“School in a Shocking State”

Chairman’s Comment at Rushden School Managers’ Meeting

Renovations To Be Suggested

The monthly meeting of the Rushden Council School Managers was held on Tuesday evening, when the members present were :-

Mr. F. Green (in the chair), Messrs. W. E. Capon, F. Corby, C. Claridge, E. Freeman, E. A. Sugars, L. Baxter, and A. Allebone, C.C., and the Clerk, Mr. J. Ferris.

The Clerk reported that the agreement between the Education Committee and the Town Sports Club had now been completed, and that the ground was now being used as a playing field.

A satisfactory report was received from H. M. Inspector regarding Alfred Street Infants’ Schools, and it was agreed that a letter of appreciation be sent to the headmistress, Miss Miller.

The Clerk read a letter requesting that applications for repairs and improvements to the schools should be forwarded to the county authorities before the end of the month.

The chairman : “The most important question is the renovation of South End Schools, and the installation of central heating. The school is in a shocking state.”

Mr. Allebone suggested the election of a small committee to visit the schools and make recommendations. The chairman said they could hardly decide on what was required, on the spur of the moment.

Mr. Corby said there was a long standing complaint about Newton-road Mixed School, which was in a terrible state. “They should let us know when they are going to do something,” he said, “we cannot go up there and feel it is going to be put off year after year.”

The Clerk said that if structural alterations were not intended, some other renovations might be carried out.

The chairman, vice-chairman, and Mr. Corby were elected as the sub-committee to inspect the schools.

An application was received for the hire of Moor-road Infants’ School on Boxing Day, and the matter was left in the hands of the Clerk. Another request for hire was received and granted.

With regard to the heating apparatus in Alfred-street Schools, the Clerk read a letter concerning the installation of new boilers. These, he said, had now arrived, and it would not be necessary to close the schools for them to be installed.

Six applications were received for a vacancy for an uncertificated teacher at South End Infants’ School, and the Managers agreed to forward three names, from which selection could be made.

Visitors report were given, and Mr. Corby stated that at Newton-road Infants’ School the attendance had been rather poor on account of colds and chicken pox, and also mumps.

The Clerk reported the first burst pipe of the season, namely at South End Schools, on the previous night, and said he had given instructions for repairs to be carried out.