7.  percentage 89.6.

The Diocesan Examination was held this afternoon by the Rev W W Dennett, Diocesan Inspector.  116 children were present but registers were not marked.

From now until the end of the school year secular subjects will be taken on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 9.20 to 9.40 instead of Scripture as on timetable.

Hilda campion has been absent all the week with mumps, also several children have been absent with the blister pox.

Average for week 156.8.  Percentage 83.4.

As the afternoons are lighter now we shall commence work at 2 o’clock as on timetable.  It has been a wet and stormy day, consequently the attendance has been bad – only 131 were present this morning and 152 this afternoon.

The attendance has not been good all the week.  Several children are still absent with the bilster pox.  The average for this week is the lowest made this quarter, being only 154.4.

Hilda campion has been absent all the week with mumps.

A half holiday was given today because Sanger’s circus was in the town.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon and brought the Diocesan Report which is as follows:-

1.       Religious Knowledge      Very good

2.       Repetition                     Accurate and in good style

3.       Discipline and tone        Very good

4.       School in regard to
Religious education as a whole  Excellent

A good syllabus of Bible stories was well remembered by children of all ages, and the Repetition was said accurately and in very good style.

                                                                                                W W Dennett
                                                                                                Diocesan Inspector
                                                                                                Oakham Archdeaconry

Hilda Campion returned to duties today after an absence of three weeks through illness.

The attendance has improved this week since Monday.

Average 162.1.  percentage 86.7.

Fred and walter makeham are absent because there is another outbreak of fever in their home.

It was very wet this morning and several children were absent in consequence.

Average for the week 159.7.  percentage 84.5.

Object lessons 1903-1904

The attendance has been fairly good this week.  Average 164.7.  percentage 86.6.

Florence and harriet Lake are absent because of measles.

                                                                Inspection
                                                                2^nd visit
                                                                08 April ‘03
                                                                ...

We broke up for the Easter holiday this morning.  We shall commenceschool again on 20^th April.

Average for week 161.8.  Percentage 85.2.

We commenced school this morning after the Easter holiday.  171 children were present in the morning and 179 in the afternoon.  Lily and Evelyn Charles are absent because of scarlet fever.

We are not working according to the timetable this afternoon as the children are practising songs and drills for the Mothers’ afternoon on Monday next.

The school was opened this afternoon to the mothers of the children so that they could inspect the work that had been done by them during the year.  The children also performed a programme of songs, drills, recitations and Kindergarten games.

The Rev W R and Mrs Morse came and looked at the work of the children in the morning and expressed their pleasure with it.

I have given miss ginns permission to be away from school today and tomorrow because of her sister’s marriage.

We commenced new registers this morning.  43 children have been drafted into the Mixed Department – 20 boys and 23 girls.

New work according to the scheme drawn up for the year ending 30^th April 1904 has been commenced in all the classes which are arranged as follows:-

Class 1  in first room under Miss Knott (Cert)

Class 2  in top room under Mistress

Class 3  in top room under Miss Ginns (Art 68)

Class 4 (Babies)  in Babies’ room under Miss Hall (Art 50)

One of the Pupil Teachers helps in the Babies’ room.

We have made up the registers for the past year and find the average for the year is 158.3 and percentage for the year is 84.2.

These are both an advance of last year the average for which was 153.3 and the percentage 81.9.

35 children have made over 400 attendances and will receive certificates.  Bertie Benning, Arthur Helsdown and Ethel Bird have attended every time.

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct.

                                                                                                W R Morse

I have admitted 8 new children this week but the atendance has not been very good owing to the rain.

Miss Knott has been absent this afternoon, by permission.

Average for week 150.3. 

Miss hill left school this afternoon at 3 o’clock, by permission.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon and I called his attention to the wall at the back of the stove in the top room as a big piece of plaster fell from it yesterday.

Several children have been away this week with mumps.

Average for week 146.4.  Percentage 85.1.

The first class commenced Brush-work this afternoon, but I find that it does not fit in with the other lessons on the timetable, so I shall have to draw up a new one.

The road in front of the school is open for new water pipes to be put in, and this causes some inconvenience to the children coming in, as they cannot get in at their own gate.

Have drawn up a new timetable and am testing the working of it this week.

The children who made over 400 attendances during the past year received their certificates today.

Average for the week 147.8.  percentage 84.4.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon and granted the Head Teacher permission to be absent from duties on the 28^th.

The school will be in charge of Miss Knott today owing to the absence of the Head Teacher after 9.30 a.m.

We broke up for the Whitsun holiday this morning.

Average for week 145.3.  percentage 82.5.

We commenced school this morning after the Whitsun holiday.

I admitted 12 new children and Fred and walter Makeham and Lily charles and Constance rice returned to school this morning after long absences with fever.

The Government report was received today and the following is a copy:-

Infant School  “The Infants are in good order and their attainments are satisfactory.  The varied occupations should be correlated with other subjects of instruction.  Habits of punctuality should be encouraged.  The remark in last year’s report about the unsuitable desks and the single exit should receive early attention.”

The teacher, E Ginns, does not appear to be engaged under a written agreement.  I am to refer you to Article 71 of the provisional code of 1903.

The highest grant ahs again been awarded.

                                                                W R Morse

Staff for coming year

Miss E Alexandria Taylor

Miss P A Knott

Miss M Hill

Miss E Ginns

Miss H Campion

Miss I C Morris

Certificated teacher

Certificated Teacher

Art 50

Art 68

Scholarship Student

2^nd yr PT

The lessons of the timetable which I drew up before the holiday do not fit in well so I am testing another one this week.

There was a very offensive smell from the farmyard joining the Baby room today.

The attendance has been better this week than before the holiday.  Average 164.9.  Percentage 86.8.

A half holiday was announced this afternoon because of the Sunday School treat at the Independent Wesleyan Chapel.

Summary of Schemes of Work for the Year ending 30^th April 1904 as approved by Education Department

Class 1  word building – constructing and reading short sentences from the words built – two readers and a Fairy Tale to be read through.

Class 2  Word building of words not exceeding four letters – constructing and reading               short sentences from the words built – reading sheets and one primer to be read through.

Class 3  Word building of words not exceeding three letters – constructing and reading                 short sentences from the words built – reading sheets.

Babies  To know the sounds of all letters and to easily recognise small and capital                 letters.  To build and name words of two letters.

Class 1  To write simple sentences in exercise books with lead pencils and to write their own names and Rushden.

Class 2  All small and capital letters on slates and combinations of letters into easy words.

Class 3  All small letters on slates.

Babies  The elements of letters and seven of the easiest of the small letters.

Class 1  The composition of numbers up to 20.  Notation up to 100.  Tables up to 6 X 12.

Class 2  The composition of numbers up to 14.  Notation up to 20.  Tables up to 5 X 12.

Class 3  The composition of numbers up to 10.  All figures and their values to be                 known.  All figures to be written.  Tables up to 3 X 12.

Babies  To count as far as 20.  To know and recognise figures and their values up to 6.                  To know and recognise numbers up to 6.

Object and Conversational Lesssons

All classes to have one lesson daily.  They will be suited to the time of year and will be taken from the detailed list.  Some of the conversational lessons are to be on Form and Colours.

Some of this to be done daily.

Class 1  Mat weaving, paper folding, Word making with cardboard letters, kindergarten games.

Class 2  Building with gift 4, Mat weaving, paper folding, word making with cardboard                 letters, Kindergarten games.

Class 3  Building with Gift 3, Paper folding for Balls, Bead threading, Stick laying,                 Kindergarten games.

Babies  Gift 1 – gift 3, Stick laying, Kindergarten games.

Class1  Free-arm darwing on boards.  Object to be drawn in connection with the Object lessons and Conversational lessons as far as possible.  Some objects to be drawn on brown paper and coloured.  Simple brush-drawing with water-colours.

Class 2  Free-arm drawing on boards in connection with Object and Conversational                 lessons as far as possible.

Class 3  Free-arm drawing on boards.  Perpendicular, horizontal and oblique lines and                 simple combinations of these lines.

Babies  Upright and lying-down lines and simple combinations of these lines.

Class 1  Girls hemming and boys button stitching.  Boys and girls to knit.

Class 2  Hemming.  Knitting-pin drill.

Class 3  Needle threading and thimble drill with rhymes and songs.  Position of work                 drill, and putting in needle for a stitch.

Babies  Needle threading and thimble drill with rhymes and songs.

Four simple poems to be taught in each class.  These are to be in connection with their object lessons or with a picture stoty.

Modulator practise – hand signs  voice training.  Five songs to be taught in each class.  Three at least to be action-songs.  Kindergarten songs.

Arm exercises – dumb bell drill – marching.

It has been a very wet week and the attendance has been irregular in consequence.  On Wednesday and Thursday there was a very bad smell in the Baby room arising from the adjoining farmyard.

Average for week 166.4.  Percentage 85.4.

Frank and arthur dilley came in too late this afternoon to be marked, and I find that they had been enticed byolder boys to stay and play.

I sent Tom Smith home because he was sick.

The following dates have been sent to me to be announced as half holidays for the various Sunday School Treats viz:-

29^th June, 9^th and 13^th July.

The attendance has been rather better this week.  Average for week 170.6.  Percentage 86.6.

The rooms were all very untidy this morning, the floors being strewed with pieces of paper, orange peel etc. which had evidently been left by the Sunday School classes yesterday and had not been swept up by the caretaker.  I set some children to pick them up before school commenced.

I admitted four new children this morning.

Received the new timetable this morning after being signed.  They have been framed and hung up.

A half holiday is announced for this afternoon because of the Sunday School Treat of the Park Road Wesleyans.

I had to send Tom Smith home again today because he was sick.

The father of Frank and arthur dilley came to school this morning to ask if they might be excused if they were a little late any morning as their mother is dead and his work would not allow of him always getting them here in time.

I have been examining all the classes this week and report on the work as follows:-

Class 1  This class has made a good beginning with Brush-work and the other subjects                 are progressing fairly well with the exception of Reading and Drawing.  The children draw too rapidly and do not think about it enough.In Reading the children have not been encoutaged to rely on their own efforts but stop at a difficult word and wait to be told.  I have pointed out these faults and suggested to the teacher how to remedy them.

Class 2  The Reading of this class is rather weakwhich is probably owing to several                 children having been transferred to this class from the Baby room, but they all make very creditable efforts and are interested in their work.  The other subjects are progressing very well.

Class 3  The work in this class is going on satisfactorily and a good start has been made                 with Free-arm drawing.

Class 4 (Babies)  A fairly good start has been made in the three R’s, and the lessons have been made interesting to the children who have all been encouraged to try.  Answers should be given in sentences and not in single words, and I have pointed out to the teacher to encourage them to do this.

The discipline in all classes is satisfactory.

The attendance has not been quite so good this week as last.  Average 170.  Percentage 84.5.

Many children were absent this morning and after sending out notes of enquiry I found that mumps are very prevalent.

A half holiday was announced for this afternoon because of the annual Church Sunday School Tea Treat.

Several other children have fallen with the mumps consequently the attendance has not been good this week.  Average 163.5.  Percentage 81.7.

Some of the children who were absent last week with mumps returned to school this morning.

A half holiday was announced for this afternoon because of the annual Baptist Sunday School treat.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this afternoon.

Two of the County Council Inspectors of Buildings and the Rev W R Morse and Mr Miller visited the school today.

The attendance has been slightly better than last week but there are several children still absent with mumps.  Bessie Deacon, nelly Thomson and Edward Robinson are absent with sores.

Average for week 164.7.  Percentage 82.3.

It was avery wet morning and the attendance was low in consequence.

William Clarke is absent because of fever in the house.

Ivy Morris is doing examination papers today.

Miss Knott was absent this morning with a bad face.

There are still several children away with mumps.

Average for week 161.3.  Percentage 80.2.

I have examined the papers done by Ivy Morris last week and have entered a full report of the work on them.

Today has been very wet and the attendance has been low in consequence.

The second class children brought some leaves to draw from today.

Owing to the wet weather and to some children still with the mumps, the attendance has been very low this week.  Average 149.3.  Percentage 75.

We broke up this afternoon for the Summer Holiday – one month.  We commence duties again on 31^st August.

We commenced school this morning after the Summer Holiday.

The Head Teacher was unavoidably absent by the Doctor’s orders.

The Head Teacher resumed duties this afternoon, having benn absent with inflamation of the eyes.

Onlt two weeks have been left in the registers in order to allow for the days at the end of the school year.

Fifteen new children have been admitted this week.

The attendance has been fairly good with the exception of the babies’ class, several of the children from this class having been absent all week.

Average 161.5.  Percentage 76.9.

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct.

                                                                                                W R Morse

Several children being absent this morning, I sent out notes of enquiry about the absentees, and I find that most of them are absent with whooping cough.  The babies’ class is most affected.

The attendance has improved a little this week.  The attendance of the second and third classeshas been very good but the Babies class is still very poor and the first class boys have not attended so well this week as last.  Average 164.8.  Percentage 80.4.

The result of the Pupil Teachers Scripture Examination held in June was received today.  Hilda Campion  has passed in the second class.  Ivy Morris has passed in the third class.

The attendance has not been so good again this week.  The babies’ class is still affected by whooping cough and several from the upper divisions have been gleaning with their mothers.

Average 157.3.  Percentage 77.8.

Next Monday and Tuesdfay are announced as holidays on account of the Feast.  Only 153 children wre present and I have sent notes of enquiry about the absentees.  172 children are present this afternoon.

Some of the children who have been absent with whooping cough returned to school this week and the attendance has improved a little.

Average 164.5.  Percentage 81.4.

I have commenced examining all the classes on the work of the past two months.

I have finished the bi-monthly examination today and report on the work of the school as follows:-

Class 1  Some of the work of this class is making good progress, but the Reading and                 the Arithmetic are both rather weak subjects, especially among the boys who appear to need rousing to put forth their best efforts as the mistakes they make are apparently from carelessness.  I have pointed these out to the teacher and suggested methods of improvement.  The teacher of this class has never taught Class 1 before, and is therefore inexperienced in the work of class 1.

Class 2  The children who came from the babies’ room into this class are rather behind the others especially in reading, but all are interested and all make creditable efforts, and the work generally has made satisfactyory progress.

Class 3  The work of this class has made very fait progress in all subjects with the                 exception of Arithmetic in which a few of the children gave careless answers.

Class 4 (Babies)  The work of this class has made fairly good progress and the children                 are happy and interested in their work.  The object lessons are ratyher weak, and the children should be more encouraged to express their own ideas of thethings presented to them.  The Kindergharten too might improve and I have showed the teacher how she may remedy these things.

The discipline in all classes is good.

The attendance has been a little better this week notably among the girls, but there are still several girls from the Babies’ class still absent with whooping cough.

Average 171.  Percentage 83.4.

The attendance has been irregular this week chiefly on account of the rain, and there and there are still some absent with the whooping cough.

Average for week 170.7.  Percentage 80.9.

Visit 84 b (1).

                Henry Taylor

The 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd classes have attended very well this week, but the Babies’ class has been irregular, probably on account of the rain.  There are also several yet absent with the whooping cough.

The attendance has been irregular this week chiefly on account of the rain and there are still some absent with the whooping cough.

Average for week 170.7.  Percentage 80.9.

Visit 84 b (1)

                Henry Taylor

The 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd classes have attended very well this week but the babies’ class has been irregular probably on account of the rain.  There are also several yet absent with the whooping cough, chiefly among the Baby girls.

The school was in a very untidy condition this morning – the floor of the first room was unswept and the pictures on the walls were all disaranged.

Hilda campion is absent this afternoon by permission.

There are still several of the Babies away with whooping cough.

Average for week 167.8.  percentage 81.4.

Rev C W Weston visited the school this afternoon.

Many children were absent this morning on account of the rain, and some were unable to get here because of the flooded state of some of the streets.  The lobby floor was covered with about 2 inches of water which had to be swept out before the children could come in school, there was also a big wet place in the babies’ room where it had rained through the roof.  Only 136 children were present.

Rev W R Morse visited the school this morning.

The attendance has improved a little this week.  Average 170.5.  Percentage 83.1.

The school was very untidy again this morning.  It had evidently not been swept since being used for Sunday school classes yesterday and the pictures on the wall were again disarranged.

The time for commencing school in the afternoons has been altered this week so that we begin at 1.45 instead of 2, and dismiss at 3.50 instead of 4.5.  This will be continued during the short days.

Miss Ginns was absent today by permission in order to go up to London.

The attendance has been rather better this week, some of the children who have been absent with whooping cough having returned.  Average 176.6.  Percentage 86.5.

Ivy Morris has been doing examination papers this week.

The average for the past quarter ending 6^th Nov is 166.  Percentage for same quarter 80.6.

Whooping cough has been prevalent throughout the past quarter.

The teacher of the third class brought two live snails to illustrate her lesson on “The Snail.”

The children are preparing for an entertainment to be given on Dec 9^th in the Mixed Department, therefore the last lesson on Friday and Tuesday afternoons will be devoted to the concert items instead of those marked on the timetable.

Average for week 173.8.  Percentage 85.2.

Rev J G Forrest visited the school this morning.

Frank and Arthur Dilley are absent because of bad eyes.

Visited the school and tested the registers which were correct.

                                                                                                W R Morse

Sidney and Bertie burrows came in too late to be marked this afternoon and I cautioned them about coming late any more.

The Babies have attended rather better this week, but the first and second class girls have been irregularly.  Average 174.2.  percentage 85.4.

W N visit

                Tho Harrison
                Nov 24^th ’03.

I sent David Odell home this morning to have his eye washed as he could hardly see out of them because his eyelids were sticking together.  He did not return.

The attendance has improved this week.  Average 180.3.  Percentage 88.3.

I am putting off the bi-monthly examination of classes 1 and 2 which should be held this week until after the children’s concert which takes place on Dec 9^th.  The babies and third class will be examined as usual.  Some of the children came in late this afternoon because the workmen were busy mending the fence over the brook, and they could not get in their usual way but had to go to the further gate.

It was snowing hard just before nine o’clock therefore several children are absent this morning.  Only 166 being present.

The last of our materials is being used this week and the requisition sheet for new stock was not sent off until today.

The Managers have been asking for a new cupboard to be supplied for keeping the stock in as the present cupboards are insufficient to hold the things that are in daily use by the classes and there is no room anywhere to put stocks.  Up to the present no reply has been sent to the application for a new cupboard.

The attendance has been much lower this week than last the average being 10 less.  I think this is owing to the very cold weather which has kept the babies away especially in the mornings.  Average 170.8.  Percentage 85.

It is very wet and cold this morning, consequently many of the Babies and children from the third class are absent.  All the first class are present except one girl who is absent through illness.  The attendance is lower this afternoon than this morning owing to the rain.  Only 158 children are present.

Forms to be filled in by each teacher respecting age, qualifications etc. were received from the County Education Committee today.

We are not working according to timetable after 11.30 this morning and this afternoon the children taking part in the concert are going into the Mixed department to practise their pieces with the biger children.

Rev W R Morse, Mr Mason and Mr Miller visited the school this afternoon.

It is very wet again this morning and the attendance is very low.  The rain has come through the roof in the babies’ room.

A holiday is announced for this afternoon in order to allow those children who are taking part in the entertainment to have a rehearsal in the Public Hall.  The proceeds are for the school funds.

The children’s concert was well patronised, the public hall being filled with people, and everything was very satisfactory.  £12-16s has been handed over to the Managers from the proceeds.

The attendance thjis week has fallen off considerably and is the lowest made this quarter.  Several children have bad colds and the weather has been very wet and cold especially in the mornings.  Average 165.8.  Percentag 82.5.

There is a very bad smell in the first room and in the Babies’ room, evidently arising from the adjoining farm yard.

Hilda Campion will be absent this week at the Scholarship Examination.

Alice Spears, a girl in the first class, is absent with sores.

I have finished examining the classes today and report on the work as foolows:-

Class 1  The Reading of this class has improved very much during the two past months,               especially among the boys, and the Arithmetic and Writing are satisfactory.  In the object lessons the children shoul be encouraged to give longer answers, and to find out more for themselves, this I have pointed out to the teacher and have also told her to guard against the children saying their Recitation too quickly.

Class 2  The Reading of those children who were transferred from the Babies’ room into this class is now equal to that of the others.  A good start has been made with joining letters into words in Writing and the Arithmetic is making satisfactory progress.  The other subjects are all making good progress.

Class 3  This class has made good progress in its work.  Arithmetic has improved and all the other subjects are satisfactory.  Several children who were over five years of age before commencing school were admitted at the beginning of this school-year; after my last examination in September I moved these children from the babies’ class into this class.  All these children have been getting on very creditably with their new work.

Class 4 (Babies)  The things that I called attention to at my previous examination have                 been improved.  The children give longer and better answers in their object lessons and the work throughout is going on with satisfaction.

The discipline in all classes is good.

The Head Teacher is absent today by permission in order to attend the funeral of her brother.

Average for week 165.5.  percentage 82.7.

The attendance is very low indeed this morning, only 141 children being present.  Notes of enquiry have been sent round to the absentees.  I find that several children are absent with bad colds and some have got whooping cough.  152 are present this afternoon.

We broke up this afternoon for the Christmas Holiday.  Toys and cards were presented to the children.

We commence school again on January 11^th 1904.