1882 School

At the week ending 6th.January the children were said to be "getting on nicely as a whole .... one or two in the 2nd.Class give unusual trouble. The 3rd.Class would do better if a superior could be found for them". Mr.J.Howard, Esq. visited the school. He was a frequent visitor - among many of the local 'gentry' who visited at intervals. By the middle of the month attendance had improved to an average 89.2 and the children were clean and orderly. One girl came back after many months illness. The Rev. and Mrs.Scrivener visited and instructed the Mistress to allow the infants to leave school at the same time as girls of the Mixed School. At the end of the month the Mistress recorded "N.Rolph manages her class very nicely. Was she half as diligent with 'Private Study' as she is in school there is no doubt she would make a most successful Governess".

Several visitors in early February - "all of whom expressed their great pleasure and entire satisfaction with all they saw" the Mistress wrote - no doubt with pride. "Work as per Time Table" and "Nothing unusual to report" - common entries in the Log. In mid February "teachers were more careful with their studies this week - their Monthly Examination too was much more satisfactory". Attendance during the first week of March was very poor - "on account of 'fever' being very much about". 'Gallery lessons' on 'Bones' were given by the Mistress to be reproduced by the teachers. H.Rolph gave hers very nicely.

By the middle of the month attndance was down to 42, owing, it was said, in some cases to 'poverty' and in others to 'fear of contagion'. A boy was sent home because his brother was suffering from 'Measles'. Attendance continued to be poor due to "so much illness". "Two little girls died this week, (the week ending 17th. March,) both of whom were at school but a few days ago". On 24th.March the Mistress recorded: "School closed 24th. March to 5th.June by order of the Board". However there is no further entry in the School Log Book until 5th. January, 1883 and I have been unable to ascertain how long it was actually closed for.

© R.A.Silverlock. Feb. 2000.