Staff

Edwin Jenkins

Certificated Master

Zilpah Mary Wills

Assistant Art 50

Ada Lillie

    ,,        ,,    ,,

George Herbert Jaques

Pupil-teacher 4^th year

James Heygate
Clerk of the Board

Scheme for Reading for Standards 4-6 grouped

Ordinary Readers

Std 4

Geographical     ,,

Std 4

Historical       ,,

Std 5

Scheme for Geography

Scotland, Ireland and Australia

This school was opened on the morning of 20^th November 1894.  One hundred and forty seven children presented themselves as pupils.  During the week 192 were admitted.  The majority of the children are not equal to the work of the standards in which they state they have been working.

The average attendance for the week is 166.
                                                                                          Nov 24^th

The children are slowly endeavouring to come to school with cleaner hands and faces.  Many seem to come from very poor homes.

The number on the register is 208, the average attendance 173.
                                                                                          Nov 30^th

There has been a marked improvement in the cleanliness of hands and faces and tidy appearance of collars and sleeves.  The roads approaching the school are yet in a very bad state, hence many of the children’s books, though cleaned, show very little signs of it.

Examined Standards 3, 4 and 5.  The whole of the work was very badly done. In consequence of which several children have been placed in a lower standard.  The papers are kept for future reference.

Mr C Bradfield and Mr A Cave, two members of the board, visited the school during the week.

Average attendance 175.  On roll 211.

The work of the school has proceeded in a satisfactory manner this week.  Tables are only imperfectly known throughout the standards, but the children are applying themselves earnestly to their work.

Average attendance 178.  On roll 211.

Examined the school on the month’s work.  Standard 1 did their work well.  There are a dozen children in this standard who had never been to school before or had attended very irregularly.  Standard 2 now put down numbers from dictation and are fairly accurate in working.  Standards 3 and upwards are careless in calculating.

School opened at one o’clock and closed at three on the afternoon of Friday December 21^st.  It will be re-opened on January 7^th 1895.

Average attendance 178.  On roll 207.

Re-opened the school after the Christmas vacation, 172 children being present although there was a heavy mist and severe frost.  Six girls and one boy transferred to the Infants Department.  Miss Lillie, who had been taking standard 2, was transferred to the infants department.

Fanny Selina Price C A First Years Papers commenced duty on Jan 7^th.

Average attendance 179.  On roll 214.

Work throughout the week slow but satisfactory.  A chart drawn up for teaching numbers has proved beneficial to standard 1 who are making fair progress. 

Cautioned G H Jaques for scratching out a blot which had fallen at the foot of the register where attendance totals are placed, St 5 Jan 17.

Average attendance 183.  On roll 216.

Visit Art 21

                J N O Gill

Thomas Williams, trained C A, commenced duties on Jan 21^st.

Examined the registers and found mistakes in weekly totals of St 2 and 1 which necessitates the summary being altered.  4^th and 1^st weeks.  For the future all the totals shall be checked before being entered.

Average attendance 181.  On roll 216.

Examined Std 1 Arithmetic – work satisfactory on the whole, 3 or 4 children behind the rest.  The teacher has done good work with this class (L M Wills).

Work proceeding steadily.

Average attendance 180.  On roll 216.

Have this day examined registers and found same correct.

                                                                                C L Brafield

Examined Standards 1, 2 and 3 in Arithmetic.  Standard 1 did their work well, the children clearly explaining each step of little problems as they were worked on B B.

Standard 2 are not at all satisfactory, not being able to attempt anything beyond a mechanical sum.

Standard 3 averaged 1.7 sums right.

Standards 4, 5 and 6 are still engaged on the various rules.

Average attendance 177.  On roll 216.

Work has proceeded as usual.  The severe weather is slightly affecting the attendance.

Average attendance 179.  On roll 216.

G H Jaques absent on Monday 18^th – been away from home and missed the train connection.

Average Att’ceendance179.  On roll 217.

Tested St 2 on fortnight’s work on word building, spelling and arithmetic.  Word building and spelling show a slight improvement, but arithmetic continues about the same.  Writing is still very poor but improving.

Standard 3 is week all round.  The teacher J Williams does not display sufficient energy nor attention to details.  Object lessons were given in every standard.  Such lessons have been given to various every week, but the teachers never having given object lessons before have all had to be instructed in the way of taking the subjects in an interesting manner.  Having got several articles in the museum, the lessons for the present will be given on these.

Average attendance 181.  On roll 217.

The schools were closed on Monday 4^th for the School Board Election.

Average attendance 177.  On roll 217.

Work has proceeded satisfactorily this week.  Drawing has improved all round, sketching being finer and the finish being clearer and firmer.  Sickness is very prevalent and the attendance low.

Average 174.  On roll 216.

Better progress has been made this week with the object lessons.

G H Jaques gave a fairly good lesson on Pens and their manufacture.  Mustard and cocoa were taken in Standards 1 and 2.  Geography in Standard 3 is very week.

Average attendance 171.  On roll 216.

G H Jaques did not reach school until 11am.  No satisfactory reason given.

Work has proceeded as usual.  Examined standards 4, 5 and 6 – result arithmetic average 2.  Reading is slightly better – recitation fair.  Standard 3 show a marked improvement in spelling and word building.  Reading is slovenly and indistinct, the difficulty being to get the children to open their teeth.  Arithmetic was carelessly done.  Thomas Williams the teacher of this standard is deficient in firmness, decision and energy.  Standard 2 are improving in their work all round, though tables are still very week.  Recitation was well said – teacher Miss F Price.  Standard 1 are doing very satisfactory work.

Average attendance 177.  On roll 218.

Fanny S Price has been absent from duties the 2^nd, 3^rd and 5^th April.  She returned on Thursday the 4^th but was quite unable to attempt the work.  A very severe cold is the cause of the absence.

Map colouring was commenced in Standard 3; several were very neatly done.

The object lessons taken were “rope” “matches” and “rice”.  G H Jaques failed to prepare his lesson.

Average attendance 177.  On roll 217.

Miss Price resumed duties this morning.

School closed after the morning session until April 17^th.

Average attendance 174.  On roll 218.

School was re-opened on Wednesday 17^th.   The attendance for the three days has been very poor.  Notice that the drawing examination will be held on Friday 26^th was received.  Each class will have an extra drawing lesson daily on the following dates – 22, 23, 24 and 25.

Average attendance 162.  On roll 218.  In attendance 197.

On Monday the 22^nd five children from a gipsy encampment near, presented themselves for admission.  They range from 8 to 12 years.  None of them have been to school before.

The work of the school has gone on favourably, a little extra time having been given to drawing.

The examination in drawing was held on Friday afternoon.  The girls took sewing then instead of on Thursday.

Average attendance 185.  On roll 221.

Received notice of the Examination to be held on Thursday and Friday the 23 and 24 of May 1895.

I have this day examined the registers and found them correct.

                                                                                J T Colson

The work of the school has proceeded in a satisfactory manner.  Improvement has been made in paper work though it is yet far below what it could be.  Geography and Grammar are only fair.  These are quite new subjects to many of the children which partly accounts for it.  The drawing and colouring of geometrical figures in Stds 1 and 2 and map colouring in Standard 3 are productive of great effort on the part of the children to produce good work.  Some are done very neatly but many are very crude and rough.  Signs are evident already that it will have a beneficial effect on the other work of the school.  Object lessons on cotton St 1, matches 2, needles 3 and paper 4 – 6.

Average attendance 184.  On roll 225.

The work of Standard 3 has improved.  A large case was received from Messrs Horrockses Crew and son and Co. illustrating the manufacture of cotton.

Arrangements were made on Thursday the 8^th for a boy to commence on Monday the 13^th as Monitor.

Average attendance 186.  On roll 229.

Herbert Holyoak commenced as a monitor on the 13^th.

Standards 2 and 3 have done good work during the week.  Standards 4 and 5 have been careless in all written work.

Average attendance 192.  On roll 230.

                                                                                A Cartwright

The school examination was held on the 23^rd and 24^th.  The registers were not marked on the afternoons of those days as the morning session was extended into the afternoon, the children being then dismissed for the day.

Average attendance 201.  On roll 228.

School closed for Whit week.  Jennie Bayes commenced on Monday 27^th as monitress.

Average attendance 231.  On roll 291

Admitted 33 children from Alfred St Schools during the week.  Received 4 new maps and word building apparatus.

Average attendance 270.  On roll 321.

I have this day examined the registers and found them correct.

                                                                                J T Colson

Messrs Colson, Newell and Cave visited the school on Friday morning regard to the staff.

Average attendance 273.  On roll 323.

The chairman of the Wellingborough school board visited the schools this morning.

Owing to a Sunday School treat the schools were closed in the afternoon.

Work has proceeded in a satisfactory manner.  Herbert Holyoak a monitor has been absent since Monday ill.

Average Att’ceendance263.  On roll 314.

The schools will not be open on Monday July 1^st.

Examined on the month’s work.  As a whole it was satisfactory.  Spelling in Standards 3 and 4 is weak.  Arithmetic was fairly well done, Standard 5 worked the neatest and most accurate papers.

Average attendance 260.  On roll 316.

The schools will be closed on Monday afternoon the 8^th July.

Resumed duties this morning after an absence of two days.

                                                                                E Jenkins

The attendance has fallen slightly again towards the end of this week.  Carrying shoe work to and from the factories seems to be at the root of the evil.

Average attendance 264.  On roll 315.

The school will not be opened for the afternoon session.

Punished Thomas Marks for mutilating a desk.  This is the first time anything of this kind has occurred.

Three boys and three girls have been transferred from St 1 to the Infant Department.

Several people being away for the holidays has brought down the attendance again this week.

Average attendance 254.  On roll 308.

The schools were closed on July 23^rd for the general Election.  Thursday 25^th was the day of the Church Sunday School treat; several of the children were absent bringing the attendance down to 199.  The attendance has been very irregular during June and July and consequently the same progress has not been made with the work that should have been.  Most of the work will have to be recast.

Average attendance 242.  On roll 305.

Herbert Holyoake has been absent a day, sick.  He does not seem strong enough to bear the strain of teaching.

The schools close today until 2^nd September.

Average attendance 251.  On roll 306.

Opened school after a month’s holiday.  Attendance is very poor many children still being away from home.  Whooping cough is very bad.

Herbert Holyoake has been absent all the week.

Average attendance 241. On roll 304.  Twenty six have been absent all the week.  Many have been kept for gleaning.

I have this day examined the registers and found them correct.

                                                                                J T Colson.

The progressive work of the school is very much retarded by the indifferent attendance.  Many parents have distinctly stated that they will not send their children regularly, until after Rushden Feast which is to be held on 23 and 24 Sep.

An application was made to the Board for another competent teacher in June last but so far nothing has been done.  A good male ex pupil-teacher or a teacher just from college would materially strengthen the staff.

Eight children have been admitted during the week and four have left.

Average attendance 245.  On roll 308.

Mr P Cave, member of the Board, visited the school.  I pointed out to him that as I had between 50 and 60 in standard 4 and two other classes are much too large for the teachers in charge of them it was impossible for me to do justice to a large section of the scholars.

Received the Report from the Clerk this morning.

Jennie Bayes appointed as Candidate for P T at a salary of 3/- per week commencing on 2^nd inst., determinable at 1 week’s notice on either side.

Copy of Annual Report of Inspector.

Mixed School

“This school has been open only six months.  The premises are well planned, bright and cheerful, and everything connected with the school seems to give promise of future efficiency.  The children are exceedingly quiet and orderly, and the satisfactory progress they are making in both elementary and class subjects reflects great credit upon the Master.  The weakest points requiring attention are Reading in the first standard, Spelling in the third Standard and Composition in the fifth standard.  Needlework is good.  History and geography have been creditably prepared considering the short time the school has been opened and the backward state of many of the children.  Making allowances for this and the good work done in a short time I recommend the Higher Principal Grant.

The attendance continues poor but an improvement is looked for after next week.

Average attendance 246.  On roll 307.

School will not be opened until the 25^th Sept for Rushden Feast, and even then there will be a difficulty here, because the show people have taken possession of a piece of waste ground adjoining the school.

Re-opened school – 150 present – went round the feast and whipped in a few stragglers – saw the vice-chairman who gave permission to close.

Opened school this morning.  After several journeys round the feast I got 232 children into school.

Sent G H Jaques home as he was suffering from a very severe cold.

Messrs Newell and mantle visited the school.

Thermometer registered 83°.

The attendance has not improved today.

Average attendance 232.  On roll 309.

Thermometer registered 85°.

Mary Jane Chandler (certificated) commenced duties in the afternoon.  G H Jaques came but had to return.

Received medical certificate from Jaques with a request to forward his month’s salary.

Miss Chandler is hardly fitting to cope with big boys.  Though doing her best she lacks confidence in her own powers to control them.  With the girls she makes a very good teacher, but it is impossible to give her a class entirely composed of girls.

Average attendance 255.  On roll 309.

G H Jaques returned to school this morning still with the appearance of a very severe cold on him.

During the week ending Saturday October the 5^th, whilst shielding himself behind the medical certificate as unable to attend to his duties in school, he was engaged in the evenings playing the piano at William Taylor’s Auction Mart from 7,45 – 9pm on Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday and Friday.  On Saturday he was engaged until a much later hour.  On Wednesday afternoon Oct 2 he journeyed to Wellingborough to witness a football match, and being seen by some of the boys called them to him and told them not to tell Mr Jenkins.

This added to several other grave offences caused me to send him home, (as I considered him unfit to have the charge of children) until the Members of the Board should decide what to do in regard to him.  With the character he has in the town it is impossible for him to do his duty as a straightforward conscientious teacher should.

There was a committee meeting of the Board and I laid the above statement before them.

I am taking Standard 3 for most lessons but have divided the standard so that the two monitors have each a class under my direction.  The necessity of this is caused by the offence of G H Jaques.

Miss Chandler is the best teacher I have for Needlework and on that account I shall be sorry to lose her but her wish is still to return to Alfred St if possible.

There has been a slight falling off in attendance.

Average 251.  On roll 310.

Mr Cave, one of the members of the Board, visited the school this morning.

A special committee meeting was held last night at which the action I had taken in regard to G H Jaques was upheld.

It had been arranged to commence the lessons in cookery on Thursday morning, but the hamper containing the utensils did not arrive on time; hence the lesson was postponed until the afternoon.  Lessons in practical cookery are held on Friday. 

I have commenced to open the school at 1.30pm instead of 2 pm as several children live long distances away.  This enables me to close the school at 4pm and so these children can reach home before dark.  This requires a great effort on the part of fully two thirds of the children, as most of their parents do not leave the factories for dinner until 12.30, but the stragglers are limited to half a dozen.

Fifteen children have been absent all the week.

Average 256.  On roll 307.

Have examined part of school.  Standards 5 and 6 are weak in arithmetic.  Composition was better done.  The writing is rather poor.  I wish to get to this class but cannot leave a large standard 3 to the care of monitors.  Standard 3 are weak all round.  Their late teacher G H Jaques spoke with a strong provincial dialect and he has certainly caused the children to be more pronounced in that respect.  Dictation in St 3 is improved.  Miss Chandler is managing the boys better but is not quite up to the requirements in drawing.

A wild beast show which is established on the adjoining green proved too strong a counter attraction and reduced the attendance on Friday afternoon.

Average attendance 251.  On roll 309.

Herbert Holyoake absent unwell.

The attendance is better this week though not so good as it should be.

Average attendance 259.  On roll 312.

Examined standard 1 on half years work.  They were accurate but slow.  The section from class 2 Infants in March last should have had a teacher alone but staff would not allow it.

Herbert Holyoake absent unwell.

Herbert Holyoake returned to school.

On Monday afternoon the attendance was 274 but on other days it fell to 253.  Many people say they can keep their children one day a week and they do so without considering the loss to the child. 

Today Nov 8^th Standard 3 commenced writing on single lines slips of paper being given to each child.  The writing on the whole was good.  It has been a very wet week and the so called gravel with which the yard is covered is very much cut up.  Small pebbles stick to the children’s boots and are carried into school.  These tend to scratch the wooden blocks of the floor and spoil the appearance of it.  The school has been open half an hour before the session to allow the children the opportunity of thoroughly cleaning boots before entering school.  This plan has worked well.

Average attendance 257.  On roll 311.

No teacher has been appointed to whom Standard 3 can be intrusted.  This prevents me giving attention to Standard 1 but it is impossible to leave Standard 3 in charge of a monitor.

Work has proceeded as satisfactorily as possible under the circumstances.

The girls have now been through a graded course of drawing.  A few, with special aptitude, are able to take their places with the boys in the same standard others have to be classified lower.

Average 260.  On roll 311.

Wednesday being the anniversary of the opening of the school, slides on Alice in Wonderland were obtained and exhibited to the children at the close of the afternoon session. 

Miss Chandler gave a good lesson to Standard 4 on the “Skin of a leaf”. 

Miss Chandler finally appointed as assistant and sewing mistress.  This relieves Mr Jenkins who has been taking charge of this work for the past six months.  During that time all the garments have been cut out and fixed for each standard, leaving Miss Chandler the remainder of the sewing to superintend.

Average 262. On roll 313.

Average 257.  On roll 312.

Standards 3, 4 and 5 have made a slight improvement in their month’s work.

Finished examining the work of Standards 1 and 2.  Geography and History were well known.  The work throughout shows an improvement this month.

Average 250.  On roll 314.  In attendance 294.

Schools closed on Wednesday afternoon as many of the children were taking part in a demonstration in connection with the co-operative society.

Average 256.  On roll 314.  In Att’ce 299.

I have this day examined the registers and found them correct.

                                                                                J T Colson

Master absent from school.

Mr mantle, member of the Board, visited schools.

The cookery lessons will be held today and Thursday the 19^th instead of on 19^th and 20^th.

Average attendance 245.  On roll 314.  289 in attendance.

The attendance has fallen this week; several are sick; and the pressure to get work in the shops seems to be greater.

Schools closed until January 6^th 1896.

Re-opened school this morning – 239 children present.

Object lessons on birds, water and heat were given in the various classes.

Average attendance 249.  On roll 305.  In attendance 289.

Thirty six pairs of dumbbells have now been supplied.  Exercise taken in sections during the last lesson on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Average 249.  On roll 305.

Ernest Bishop commenced duties this morning as Ex P T.  He has part of Standard 3

Mr mantle, member of the Board, visited the schools.

Gave Standards 2, 3 and 4 tests in Arithmetic and Dictation.  There is no marked improvement in the work of Standard 2.  The provincialisms of children have not constantly been corrected.  Standard four have done better work in Dictation but not quite so well in Arithmetic.

Standard 3 have improved in Arithmetic.

Average 257.  On roll 308

The work this week is more satisfactory.  Drawing has not the exact finish which is desired but almost half the children have never drawn before, the work being especially heavy on the girls.

Examined Standard 1.  The result was good but the teacher, Miss Wills, allows them to get a little out of hand.  Many have been away with severe colds and on returning she inclines to leniency with them.

The attendance has ranged from 253 to 269.

Average 259.  On roll 311.

Mr Vorley, member of the Board, visited the schools this morning before 9.30.

Mr Bishop is very willing and eager but lacks energy in execution, and fails to get the maximum of work from the children.

Average 254.  On roll 310.

Colin Hodby brought in by the Attendance officer.  He has previously been in the Truant School.

Miss price gave a lesson on the whale without any specimens although there are samples of blubber and oil in school.

Mr Bishop also gave a lesson on chalk not using the specimens from the museum.  He also fails to keep the attention of his class, frequently confining himself to the few in his immediate vicinity.

Took the grammar lessons in St 4.

Average 260.  On roll 313.  In attendance 303.

Visit from A Cartwright Esq.

Mr Newell visited the schools.

A circus visited the town on Thursday.  Twenty six children were absent from school, with parents permission to go to the circus.

Average attendance 257.  On roll 313.  In attendance 306.

Mr Cave, member, visited schools and inspected urinal complained of by Her majesty’s Inspector the previous week.

Mr Newell visited schools at 9am, was present during early marking.

Average 253.  On roll 312.  In attendance 296.

Eighteen children marked sick during the week.

Commenced the afternoon session at 2pm to 4.30.

Received notice of the Drawing Examination to be held on Tuesday April 28^th.

Average attendance 250.  On roll 311.  In attendance 297.

Mr Bishop failed to get up a lesson on “earthenware” for Standard 3 stating that he knew nothing about it.

Received note from Mr Wood of Alfred St schools stating that if many children were likely to be away in the afternoon it would be better to close.  Sangers circus was to parade the streets and give an afternoon performance.

Closed schools for the afternoon.

Average attendance 253.  On roll 307.  In attendance 295.

Miss Wills ill, unable to be at school.

Miss Wills absent – sister’s funeral.

Miss Wills resumed duties this morning.

Mr Newell visited the schools this morning.

Average 249.  On roll 306.  In Att’ce 292.

James and Horace Patenall left and went to the Church school after their parents had been fined for their non-attendance.  They state they were there one week when they were told to go back to their own school.  This occurred in December/95.  Since then they have attended no school.  Their parents have again been fined so have brought the boys here again this morning.

Average 247.  On roll 306.  In Att’ce 296.

Visit Art 84(b)

                W Varnon

Drawing taken 11 – 12 instead of 10.10 – 10.50.

Copy of the resolution passed at the last Board Meeting:-

Resolved “that all the Head Teachers be required to report to the chairman the absence form school of themselves or any of their subordinate teachers for more than one day”

Drawing taken 9.30 – 10.15am because one of the teachers will be absent in the afternoon.

Afternoon session held from 1.30 – 3.30pm.  Schools closed until Wednesday 8^th April.

Average 255.  On roll 305.  In Att’ce 295.

Wednesday morning – re-opened school – 207 present.  On sending after absentees the common reply was “not coming until Monday”.

Sanitary Inspector reported case of scarlet fever.

Wednesday afternoon 192 present.  Wellingborough fair or market took many away in the afternoon.

Thirty nine children have been absent all the week.

Average 219.00On roll 305.  In Att’ce 266.

I have this day examined the registers and found them correct.

                                                                                J T Colson

Drawing examination date altered from 28^th April to 29^th April – afternoon 1.45.

Attendance shows an improvement on last week.

Average 247.  On roll 305.  In Att’ce 287.

Mr Knight, chairman, visited the schools.

During the past week 19 children have been absent; 16 are cases of sickness.

Average 247.  On roll 304.  In Att’ce 285.

Opened school at 1.30pm for drawing examination to commence at 1.45pm.  Inspector arrived at 2.20pm.  Examination over at 4.15pm.

Wednesday afternoon lessons taken this afternoon as drawing was taken on Wednesday 29^th.

Half holiday after drawing examination.

Jesse Payne commenced duties as eEx P T this morning.

Average attendance 248.  On roll 186 boys, 114 girls.

Admitted 9 boys and 20 girls from Infant Department.

Mr Knight, chairman, visited the schools.

Average 270.  On roll 196 boys, 136 girls.

M J Chandler granted leave of absence for one day.

Received notice that the Whitsuntide holidays are fixed from Friday 22^nd inst.  to June 1^st.

Received notice that children will be examined for Labour Certificates on Wednesday the 20^th inst. at 2.30.

During the past year 34 children made excellent attendances earning attendance medals.  These were presented to the successful children by W S Knight, the chairman.

Closed school for Whitsuntide holidays.

Average 274.  On roll 238.

Re-opened school after week’s holiday – 267 children present.

Admitted 46 children, transferred from Alfred St during the week.

Average 312.  On roll 386.

Average 312.  On roll 378.  Eight children having been granted leaving cerificates were struck off the registers.

School closed in the afternoon for a Sunday school treat.

School closed in the afternoon – a children’s tea.

Received report on drawing examination – award ‘Excellent’.

Average 314.  On roll 379.

School closed in the afternoon.

I have this day examined the registers and found them correct.

                                                                                J T Colson

Average 315.  On roll 221 boys, 159 girls.

Half holiday.

Average 318.  On roll 381.

Schools closed – many children going away.

Head master absent from school, unwell.

Messrs Vorley and Mantle visited the schools.

The attendance has fallen this week caused by many people taking their holidays now.

Average 301.  On roll 380.

Schools closed for afternoon.

Miss price absent attending the certificate examination.

Average 303.  On roll 220 boys, 160 girls.

Copy of Report

“The tone and discipline of the school deserves commendation.  The children apparently take keen interest in their work, and the neatness and accuracy of the written exercises reflect credit on the teachers as well as on the children.  The elementary subjects have been taught with good success, but English is not quite satisfactory at present, although there is certainly good promise of improvement.  Singing by note and Needlework are good.

H Holyoake is recognised under Art33 of the Code.  J Bayes failure.  Mr Williams and Miss Price will receive their certificates in due course.

                                                                                James Heygate
                                                                                                Clerk to the Board

Mr W Finnemore gave a lesson on alcohol and its effects (3.30 – 4.15pm)

Examined the elementary subjects in each standard.  The work set for the quarter has been well mastered.  The inaccuracies consequent on attempting new work will be conquered with more practice at the new rules.  The large number of children admitted and several being away for holidays have had the effect of slightly retarding part of the work.

Average 304.  On roll 380.

School closed for Summer vacation.  Will re-open on August 31^st.

Average 301.  On roll 379.

Re-opened school – 313 present.

Emily Emma Groome appointed as candidate (born 16 Jan 83)

Jennie Bayes absent sick.

Average 313.  On roll 221 boys, 160 girls.

Jennie Bayes resumed duties this morning.

Herbert Holyoake has not given me satisfaction in the manner in which his home lessons have been done for some time and this morning what he had done was exceedingly dirty and untidy.

Average attendance 312.  On roll 221 boys, 160 girls.

Florence Harper gave a criticism lesson on Iron to standard 3 girls before the rest of the younger teachers.  At the end of the lesson the master went through it again emphasising the points weakly attacked by the teacher and showing how the blackboard could be more freely used.

Mr Knight, chairman of the Board, visited the schools.

The attendance has fallen in every class this week.

Average 301.  On roll 221 boys, 160 girls.

School closed on afternoon of 21 and 22^nd for Rushden Feast.  Attendance very low.

Jennie Bayes gave a criticism lesson on the “earthworm” to Standard 4, the other younger teachers attending.

Average 289.  On roll 223 boys, 159 girls.

Examined every class on work done during the month.  The work was better than previously.  Geography in Standard 4 was weakest.  Reading in Standard 2 and 3 boys.

The greatest difficulty to be overcome is the slovenly manner in which the majority of the boys pronounce their words in ordinary conversation.

Average attendance 300.  On roll 221 boys, 155 girls.

Cookery lesson taken in the afternoon from 2 – 4.

Herbert Holyoake attempted to give a lesson on the silkworm – very poor Att’ceempt.

Average 298.  On roll 217 boys, 150 girls.

Very wild and stormy week which has affected the attendance of Standards 1 and 2.

Average 292.  On roll219 boys, 148 girls.

Two boys, William and Fred Hooton having recently lost their father their mother decided to remove to Earls Barton but after a week in that place returned to Rushden and have been re-admitted during the week.

I have this day examined the registers and found them correct.
                                                                                                Sam Knight junr.

Average attendance 290.  On roll 219 boys, 149 girls.

Examined Standards 4, 5, 6 and 7 in Reading, Writing and Arithmetic.  The work was fairly well done on the whole.  Standard 5 composition and dictation Standard 4 were the weakest subjects.

Examined Standard 3 in R. W. A. fairly well done.

Examined Standard 2 and 1 in R. W. A.  Standard 2 must have more work on the sound rules of letters and syllables.  The weak point throughout is the lack of insistence on the part of the teachers.  Corrections and patterns are conscientiously given but the teachers do not get the children up to the pattern, being satisfied with an approach to it and in some instances giving it up as hopeless.  The great difficulty to overcome is the slovenly manner of speech which affects both reading and spelling.

Florence Harper has not been present at lessons for three weeks.  Her parents having removed to Wellingborough consider it inadvisable for her to travel by the 7am train during the winter.

The attendance shows an improvement this week.

Average 301.  On roll 218 boys, 146 girls.

A circus visited the town.  Attendance in afternoon 262.

Mr S Knight visited the school.

Sixty nine children received certificates for writing a report of a lecture on alcohol as a food and beverage.

Average 296.  On roll 216 boys, 145 girls.

Commence afternoon session at 1.30pm closing at 4.05pm during the months of November – February.

Florence harper absent, sick.

Miss Page, teacher of cookery, ill; classes taken by Miss Dudgeon.

Average 304.  On roll 216 boys, 143 girls.

Florence harper recommenced duties this morning.

Pupil Teachers’ lessons will be taken after school hours from this date to end of January.

Average 299.  On roll 217 boys, 144 girls.

Schools closed in the afternoon for the burial of Mr S Knight, the chairman.

Admitted two boys from Finedon.

Average 299.  On roll 219 boys, 143 girls.

Needlework will be taken first two lessons on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.

Three boys and four girls admitted during the week.

Three cases of measles reported.

Average 302.  On roll 222 boys, 147 girls.

Jennie Bayes away sick.  Florence Harper had to go home sick.

Jennie Bayes and F Harper returned to school.

                                Art 84 b I (1)
                                                10/x11/96
                                                                R P Butler

Florence Harper absent.

I have examined the registers and find correct.
                                                                B Vorley

Messrs Vorley and Mantle visited school to examine cookers.

Average 301.  On roll 222 boys, 146 girls.

Four children sent home – measles in the house.

Ten cases of measles reported.

Attendance 259.  Several fresh cases reported, mostly in families having two and three children in school.  F Harper returned to school Wednesday noon.

Eight fresh cases this morning causing thirteen children to be absent.

Average for the week 271.  On roll 222 B, 147 G.

Miss Wills absent – ill.

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Miss Price absent – gone home.

Closed school until Jan 11^th 1897.

Average 220.  On roll 222 boys, 146 girls.