School minutes (1864-1870): HM Inspector's report results in head's dismissal

Post date: Mar 14, 2013 7:51:5 PM

The following continues the transcription of the minutes of the management committee of the Wateringbury National and Infants Schools (see School minutes 1861-1863 for immediately preceding minutes) held in Kent archives (reference CKS P385/25/4).

Summary: 1864 sees the introduction of a new rule (Windows broken by the children or other careless or wilful damage done by them to be paid by their parents), which undoubtedly reflects the reality of what was happening at the school. In 1865 the first recorded HM Inspector's report is received and found unsatisfactory so both the Master, Mr Kendal and his wife the Mistress, are given the three months notice they are entitled to. Their replacements are for the first time not a married couple: Mr Freeman becoming Master on £60 p.a plus half the boys capitation grant and having use of the School House; Miss Catherine Caulton becoming Mistress on £40 p.a plus a third of the girls capitation grant and having two furnished rooms (she resigns in 1867). Meetings during the period 1866 to 1869 are then infrequent with little excitement. In 1870 Samuel Lucas has evidently returned to the village as he is put on the committee for that year. Painting and whitewashing of the school are undertaken; the roof repaired; the WC s and drains attended to and expansion plans discussed.

With no reference in the minutes, the Maidstone Telegraph reported on 15th April 1865 as follows:

In the House of Commons, on Thursday petitions praying for a modification of the Education Minutes affecting endowed schools were presented by Lord Holmesdale from Wateringbury, East Mailing, East Peckbam, Nettlestead, and Tenterden.

1864

At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the national & infant schools held at the vicarage on Saturday Jan^y 2 1864.

Present Revd Henry Stevens

Revd R Earle

W Browne Esq

Mr Goodwin

The treasurers accounts having been examined and found correct

Resolved that the following subscribers form the committee for the ensuing year W Browne esq, Revd R Earle, Messrs Goodwin, & Sears ? & Allwork together with the vicar.

Henry Stevens Chairman

At a meeting held at the vicarage on Monday July 18^th 1864 to consider whether under the circumstances of the new code the pupil teacher Phillis Sharpe sh^l be continued to the end of her time ( Dec 1865) or be paid six months salary in advance & leave her situation; & also to consider the desirableness of reducing the infants payments from 3d. to 2d. per week.

Present Revd H Stevens

W Browne Esq

J Sears Esq

Mr Goodwin

Resolved that Phillis Sharpe be continued as pupil teacher till Dec 1865 that the payment of the infants be reduced from 3d to 2 d per week after the holidays at hopping time.

Henry Stevens Chairman

At a meeting held at the vicarage on Saturday Nov^r 12^th 1864 to receive the resignation of Miss Elizabeth Jeffrey as Assistant Teacher in the girls school and to consider what further steps should be taken in consequence thereof.

Present Rev^d H Stevens Chairman

J ??? Esq

Mr E. Goodwin

Resolved that the resignation of Miss Elizabeth Jeffrey be accepted.

That the subject of any further arrangement in consequence of Miss E Jeffrey’s resignation be postponed till the annual meeting.

Henry Stevens Chairman

At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the national and Infant schools held at the School House on Saturday Dec^r 31^st 1864 to pass the yearly accounts , to make such alterations in the rules as may be desirable, to consult upon the appointment of an assistant teacher in the girls department.

Present Rev^d H Stevens Chairman

Revd R Earle

W Brown Esq

Mr E Goodwin

The treasurers accounts having been examined and found correct

Resolved

That Rule No 2 be as follows

The parents of poor children in the National and Infant Schools shall pay 2d a week for each child or 1/9 a quarter paid in advance. Parents living out of the parish pay double.

That rule 3 be as follows

Parents of the rank of small farmer and master tradesman pay 4d a week for each child. Parents living out of the parish pay double.

That rule 10 be annulled.

That rule 13 be entered as follows

Windows broken by the children or other careless or wilful damage done by them to be paid by their parents.

That a copy of the rules be given or sent to every parent by the Master and Mistress.

That the Master & Mistress are to teach the children on Sundays when voluntary teachers cannot be procured and they are not to be absent on Sundays during the holidays without permission of the clergyman or committee and are , if absent, to find substitutes to attend to the children at Church.

Resolved that Emily Foreman be provisionally appointed Assistant Teacher in the girls department for three months at the rate of seven ounds per annum.

Henry Stevens Chairman

Resolved that the following subscribers form the committee for the ensuing year W. Brown, Esq., Rev^d R Earle, Messrs Goodwin, Sears , A. Fremlin, & Dr Norton, together with the vicar.

Henry Stevens Chairman

1865

At a meeting held at the vicarage on Tuesday the 14^th of March 1865

Present Revd H Stevens

Messrs Sears

E Goodwin

Resolved that in consequence of the committee of council on education desiring that the annual school Accounts sh^d be made up to the last day in February the committee do bring forward the account ending Dec^r 1864 to Feb^y 28^th 1865.

Henry Stevens Chairman

[ pencil note below, only partially decipherable, indicates that the above resolution not put into effect following discussion with the inspector, initialled by HS]

At a meeting held at the Vicarage on Saturday June 24^th 1865 to hear H M Inspector’s report of the schools , and to decide what measures shall be taken thereon.

Present Rev^d H Stevens

Messrs W. Brown

Sears

Goodwin

A Fremlin

Rev^d R Earle

The report of H M Inspector having been read & found to be unsatisfactory

Resolved that Mr Kendall’s resignation of the post of Schoolmaster be accepted, and that Mrs Kendall’s appointment of Schoolmistress shall terminate at the same time, viz on the 30^th of September 1865, and that they quit the School Residence on that date according to the terms of their original agreement with the committee of management.

That a copy of the above resolution be forwarded by the secretary to Mr and Mrs Kendall.

Henry Stevens Chairman

At a meeting held at the Vicarage on Saturday August 12 1865

Present Rev^d H Stevens

Messrs W Brown

J Sears

Resolved , that Mr James Freeman be appointed, Master of the Wateringbury National School at the salary of £60 per annum , & one half of the capitation grant to boys, together with the school house & garden. He is to teach in the Sunday School , and in the Evening School in Winter according to advertisement.

Henry Stevens Chairman

At a meeting held at the vicarage on Wednesday Sep ^t 20 1865

Present Rev^d Henry Stevens

Rev^d Robt Earle

Messrs J Sears

Goodwin

Dr Norton

Resolved that Miss Catherine Caulton be appointed Mistress of the Wateringbury Girls & Infants Schools at the salary of £40 per annum and one third of the government grant to girls & infants together with two furnished rooms. She is to teach in the Sunday Schools when required and to attend the children to church.

Henry Stevens Chairman

Resolved that Mr Freeman and Miss Caulton are to give three months notice to the committee of management in case they desire to relinquish the situation of master or mistress of the Wateringbury National & Infants Schools; and that they are to receive three months notice to quit the said situations from the committee of management.

Henry Stevens Chairman

1866

At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the National & Infant schools held at the School House on Monday Feb^y 26^th 1866

Present Rev^d H Stevens.

Rev^d R Earle

J Sears Esq.,

The Treasurer’s accounts having been examined & found correct

Resolved that W. Brown, Esq., Rev^d R Earle, Messrs C. Leney, Goodwin, Sears, Newington & A. Fremlin form the committee for the ensuing year.

That a vote of thanks be given to Miss Brown on her resignation of the superintendence of the work in the girls school , for the untiring zeal & energy with which she, together with her daughters have carried out her excellent system.

That the salary of Emily Foreman be raised to nine pounds for the ensuing year.

Henry Stevens Chairman

At a meeting held at the vicarage on Saturday April 7^th 1866 pursuant to notice duly given

Present Rev^d H Stevens

Messrs Goodwin

J Sears

C Leney

Resolved that the six months notice, dated March 31^st 1866 which Frederick William Cook has given of his resignation of the office of Pupil Teacher Wateringbury National school be accepted.

Henry Stevens Chairman

1867

At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the national schools held at the school house on Wednesday Feb^y 27^th 1867

Present Rev^d H Stevens

Dr Norton

Capt F Evans

Mr Goodwin

The Treasurer’s accounts having been examined and found correct

Resolved , that the following gentlemen form the committee for the ensuing year : W Brown Esq., Rev^d R Earle, Capt F Evans, Capt Brenchley, Dr Norton, Messrs C. Leney, Goodwin, H White, Dray

That Emily Foreman have a salary of £15 per annum.

That the policy of insurance in the Kent Fire Office for the Wateringbury School be increased to £500.

Henry Stevens Chairman

At a meeting of the committee held at the vicarage on Monday Dec^r 1867 to receive the resignation of Miss C Caulton, Mistress of the Girls & Infants school.

Present Rev^d H Stevens

Dr Norton

Capt F Evans

Mr Goodwin

Resolved, that the resignation of Miss Caulton be accepted, and that the committee beg to record their satisfaction with the manner in which she has conducted the Girls & Infants School for the two years she was mistress of the same.

Henry Stevens Chairman

1868

At a meeting held at the School House on Friday 10^th of January 1868.

Present Dr Norton

Mr Goodwin

Resolved that Elizabeth Tilley be appointed to the situation of Mistress of the Girls & Infants school from Lady Day next at a salary of forty pounds per annum and to be allowed one third of the government grant towards the said schools; also that three months notice on either side shall be necessary to terminate this engagement, excepting in the case of gross misconduct on the part of the said Elizabeth Tilley in which case the school shall be at liberty to summarily dismiss her from her situation and shall be liable for only the amount of salary which may at that time be due to her.

S. Norton M.D.

Chairman

At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the National Schools held at the School House on Tuesday 3^rd March 1868

Present Rev^d H Stevens

Dr Norton

Messrs Goodwin

Dray

Resolved, that the following persons form the committee for the ensuing year W Brown, Esq., Rev^d R Earle, D^r Norton, Cap^t F Evans, Messrs Goodwin, C. Leney, A. Fremlin, Dray & Allwork & Rev Henry Stevens.

That Mr Goodwin be Auditor of the accounts for the past year.

Henry Stevens Chairman

1869

At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the National Schools held at the School House on Monday 1st March 1869

Present Rev^d H Stevens

Rev^d R Earle

Capt F Evans

Mr E Goodwin

Resolved, that the following persons form the committee of the national schools for the ensuing year Rev^d R Earle, Cap^t F Evans, Messrs F. Leney, C. Leney, Fry, Goodwin, R Fremlin, H White, Newington & Rev Henry Stevens.

That Mr Goodwin be Auditor of the accounts for the past year.

That £20 salary be given to Mrs E Foreman for the present year.

Henry Stevens Chairman

1870

At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the National Schools held at the School House on Tuesday 15^th March 1870

Present Rev^d Henry Sstevens

Messrs Goodwin

Dray

Newington

Resolved, that the following persons form the committee of the National Schools for the ensuing year

S L L Lucas Esq., Mr H Allwork

Col Hay Mr J Dray

Rev^d R Earle Mr Newington

J W Fry, Esq., Rev^d H Stevens

Mr Goodwin

Mr C. Leney

Mr R. Fremlin

That H Heath’s salary as Monitor be made up to £12 for the present year inclusive that is of the grant from the Diocesan Board of Education

That the quarterly meetings of the committee be held at the school house on the first Wednesday in Feb^y, May, August and November at 10 o’clock.

That Mr Goodwin be appointed Auditor of the accounts for the past year.

Henry Stevens Chairman

At the quarterly meeting held Augt 3^rd 1870 at the vicarage Wateringbury

Present Rev^d H Stevens

Messrs R Fremlin

Dray

Col Hay

Resolved, that the outside woodwork of the schools be painted during the present year and by tender

That the boys school be also painted & whitewashed by tender

Henry Stevens vicar

At a meeting held at the vicarage Wateringbury on Augt 27^th 1870

Present: Rev^d H Stevens Chairman

Messrs Fry

Goodwin

Resolved that the estimate of Mr Hyles for painting all the outside woodwork & ???? be accepted provided that the school house be included therein & that he be requested to commence the work at once

That the roof in Boys School be repaired & the W.C. drains be attended to

Henry Stevens chairman

At the quarterly meeting held at the school house on Wednesday Nov 2^d 1870

Present Rev^d H Stevens

Col Hay

Mr Chas Leney

Mr R Fremlin

Mr Newington

Mr Goodwin

Resolved, that Mr Clarke be requested to give his opinion for providing additional accommodation for the schools.

Henry Stevens Chairman