Stogumber's Children

Introduction

The role that children play in society, and peoples' perceptions of children and childhood alter over time. These pages consider these themes in relation to children in the parish of Stogumber in West Somerset, focusing on the Nineteenth century or what we might broadly call Victorian Stogumber.

The first section sets out some general observations about the context of children's lives in Stogumber at that time. Subsequent sections consider four aspects of childhood in the period:

bastardy
work
education
health

Sources included information found in court cases, apprentice registers, the school log book, and published material such as The Victoria County History.

This information was first given in a talk to Stogumber History Society in March 2010.

Background

Number of children

If we were able to travel back in time and visit Stogumber in the 1800s, one of the things we would notice would be how many children there were. There would have been kids everywhere.

This wasn’t peculiar to Stogumber, but was true of England more generally. In the 40 years between 1810 and 1850 the population of England doubled and as a result a very large proportion of the population were young: by mid century 50% of the population were aged under 15 (compared with less than 20% now); and fully a third of the population were aged under 10.

At the other end of the scale just over 10% were aged over 65 compared to just over 25% of the parish now.

So it was a much younger population with many more children.

Child mortality

The second feature which might strike a visitor from the present traveling back to Nineteenth Century Stogumber would be the high number of children that died.

Whilst a large proportion of the population were under 15, so too were a large number of those who died.

Around half of the funerals in the first half of the century in Stogumber were for those aged under 20.

Four out of ten funerals were for those aged under 10.

In some years the figure could be even higher. In 1841 six out of ten funerals in the parish were for children aged under 10.

If we think of this another way, around a half of all the bones which have been laid to rest in the churchyard will be those of children.

The Pinn family for instance – William a shoemaker and his wife Mary had 8 children but they lost their first born, John; their fourth, Mathew; and their sixth, William – all of whom perished in their first year of life.

Or the Stephens family from Kingswood – the father an agricultural labourer who lost Sarah, James and Charles in their infancy leaving them with only two surviving children.

Or William and Ann Ware, who had six children but lost two of them, Jane and John, in the first year of life. They joined the 20% of the population that died before their first birthday.

These families were not at all untypical. Childhood and death walked hand in hand.

These figures started to improve after 1860 with childhood mortality, but not infant mortality falling markedly.

Whereas a half of all deaths in the parish were for children under 15 in the early decades of the 1800s, by the end of the century this figure had itself halved, to around a quarter of all deaths. And of these a half were for children under one year old, a figure which would remain stubbornly high until medical advances in the following century. Nevertheless it is still sobering stuff and mercifully marks a significant difference from the present.

Family Size

Although the birth rate was much higher in Victorian England, family size was not too dissimilar from the present day.

If we take a family as being people with the same surname who live under the same roof, then by far the most common family size in the parish was four people – that is to say two parents and two children living together. Three quarters of families had less than five people.

The reason for this anomaly was the high rate of child mortality coupled with the young age at which children left home.

There were some larger families, but these were a minority – less than one in ten had more than eight family members living together.

Also – and perhaps contrary to popular belief – two generations per household was the norm .

Most children lived with their parents in nuclear families as they do nowadays, rather than three generations living under the same roof in extended family structures.

Another similarity to the present is that the proportion of children who lived with step parents was also much the same as it is now. The difference is that now the prevalence of step parents is largely due to divorce or marriage breakdown, but then it was due to the death of one of the parents.

So for instance a typical Stogumber family would have been that of John Branchflower, a thatcher who in 1851 was aged 24 and lived with his 23 year old wife and their new baby;

Or William Wood 29, a solicitors clerk who lived with his wife Eliza, a milliner and their three children who were 6,5 and 3.

Or John and Sarah Maddock. John was an agricultural labourer aged 37 who along with Sarah lived with their three sons, aged 14, 12 and 4

The family unit then was not that different to what we might expect to find today.

Click here for a breakdown of data on household size

Children in poverty

A final general point is that while childhood and death were companions, so too were childhood and poverty.

We might think back to Victorian Stogumber and imagine scenes of rosy faced children dancing around the Maypole, or playing happily outside the cottage door, or some other sentimental rural image that you see on chocolate boxes and birthday cards –but the reality was of course very different.

It’s strange that this idea of a rural Victorian idyll persists because we think the exact opposite of towns during the period: these were the haunt of Oliver Twist and Fagin, and boys going up chimneys and children working in monstrous conditions in factories and so on. But when we think of the countryside we revert to a sort of Lark Rise to Candleford version of history, an altogether more wholesome and rose tinted view.

But the reality was that the degree of poverty and the scrabble for existence was if anything even worse in rural areas than it was in towns, and this became increasingly true as the century progressed.

To get some idea of the scale of the problem, in 1834 when the parish had a population of around 1300, 117 adults received poor relief but a further 329 children were also in receipt of poor relief. Perhaps a half of all the children in the parish were living in poverty at this stage. Poverty in this context would be lacking the means to be able to have sufficient food, or clothes or fuel for warmth.

But poverty got worse not better after the loss of the of the relatively generous system of parish relief which ended in 1834, and by the later decades of the century perhaps somewhere around two thirds of children in the parish would have been living in poverty.

Bastardy

Bastardy order against James Churchill 1794

The great majority of people in Victorian England were not chaste before their wedding night.

Nationally somewhere around a third of brides were pregnant when they got married, and in country areas like Stogumber, the figure could be much higher – a study of Colyton in Devon for instance found that the great majority of brides were pregnant at the altar – or in other words it was only a minority of brides who were not pregnant when they got married.

Living together before marriage and sexual relations between engaged couples were both the norm and socially acceptable.

The reason for marriage then was very often pregnancy.

At this point marriage might be voluntarily entered into, or it could be an altogether more forced shotgun type of marriage. Elsewhere on this site you will find details of William Bacon who sold his wife and children to Robert Jones in Stogumber Square – William had got a Stogumber girl pregnant when he was 19 and had subsequently married her in Stogumber church after being liberally entertained by the parish authorities – an event he said he was unable to recall as he claimed he had to be carried to the church ‘being high in liquor’.

So despite this fairly liberal and what we might think of as modern attitude to sex before marriage, there was a much less relaxed attitude toward children being born outside of marriage, and instances of bastardy were fairly limited.

The reason for this wasn’t so much based on any notion of sin, but that children born out of wedlock stood to become a burden on the wider community of ratepayers. If a couple, and particularly if a father refused to accept responsibility for the child they had created, the authorities would step in and secure a magistrates’ maintenance order against the father.

This was however quite a rare event. There was only about one case every three years or so.

Some examples from earlier centuries are given below.

The earliest record for a case of bastardy in the parish of Stogumber concerns a woman from the early 1600s who it was recorded ‘is burthen with childe by a stranger and further that one nicholas lid a pedlar is father of her child'.

The problem here was the father was itinerant and had presumably long since left the parish.

The difficulty in the pregnant woman getting married to the putative father was altogether more difficult in the case of Alice Burd

The examincaon of Alice Burd of Stogumber taken before Sr John Windham knight one of his majesites justices of the peace at Orchard the second diay of ffeb[ruary] 1613

[Alice Burd] saith that John Carse of Monksilver, clothier, is the father of her child she goeth withall and had the carnall knowledge of her bodie one week after St James diae last once onlie and noe more At W[hi]ch tyme the said Carse his wieff and his children were at one Thomas Shutts howse in Stogumber at a Christeninge, [Alice] and the said Carse being gon at hombe together and alone

The father in this case is alleged to have been a non-Stogumber man

And most of these bastardy cases concern men from outside the parish: a blacksmith from Bishops Lydeard; a tailor from East Quantoxshead; a labourer from Monksilver; a printer from Brompton Ralph; another labourer from Shapton; a thatcher from Cannington; a tea dealer from Wiveliscome.

Of course we have no way of knowing if these people were the actual fathers as the evidence of the woman concerned was itself enough to secure an order for them to maintain a child. There must have been many cases when unpopular or relatively wealthy men were singled out by pregnant women who did not want to reveal the true identity of their lovers.

Given the unpopularity of millers this might well have applied to Jane Sealybe.

The examination of Jane Sealey of Stogumber 1696

Jane Sealey saith that she was never married but a singlewoman and is now quick with a bastard child begotten on her body by one Bernard Hawkins of ye parish of Stogumber , miller who had ye carnal knowledge of her body onse upon a bed in her fathers house about a fortnight after Whitsudntide last past when the said Bernard Hawkins begat her with ye bastard child she now gooeth with and that noe other person had ever ye carnall knowledge of her body

Sometimes even magistrates orders could be of no avail in cases where the woman was as stubborn – or as brave - as Sarah Chaple

Sarah Chaple the daughter of John Chaple being now with child is now settled and abiding with the above John Gardner in the said parish of Stogumber in order there to lay down her great belly and doth refuse to give an account who is the father of such child she now goeth with

More transcriptions of bastardy examinations

Q/SR/19/84

Notes: an order made by Sr John Wyndham knight and

john Trevelyan esquire two of his maties justices

of the peac wthin the county aforesaid att

yarde the xviii th day of July ann jaconi

anglii etc xii et xlvii touching the

relief of a bastard child borne of the body

of agnes jesse wherof John Williams of

Stogumber ys the reputed father as followeth

Imprimis wee doe order after full hearinge of this

matter of bastardy and the cicumstances therof

that John Williams of Stogumber aforesaid husbandman

who in our opynions ys the reputed father of the said

bastard child shall paye eight pence weekly to the overseers

of the poor of the sayd parish to be ymployed by them

towardes the relieffe and instentacon of sayd bastard

child and helpe towarde(s) the discharge of the sayde parish

as in their discreions (w(i)th o(u)r assent sholde thought

best The sayd payments to begin and contynewe from

the birthe of the sayd childe untill yt shallbe bound

out as an apprentice or aotherwyse sufficiently provided

for by him w(i)thout charge and burthen to the sayd parish

and also that the sayd John Williams shall

put in hande wth sufficeint suertys to the overseers

of the sayd p(ar)ish or to some two of them for the

payment thereof and for the performance of

our order

Itm doe farther order on the p(ar)t and behalf of

the sayd Agnes Jesse that she shall at all tymes here

after Keepe Mininster and Mayntayne her sayd child

without burthen to the parish...[?].. she shallbe able or othewyse that she be brought

she shall be bought before us

to be committed to the house of correction ther to contynewe

and be sett on worke for one whole yeare according to

the statute in that case provided, and likewyse for

her corporal punishements that she be openly whipped

and shaply punished on Satterday next at or neere

the p(ar)ish churche of Stogumber aforesayd by two of the clock

in the after noon by the tythingman

Q/SR/104/15

Notes: Description Evidence given by Charity Ware of Stogumber, Spinster, that Henry Webber of Elworthy, husbandman, is the father of her base child. JP: William Lacy

who upon oathe saithe that henry webber of elworthy

in the said county husbandman is the father of

the base child she now sheth wthall and more saith not

Reference Type: Journal Article

Record Number: 18

Q/SR/257/1-2

Notes: Examinacion of Joan Stephen

of the Parish of Stougmber in the

county aforesaid singlewoman taken upon

oath the first day of July 1708

The examinat saith that on the first day of January

1705 John Conner Jun(ior) of Stogumber aforesaid cordwinder

did begett her wth child of a Bastard child which s(ai)d

child was born within the parish afores(ai)d and there

yet living And that no other person had from the

time before mencioned to the birth of the said

child the carnall knowledgte of her body

and futher saith not

D\P\Stogm/13/5/5

Notes: examination of joan stephens widow of the parish of stogumber taken in 1751

her late daughter Sarah Stephens singlewoman near eight years ago was removed by an order of two of his majesties jps for county aforesaid from the parish of Stogumber to a certaine parish in the county of devon called Charryton Ffitzpain where she the said Sarah had not been but a few weeks before she was delivered of a male base child called James Stephens at whose Labour this examinant being the grandmother thereof was personally present And this examinant farther saith that the said Base Child James Stephens has already been chargeable to the said Parish of Stogumber

Stogumber's barber gets into trouble

This is not a bastardy examination, but a court case concerning fornication

SRO QSR9846&47

Evidence of Ann White of the p(ari)sh of

Stogumber taken before George Trevelyan

Esq and of the Justices of the peace of this

County the 8th day of Ffebuary 1658 upon her

Oath as followeth

This informant saith she beinge in her house, w(hi)ch was adjoyninge

To the house of one John Morris of Stogumber aforesaid barber

She this informant saw one Dorothy Knight of the p(ar)ish aforesaid

Came in at the back dore of the house of John Morris aforesaid

and made fast the dore after her,

And then the said John Morris

came in at the fordoore of the same house and made fast ye

doore after him,

Then this informant because they came in soe one at the

foredore of the house and the other at the back dore, had

a suspition of them that it was for noe good intent, this

inform(an)t lookt in betweene the dornes and the dore w(hi)ch parted

her chamber and the said John Morris his chamber; and saw

the said John Morris and the said Dorothy Knight inclose Them

selves together and the said Dorothy Knight put one of

her hands about his neck, and the other in his codpeece, then

the said John Morris went and lay on the

bed

then this inform(an)t went away out over the street to call and

of her neighbours to rebuke them for it, but he was not at home

And this inform(an)t staid about halfe a quarter of an hower, and then

Came into her chamber and found them in the same manner as

She left them, and this inform(an)t saith that presently after she

Came in she saw the said John Morris come off from the bed

And putt up his breeches and put his hand in his codpeece to pull

Down his shirt, and then went downe out of the chamber and

Left the said Dorothy Knight in the chamber and went out at the

Back dore of his house, and went round about and came in againe

To the foredore of the same house;

and there this inform(an)t meat

Him and then this inform(an)t rebuked him for what she had seene

And told him w(i)th these words;

fie John fie I never thought to

Have seene soe much baseness by thea; I will never dresse thee

One bitt of meat more whiles I live;

then the said John Morris

Made this reply to this inform(an)t that if he had flifte my Lady

Meaninge the s(ai)d Dorothy he woudl flife her againe, and if he

Had brought her w(i)th child he would father it, for s(ai)d he it is an

Honour to flyfe a Lady

(and noe more she can say)

The evidence of George White taken the day and yeare

Above and on oath as followeth

This infom(an)t saith that he was sittinge in the stares gooinge upp

To the chamber aforeseaid w(hi)ch was the chamber of Ann White aforesaid

Makeinge of skiffers ,

and when his mother went out to call her

Neighbours as afores(ai)d this inform(an)t went upp higher in the stares

And heard the bedsteed of th’aboves(ai)d John Morris w(hi)ch was in the next

Chamber cr(e)ack,

he this inform(an)t looked in at a hole betweene

The dornes and the dore and saw the s(ai)d John Morris come

From his bed and pull upp his breeches w(ith) one hand and pull

Downe his shirt wth thother hand and then he saw theaboves(ai)d

Dorothy Knight rise upp and sitt upon the foot of the

Bedsted (and noe more he can say).

The examinacon of John Morris

Of the p(ar)ish aforesaid Barber taken the day

and yeare aforesaid

This inform(an)t confesseth that theforesaid Dorothy Knight

Was in his chamber for she did use to make his bed and to

wash his clothes for him and she came in then to make

it but he denyes all that is spoken against him by the

inform(an)ts aforsaid (and no more he can say)

The examinacon of Dorothy Knight of the

P(ar)ish aforesaid taken the day and yeare aforesaid

This exam(inan)t confesseth that she was in the chamber of

The said John Morris, but she saith (tha)t all the dores belonging

To the house were open, and she saith that she sate upon

The window in the chamber and the said John upon the bed

W(hi)ch was very neare together,

but she saith that there

Was noe such thinge comitted as is suspected by the

Informa(an)ts aforesaid (and noe more she can say).

The informacon of William Barby Tithyngman

Of this p(ar)ish afores(ai)d taken upon oath the day

And yeare afores(ai)d

This inform(an)t saith that he haveinge heard some thing of

The passage that was betweene the aforesaid John Morris &

Dorothy Knight, went to John Morris

And told him that he was very sorrowed to heare of what

Misbehaviour was reported of him,

then John Morris told this inform(an)t that if He had flyste my Lady he would flyse her againe and if he Had brought her w(i)th child that he would father it,

and further He told this inform(an)t (th)at the truth of it is he was a little foolish

And this inform(an)t further saith when he came to take

Upp the said John Morris w(i)th a war(ran)t w(hi)ch he had against him

The said John told him that he did beleeve that it

Was Mr Bynham who is minister of the p(ar)ish aforesaid &

Mr Hawkins one of the same p(ar)ish , their dooeings to have

This war(ran)t against him - but said he they are but knaves

In soe doinge

and further the said John Morris said that

He would make sure Ann White and her sonne rott

In gaole (& noe more can he say)

Work

Childhood ended, and adulthood began at a much earlier age in Victorian Stogumber, just as it does today for millions of children in the developing world.

Children were certainly considered to be children as long as they were very young, but there are good grounds for supposing that they were no longer thought of as children by the time they were aged around seven or so – and they were definitely expected to make a contribution to the household.

Although parliament legislated to limit the hours that children worked, those over the age of 14 were expected to work an eight hour day.

The difference in current and contemporary attitudes can be picked up from a government report in 1851 which referred to about one million ‘healthy unemployed .. between the ages of 5 and 12’ – we still have a problem with youth unemployment nowadays but there can be very few who consider the number of unemployed six year olds to be a problem.

This sounds shocking when you first hear it, and it is; but it also makes sense – it would have been physically impossible to support the half of the population which were aged under 15 if they remained wholly dependent on adults. Adults on their own would have been physically incapable of producing enough to sustain the whole population in a much more manual and less technologically advanced age.

The youngest children were expected to mind their younger siblings – those who were still infants, and there were a variety of other household tasks to which they were gradually introduced. But they also played a part outside the home however, which obviously increased as they got older.

The school log book lists children absent from school for tasks such as:

helping on washing day
carrying lunch to their fathers in the fields during hay-making and harvest
scaring crows
picking apples, berries, potatoes and gleaning corn.

Children made an often a critically important contribution to the family’s income and to the local economy.

Children are listed in Stogumber school records as having left education to start work from the age of eleven. For instance Clara Dennett who lived at Oldway left school to enter service at the age of eleven in 1891. Walter Hayes from Vexford was listed as at work and no longer attending school at the age of twelve.

Adulthood had generally been reached by the age of 13, and the majority of children left home by the time they were 15. Some before this; some even before the age of 10.

The usual way for children to enter the formal world or work was to enter into an annual contract with board and lodging provided at the employers house.

Here is an example from 1834

Stogumber shop 1909

Mary Ann Withcombe

When I was 16 I went to Mr George Burnett of the parish of Stogumber, shopkeeper who I had heard wanted a person in his shop. My mother went with me. She is since dead. She said to Mr Burnett that she heard he wanted a person in his shop and that I was willing to come. He said he had no objection to my coming a month upon trial. I went accordingly and served in his shop for a month at the expiration of which I said to him that I should like to stay another month before I made up my mind and he assented and I went for another month. When that month was up I asked him if he thought I was capable of learning the business. He replied that he thought I was. I then agreed to apprentice myself to him for four years. He was to find board and lodging and to pay me one pound the second year, two pounds the third year and three pounds in the last year and to teach me the business. I was to find my own clothes - He drew up an agreement in writing which we both signed. [I] finally left his service in April 1834.

Apprenticeships

Poor children – that is children receiving poor relief – were bound out as apprentices by the parish authorities under a magistrate's order until aged 21, or for girls until married. There were a significant proportion of bastards amongst those bound out, including one entry for John Norman aged 8 with a note which reads "bastard - what is his mother's name?".

The vast majority were bound out as domestic servants – farm or housemaids for the girls and agricultural labourers for the boys. A very few were despatched to learn a trade: John Norman was sent off to apprentice the butcher in Williton; another was sent off to apprentice to a soap boiler, another to a tailor, another to a clerk whose address was given in Kent. Several girls were bound out to Henry Sandford Esq, of the Albany, St James, Westminster.

There were around 20 children a year bound out in this way - the oldest I came across was 16, the youngest a boy of just 7 called James Ford listed as bastard child of deceased – not even a name for his mother.

Stogumber apprentice register 1802-20

The following are some extracts from the apprentice registers.

6th May 1802 Robert James, aged 8, son of William and Mary James, bound out to John Giles yeoman farmer of Stogumber until aged 21

16th August 1802 Amy Wood aged 9, daughter of Francis and Amy Wood, bound out until 21 or until married whichever shall be sooner, to James Moore, yeoman farmer of Stogumber

19th March 1804 Richard Chapel aged 10 parents both dead to Francis Pearse yeoman farmer of Stogumber

1st May 1805 Thomas Ford aged 9 bastard child of Sarah Ford bound out to Charles Routley yeoman farmer of Stogumber

23rd May 1805 Charlotte Webber 10 daughter of George and Ann Webber bound out to James Moore Yeoman

1st May 1805 Robert Hood aged 8 son of Francis and Jane Wood to John Milton yeoman farmer of Stogumber (Robert's brother who was two years older, aged 10, was also bound out the same day to a different farmer elsewhere in the parish.)

Education

In many ways the story of children in the 1800s is above all else the story of education and its development and spread so that by the end of the century it had become not only compulsory, but also free - at least at primary level.

Stogumber had some sort of school or schools for a long time prior to the founding of present Church of England school, and there continued to be more than one school in the village until the end of the 1800s.

As early as 1769 the parish was paying someone to teach the poor children to read, but there were also a series of private schools for the wealthier.

There was a school at Haddon House which took boarding as well as day pupils; a Miss Elizabeth Symons ran an establishment somewhere else in the village and a girls school at Mill Cottage was recorded in the late 1800s.

Further details of location and information relating to schools in the village

Information compiled and kindly supplied by Lesley Morgan

Mention of an unlicensed school in 1629

Mention of Sunday school in 1814 poor rate assessment

National School: 1840

1861 Mistress: Miss Mary Anne Hikin

1864 Mistress: Miss Smyth

1866 Mistress: Miss Smyth

9 Oct 1868 Miss Smyth left

1869 “The school which has fallen off in attainments, is improving under Miss Snelgrove, who has not long been appointed”

1870 “The principal School-room does not allow the minimum of 80 cubical feet per child, for an average attendance of over 90. Unless either the accommodation is increased by next year, or the attendance diminished, the Grant will have to be withheld”, “The school is in very fair order and making very fair progress in attainments”3 . Money for the enlargement was raised mostly by subscription – details in Parish Magazine. An extra piece of land was donated by the Rev G Sanford, “as required by the government”

1871 Enlarged and restored for 153 children11

1872 Mistress: Miss Catherine Snelgrove

Jan 1874 John Rowe took charge

1875 Master: John Rowe

23 Jun 1880 Miss Gertrude Mary Hill commenced as mistress

16 Apr 1883 Miss L Symons commenced duties as infants and sewing mistress

1883 Average attendance 120: Master: Henry Mouncher

11 Jun 1888 H J Mouncher chief teacher. Lucy Symons assistant mistress

1889 Average attendance 120: Master: Henry Mouncher9

7 May 1890 Henry Mouncher resigned

27 Jun 1890 Walter N Greg appointed chief teacher

8 Jan 1894 George Arthur Hollis began duty as master

1894 Average attendance 100: Master: position vacant

28 Sept 1894 Miss L Symons left

14 Sept 1895 Miss G Hill took charge of infants

1897 Average attendance 80

Master George Arthur Hollis

Infant’s mistress: Miss Gertrude Hill

5 Aug 1898 G Hollis resigns

12 Sept 1898 George Harold Gendall new head teacher

9 May 1900 G H Gendall resigns

10 Sep 1900 George P Fevre commenced as master

1902 Average attendance 78

Master: George Frere

Infants Mistress: Miss Gertrude Hill

1906 Average attendance 96

Master: George Fevre

Girls Mistress: Miss Eva Eason

Infants Mistress: Miss Harriet Holcombe

1910 Average attendance 96

Master: George Fevre

1914 Average attendance 96

Master: George Fevre

From the Parish Magazine 1870: School prizes awarded to

1st class: Lavinia Smith, Sarah A Ware, John Tuckfield, Joel Sully, John Major, William Timewell

2nd class: Mary J Ware, Emma Woodrow, Elizabeth Dibble, Sarah J Elson, Frederick W Selman, Edward Major

3rd class: Hariett Cavill, Phillipa Smith, Ellen Dibble, Mary A Winter, John Jennings, Albert Court, William J Moore, William Newton

4th class: Rosa Matthews, Frances Smith, Emma, Redwood, Ellen J Ford, William Paddon, William Calloway, Edwin Miles, Frederick W Pinn

5th class: Annie Tuckfield, Ellen Smith, Ellen Maddock, Theresa Cavill, Henry Calloway, Charles Tuckfield, Charles Newton, John Gore

6th class: Sarah A Pinn, Fanny Tuckfield, Emma Ford, Margaret Cavill, Joseph Maddock, John Smith, William J Burge, James Summers

Best behaviour in church: Louisa Jane Williams, John Barnett (choir boy but not in the school).

Needlework: some of the above girls plus Emma Woodrow, Mary Ann Gadd, Rosa Handel, Sarah Jane Elson, Mary Jane Ware.

Baptist Chapel

1840 John Chapman's boarding and day school1. John Chapman was the Baptist minister. Mary Duddridge, aged 5, of Halsway sent as “boarder to Mrs Chapman at the Stogumber Chapel House”

Haddon House, Oldway.

1840 William Symes: Commercial, boarding and day school

1851 Jane Symes (67, widow): Boarding and day school

Ladies Boarding and Day School: Mill Cottage 1872

1861 Miss Mary Tyler

1872 Miss Harriet Tyler

1897 Mrs Maria Stokes

Day school:

1889 Miss Elizabeth Symons

1894 Miss Elizabeth Symons

In 1851 Harriet Tyler (32, schoolmistress) was living with her widowed mother

In 1881 Elizabeth R Symons (29, schoolmistress) was living with her father and a visitor in the house was Annie Elizabeth Tyler (25, schoolmistress)

In 1891 Elizabeth Symons was sharing the house with her father and sister Lucie

Sources: General Directory of the County of Somerset 1840; Kelly's Directories; Parish Magazines; M W Shorney “This is your Heritage” 1960; Morris' Directory.

What is a school?

However we have to be a bit careful when we start talking about schools.

Because these places were not necessarily what we would think of as a school nowadays – that is to say their primary purpose wasn’t necessarily education, or certainly not education in the sense that we would understand it – but rather they were often a sort of childminding service; somewhere that young children were sent to keep them safe and out of harm’s way while the parents and older siblings got on with work.

Such places were colloquially known as dame schools and took children in from an early age.

One of the striking things about the early Stogumber Church of England school register is how young some of the children were that were admitted.

In July 1874 for instance Fred Hill had his first day at Stogumber school – having just reached the age of 3
in April 1877 John Perry enrolled who had just turned two
and in June 1897 Cecil Hollis started school at the ripe age of one year and 10 months.

Children of this age clearly weren’t being sent off to learn the 3 Rs. Children left school at an earlier age than they do now, but they also started it earlier.

Perhaps the first ‘proper’ school in the village was that established by Baptist’s in the late 1700s.

This was subsequently recorded with both day and boarding pupils; one of the boarding pupils was a 5 year old girl from Halsway called Mary Duddridge. In 1818 it was reported that “the poorer classes [in Stogumber] are without sufficient means of educating their children but are anxiously desirable of giving them some education and find it in the school of Dissenters which is well watched over”. This suggests that as well as being well run it may also have been free.

The parish church established a school a little later - in 1801 - but this seems to have run into some sort of difficulty and was poorly attended, at least in the early decades of the century.

What to teach?

In the light of the reputation of dame schools you would be forgiven for thinking that the great push to expand education for children at the start of the 19th Century must have been motivated by a desire to introduce a proper education to children – the three Rs.

But it wasn’t. In fact quite the opposite. It was widely believed that educating children could be dangerous.

This is what one MP had to say in 1807 –

'It will lead the lower classes to despise their lot in life. Instead of making them good servants in agriculture and other laborious employments to which their rank in society has destined them; instead of teaching them subordination it will render them factious and refractory, it will enable them to read seditious pamphlets, vicious books, and publications against Christianity'

Although this view might seem somewhat extreme, it was by no means untypical. Even those who were the leading educational reformers adopted a similar view – this is what Hannah Moore had to say who had established a series of what were considered model schools in Mendip

'my plan of instruction is extremely simple and limited. They learn on weekdays such coarse works as may fit them for servants. I allow of no writing for the poor'

Or another leading reformer Andrew Bell

'It is not proposed that the children of the poor be educated in an expensive manner, or all of them be taught to write and to cipher. Utopian scheme for the universal diffusion of general knowledge would soon realise the fable of the belly, and the other members of the body, and confound that distinction of ranks and classes of society on which the general welfare hinges; there is a risk of elevating by an indiscriminate education the minds of those doomed to the drudgery of daily labour above their condition and thereby rendering them discontented and unhappy in their lot'

This is born out from what is known about schooling in Devon where three quarters of primary schools in the early decades of the 1800s taught only reading, with no writing and no arithmetic. There is no reason to think that the situation in Somerset was dissimilar.

The reason that the authorities and the better classes were keen to instrument some sort of education in children wasn’t so much to teach them to read and write and get on in the world, or to better themselves through learning.

It was so that they might be schooled in morality.

The existing schools were thought to be deficient not because they taught only rudimentary reading, but because they did not attempt to instill any sort of moral values, and in particular because they did not teach Christian - and specifically Church of England Christian values.

Letter from Charles Rowcliffe 1830

This attitude comes out in a letter written by Charles Rowcliffe in response to an appeal for funds for a new schoolroom for children of the poor in the parish. Charles Rowcliffe was a solicitor who lived in Wayshill, between Stogumber and Vellow.

‘I would be among the first to rejoice at such a consummation, or any other, that would really improve the disgraceful state of immorality of the parish at present’.

transcription of a letter to Charles Rowcliffe requesting a school room and his response

Letter from Thos. Smell, schoolmaster, to C. Rowcliffe,1831

Sir,

I trust your kindness will excuse my trespassing on your invaluable time for a few moments relative to the subject of my continuing to keep School in this place and although you can have no personal interest in this matter yet you may feel disposed to enter into it as possibly affecting in some degree, the concerns of Mr G Trevelyan.

I am totally at a loss for a school room sufficiently large for the number of scholars I now have and after making every enquiry in my power I am convinced there is none to be had in Stogumber save those belonging to Mr G T.

My own promise to you and my unalterable desire not to come into any dangerous contact with that Gentleman in future, prevent me from taking a single step without asking your most friendly advice.

I have been thinking that provided Mr T fully and safely acquiesced to the plan it might be possible for me to be allowed to have the Old School Room under such regulations, restrictions etc as might not only preserve my word and inclination from violation but as would possible check and prevent any further extravagant expenditure into which Mr T may probably launch in school keeping. What I would suggest would be something in this shape.

That I should keep the Parish Day School for Girls and Boys of all ages as before upon the newest plans (the only ones I will ever approve) together with the Sunday School with Scripture lessons … that I should be compensated through your hands out of the allowance made for maintaining a parish School with permission to receive some trifling recompense from those parents who could afford it and to take the children of farmers and respectable parents as my own pupils. All this to be arranged and settled by a committee including the Vicar, resident curate, yourself, Mr Ling, Captain Anthony, Mr Robt. Moore or any other respectable persons, who should have the complete superintendence and management of the Parish School concerns according to the majority and to whom I should be amenable for every part of my public conduct(?) and private character. The term of service, amount of compensation etc to be determined by such Committee.

By pursuing the System of Teaching which he so much admires – by meeting his harmless though sometimes novel wishes – it might be possible to attract and fix(?) him – and preserve him from seeking after other Teachers and throwing away his money in wilful woeful waste. At the same time the power being vested in a Committee, I should consider myself sheltered from the dangers of arbitrary authority and the school would feel a new invigorating …

As my future residence in Stogumber will be without the society of my family (at least for 2 or 3 years) I may, I trust be expected to give my undivided attention to the duties of such a station.

Should you pronounce this to be a mere chimera, and put your negative upon the whole – it will as to me be conclusive. If you hold out the light of hope, I will follow in any path in which you may be pleased to lead and no further.

I remain, Sir, with great respect, your obliged and most obt. Servant

Stogumber Thursday 13 May 1831 Thos. Smell

Rowcliffe’s Reply 1831

Sir,

I wish it were in my power to provide you with a school room, for I assure you I do not consider your desire to improve your talent by instructing the youth of Stogumber in the light of (and your own talent) , a chimera; on the contrary, I should be among the first to rejoice

At such a consummation, or any other, that would really

Increase (improve) the disgraceful state of immorality of the parish (at present but too

Apparent there), but from circumstances failed my making this (any)

Application you desire to the ?; whilst (and ? perfect?) the total occupation of

My own time ...........in the desirable scheme you

Propose .....contributed to teh support

Of a past scheme

The birth of the current Church of England school

The background to this groundswell of concern amongst those at the top of society was both the huge increase in the number of children which occurred in the early decades of the century which I have already described, and also the concomitant rise in poverty. There was a widespread feeling that the country was going to the dogs, and a real fear of social unrest even of rebellion or revolution –the French revolution was still within living memory and the early 1800s were punctuated by a series of other revolutions throughout Europe and violent protests in Britain.

Nearer to home the Luddites were destroying new types of manufacturing machinery which they thought were throwing them out of work, and their rural equivalents were terrorising rural areas with a campaign of direct action against mechanisation in the countryside.

It was against this background that the National Society for Promoting Religious Education was established in 1811 – an arm of the Church of England which aimed to found a Church of England school in every parish in England and Wales. Its founding principal was simple

That the National Religion should be made the foundation of National Education, and should be the first and [the] chief thing taught to the poor, according to the excellent Liturgy and Catechism provided by our Church.

This society founded Stogumber’s national school in 1833 – called a National school because it was founded by the national society – and it is of course the only school in the parish which is still with us now. The current school building dates from 1871 when it was rebuilt and enlarged.

Extract from school log book showing the assiduous attendance of the Trevalyns

It has to be said that the early records of the village school do indicate that it took its founding principles very seriously indeed. The children seemed to have been pretty much daily drilled in scripture and learning their catechism and were frequently taken to church for services.

The watchful eye of the vicar extended well beyond the church into the school as well and there were frequent instances of children being punished by the school mistress for misbehaving in church or even for running in the churchyard.

The curate who was standing in for the non- resident vicar was very much involved with the management and direction of the school.

Either he himself, or else his wife, or his daughter, or sometimes all three together, visited the school on a daily basis, sometimes more than once. They took lessons as well as offering plentiful advice and criticism – often to the evident exasperation of the headmistress as she recorded in her daily entries in the school log book

This promotion of a particular denomination of Christianity was not without its opponents.

Children in Stogumber were having to attend church daily during Lent for example, and of course not all children in the village were members of the Church of England.

Stogumber had a very large Baptist community, and evidently there was not always complete accord on the way things were going. On Baptist high days and holidays for instance, the Church of England national school quite often had to shut due to the low numbers attending.

This factionalism within the parish echoed a wider debate which was taking place nationally about the role of the church in education.

By the 1860s the earlier opposition to the principle for education for the poor had abated. It wasn’t so much that there was any longer disagreement in parliament about the need to educate children, or even disagreement with the principle that the state should fund this to some extent. The sticking point was who was going to provide the education

The Liberal party was very opposed to the idea that national taxation might be used to support Church schools – 'the church on the rates' as they characterised it. But non-conformists and Catholics were equally opposed to the idea that the Church of England should be funded by taxpayers to provide education, and the whole debate about the provision of education by the state became mired and stalled in this morass. Consequently the matter was not fully resolved until the final years of the century.

A second problem was that whilst parliament could agree on the need to educate the children of the poor, it was another matter altogether to convince the parents and the children themselves of this.

Parents did not have any objection in principal to their children attending school, but they were simply not in position where they could manage without the help of their children to support the family; and there were certain peak times of the year - and indeed peak times of the week such as wash day for girls - when they simply had to have their children at home and schooling had to come second.

It was in recognition of this that parliament was very slow to introduce the requirement for compulsory school attendance – it was almost certainly correctly believed that a law passed to this effect would simply be unworkable, and it wasn’t until 1880 that attendance finally became compulsory up to the age of 10.

Even then however, the battle was very far from won.

Parents now found themselves faced with a double whammy - not only did they stand to lose a pair of helping hands, but to add insult to injury they were required to pay for attendance at school.

Perhaps not surprisingly many simply didn’t comply. To give you an idea of the scale of non attendance – in the 1880s there were 10,000 cases of prosecution for non attendance at school making it the second most common criminal offence in England – (the first was drunkenness). And these were just the cases which came to court which were the minority – many an excuse was offered with probably the most common being that the children had no shoes to wear that day so couldn’t get to school.

Attendance

Stogumber school log book 1889

Even by the standards of the time, Stogumber seems to have languished near the bottom of the league when it came to non-attendance.

One of the things that strikes people about the village school in Victorian times is the large number of children in attendance – up to 140 or so. But this isn’t that surprising when you think how many more people and especially how many more children there were living in the parish.

But what is perhaps jaw-dropping is the attendance rate – the occasions on which the school had its full complement of children or anything like its full complement were the exception and not the rule. There were a myriad of reasons for them not coming as this selection of entries from the school log book shows.

Very wet stormy day. Many children absent

Very wet in morning consequently only those children who lived quite close to the school could come – 35 children in morning

Small attendance. Many away on account of their gleaning.

Three boys asked leave for a month to work in the fields

A very small school indeed. Fete at Watchet where many of the children are gone

Apple picking has caused some to be absent this week.

There has been rather a small school this week owing to Potato picking.

Still a very small attendance children away in the fields picking corn

Small attendance this afternoon as a treat was given to those children attending Chapel Sunday school

Owing to the weather which has been very stormy, sickness and gathering of acorns, there has been a very poor attendance this week

The children of Joshua Watts returned to school after 17 week’s absence.

The attendance was good at the beginning of the week but very poor at the end, just one half of children absent on account of the weather which was very miserable especially on Friday morning

The attendance continues to improve as the weather has been very fine – tho it is very unsatisfactory only 66 per cent present of those on the register

The attendance has not been good lately particularly during the last fortnight owing to parents sending their children to the Hills to pick Whortleberries. Children are often required to carry their father’s dinners.

There being a heavy downpour of rain till just upon 9 o clock on Wednesday over twenty were late out of 90 who attended – lowest attendance this week – none of whom were caned for lateness.

Minehead Races were held this day , the attendance was poor in consequence

Poor Attendance owing to Taunton Flower show

A poor attendance this afternoon owing to the Athletic sports at Watchet

Many children absent owing to a tea party at Vexford

St Thomas Day - begging day with the poorer folks in the village: as there were so many children absent begging there was a holiday in the afternoon

Thursday morn being very wet the attendance was not good

Club feast at Monksilver Many children absent

Marked registers at 9.35 as a good many children had asked to go at 11.40 to carry dinner to Haymakers etc

A poor attendance: haymaking has commenced - so many bigger children helping about the Hay

Minehead races and Whorlteberry picking left us a poor attendance

The attendance this week has been very poor owing to the ‘whort harvests’ and two days rain. Several children are very frequently late and this week Marmion Watts has been twice too late to be marked and James Watts once. Sometimes as many as 25 per cent of the children come after the first marking of the registers in red ink.

The attendance throughout the week has been wretched. On Wednesday a holiday was given as the parents of several children wished them to see the Volunteer review at Minehead

The attendance this week has been affected by the potato harvest, children kept either to mind the little ones or to pick up potatoes.

The attendance has somewhat improved but many of the children are kept home on the most trivial excuse.

There are about 50% absent this morning in consequence of visits to the ‘whort hill’.

The total attendance this morning amounted to 28 – reason – pouring rain. This afternoon it is somewhat better.

A very disappointing week with regard to work; the attendance has been wretched so that any advance in the year’s work was practically out of the question. On Friday more than 60% were absent on account of Whort harvest principally; and school was closed.

The attendance brightened up a little at the beginning of the week but the improvement turned out to be only temporary. On Thursday afternoon a half holiday was given on account of a school treat held by the Baptist Chapel.

The attendance is excessively bad this week. Many children were absent on Thursday and went to a ‘Sale of Work’ etc connected with the Chapel.

Monday was very wet and the attendance suffered all the week in consequence

Friday very wet morning Attendance 79

Winnie Andrews who has made 25 attendances out of a possible 90 must go down to std 4 when she comes again; it is quite impossible for me to keep her up to the same level as the others. Reginald Tuckfield has made 28 attendances out of a possible 90....... Edith Calloway, Mary Calloway and Nellie Coles have been absent for 12 weeks. The attendance of these children is disgraceful. The two former are often running the streets but if inquiry is made, they are always too ill to come to school. Their names are always reported to the School Attendance Committee at their monthly meetings but the parents take no notice whatever of this, and simply ignore any interference on the part of the magistrates.

The attendance is bad just now; the hay time is in full swing and some children are kept away from School to lead horses while other carry meals to their parents.

Many children are absent from the Mixed Department. Whortle berries are ripe and the children ‘stay at home’ or rather stay away from school and gather the berries. Work does not progress as fast as usual in consequence.

Several things come through here.

Firstly, the school mistress was judged in accordance with attendance levels. The log book is partly a record of her justification for the poor attendance or failure to meet targets as we might now think of it. Occasionally her exasperation can be glimpsed at the near impossible task she has been set.

The weather also played a big part in these people’s lives – children who probably had only one set of clothes and limited heating at home were not allowed to attend school when it was raining heavily - or an alternative explanation could be that this was an acceptable excuse for absence.

Similarly 'no boots' was a constant excuse for attendance which both tells us that children often didn't have boots to wear, but also that this was a standard get-out clause for non attendance.

It is also very apparent that children were needed to help out at certain times, particularly with picking whortleberries. I thought this was something that was long confined to the history books but when I was researching this topic I was told by one parishioner how she and her sisters had to go whortle berry picking as children and the money they got from selling the berries was used to buy their school shoes.

As well as whortleberry picking we find them planting and picking potatoes, carrying meals to the fields, leading horses, haymaking, apple picking, bird scaring, hoeing and gleaning. And this wasn’t just one or two children. It must have been quite a sight to see dozens, perhaps even hundreds of children working away on 'the whort hill', wherever that was.

But another thing that stands out is that parents obviously had quite a casual attitude to school attendance by their children.

We can see that they were quite happy for their children to miss school if something more diverting was going on – Minehead races, Monksilver sports, the circus, the waxwork show, fetes, tea parties and so on. In fact reading through these log books you are left with the definite impression that children were only sent to school when they had nothing better to do – it seems to have been at the bottom of the list of the parents' priorities for their children.

list of details for absence from Crowcombe school 1757

1757 A List of the Charity Children and

A true account of their coming to school

Thomas Newton sometimes; as his father can spare him from his business

William Blake seldom at school; because working with his father

William Pearse seldom at school; being employed in his father’s trade.

Reuben Porter sometimes in winter; being grown in years and labours.

Richard Barston seldom at school; employed in Husbandry.

Thomas Parson sometimes at School; but for the most part at Labour.

William Alderman Labours for the most part; at school in rainy days.

William Smith Labours and therefore very seldom at school.

Richd Knott For the most part of his time, at Husbandry.

Anne Knott Grown in years; but at school sometimes in Winter.

Elizabeth Reeves the same

Mary Knott the same

Thomas Comber Sometime at school; when he has no labour.

William Newton Pretty Constant making use of all opportunities.

Mary Burston Grown in years; and employed in Housewifry. Seldom at school.

Betty Burston the same

John Miles of Bagborough; Labours; at the school sometimes in Winter.

John Street Constant; unless at the Heathfield for Heath.

William Street the same.

William Coles Constant; but in Harvest.

John Dabin of Bagborough seldom at school; labourer.

William Knott Constant; but in Harvest.

Edward Bird Constant; but at Whort time.

George Williams of Bagborough; Labourer; at school sometimes.

Sarah Croft of ditto ditto

Richard Street At school constantly; when he is not with his Uncle at Wickham.

Robt Symons Constant at School

John Newton (son of Wm) Constant but in Harvest.

William Brewer Constant; but in Harvest.

William Brewer Constant; but when he has no shoes etc.

William Chilcott But seldom at school; often sick.

Joel Reeve Constant

William Freak Constant; but in Harvest.

Isaac Palfrey Of Bagborough; Labourer; at school sometimes in Winter.

Rich Barston (son of Thos) Seldom at School; for the most part driving oxen.

Fortu Daw. Constant but when he has not shoes etc.

Hen Tonkings Seldom at School.

John Seymour Constant but in whort time and harvest.

John Medway Constant

Robt Willis Constant as possible.

Joseph Alford Of Stogumber Constant

Phillip Barne of ditto Constant

SRO DD/Tb 29//9/1-45.

selected transcription of school log book 1864-88

DD/X/Stog/1

“A”

1883

To secure more regular attendance and punctuality cards are given at the end of each week to those children who have attended as many times as the school has been opened and been in time

1884

Lists of children who have been irregular in attendance sent (weekly as a rule) to the Attendance Committee

Notices sent weekly to the parents of irregular scholars, stating the number of times absent and a wish for more care and attention to the matter

April A case of small pox broke out at Kingswood. Children in the neighbourhood sent home. The following day a Notice was received from the Union authorities stating that no Kingswood Chn were to be allowed to attend school.

“C”

Cleanliness

Water fetched daily; towels and soap kept and dirty children made to wash

“P”

Punishments

Aug 16th John Withers 4 stripes for being near the Girls’ Offices during the dinner hour.

“W”

Weather

1883

April 27th Very wet day

July 20th Very wet day

July 23rd Wet all day

Aug 8th Very wet about school time

Jan 23 Very wet and rough all do

Jan 25th ditto

Jan 31st ditto

Feb 1st ditto

Feb 25th ditto

Feb 28th ditto

March 31st ditto

1884

April 3rd wet all day

July 15th ditto

July 23rd wet afternoon

July 28th ditto

July 29th wet morning

Aug 8th wet afternooon

Oct 9th very wet morning

Oct 30th wet afternoon

Nov 6th Very wet all day

Nov 7th ditto

Dec 2nd ditto

Decc 4th ditto

Dec 18th ditto

2 more pages of same

July 4th 1864

Recommenced school after 1 week’s vacation

Mr Trevelyan attended the school and took

The reading lesson in the first class

Mr and Miss Trevelyan visited the school this

Afternoon

5th Mr Trevelyan assisted in the school this morning

For an hour and taught the first class

6th It being a Saints day I took the first three

Classes to church the younger children re

Mained at home with the teacher

Mr Trevelyan examined the 2nd class in reading

This afternoon and complained that the children

Did not pay proper attention to their stops

7th Miss Trevelyan came to school this morning

And heard the 3rd class read, she complained

that three of the boys were very disobedient

to her for which I was obliged to punish

them

Mr and Miss Trevelyan called at the school

This afternoon

Jan 8th Miss Trevelyan visited the school this

Morning and heard the 3rd class read

I examined the 2nd class in reading and

Dictation

11th The attendance this morning very small

Miss Trevelyan taught the 3rd class for

An hour

12th Mr Trevelyan examined the 3rd class in

Reading and in writing their capital and small

Letters

13th Weather being rough the attendance has

Been very small the whole day

14th On examining the 2nd class in reading

I found several children had not made

The least improvement

15th Mr Trevelyan visited the school this morning

And complained of the untidyness of the children

In the lower class

18th The first class was very troublesome during

Mr Trevelyan’s lesson

Miss Ling came to the school this afternoon to enquire after one of the children

19th Mr Trevelyan gave a reading lesson to the 2nd class this morning and remarked that two children had very much improved since he last taught them

I was obliged to send a boy home again because he came into the room at ½ past 3 o clock

20th I examined the 4th class in arithmetic this morning and found they had made but very little progress. I shall be obliged to alter the time table.

21st Mr Trevelyan visited the school and took the reading lesson in the 2nd class

Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning for two hours

22nd The 2nd and 3rd were kept in for disorder during their arithmetic

I was obliged to punish one of the boys for speaking very improperly to the teacher

25th Mr Trevelyan called at the school before service this morning and bought a packet of copy books for the use of the boys

26th The school being very full Mr Trevelyan thought it advisable to send home the children I admitted on Monday until some of the older boys should leave

27th Mr Trevelyan called at the school this morning but being late he proposed taking his class in the afternoon

28th The mother of the child I sent home on the 26th called this morning and very much wished me to admit her child which I have promised to do on Monday next.

29th A stick of pencil was taken from a case this morning and two short pieces put into its place. I have not as yet been able to find out the doer of the mischief.

Mr Trevelyan visited the school this morning and taught the 3rd form for an hour.

February 1st I admitted a boy this morning, 11 years of age but unable to say the alphabet

Mr Trevelyan taught the 3rd class for an hour, he was very much pleased with two little girls who read very nicely

2nd I took the first three classes to church this morning the others remained at home with the teacher

Mr Trevelyan gave a lesson to the 2nd class this afternoon

3rd The 2nd class were kept in for disorder during their reading lesson but I considered it the fault of the teacher

4th I was obliged to have recourse to the bell this morning a great many times there being such a noise in the room that I could not hear myself speak, occasioned by the loud talking of the teachers

5th The school has been much quieter today owing to the teachers lowering their voices when teaching

7 The 2nd class were kept in to read their lesson again with me which they did very badly indeed with Mr Trevelyan

8th While the children were at play one of the little ones fell and hurted its head which caused a great disturbance amongst the other children

10th It being Ash Wednesday I took the first three classes to church the younger children I dismissed at 10 o clock

12th Being short of needlework I kept the whole school at lessons the whole day

Mr Trevelyan visited the school this afternoon and taught the 2nd class for an hour, he said the children had improved very much in reading but their writing was only fair.

15th Two gentlemen paid a visit this afternoon in company with Mr Trevelyan

16th Three boys were very troublesome with Mr Trevelyan for which I was obliged to punish them severely

17th I examined the younger children in their scripture this morning and found they had improved very much

18th Mrs Trevelyan taught the 2nd class. Mr Trevelyan paid a visit this afternoon, she thought the needlework improved.

19th One of the parents complained that her boy could not hold his pen properly, another objected to the pupil teacher marking the letters for her child.

22nd I was obliged to dismiss a boy this morning for disobedience. His mother brought him back again in about an hour, and after begging pardon and admitting he was very sorry for his misconduct I re admitted him into school

23rd Mr Trevelyan taught the 2nd class this morning for an hour

24th Mr Trevelyan complained this morning the children did not pay proper attention to their stops during

Their reading lesson

25th One of the boys broke a pane of glass this morning through carelessness

26th Miss Trevelyan taught the 3rd class this morning, she had occasion to complain of the misconduct of one of the boys

29th I was obliged to punish several of the boys for running about in the school room and making a noise during the dinner hour.

March 1st 1844 Mrs Trevelyan heard a few of the boys read a psalm this morning her object being to see if they could read sufficiently to chant the psalms with the choir

2nd Several children were very late this morning owing to a heavy shower about 9 o clock

3rd Mr Trevelyan was very pleased with the reading in the 1st class.

4th A pane of glass was broken this morning through carelessness

7th A great number were punished this morning for behaving badly in church yesterday

8th The weather being rough the attendance has been very small today

9th I examined the 2nd and 3rd classes in scripture they had not improved as much as I expected

10th Mr Trevelyan taught the 2nd class this morning

Miss Trevelyan the 3rd class for an hour

11th Mrs Trevelyan paid a visit to the school this afternoon and wished me to alter the style of some of the needlework

14th Mr Trevelyan taught the 1st class reading for an hour. Miss Trevelyan the 3rd class

15th Mr Trevelyan told several of the boys their hair required cutting

16th Mr Trevelyan taught the 1st class he was not pleased with the reading to day

Miss Trevelyan taught the 3rd class

17th The school was very full this morning and the boys in the first class very troublesome especially during Mr Trevelyan’s lesson

18th The children being very troublesome I kept them sitting still from 4 o clock – ½ past

21st One of the boys accidentally broke his slate for which he has to pay

22nd I desired one of the girls to bring a needle in the place of one she broke this afternoon but her mother sent word to me “she should do no such thing”

23rd The first three classes went to church this morning, the younger ones remained at home with the teacher

24th The attendance this morning was very small

25th Good Friday

28th Being Easter Monday we had no school this afternoon and very small attendance this morning

29th The attendance very small again today

Mr Trevelyan taught the 1st class

30th Miss Trevelyan taught the 2nd class this morning the children were very good

31st Mr Trevelyan taught the 1st class

I was surprised to find two of the little children could not say their letters after being in the school two months

April 1st The children were looking very clean this morning

4th Several children punished this morning for inattention during their scripture lesson

5th Mr Trevelyan taught the 1st class

6th Miss Trevelyan heard the 3rd class read

7th Mr Trevelyan heard the 1st class read, some of the children were very careless with him and did not do their best

8th One of the parents complained her child did not have the same number of tickets as the other, she was not very civil in her manner.

11th Several children were punished for not walking orderly to church yesterday

12th Mr Trevelyan taught the 1st class

One of the boys whom I had occasion to punish attempted to take the cane from my hand. I was obliged to shut him into the coal house where I kept him the whole of the dinner time

13th Mrs Trevelyan came to the school and brought some books for the children. Miss Trevelyan taught the 3rd class.

14th Mr Trevelyan taught the 1st class, he was not pleased with one of the girls

Miss Trevelyan called to ask me to send the

choir boys to the church at 12 o clock

15th Miss Trevelyan taught the 3rd class

Mr Trevelyan and Mr Bill paid us a visit this afternoon

17th I began morning lessons with the PT

Mr Trevelyan heard the 2nd class read

18th The children have been particularly quiet the whole day

20th One of the first class girls let the bell fall out of her hand and broke off the handle from it

21st Mr Trevelyan taught the 1st class and Miss Trevelyan the 3rd

22nd The three lower classes were kept in for disorder

23rd A very small attendance at school this morning several children ill in the measles.

26th Only 40 children in attendance

27th Attendance less than the preceding day

Mr Trevelyan taught the 1st class

28th One of the children came to school this afternoon with the measles quite thick about her face

29th Only 30 children at school this morning and 28 this afternoon

May 2nd 1844 Only 40 children at school this morning and out of them two were taken ill and obliged to go home

3rd The attendance still very small, three children have returned who were first taken ill. Mr Trevelyan taught the 1st class

4th Mr Trevelyan taught the 3rd class. Several children have returned

5th Two other children were sent home ill this morning. I very much fear we shall have only a small attendance on Wednesday next.

6th Only 42 children in attendance owing to the measles and fair.

9th The attendance considerably increased and most of the children appear to have recovered very well from the measles excepting their voices, it is impossible for some of them to speak out above a whisper yet

10th Mr Trevelyan heard the 1st class repeat their catechism. Mr Trevelyan thought I had better give half a holiday that the floor might be cleaned and dry for the morning

May 11th 1864 [definitely 64]

Chief teacher Mary Jane Smyth 2nd Cl 2 year A Paid monitor (Diocesan) Jane Lovell. Jemima Lovell. Martha Tuckfield. Douglas T? H.M Inspector

23rd Recommenced school after one weeks vacation

Mr Trevelyan taught the first class this morning and Miss Trevelyan the second for an hour

Sir Walter Trevelyan visited the school this afternoon

I admitted three children this morning but one of them would not remain away from her elder sister, I was obliged at last to send her home

24th Mr Trevelyan taught the first class for an hour, he complained that one of the girls made several careless mistakes in her reading

25th Mr and Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning for an hour

Mrs Trevelyan and Lady Trevelyan came this afternoon the latter promised to send pieces of patches for the younger children to make another quilt with.

26th Mr Trevelyan came this morning but being in a hurry he did not remain long enough to teach

Mrs Trevelyan called this afternoon

27th Mr and Miss Trevelyan taught this morning. The children were very troublesome this morning for which I was obliged to punish

30th Only 24 children present this morning owing to its being (Club Day) I dismissed the children at 11 o clock for the remained of the day

31st Very small attendance this morning owing to the weather

Mr Trevelyan visited the school this morning but being busy he did not take a class.

June 1st One of the first class boys answered the pupil teacher this afternoon for which I punished him upon which he answered me in the same manner. I was obliged to keep him in until he said he was sorry and promised to behave better for the future

2nd Mr Trevelyan taught the 2nd class this morning. He remarked that one of the boys had greatly improved in reading

Mrs Trevelyan called this afternoon and heard the choir boys read the psalms for Sunday

3rd Mr and Mrs Trevelyan taught in the school this morning for an hour

The teacher did not pay proper attention to their classes which was the cause of ? on the part of the children

One of the first class boys answered the teacher this morning

6th Mr Stephens visited the school this morning and heard the 1st class read

7th The lower classes were very disorderly this morning at their scriptures for which they were punished. The 2nd class boys I found very backward in their catechism

8th A piece of pencil was taken from a case by one of the children

One of the boys disobeyed the teacher this

Morning and refused to do what she bade him

9th Mr Trevelyan taught his class as usual this morning, but found no fault with any of the children

10th One of the parents came and complained of one of the teachers and said she received fruit etc from the children which she denied ever having done

13th Miss Trevelyan visited the school this afternoon and expressed a wish to have more children in her class on Sunday

14th Several children were late this morning Mr Trevelyan said he saw several of them looking in at the shop window after 9 o clock

15th The attendance this morning has been very small owing to the weather

16th Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning for an hour, several of the children were punished for inattention during the lesson

Which she gave

17th Several children were absent this morning because their home lessons were rather difficult for which they had to remain in and learn this evening

20th attendance very good

21st Mr Trevelyan called and taught his class

22nd The lower classes were very backward in their reading I am afraid the teachers do not pay proper attention to them at all times

24th We discovered that one of the boys had told a falsehood

27th Mr Trevelyan called this afternoon and said he had agreed to give me a third of the WHOLE grant

28th Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning

29th Children very attentive this whole day

30th One of the children missed from his bag a great part of his dinner which must have been taken during one of the lessons

July 1st Miss Trevelyan taught in her class this morning for an hour

4th Attendance very small this morning Mr Stephens visited it

5th One of the boys fell and hurted his foot during the dinner hour

6th Attendance better today

7th Miss Trevelyan taught this morning

8th Lower classes very inattentive during their reading lesson

11th Children very inattentive this morning. Miss Ling visited the school to enquire after one of the children.

12th One of the parents complained that the pupil teacher was very unkind to her child

13 Mr Stephens visited the school this morning and taught the 1st class

July 14th Miss Trevelyan visited the school this morning, The first class were kept in for inattention

15th On examining the 3rd class in Arithmetic I found three boys had very much improved – the multiplication table also was better throughout

27th A very full attendance this morning on account of the breaking up for the harvest holidays. Mr and Miss Trevelyan were present.

September 5th Recommenced school after 5 weeks holiday. Four children admitted into the school this morning Attendance very good.

6th A very small attendance this morning oweing to the weather

7 One of the little boys broke a slate this morning. I said it was to be paid for, the mother came this afternoon and said she would never pay one farthing for it.

8th Miss Ling called this afternoon

9th The 2nd class I thought improved in reading but the 4th quite the contrary

12th Small attendance this morning owing to the weather

13th Children very disorderly this morning but rather better this afternoon

23rd Mr Trevelyan visited the school this morning but did not teach

24th One of the parents came to school and abused me very much indeed for punishing her child which I did for the girl telling me a falsehood

29 Attendance small this morning owing to the weather

30 Mr Trevelyan visited the school this morning and taught the 1st class, he thought two of the boys had improved much

October 3 We have been working today from a new time table which seems to answer in the lower classes better

Than the old one did

17th One of the parents was very abusive to the pupil teacher this morning. I dismissed the child from the school.

21st I examined the 1st and 2nd standards this morning in scripture, they have made but very little progress since last week

24th Six children admitted this morning, two twelve years of age unable to say the alphabet

31st Mr Trevelyan taught in the school this morning and complained that the boys were not careful

Nov 4th I examined the infants this morning they were much more attentive. One of the teachers was 10 minutes late this morning.

7 five children admitted this morning

8 One of the first class boys answered the PT very improperly this morning

9th Very small attendance this morning owing to the weather

10th Mr Trevelyan taught in the school this morning and complained of the disorder among the boys.

11th I examined the 1st and 2nd class in catechism this morning the latter class seemed to have taken more pain than the former and to have understood their lessons

14th One of the 1st class boys came to bid his school good bye before going to London with his father

15th One of the 2nd class girls has left to attend another school in the parish because her uncle does not consider a national school respectable

18th Mrs Trevelyan visited the school this afternoon and examined the needlework, she remarked that it was not very clean

30th Miss Trevelyan taught for an hour.

December Three boys admitted this morning

6th Children very disorderly during the repetition of the multiplication table

7th Mr Trevelyan taught the 1st class for an hour

Children not very orderly

8th Miss Trevelyan taught the 3rd class

9th A very small attendance this morning several children ill in the parish

22nd The weather being so very severe the attendance was very small

January 27th 1866 Recommenced school after one week’s holiday

Attendance very small owing to the weather,

3rd Mr Trevelyan came this morning and was surprised not to find a better attendance

4th The weather is still severe. The teachers called to enquire for several of the children the general complaint seemed to be “bad feet”

9th Four children admitted and one readmitted . Attendance rather better

10th the first class kept in for inattention

11th Mr Trevelyan visited the school this morning and taught the first class

12th Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning for an hour

13th I examined the 3rd and 4th classes in Arithmetic

A few of them seemed to have made a slight improvement

16th A dozen children were punished this morning of bad behaviour in church yesterday. Miss Trevelyan visited the school and taught the 3rd class for an hour

Mr Trevelyan taught his class for an hour, two of the boys were very careless during their reading.

Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning.

I examined the 1st and 2nd classes this morning in catechism.

31st One of the 1st class girls refused to obey me this morning for which I sent her home until I could see her mother.

Feb 1st Mr Trevelyan visited the school.

2 Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning and took reading and dictation in the 2nd class.

3rd Mr Trevelyan took his class.

6th One of the boys broke a slate this morning

8th Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning

9th A child taken ill in the school, one of the girls took her home

10th I examined the lower class in reading

14th I took away a valentine from one of the boys this afternoon

15 I found two boys playing at marbles in the play ground instead of being in the school room

16 Miss Trevelyan called this afternoon and heard the choir boys read the Psalms

17 I examined the 4th class in arithmetic they are very backward in numeration

20th Four children admitted this morning

21st Mr Trevelyan came to the school this morning

22nd Mr Trevelyan came this afternoon to enquire after one of the boys

23rd Attendance very small this morning

24th One of the boys threw a stone and knocked a little girl during the play time this morning

March 1st I took three first classes into church this morning the Pupil Teacher remained at home with the others

2nd A 1st class boy came to school at 2.45 this afternoon for which I punished very severely having discovered he had loitered his time on the road playing marbles

3 Miss Ling called this afternoon

6th one child admitted and two dismissed

7th One of the parents sent me word that her child was not to take home lessons, or any ?, she should do the same as the others the child behaved very improperly for which I dismissed her

8th Mr Trevelyan came to the school after the Service and heard the choir boys read the Psalms

9th Miss Trevelyan taught this morning

10th I took the three first classes to church this morning

13th Attendance small this morning owing to the weather

14th Mr Trevelyan came this morning

16th The choir boys went to church this morning

Two of them loitered on their way home

20th One of the little ones took a dinner from one of the baskets during the writing lesson

26th I examined the 3rd class in reading some of them do not seem to make much progress

27th Mr Trevelyan visited the school and heard the 1st class repeat their catechism

April 3rd Three children admitted two unable to say their letters

4th Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning for an hour

6th I took the first three classes to church this morning

6th Miss Trevelyan taught the 2nd class for an hour

7 I examined the 1st class in Arithmetic, most of them seemed to have made great progress since the last time I examined them

10 Three children admitted this morning

Mr Trevelyan taught in the school this morning

11th Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning

12th One of the children fell and hurted her foot and was obliged to be taken home

17 Attendance very good this morning children very attentive throughout the day

18 Mr and Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning

19 The choir boys went to church this morning to practice

20 Holiday this afternoon for cleaning the room

1865 April 21 Chief Teacher Mary J Smyth Probation 2nd Class 2nd Division

Pupil Teacher Jane F Lovell end of ist year

H B Barry HM Inspector

April 24th Three children admitted this morning. Mr and Miss Trevelyan visited the school. Teachers attentive children careless this afternoon

28th Attendance very small the whole day, children engaged in the fields

May 1st Teachers careless this morning consequently the children not attentive

2nd Miss Trevelyan complained of three boys who would not attend to their reading

3rd The second class children have improved in their reading, I think the teacher must have taken great pains

Mr Trevelyan taught his class this morning

4th Mrs Trevelyan visited us this afternoon and looked a the needlework. Children very attentive the whole day. Teachers careful

8th Attendance very small this morning owing to a fair in the parish Holiday this afternoon

9th Miss Trevelyan took her class this morning for an hour

Attendance very small

One of the teachers “10” minutes late

10th Mir Trevelyan taught his class this morning for reading

11th One of the children lost a penny of the desk which I found to have been taken by the child who sat next during the writing lesson

12th One of the first class girls was very disobedient this morning for which I sent her home to return with her mother

22nd Attendance very good this morning, several children punished for misconduct in church.

23rd Miss Trevelyan taught her class for an hour, children attentive

24th Mr Trevelyan heard the choir boys read the Psalms for Sunday this afternoon

25th I examined the 3rd class in arithmetic this morning, three of the boys had not made much progress

26th Children careless this afternoon especially the girls in the lower classes

Mrs Trevelyan visited the school

June 1st Attendance small the last day before the Whitsun holiday

12th recommenced school after one weeks holiday. Attendance not good.

Miss Trevelyan taught in the school for an hour

13th One of the boys disobedient to his teacher

16th The 1st class Monitor omitted to see to the inkstands, which caused waste of time before the writing lesson

16th One of the little girls fell in the play ground this morning and hurt her arm

17th Mrs Trevelyan visited us this morning and Miss this afternoon

19th Miss Ling called this afternoon to enquire after one of the children

20th Examined the 2nd class in reading this morning two were very careless, the others did the teacher credit

July 6th half holiday

7th Attendance very small children engaged in the fields

10th Attendance still small, one of the teachers absent through sickness

11th Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning an hour and heard the choir boys read after 12 o clock

August 2nd Attendance very small, harvest having commenced. The last day before the Harvest Holidays

Sept 4th Recommenced school after 3 weeks holiday

Attendance very small owing to sickness in one part of the parish

Mr Dart visited the school but did not teach

5th One of the parents complained of the teacher punishing her child

6th Mr Dart taught in the school this morning. Attendance still small

7th 3rd class teacher behind her time this morning.

8th Mr Dart taught the 1st class this morning. Miss Ling visited us this afternoon.

11th Attendance very little better than last Monday. Fever still at Vellow

12th 1st class boys disorderly this morning coming in from the play ground

13th Arithmetic very poor in the 2nd class. Children careless and not industrious.

14th A child taken ill in the room this afternoon

16th Several children late this morning . Mr Dart taught the 1st class

18th Attendance still small, none of the sick children nor their neighbours having returned. Mr Dart took his class as usual this morning

19th Four 1st class boys kept in for their lesson and one for disobedience to his teacher

20th Mr Dart visited this school this afternoon

21st Attendance very small this afternoon only 50 children present

Miss Trevelyan visited the school

Mr Dart Mrs and Miss Trevelyan visited the school this morning.

2nd class arithmetic still very poor indeed. 3rd class teaching improved, 4th class poor.

28th 2nd class arithmetic improved

Mr Dart and Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning

One of the children sent home for disobedience the mother came back with her

26th Attendance better today, some of the Vellow children have returned. Reading better in the fourth class.

27th Reading improved in the 3rd class

Mr and Miss Trevelyan and Mr Dart visited the school this morning

28th Mr Dart and Miss Trevelyan visited the school this afternoon

Attendance still small

29th Mr Dart and Miss Trevelyan visited the school this morning

2nd class arithmetic rather better.

October 2nd Mr Trevelyan visited the school this morning also Mrs and Miss Trevelyan

3rd Mr Trevelyan taught in the school this morning and has promised to hear the 1st class their scripture three times a week. 3 rd class reading not so good as last week.

5th class improved in reading the pupil teacher has taken great pains

5th Mr Trevelyan examined the 1st class in Scripture

And thought they answered very well. He had great difficulty in getting one of the boys to say “memorable” (?)

The second class reading slightly improved

6th Mr Trevelyan complained of the reading in the 1st class – children very troublesome throughout the school

9th Mr Trevelyan taught in the school this morning – attendance small – 4th class very disorderly the teacher has not the least command of the children. I was obliged to take three lessons in the above class during the morning

10th Mr Trevelyan taught in the school this morning – attendance rather better – 1st class writing improved – 4th class order rather better

11th Mr Trevelyan and Mr Ross visited the school this morning – 2nd class arithmetic better but spelling very poor

Mr Trevelyan complained of the misbehaviour of one of the choir boys in the village

4th class reading very poor still, the order improved a LITTLE during part of the morning

12th Mr Trevelyan taught in the school this morning – order improved in the 4th class – 2nd class writing rather better – 1st class home lessons carelessly written

13th 4th class order very much improved - 1st class home lessons more careful – 2nd class more orderly teacher taken great pains

Mr and Miss Trevelyan taught in the 2nd school this morning the former had to complain of inattention of two of the children in his class during the reading lesson

16th Mr and Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning – 1st class home lessons badly written – 4th class order improved – 2nd and 3rd classes much more attentive with their teachers, but the second class careless with Miss Trevelyan – Teachers very ATTENTIVE and their duties

17th 1st class home lessons carelessly written

2nd class Dictation very BADLY done indeed

4th class order not so good children not so attentive to their teacher

Mr Trevelyan taught the first class for an hour – Miss Trevelyan visited the school

18th 2nd class spelling still very poor – 1st class home lessons not well done – 3rd class improved in reading and the 4th class in arithmetic. Mr and Miss Trevelyan have taken their class as usual the former complained of two of the boys

19th 1st class home lessons better written

Mr Trevelyan visited the school and enquired of one of the choir boys – 4th class order not so good 3rd class very fair

20th 1st class home lessons better written – Mr and Miss Trevelyan taught this morning – 2nd class dictation very poor – 4th class reading improved – order very fair in the room this morning

1st class home lessons badly written; 2nd class dictation rather better, the teachers have tried VERY HARD during the last week especially with the most backward children – 3rd class reading very fair – 4th class order and writing very poor indeed this morning – Mr Trevelyan took his class this morning and thought the little boys improved in reading

24th 1st and 2nd class writing improved. Order in the 4th class rather better. Reading in the 4th class improved. Mr Trevelyan visited the school this morning.

25th 1st class home lessons rather better – 2nd class dictation very poor – 4th class writing still poor – Attendance small owing to the weather – Mr and Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning.

26th Attendance very small this morning owing to the weather and Mr Trevelyan visited the school and heard the teachers read he said their reading was very good

27th Mr and Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning. 1st class home lessons better written, 2nd class dictation fair, 3rd class reading fair, 4th class poor – attendance small owing to the weather

November 1st Attendance small Mr and Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning

2nd Mr Trevelyan taught in the school this morning; 4th class order not good; 2nd class dictation improved. Scripture very fair throughout the room.

3rd Attendance still small; 3rd class reading improved; 4th class arithmetic very poor; 2nd class dictation poor.

8th attendance small owing to the weather. Mr Trevelyan taught this morning.

9th Reading improved throughout the school. Mr Trevelyan took his class this morning. 1st class home lessons better written, 5?th class improved very much teachers

Take great pains

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

15th one of the first class boys very unruly and attempted to turn to me when punished

16th attendance poor due to the weather

21st attendance not so good today owing to the weather

22nd attendance very poor owing to the weather

23rd attendance rather better today. One of the teachers heard a 2nd class girl using very bad language to her schoolfellow

27th attendance very low today owing to the weather. Mr Trevelyan took his class as usual and complained of the carelessness of one of the girls. The reading of the 3rd class improved. The general order improved from the teachers lowering their voices. School commenced at 9.15 and dismissed at 12.15

28th Attendance very low this morning (only 58 children present) owing to the weather. Mr Trevelyan took his class for an hour. Miss Trevelyan visited in the afternoon. Two children were sent home this morning because one of their brothers is ill of fever.

30th Being Sain’t day I took the first four classes to church, the younger children remained

6th attendance very small indeed owing to the weather, only “48” children in attendance this morning and “41” this afternoon

10th attendance small owing partly to the weather and partly to sickness

14th 1st class very troublesome during their lesson with Mr Trevelyan

15th Miss Trevelyan complained of the inattention of the children in the 2nd class during their dictation lesson

17th A very small attendance the whole week. Fever is still prevalent among the children

20th One child admitted this morning – attendance rather better but still small, a great many children ill

22nd One of the first class boys very impertinent to his teacher, also to Mr Trevelyan

14th Mr Trevelyan complained of the choir boys giving him more trouble than the others. 1st class girls careless with their needlework. Attendance very small owing to the weather.

14th Only 36 children in attendance this morning and 43 this afternoon it being too rough for any but those living quite near to venture out

22nd Several children very impertinent to their children (sic) before I came into the room

23rd Mr Trevelyan complained of some of the boys making very careless mistakes in their reading. One of the parents said her child had been a long time learning his letters. A girl in the 4th class lost a penny from her jacket and accused the child next her of having taken it, I have not as yet been

Able to get her to confess it, nor to discover if she has really taken it

February 6th The children are under good influence, and the teaching is sound and careful. The Religious Knowledge was on the whole very fair, but the answering should be more general in the second class. The general progress made in elementary subjects was satisfactory and creditable to the mistresses

7th Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning and complained of the behaviour of two of the boys

8th Attendance very small owing to the weather

9th One of the parents came to see me this morning said the pupil teacher had punished

Her child for which she should take him from the school

10th Attendance very small. Several children late for prayers

13th Children dismissed at 12.20 because the mistress was detained until 9.15 by one of the parents

19th Mr Trevelyan taught in the school this morning and complained of the inattention of one of the girls

A parent wished to put her boy to another school under a master, but Mr Trevelyan objects to his remaining in the choir unless he is allowed to remain in the school

20th I punished a child this morning for which the mother intends keeping her at home

21st A very fair attendance this morning but poor in the afternoon

22nd Teachers not so attentive to their classes as usual this morning

Miss Ling visited the school this morning

23rd Attendance much better this afternoon

Average higher than the last four weeks

26th Several children punished this morning for not walking orderly through the churchyard.

18th Mr Trevelyan took his class as usual this morning and heard Standard VI read from a newspaper

March 1st Punished two boys for throwing stones during the dinner time

2nd Commenced work at 1.30 and dismissed at 3.30 Register marked at 2 O clock

12th Pupil teacher examined today. Entry in log book not made until after teacher’s return from Taunton

13th Dismissed a boy for telling a lie to Mr Trevelyan

16th The boy that was dismissed on Tuesday owned his fault this morning and is again in his place

19th A large attendance at school, admitted one girl

20th Teacher attentive and careful all the day. Standard III very careless at Dictation. Teacher kept them in until 12.40 to write another piece to correct mistakes.

23rd Attendance very good. Average very high this week viz 115-6

26th Attendance very good. Several children punished for inattention at church

27th Miss Trevelyan gave a singing lesson to the first two classes from 4 o clock to 4.30

28th Mr Trevelyan taught in the school this morning and called this afternoon and enquired after two of the boys who were away this morning

29th Attendance not so good this morning owing to the weather

4th Miss Trevelyan took her class for an hour this morning, but complained of three of the children who were very careless over their dictation

5th Half holiday this afternoon

1866 April 6

Chief Teacher Mary J Smyth

2nd class 2 nd divisioin

Pupil Teacher Jane F Lovell end of 2nd year

HB Barry HM inspector

12th One of the boys refused to obey his teacher

13th Mr Trevelyan complained of the inattention of the first class boys during the reading lesson

16th Attendance good “102” children present

19th Mr Trevelyan and another gentleman visited us this morning

23rd Attendance not good owing to the weather

24th 4th class very backward in Arithmetic

26th Four slates missing in the 1st class

26th Miss Trevelyan taught the upper classes singing for an hour

26th Three slates missing in 3rd class

30th Attendance smaller than last Monday

May 1st Received a parcel of needlework from the vicarage

7th Holiday this afternoon, only “67” children in attendance this morning

8th Very small attendance

10th Mr Trevelyan complained of the reading in the 1st class

11th Average attendance very poor this week “83”

17th School closed this morning for the Whistun holiday

June 4th recommenced work after a fortnight vacation

5th Attendance very small

6th Miss Ling called to enquire how one of the children attended

8th

The school is under good control and influence, the teaching is sound and careful, the religious knowledge has considerably improved and the result of the examination was creditable to the mistress

Average attendance 88

For payment after deduction 88

Presented 60

Passes in reading 59

In writing 58

In arithmetic 53

Total 170

Infants under six 29

Total amount of grant £49 13s 10d

Deduction £1 10s 6d

Net sum payable £47 15s 4d

11th Attendance poor on account of the weather

12th Mrs Trevelyan called to see the needlework this afternoon and thought it improved

14th Miss Trevelyan commenced teaching the 1st class singing from note

15th Very little improvement in any of the classes this week, 4th class most backward

18th Only “45” children in attendance many of them employed in the fields

22nd Average attendance only 86 – 4th class still inattentive

26th Average attendance very small owing to the weather

29th Attendance this week very small

4th 2nd class boy disorderly in returning from the play ground

5th 3rd Class teacher gave a very fair lesson this morning

9th Attendance very fair Mr Dart taught in the school this morning

10th Miss Trevelyan gave a dictation lesson in the 2nd class and complained of two of the boys

11th One of the parents came to complain of the pupil teacher

13th Mr Dart asked to see the log book this morning; he also told one of the boys his face was dirty and wished him to come cleaner the next day

One child admitted – children very disorderly during the change of lessons

19th Some lesson very imperfect in the first three classes, several children punished for climbing the hedge near the school room which they had been ordered not to do

20th Attendance poor this week – general progress throughout the room not good

23rd Attendance still small – Several children punished for not walking orderly to church yesterday

25th The teacher having left the room during the dinner hour one of the boys got out at the window

26th Miss Trevelyan gave the 1st class a music lesson this afternoon from 4 until 4.30

30th Attendance much smaller than last week, several children being employed in the fields or assisting their parents

August 1st One of the teachers at home ill – a little child lost his dinner this morning

2nd During the play time one of the girls fell and hurt her arm

September 3rd Recommenced school after a month’s holiday. Attendance ? the harvest not being yet over the children are employed in the fields

6th Several children punished for having dirty hands

12th Miss Ling called to enquire after the children

She pays for and offered to pay the school pence of two other children

15th A great deal of needlework bought to the school this afternoon from Mrs Rowcliffe

19th A parent quarrel with one of the teachers for sending her child to me to be punished

20th Severely punished a little boy for swearing

27th General progress very little this week throughout the room – attendance 104.4

October 1st Three children admitted this morning and four left during the passed week

2nd Several children in the lower classes at home ill, many of the elder returned

4th A little boy lost his pencil coming to school which I afterwards found in his brother’s jacket

8th Attendance increased. Nine children punished for bad behaviour in church yesterday

A little boy spent his school money this morning

10th 4th class teacher omitted to prepare a copy for her class before school consequently five minutes were wasted before the lesson began

11th three slates missing this morning

17th Miss Ling sent a parcel of needlework

18th Some of the Vicarage needlework sent home this evening

19th Children had an extra 10 minutes for play this morning

22nd Being detained ten minutes this morning by one of the parents, the teachers commenced the school

24th Choir boys left this afternoon at 4.00 clock to attend a practice, their attendance was marked at 2.00 clock

29th Attendance very fair – several children punished for bad behaviour in church

November 1st Miss Trevelyan taught in the school this morning for an hour and complained of the inattention of the girls

2nd 1st class very careless over their reading with Mr Trevelyan

3rd Average attendance good this week – 2nd and 3rd class improved, 4th class still very backward

6th Mr Trevelyan began the newspaper with the Standard VI and thinks the children very careless and inattentive

8th Greater numbers than usual in times for prayers this morning

9th Mr Trevelyan complained of some of the children loitering in the village after 9 o clock

13th Several children with dirty faces and untidy hair this morning

15th Mr Trevelyan thought the girls rather careless this morning in their dictation

16th Four girls kept in for their needlework

17th 4th class improved in their arithmetic but careless over their scripture, one of the boys said “Masons built the ark”.

19th Attendance not so good owing to the weather

20th Miss Trevelyan gave the 2nd class a music lesson for an hour

27th Attendance very fair – not so many children punished for inattention yesterday

28th a little girl lost her dinner

29th Small attendance owing to the weather, Two children unable to go home and their parents neglected to send them any

8th 1st class more accurate in repeating the catechism The lower classes omit or say very indistinctly the little words

12th The whole school very disorderly walking in from the play ground

13th Mrs Rowcliff sent a small parcel of needlework

15th Children very disorderly during the change of lesson but inattentive this afternoon

18th Several children punished for being late

19th Ink wells not refilled this morning

20th Children careless and inattentive in the 1st class

21 School room very untidy this morning

22 4th class reading and arithmetic very poor

December 31st Recommenced work after one weeks holiday attendance very poor indeed

1st small attendance

2nd weather very severe , parents refuse to send their children until we have a change

3rd Mr Trevelyan called but did not teach only two first class children present

4th Attendance still less, quite impossible to begin regular work

7th Attendance still small some children “no boots”, others

“ill” but the majority afraid of the weather

8th Five first class children this morning. Mr Trevelyan gave a reading lesson

9th a very few more in attendance this morning

10th ditto

11th ditto

14th Attendance still poor 2nd class teacher gone to see after some of the children

16th A first class boy with 13 mistakes in dictation contrived to go home unknown to the teacher before writing out the miss spelt words

17th One little child fell walking to school

18th Average very low indeed

21st Attendance improved several children ill

23rd Pupil teacher studied for herself the first hour

24th Pupil teacher gave a criticism at 4 o clock to the 2nd class on the “daily life of Abraham”

25th Children much cleaner this week

28th Attendance increased

30TH Several children punished for dirty faces

31st Two boys sent home to brush their hair and make themselves tidy

February 5th Attendance very poor owing to the weather

6th Several children late this afternoon

7th Mr Trevelyan taught the 1st class this morning and complained of the books being untidy

11th Four children admitted all under six years of age

12th Told the children to find their own pens for the future

13th 3rd class boy brought 2s to pay for a slate he broke last night going home from school

19th half holiday

20th Being detained until 10 30 Mr Trevelyan commenced school

21st All the choir boys absent Mr Trevelyan called this afternoon

25th Mr Trevelyan taught this morning – A slate found in the church on Friday

26th Mr Trevelyan told of one of the boys loitering in the village at 9.30

27th Attendance poor owing to the weather

28th One of the parents called about the payment of her children

5th March Miss Ling brought in a little needlework this afternoon.

6th Being Ash Wednesday I took the first three classes to church, One of the teachers gave to the ?

7th Dismissed one of the boys this afternoon until he promises better behaviour

8th Mr Trevelyan called both this morning and afternoon. Mrs Trevelyan this morning and heard the little children sing. The boy dismissed yesterday came and asked to be allowed to return.

11th notice of the Diocesan inspection

12th Notice of the government examination this morning. Small attendance owing to the weather

13th Attendance very small – dictation in the 1st class very poor. Mr Trevelyan heard Standard VI read from a newspaper he thought one boy read very well indeed but the rest poor.

14th Attendance very poor only 25 children present. Mr Trevelyan taught this morning and complained of the inattention of the girls.

18th Mr Trevelyan called this morning. Very few children in attendance

19th Several children punished for dirty hands

20th Needlework very poor in the lower classes

22nd Numbers very poor indeed the whole day

29th Mr and Mrs Brown and Miss Ling called this afternoon remained an hour the former heard the 1st class read, saw their writing and examined the arithmetic in Standard II

April 1st Attendance very fair, one child admitted.

April 2nd I have examined the School and think it in a very satisfactory state. The discipline and tone of the school is good throughout. The reading, catechism and scripture knowledge of the first class is especially to be commended. Miss Smythe appears to take great pains with the school and is ably seconded by her assistants – I have no fault to find in any respect. M Paley Anderson (Diocesan Inspector)

3rd One of the boys spilt the ink through carelessness

4th Mr Trevelayn visited the school and asked me to send the choir boys to be measured for their clothes – several children since the 2nd.

8th Very fair attendance the morning children much cleaner in the upper classes

9th Several children at home “ keeping birds” for the farmers.

10th Choir boys left at 4 10 to attend a practice

11th One of the parents complained of the number of lesson given to her boy at home

15th Detained by one of the parents 10 minutes, work commenced by the pupil teacher

16th Teachers left at 4 o clock and returned at 4.30, four slates thrown down by the children

17th Writing very poor in the 3rd class, Dictation indifferent in the 2nd

22nd 1 little boy punished for swearing

28th A parent called to say she intended sending her boy to another school under a master to finish

24th Very small attendance owing to the weather

25th half holiday

1867

April 26th

Chief Teacher Mary J Smyth 2nd class 2nd division

Pupil Teacher Jane F Lovell

HB Barry HM Inspector

May 27th Four boys left since the examination and gone to another school

28th Attendance very small

29th Half holiday

31st Children very quiet detained from school until until (sic) 10 o clock

June 3rd Three children admitted one eleven years of age and unable to say the alphabet

5th Mr Trevelyan complained of the reading in the 1st class

10th First three classes taken to church the younger ones remaining at home in charge of one of the teachers

11th Service the same as yesterday. Mrs Rowcliffe called with a parcel of work for the children

12th One of the parents came and complained of the number of lesson her child had to learn at home and said “ She might just as well keep school herself as help her child at home it was too much trouble to attend to him”

17th Two children admitted – attendance very fair.

18th One child admitted. Three books missing from the 4th class – one of the little girls lost her dinner – A boy threw a stone and hit one of the teachers

19th The thief detected sent home for the books, dinner bag also a slate which she owned to have taken.

One of the parents complained of the teacher punishing her child

26th Mrs Rowcliffe sent a parcel of needlework

27th One of the parents wished her child to be allowed to go home exactly at 4 o clock that she might not mix with the rest of the children

28th Ink spilt by one of the first class girls before the afternoon school

July 1st Attendance very fair

2nd Mr Trevelyan taught this morning and complained of the behaviour of the first class

3rd Miss Trevelyan taught this morning – one of the parents complained of her child’s learning

4th attendance poor owing to the weather

8th Attendance very fair – Teachers late at lessons this evening

9th Parent complained of the teachers punishing her child – child very impertinent

10th Several children untidy and impertinent

11th Attendance poor

16th Two panes of glass broken between morning and afternoon school

17th Several slates thrown down two broken

18th A parent objected paying for a slate broken yesterday

24th Miss Ling called to enquire for a child she pays for

26th Girls inked their worked

29th Reading poor in first class children punished one boy stubborn

30th Monitor omitted filling ink wells

31st Attendance good

1st Holiday

5th One child admitted

6th Mr Trevelyan complained of the reading

7th Needlework careful

8th Great disturbance by a parent abusing 1st class teacher afterwards the mistress boy dismissed in consequence. Very wet this morning holiday afternoon

September 9th Recommenced work Attendance poor – Harvest no quite over

10th Several late seen loitering in the churchyard

11th A slate broken

12th Boys careless and inattentive kept in until 1 o clock

13th Examinations very unsatisfactory

18th Two little children thrown down and hurt during the short recreation in play ground

19th Room not ready at 9 o clock

20th School room badly swept last night

24th parent abusive child dismissed

25th Bell cracked

26th New Books in 3rd class

2nd October Three hand plain copy books in 1st class instead of Darnells children making better progress in writing in consequence

3rd attendance small

7th Desks not dusted this morning before school time

8th Two teachers late

9th Younger teacher careless over lessons

15th Teachers not painstaking enough in lower classes

16th Room untidy at 9 o clock a fine to be inflicted on the next untidy monitor

17th catechism not good throughout 2nd class appear to have made most progress

22nd Soap missed and found n pocket of a boy denied having it

23rd Dinner eaten by a little boy bag thrown away

24th Teachers partial in some instances causing jealously among the children

26th Stings out of slates, not attended to by teacher

25th Two boys admitted, one left to go to a boys school

29th Boys quarreling (sic) in play ground

4th Child dismissed for impertinence

6th Pupil teachers lesson unsatisfactory

7th Girls needlework unsatisfactory

12th Teacher sent to enquire for children last night – attendance better

13th Three boys asked leave for a month to work in the fields

14th Five more boys wanted by farmers

15th Attendance poor – Examination postponed

18th Children clean – attendance still small – boys at work in fields

26th Two slates broken

27th First class Books soiled several boys punished for it

29th Too few children to attempt an examination

5th A pane of glass broken – boy paid for it

9th Two other boys at work

11th Boys attentive during Mr T’s lesson

12th Children cleaner on the whole

16th Attendance still small

18th Needlework inked

19th Ink spilt by the little children

20th Half holiday

December 30th Recommenced after the xmas vacation

31st Attendance very small

January 1st 1st class teacher absent – 2nd class monitor late, books etc not taken out of box before 9 o clock

2nd Children in lower classes very untidy

6th attendance still poor Half Holiday

8th 1st class kept in for imperfect “home lesson”

9th Several children with dirty hands

10th Two slates broken

17th Three needles broken by one child

20th Needlework not good this afternoon

21st A purse containing three pence stolen by one of the children denied it until searched Parent sent for Child sorry and forgiven

22nd Dinner stolen and eaten by little boy

27th Attendance decreased owing to the weather

28th Several little boys punished for bringing pieces of wood and stones in their pocket and throwing about the room

29th Boy fell and hurt his head

30th Girl taken ill during school time since had scarlet fever returned to day

5th 1st class girl left to go to service

6th A parent complained a boy not writing in his copy book often enough

12th Boy punished – very impertinent – parent sent for boy punished again until begged for pardon

18th Mr Trevelyan complained of the Idleness of the first class during lessons

18th Children late owing to the bell being unhung

20th Two boys fighting

21st Younger teacher late this morning

25th Miss Ling called with needlework

26th Received buttons for needlework and mislaid them

27th Knitting commenced in first class

2nd Parent complained of the teacher punishing her child

4th Children inattentive during prayers, attention attracted

By sheep in the play ground

6th No examination due to low attendance

10th More children at prayers since the new bell

11th Bell rope broken chain wanted

12th Small attendance owing to weather. Child very stubborn

13th Three boys refused to return to the school room for using bad language

16th Boy crushed his head

17th Boy told untruth

18th 3rd class kept in – an impertinent message from a parent viz Grammar was of no use to his child so she should not do her home exercise, from another “if Sarah Ann is kept in again she shall remain at home”

26th Took a bag of marbles from a boy

25th Punished boys for running away before finishing lessons

The children are neat in person and under good influence, Bible and Catechism 1st class of 76 questions 57 were answered by the Children to whom they were addressed. 2nd class 40 of 48. 3rd class 41 of 48.4th Class 70 of 80. Of 73 qualified children 63 were presented. The result of the examination was satisfactory and creditable to the mistress.

The principal school room does not allow the minimum of 80 cubic feet per child for an average attendance of more than 90. Unless either the accommodation is increased by next year or the attendance diminished the grant will have to be withheld (article 51 A)

2nd Boy punished for behaving disreputably towards Mr Trevelyan

7th Inkwells not refilled by monitor causing a waste of five minutes before writing lesson

9th Two boys fighting between morning and afternoon school

13th Two children admitted one 9 years old cannot read words of one syllable the other seven the alphabet

14th Mr Trevelyan called this afternoon. Three children left who have attended the required number of times and quite ready for the examinations on Friday

16 Took a bag of marbles from a boy

1868

April 17th Chief Teacher Mary Jane Smyth 2nd Degree 2nd division

Pupil Teacher Jane F Lovell end of 4th year

HB Barry HM Inspector

6th parent complained of the length of the Easter holiday

11th Children promoted and arranged in their respective Standards for the ensuing year

13 Parent complained of the teacher punishing her child

14th Finished work sent to Mrs Rowcliffe

15th Two slates broken

19th Slate broken the parent refused to send a penny for it boy again sent home

22nd Children examined. Results unsatisfactory especially in the 1st standard owing the ages when admitted. Heavy work to take them through the requirements in each standard.

May 25 1868

Examined the school and found it in a very satisfactory state. The children show that they have been carefully trained. The religious instruction has been especially attended to. The discipline and order all very good. Upon the whole the school does Miss Smyth great credit.

HP Anderson Diocesan Inspector

26th Attendance small – usual routine observed

16 Boy fell in playground and hurt his face

17 Several children late

19 examination deferred until next week

22 Miss Ling called

23 Children careless

24 Mr Trevelyan called

25 Attendance small

26 A great improvement in all the classes

7th 1st class very disorderly

8th usual routine observed

9th usual routine observed

10th usual routine observed

20th attendance very small – half holiday

August 24th Recommenced work after the harvest holidays

26th Two boys admitted

26th Parent complained of the teacher

27th Parent thought the amount of her childs school money incorrect

12th Miss Smyth (Governess) left school today

I Jane Lovell commenced work alone

Mr Trevelyan called this morning

13 Two children admitted

15 Miss Smyth called to see the children before leaving Stogumber

27 Children rather noisy

28 Being St Simons and St Judes day I took the four first classes to church this morning

November 3 One of the monitors remained at home through sickness

[note Mr Trevelyan coming in much more frequently now Miss Smyth has left]

16th Several children received their club tickets this morning

January 4th School opened after Xmas vacation by new mistress

J Lovell absent from school gone to Williton. Mr Trevelyan came in the morning heard first class read for an hour. Came again in the afternoon in company with another gentleman. Punished Samuel Hutchings for laughing during prayers

Attendance very fair – 84 chrn present in the morning and 87 in afternoon

5th A wet day – very few children present. The ex PT visited the school today

7 School work proceeded as usual. One of the monitress asked leave to

100

Home today – her mother ill

Jan8th Attendance pretty fair – 76 children present in the morning

Monitress at school today – her mother better – Elizabeth Ann Baker (monitress) after prayers this morning – cautioned her upon coming late again

Pupil teacher and the monitress received their lessons in the dinner hour instead of the evening as Pupil teacher had some distance to walk

12 Attendance good – 103 chrn presnt

13 School rather noisy. Teachers not sufficiently energetic – 104 children present

104

Jan 14th

Examined the 2nd standard in arithmetic found there were scarcely any who could work a subtraction sum correctly – Began teaching them the process of “borrowing” in a different way – found out that one boy had learnt it at another school

A window broken today but cannot find out at present who did the mischief. Miss Ling called this afternoon. 94 children present today

15th A stormy day – attendance not so good. Examined the first standard in writing found most of them very awkward at making their capital and small letters

18 Admitted 3 children – Pupil teacher late this morning. Mr Trevelyan came – 112 children present.

102

Jan 19th Boy broke a slate accidentally but paid for it

20th Ordinary Progress – 115 chrn present in the morning

25th Admitted Ellen and Thomas Chidgy. The upper classes attended church in the morning – conversion of St Paul.

A parent called

103

this morning to ask me to allow her little girl to sit out of the draught from the window. Monitor ( Elizabeth A Baker) absent today having a very bad cold.

29 attendance poor owing to the weather

Feb 1st attendance still poor on account of the weather. Pupil teacher (Lydia) absent today

2nd The 1st four classes attended church today with mistress- pupil teacher still at home, on account of the weather. Attendance better today – 81 children present this morning

104

Pupil teacher still absent – has a bad cold. Examined the 2nd and 3rd standard this morning in Scripture and Catechism; found a few who could not say “The duty towards God” – ordered it to be learned for Monday morning.

8th A wet morning – very few children present

10th Ash Wednesday All the children (except a few infants) attended church in the morning with mistress and PT . Mr Trevelyan came in the afternoon and catechized the monitors and a few of the 1st class.

105

Feb 12th A very wet day. Attendance scanty

The first four classes attended church in the morning with mistress

17th part of the school attended church with pupil teacher

19th Children (1st 2nd 3rd classes) attended church with mistress

22 Admitted George Potter

23rd Attendance scanty owing to a snow storm

24th The 1st 2nd 3rd class attended church in the morning with pupil teacher

106

25th Attendance fair although the weather is still very stormy’ 99 chrn present

March 1st Children rather noisy all day; teachers not sufficiently firm with them

5th Children attended church with mistress in the morning

107

March 8th Attendance very fair. 111 children present in the morning. Pupil teacher after prayers again this morning. .... Parent complained of child’s club money being incorrect – Monitor (E.A. Baker) absent today her mother being ill. Monitor (E A Lovell) asked leave to go home at 4 o clock this afternoon

10th Attendance not as good today owing to a snowstorm at 9 o clock

108

Commenced teaching infants a few songs etc with exercises. They appear very chill and unused to anything of the kind. Monitor (E.Lovell) asked leave to go home at 4 o clock this afternoon, to write a letter for a friend. Kept all the children in school till five o clock this afternoon, on account of their having been noisy during the needlework time.

17th Some of the children attended church in the morning with pupil teacher.

109

30th The choir boys attended church in the morning

April 1st half holiday

110

April 2nd Chief Teacher Kate Snelgrove 4th Class 1st Grade

Pupil Teacher Lydie Lacombe end of 2nd year

Paid Monitors Eliza Lovell

Elizabeth Anne Baker

HB Barry HM Inspector

April 5th Children promoted and arranged in their proper standards for the next year

111

20 Ordinary Progress Attendance very good

A great many children late this morning

21 Ordinary Progress

22 ditto Three boys have left school since the examination – gone to work

26 ditto Admitted more children to the infant class – had a very full school today

27 Ordinary Progress

28 Ditto Attendance still very good

29 ditto

30 ditto

May 3 A stormy day. Attendance scanty

4 ditto Mr Trevelyan came today

5 ditto

6 Ascension day – Two boys attended church – Attendance scanty in the morning. Gave a half holiday in the afternoon being September Fair

7 A very small attendance today

10 Ordinary Progress Admitted 3 Infants

11 ditto

12 ditto attendance good

13 108 children present in the afternoon

112

24th Parent came to complain of her girls slow progress in reading – said she though the PT was “too easy” with her

31 Club Day at Stogumber – Half holiday in the afternoon. Only 17 children present in the morning.

June 1st School very scantily attended today owing to the club yesterday. 60 children present

113

7th Re admitted Mary Ann Winter after months absence having had to attend to a sick Aunt

8th I have inspected the school the School today and find its order and discipline very satisfactory – the arithmetic is not so advanced as last year, the repetition of the catechism is good, but the knowledge of its meaning rather imperfect. Scripture appears to be carefully taught. WP Anderson Diocesan Inspector

11th St Barnabas Day. Children attended church in the morning with mistress

114

One of the 1st class boys very disobedient in the play ground to the PT and saw home, on her telling him to come into school. The mother soon afterwards returned with him.

14th One of the 1st class boys was very disobedient for which I sent him home – his mother brought him in the evening and insisted on his obeying me which he did. I have taken him to school again.

15 Very scanty attendance – a tea party at the meeting house which some of the children attended with their parents – one of the monitors absent from lessons

115

23 St John Baptist day – The first four classes attended church in the morning with mistress and monitors

28th Mr and Mrs Trevelyan came in the morning and wished the children “good bye” before leaving Stogumber.

29th Children went to the station in the afternoon to see Mr Trevelyan off

7th Mr Vernow visited the

116

July 7th School today and told the children he hoped soon to become acquainted with them

15th Ordinary progress. Attendance very fair. Several children “kept in “ for imperfect home lessons (learning collects)

117

Ordinary progress. Children dismissed at eleven o clock. Half holiday in the afternoon. Mistress gone away.

21st Mr and Mrs Vernow came in the morning

23rd Mr Vernow came in the morning and gave a Scripture lesson to the 2nd class – attendance very poor today – last day before the harvest holidays

118

September 9 Holiday. School Treat.

10 ditto cleaning school room

119

27 Full attendance today

28 Weather bad – few present

29 Children very orderly and quick

Oct 6 A great many absent today

7th First class very troublesome

120

Oct 8th First class had a catechism lesson at church from Mr Vernon

15th Few present. Chrn had catechism lesson at church

18 First class attended church

19 ditto had scripture lesson from Mr Vernon

26 First class attended church as usual and had scripture lesson there from Mr Vernon

121

Nov 2nd First class had scripture lesson at Church and left school at 11.30 to go for a music lesson at Vicarage

123

14th Jan Children had half holiday in afternoon. Prizes distributed in the morning by Rev J K Vernon. Mr and Mrs Badcock and Mrs J K Vernon were present

124

Feb 4 Weather very cold still – few present

125

Feb 28 Half holiday in the afternoon – Bicknoller concert

[notable that attendance is better and parent complaints none]

126 April 26 half holiday in the afternoon Teachers went to Sampford to be examined – Rev J K Vernon visited the school today

129

May 30 Half holiday in the afternoon club day only 14 children present in the morning

June 2 Attendance very scanty all the week owing to the club

131

March 27

School assembled at one pm and dismissed at ½ past three to have the school room cleaned ready for the Diocesan inspectors

28th I have inspected the school today The children upon the whole have passed a fairly good examination. The first and second classes are more satisfactory in scripture and catechism than the lower classes, allowance being made for difference in age

WP Anderson (Diocesan Inspector)

132

July 13 Attendance fair but many chrn absent picking wortle berries

133

July 18th Children still away

134

Sep 8th Children very noisy – they were consequently “kept in “ after 12 o clock

135

Sep 16th Children disorderly in the morning during repetition of the catechism

20th On examining the 3rd class in their arithmetic found boys very perfect in the simple rules

30th Needlework complained of very much

136

Oct 5th Complained of the untidy appearance of the school room today

6th Several children punished for coming late

17th Many children absent today owing to the weather

19 needlework improving children taking more pains

20 One boy very disobedient today

137

Oct 25th The teachers trying very hard with their classes

26th Attendance poor owing to the weather

Nov 1st Weather very bad consequently the attendance was very small today

8 Had to complain of the untidy state of the school room

11 Punished a great many children

138

Today for being late

25th Children very orderly today

139

2nd Examined the 4th stan in reading found them very deficient. Teacher does not take sufficient pains to make them spell difficult words simultaneously

16 Examined the infants found many

140

Who could not make a letter. Teacher complained of the want of slates.

1871 Jan 10th Weather very snowy, very few children in consequence

13 weather still very bad

17 weather still very snowy

18 very few children in attendance all the week

141

25th Boys very disorderly in the afternoon

26th Complained of the noise during the morning a great many times. Teachers rather more careless than usual.

31st Attendance fair today. 90 children present

142

28th Mrs L P Greensturt in company with Miss Ling visited the school this afternoon

143

8th The Revd Vernon of Leytonstone Vicarage visited the school this morning and was very pleased to find such a good attendance

16th Girls very careless with their needlework this afternoon

144

30 Children very noisy this morning

31 Had occasion to call for silence a great many times. Children’s attention affected by the workmen in the playground

19th One child came who had scarlet fever at home

11 The same child taken ill in the fever

12th April Attendance very poor. Many of the little boys gone to work

13th Had a holiday to get the room ready for the inspectors visit

145

May 1st School opened after a fortnight’s holiday. Obliged to assemble in a barn the schoolroom being enlarged

2nd Found that many children had not heard of the commencement of school

3rd Barn very inconvenient and very cold

A few children absent on account of their parents being afraid to let them come to such a cold place

4th Eliza Lovell obliged to teach a class at home, the barn not large enough to hold all the scholars

146

10th Children very inattentive – watching the birds building in the roof

16th very few chrn present except infants

19th scanty attendance

22nd Ordinary progress, several children late

23rd Children very talkative and listless, so many things to attract their attention in the barn – rats and birds etc

24th Ordinary progress – children a long time getting down stairs today and made a great deal of noise.

147

5th Scanty attendance being Friday

6th Barn so horribly cold. Children unable to write at the desk, the wind blows their leaves about too much

15th Barn still so cold. Childrens’ attention still attracted by the birds and cats

148

Ordinary progress but the greater part of the children absent picking berries

11 Attendance still so scanty

14 The attendance still scanty – no first class children present – all picking berries

17th very few children present all day

149

July 1th

I have this day inspected the school – The children have passed a very fair examn under special disadvantage, while the school is under repair

WP Anderson Diocesan Inspector

Half holiday this afternoon on acct of the Inspector’s visit

July 19th School as usual in the barn

24th Many children came very late. Attendance exceedingly scanty. Children gone wyrtle berry picking.

25th Ordinary progress

26th ditto Attendance still so scanty

27th ditto, 3rd standard so stupid at their arithmetic today

150

4 Infants very noisy today

9th Attendance still so scanty

11 Half holiday in the afternoon school. Broke up for Harvest Holiday

Sept 18th School commenced after 5 weeks holiday – now able to assemble in the new room

19th Mr Jones visited the school in the morning. Attendance pretty fair – about 90 children present.

20th Children could not write in their copy books today – not sufficient ink wells . Mr Jones has promised to write for them.

152

28th The teachers kept school by themselves. Mistress could not attend.

29th Mistress again absent. Just went to the school today “Good Bye” to the children before leaving Stogumber.

October 2nd Mr Jones visited the school this morning and took the 1st and 2nd classes in their reading lesson. 100 children present.

4th Children rather late today. Parent called about her children’s club money

10th Attendance very poor this afternoon, Parents taking up their potatoes

11th Attendance still poor – 87 children present

12th Attendance improved today. Three boys punished for stealing apples

13th Miss Crocker called to see room 50 children present

17th Children rather noisy today. Mr Jones called and complained of several children being

untidy.

19th Attendance very small. Only 73 children present being a wet day

153

26th One of the boys sent home to put himself tidy.

27th Mr Jones called this morning. 84 children present

154

1871 Nov 6th

Took charge of the school this morning. Attendance very fair. The arithmetic in all classes was very imperfectly done.

13th Rev EH Jones was in during the afternoon. Took music for the last lesson

17th Taught the children a new “round” this afternoon

155

23rd Cautioned several of the children about coming so untidy

4th Mr Draper was away for part of the afternoon

8th Very cold today. Several of the little ones consequently away. Gave Lydia Larcombe a half holiday to pack her books etc

156

18th Numbers rather low

19th ditto

20th Very wet only four children here today. Broke up for the Xmas Holidays

1872

Jan 8th Come back this morning after the Holidays

9th Numbers not good

15th Attendance much better today

16th Rev EH Jones and Mrs Jones visited the school today

158

Ash Wednesday took the children to church

15th A boy had a fit this morning

21st Took the first four classes to church this morning

22nd Attendance 113 in the morning and 111 in the afternoon

23rd Wet. Attendance not so good today

159

27th The first three classes attended church this morning

March 1st Children attended church

5th commenced working on paper with the 1st and 2nd classes

6th Took the first three classes to church this morning. Drill and singing afterwards

8th Elder children attended church

Singing and drill afterwards at which the Rev E H

160

Jones kindly assisted. Taught children a new song “Our rifle volunteers”. Average attendance for the week 112

12th 123 children present in the morning. Wet in the afternoon only 88 present. Master ill in afternoon

13th Children attended church with PT. Miss Ling was in during the afternoon

20th Church morning. Drill afterwards

[so have new male master who has introduced ‘drill’]

161

22nd Children attended church

27th Four classes attended church

April 1st several children away on account of the weather

5th Drill and singing for the last hour, several visitors during the time

8th Numbers increasing. New books, Children very pleased with them

9th Drill this morning with singing at which the Rev EH Jones kindly assisted

10th Drill and Singing from 11 o clock Rev EHJones and Mr ? were in

162

Inspectors Report: The examination proceeded with indifferent results, especially in Arithmetic where the percentage was only 36. There seemed a lack of general intelligence. The school building has been enlarged and improved so as to be extremely satisfactory. The percentage of passes in arithmetic is very low and unless very great improvement is shown in this subject next year an unreduced grant need not be looked for. E. H Jones

163

May 6th Stogumber fair. Attendance small

21st E Rowcliffe Esq and Mrs Rowcliffe were in

164

29th Stogumber Club Holiday. Opened school in morning but on account of the small number in atten closed it again

31st School very dirty this morning

Cleaner in afternoon

6th Taught the children a new hymn

165

June 10th School inspected by the Rev F P Michell

14th Examination (monthly) in secular subjects by the Rev EH Jones

18th Very warm today. 118 children present. Staff of Teachers short.

19th Very wet in morning consequently only those children who lived quite close to the school could come – 35 children in morning

166

8th Mr D John and Mrs Hayden of London were in this afternoon

10th Mrs Hayden and Mr D John were in

17th Attendance very fair, several of the larger children away myrtle berry picking

167

30th Drill and singing

31st wet

Aug 1st attendance low

2nd Mrs Rowcliffe visited this morning. Took the children to church

6th singing

7th severe thunderstorm during the morning

8th Harversting general. Atten fair

9th Broke up for the holidays

13th Sep Harvest thanksgiving service

16th Attendance better today. Master away in the afternoon. Ill with the neuralgia

168

18th Wet. Rev DH Jones kindly took a class this morning. Harvest thanksgiving at the chapel this afternoon. Several away.

19th Master in school all day. Storms in afternoon.

Oct 2nd Third class commenced compound multiplication with two figures

8th Monthly ex by the Rev EH Jones

169

Gave the 4th class a drilling in numeration

21st numbers high

22nd 112 present this morning

179

4th Took the school from one till three this afternoon on account of a meeting being held in at night

8th Several away today with their parents in the potato fields

19th Rev EH Jones took the second classes to catechism

172

20th Day of Intercession – no school. A week’s holiday Christmas

30th numbers fair

31st Not quite so good as yesterday

1873

20th Snow storm in the afternoon

173

Pupil teacher Eliza Lovell ill this afternoon

22nd Pupil teacher E A Lovell was in for an hour this morning

Both teachers away in the afternoon

23rd Pupil teacher away again this afternoon (EL)

24th wet. Very few in attendance. Teacher (EL) came in at 9.45

30th Teacher (EL) not in school this morning owing to the lamentable fatal accident to her father which took place yesterday

174

3rd On account of the immense fall of snow – no school was held

10th School opened today – attendance fair

14th Teacher still away

19th concert in school this evening

21st Teacher still away

24th snow

26th Attendance fair – took the elder children to church this being Ash Wednesday

175

5th 1st three classes attended church this morning. PT (EL) called to school today.

7th 1st three classes attended church this morning with PT

12th 3 classes attended church

17th snow. Attendance scanty

24th Pupil teacher (EL) took a class this morning for an hour

26th A portion of the elder children attended church

176

31st Attendance very fair today. Several of the children came back who had been away during the winter. Pupil teacher (EL) was in school during a part of the morning, but was away in the afternoon.

April 1st Teacher (EL) was in school a part of the morning and also a part of the afternoon

4th Pupil teacher (EL) was in during a greater part of this week

9th A few of the children attended church

177

14th This being Easter Monday attendance was very scanty. Holiday in afternoon.

178

This school was inspected by HM Inspector 7th of May 1873

Principal teacher WS Draper 2nd class

Pupil teachers Elizth Ann Baker 3rd year

Eliza Lovell 2nd year

EH Jones

13th I II III classes had their geography lesson this afternoon. Gave PT (EL) holiday today

179

22nd The children attended church this morning – this being Ascension Day

26th Numbers high

29th Opened the school this morning but on account of the small number in attendance closed it again – Club Day

30th ditto

June 3rd Whit Monday – very few in attendance. Gave the PT (EL) half holiday. Took school from 1 till 3 o clock. No sewing in the afternoon. Monitors away.

3rd Whit Tuesday. Attendance scanty. Sewing this afternoon instead of yesterday. Wet.

4th Numbers low. Monitors here today.

180

10th Miss Shears and Mr John called this afternoon

11th They also came this morning to hear the singing

13th Pupil teacher (EL) was away all this week taking the school at Elworthy

24th St John’s Day Took the elder children to church today

30th Pupil Teacher (EAB) left school today

181

4th July Examined the school today in secular subjects. Found the IV V and VI classes very backward in the arithmetic

7th Many of the children away gone whortle berry picking

8th ditto

9th ditto

10th holiday

11th One of the pupils came in after prayers this morning

14th numbers still scanty

15th wet. More children here today

18th numbers very low today

182

25th Very wet today. Very few in attendance as only those who lived close to the school could possible come

28th most of the higher classes away today picking berries. Fewer here in the afternoon than morning

5th Rev EH Jones took his class today. Several of the children went to Weston

11th School full today

12th Rev EH Jones took his class this morning. Taught the children “God save the Queen”

183

Report of HM Inspector 1872-3

The results of the examn seem to show a slight improvement on last year. The upper standards are the best, but the Arithmetic and spelling are weak there is a want of fluency in the reading. My Lords will look for a more favourable report on the instruction next year.

Report of the Reverend WP Anderson Diocesan Inspector 1872-3

The religious instruction in this school is good in the higher groups but moderate in the lower – greater accuracy is needed in the knowledge of scripture and catechism

185

16th Rev EH Jones was married today the children were out longer than usual

22nd Several away taking up potatoes

Nov 4th most of the elder children away picking apples

186

12th most of the upper classes away

13th Commenced the decorations today

14th Rev EH Jones returned from his “wedding tour” this afternoon.

17th Rev EH Jones and Mrs Jones were in this afternoon

18th many still away

Dec 1st Several of the elder children returned today

187

10th Monitors very late. No fires made when I came to school.

16th Monitors away ill

18th Ordinary

19th

189

January 12th 1874

I John Rowe certified teacher took charge of the Stogumber National School

12th Rev EH Jones came to school at 9 o clock and opened school to any children late

13th Children came to school earlier. Examined the upper classes in arithmetic and found them very backward

15th Several children absent in the morning. Sent for and came in the afternoon

190

28th Found the home lessons badly prepared; had them learnt after 12

29th Few absent in the morning sent for and came in the afternoon

191

Feb 2nd Admitted Harriett Lavell as Monitress with the view of becoming a Pupil Teacher

3rd Several late. Detained after 12.

4th Punished John Gore according to his father’s request for telling untruths

5th Began long division in weights and measures with standard IV. Mrs Jones assisted at the sewing class.

6th Had to resort to the bell many times for silence. Punished several for disobedience

7th Several absent, some late

10th Punished Phillippa Smith and Martha Sumner for bad conduct during divine service

10th Many late

11th Very wet all day, several absent

192

Not so many absent as on previous Fridays. Singing

18th Ash Wednesday. Divine service held in the school room in the morning. Half holidays

23rd Punished James Maddox and P Hurley for bad conduct on Sunday at Church

193

25th Mrs Jones visited the school and assisted at the sewing class

26th Very wet stormy day. Many children absent

March 2nd Full school

3rd Examined the infants and found no improvement

5th Very wet stormy day. Many absent

6th Usual work. Singin

9th Very wet morning. Many absent. Mr Jones visited the school

194

ALL the girls attended the sewing class, Mrs Jones assisted

April 1st The home lessons of standard III very badly prepared. The class kept back after 12

2nd Week ended owing to Good Friday being the next day. Gave notice of a holiday on Easter Monday

195

15th Had the infants from the class room and called the attention of the teacher to their backward condition

16th Miss Ling visited the school. Had to resort to the bell for quietness

196

23rd Her Majesty’s Inspector Mr Boyle examined the school. Holiday for remainder of the week

May 1st The infants did not sit in the class room as customary but the upper classes went there for an oral lesson in Arithmetic

May 6th Several children late. Had to use corporal punishment on several for bad conduct

18th Several children punished for bad conduct at service

19th Had to dismiss the children at 10.30 to hold a service in the school room

198

Broke up for the holiday. Eliza Lovell the teacher left to take charge of a school of her own at Bancary.

12th Many absent. Glass broken in the school room. Mr Jones sent for and tries to find who did it. Singing in the afternoon

16th I opened school at ½ past 8. Dismissed at ¼ to 11 owing to a wedding being held in the school.

199

17th Work as usual. Miss Ling and two ladies visited the school.

26th Owing to inattention to their work there was no singing in the afternoon

July 1st many children absent. Gone to the hills gathering berries

3rd Henry Rowe has been admitted this week as teacher. Transferred from the Stoke Climsland national school in his 4th year of apprenticeship

200

6th Several children away gathering berries on the hills.

201

5th Full school. Singing in the afternoon. Had to resort to the cain (sic) for G Dibble for bad behaviour

202

No sewing this afternoon owing to Miss Rowe being unable to attend through illness.

203

August 3rd Small attendance. Many away on account of their gleaning.

5th Many late owing to carrying breakfasts

6th Had singing. Dismissed the school giving notice of the tea-treat on the following day and also of a month’s holiday

7th Sept Commenced school after the holiday

Sept 11th Had to insist for silence.

14th Most of the children has now returned to school 105 present

204

21st Punished Emma Ford for bad conduct at church

25th Attendance very bad owing a tea at the Chaple (sic) and the waxworks

205

October 2nd Very stormy morning. Many absent

5th did not read prayers until 9.10 owing to the room being not ready

7th Stormy morning. Many absent. Home lessons badly prepared

13th Owing to home lessons being so badly prepared there was no writing in copy books

15th Examined the infants. Found them very backward. Informed the monitress H Cavill of it

21st Several absent gone gathering acorns

206

26th Samuel Redwood came back after being absent three months

November 2nd Several absent owing to mea (?)

Clara Jones returned to school. Absent since the holiday

6th Small school. Several away digging potatoes

9th Several at school who had been ill. As Mr Jones had returned from a visit I expected him at school

207 and therefore sent the 1st class in the class room for him.

10th Had to severely punish four girls of the first class for bad conduct

12th Mr Jones looked in for a few minutes

16th full school

17th As there had been a missionary meeting held in the school room the previous evening I did not commence work until 9.10

18th No fires owing to the smoke

20th No singing as is usual

23rd Mr Jones took a class

26th No Fires. Nothing to light them with. Kept 11 ist class children in for being late. No sewing

27th Several absent. Singing

208

December 1st I had to severely punish A Miles for inattention in Reading. Mrs Jones assisted the Mistress in the sewing class

3rd 12 Boys stayed in the Playground until 9.10. I punished them for it.

7th No fires

8th Very wet day. Several absent. Had to remove two classes owing to the rain coming through the roof

209

1875

Jan 11th Commenced school after the holiday. Full school

15th Mr Jones took the first class in catechism. Complained of their backwardness. I attributed it to the want of catechism books.

210

Very full school. Children all assembled at 9. Teachers and children all seem to be taking pains at their work

10th Ash Wednesday. I taught a hymn to the children to sing at in the service in the morning

211

19th There has been a very full school this week between 130 and 120 present every day

212

15th Several late. Some away potato planting

213

April 30th The attendance has been poor this week the children potatoe (sic) planting

May 10th Very full school

14th There has been a very full school this week 125 present today. Mrs Jones kindly took the sewing class. Broke up for a week’s holiday

26th Small school dismissed the children

214

Giving a holiday for the remainder of the week, the opening of the Church being tomorrow the 27th

4th There has been new Grammar, History and Geography books had this week.

8th 115 present today. Instead of the usual lesson of writing on C Books the first class wrote Home Lessons on Paper

15th 124 Present this morning. Had to send for E Smith who stayed at home because she could not say her home lessons

215

There has been a very full school this week. Teachers find it very difficult to manage their classes owing to the great number of each class

9th There have been several absent this week gathering berries

216

Very wet morning. Many absent did not read prayers until 9.10 so few being present at 9

July 16th There has been a small school this week. Gathering berries

27th Very small school. Tea treat at the Chaple.

29th A very small school indeed. Fete at Watchet where many of the children are gone

217

9th Full school. Many scholars returned. Half holiday in commemoration of the marriage of ?? Rowcliffe Esq

219

Nov 5th Had to severely punish 1st class this morning for levity in school

12th 105 present this morning. Apple picking has caused some to be absent this week.

18th Several absent. Potatoe digging

22nd Several absent. Potaoe picking

23rd Owing to a missionary meeting being held in the school last evening I could not begin school until 9.10

220

26th There has been rather a small school this week owing to Potato picking. I had a supply of coal.

29th Many late. No fires

14th H Rowe the pupil teacher gone to Exeter to sit at the Scholar ship exam

221

20th Jan full school. The teachers in the lower class find it very difficult to manage their class owing to the number

Feb 11th Very few present. Snow storm

222

Report of HM Inspectors for 1874-5

The three elder standards are good, and the younger children write and spell better than last year, but the Reading and Writing will both bear improvement among the elder children. The sums are the best part of the work. The children talk and copy from one another too much.

The defective state of discipline as indicated in the concluding sentence of the above Report has made it a matter of some doubt with My Lords whether they are justified in issuing a certificate to the Teacher at present.

Report of Rev WS Scott Diocesan Inspector

Religious Knowledge fair, Discipline and tone good, Repetition moderate. The repetition was not good, particularly as regards private prayers.

Chief teacher John Rowe Certificated Teacher of the 2nd Class

Pupil Teacher Henry Rowe and Mary White

Paid Monitor Harriet Cavill

EH Jones Manager

223

The Rev EH Jones visited the school at 12.20 after the school was dismissed and found fault with the dust on the floor wh could not be [illeg]

8th Mr Watts buried at 1.30 Several absent

224

24th mr Mac millan called

30th Miss Ling called

31st I find the staff of teachers insufficient

April 3rd 104 present. Some absent in their gardens. Henery Hurly had to be sent home, his arm being hurt

4th I felt ill and could not proceed with the usual work

6th Mr Clommart called

225

12th I find it almost impossible to get on well with so little assistance

17th Rev EH Jones kindly opened school for me. I was unwell.

19th I did not give any singing lesson

23rd Several absent. Monksilver club

226

6th Small attendance to day

7th Still smaller. Monksilver club

12th Fuller school today

14th I had a violent cold, I did not give the usual Geography lesson

21st 1st class very noisy this morning. This afternoon I took the 1st class out in the yard the school being so very warm

227

17th Very Full school. So excessively hot that I took a class in the playground

Report of HM Inspector 1875-6

The writing is improved this year and the work of the elder children is good. The first and third standards are however weak. The new subjects were fairly done, the grammar the best. There should be a summary in use, the accurate age of all the children inserted in the Admission Book

228

26th lower classes very disorderly. Had to caution the teachers

August 1st Teachers extremely inattentive to their work

8th Tea treat

9th Very small attendance

10th Still a very small attendance children away in the fields picking corn

229

There has been a very full school. Teachers finding difficulty to manage so large classes

21st Rather a small school this week owing to potato gathering

230

13th Several returned to school today

December 5th I have this morning seen Dr Crocker and owing to the fever being in the

231

Village he advised me to close the school and having informed Mr Jones he told me to do so which I have done

1877 Jan 15th Re opened after being closed six weeks. Very small attendance

22nd Full school today

232

26th 87 present

2nd March no school this afternoon Confirmation at the Church

5th Many late this morning

233

19th I found the school room so very dirty and untidy that I had it swept before I said prayers

29th I went to see after a boy who would not come to school.

234

No school this morning. Mr Rowcliffe buried – most of the children attended church

235

22nd Average rather lower this week. Some chrn not allowed to attend owing

236

To the fever being in the neighbourhood

237

Report of HM Inspector 1876-7

Some of the work of this school is well done, but the spelling is weak and the writing not good . The children are still too much inclined to copy one another. Geography and grammar are just good enough to earn the grant. The meaning of the repetition should be learnt. The registers are imperfectly kept, shewing neither age, admission number, nor date of admission, and are not added up and pr??ed at the end of the quarter. The needlework is well taught.

Chief Teacher John Rowe

Pupil Teachers Mary White 3rd yr

Harriet Cavill 3rd year

William Paddon 1st year

EH Jones Manager

239

Oct 5th Tea Treat at the Baptist Chaple (sic)

15th mr Miles called and gave a scripture lesson from 9.30 to 9.55

17th Teachers late this morning. I spoke to them about it. Reasonable excuse

240

Nov 9th I had to severely punish J Smith for impertinence to me. He afterwards said he was sorry for so doing

27th Mrs Jones assisted Miss Rowe with the sewing

243

8th The teacher of the infant class complained that he was unable to get on without help – class so very large – 119 present this afternoon

244

Miss Heathcote visited the school today

4th Inspected the school

5th Mr Lacey finished examination

15th I had to resort to the bell for silence several times today

246

June 20th

Dismissed the children informing them not to attend school again until further notice

Report of HM Inspector 1877-8

The general condition of this school is so unsatisfactory that I am afraid there must be some serious defect in Mr Rowe’s method of teaching: it is true that he has had to work under considerable difficulties during the past year owing to a number of backward children coming into the school; of his three pupil teachers one is not the slightest use, the other two may with proper teaching improve. But with every wish to make allowance for the difficulties, I cannot think they are sufficient to account for what I saw during the inspection, or for the

247

Results of the examination. Discipline is unsatisfactory in the lower part of the school, and the work all through the standards is very poor. The practice of counting by strokes and on fingers must be stopped. It is with great hesitation that I recommended payment of the grant for the infants: they require much more experienced teaching than a pupil teacher in his first year can give, and they ought to be under the charge of a female teacher. Proper infant apparatus should be provided. New sets of reading books are required so that each class should have at least two sets in use. It will be well for Mr Rowe who is I believe conscientious in his work to drop the extra subjects for a year and work up the elementary subjects

248

July 1st 1878

Monday 1st to Saturday 6th

Stogumber National School opened after a week’s vacation by Henry L Gladstone. Mr J Rowe omitted to leave time-table. Edith Brice Monitress absent every day but Tuesday, and on that day she was half an hour late in the morning.

The Rev EH Jones visited the school on Monday and Wednesday mornings and took the first class in scripture

Sewing taken this week on the following days: - Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 2 to 4 by Miss Ash

Friday 5th Examined above standrds in Arithmetic – not one could do the following sum “There were 180 pages in a book and in each page 36 lines. Find the number of lines in the book”

249

Monday 1st to Saturday 6th Average 67.7

Mrs EH Jones kindly undertook to assist Miss Ash in needlework on Tuesday and Wednesday

General caution against lateness and bad conduct at every opening of the school; as there was but little improvement on Thursday I threatened to cane all late comers on Friday and to take off the recess. I had to carry out my threat on eleven in the morning and three late ones in the afternoon

Wednesday Alf Lovell caned today for impudence to teacher, and laughing at or before me while he was being accused.

Gave out that instruction in sewing would be given on the following days Monday Wednesday and Friday in each week for the future, and that they were to bring materials to work on.

Simultaneous reading taken on Tuesday Wednesday Thursday and Friday afternoons to encourage children to speak out loudly and to give them confidence. Small attendance. The pipe that carries off water from the roof requires mending or a new piece put in.

1070951

Monday 8th to Saturday 13th Average 83.4

The Vicar, the Rev E H Jones visited the school on Wednesday morning and Friday afternoon. Mrs Jones on Monday and Wednesday afternoons and assisted with the sewing.

Mrs Saninnery called to the school to inform me that her son William was suffering from measles.

All Chn in standards examined in notation found them remarkably deficient in it, only 16 were able to write correctly 7040

Finished copying the 1st quarter of the attendance registers also the admission register for present year all of them being in a very confused state

Monday 15th to Saturday 20th

Weekly average 76.3

Chn are very careless in sounding the aspirate often sounding one where they should not

Harriet Cavill PT gave a lesson on

251

Sand to 1st section boys on Friday afternoon as a training lesson in teaching. Remarks on lesson: delivered without spirit and due regard to attention of class, blackboard short of notes not well prepared

Children punished this week for absence if they failed to bring a note from their parents, attendance better as wyrtle berry picking is over. Only two children caned for copying this week. The conduct and punctuality of chn is greatly improved tho unsatisfactory at present.

William Paddon gave a training lesson on bone to 1st section. Remarks: notes well prepared, children moderately attentive, but the illustrations were not used with reference to the subject independently, nor an explanation of any of the difficult or uncommon words.

252

Monday 29th to August 3rd Average 83.2

July 30th Small attendance (70) this afternoon as a treat was given to those chn attending Chapel Sunday school

Gave PTs an exam ... following results

Reading and Grammar – fair

Arith no of sums right M White (2) W Paddon (0) H Cavill (0) E Brice (0). Dictation no of mistakes E White (1) H Paddon (11) H Cavill (12) E Brice (22)

Monday 5th August to Saturday 10th

Five chn permitted to leave sch early as their parents were going to take them to the sea-side – I cancelled their attendance NB Bank Holiday

255

Admitted six chn. One Mary Ann Coles is not to receive instruction in the Church Catechism by express desire of her father.

Monday 16th Sep to Sat 21st Average 103.6

As harvest is over there has been a better attendance this week, tho a good many are still away sick or at work for a week or two. There being a heavy downpour of rain till just upon 9 o clock on Wednesday over twenty were late out of 90 who attended – lowest attendance this week – none of whom were caned for lateness.

256

M White PT in 4th year complained that the class averaging 36 was too large for her to manage

Reading is more accurate but very monotone

Writing is disgraceful, most of the children cannot write their names legibly

A lot of children sent home for school money which was in arrears. Bought arrears down to ½.

257

Average 109.8

Sent home Joan and M A Berryman for school fees as they owed 2d – absent all week. Sent notes to the parents of most irregular chn showing the number of attendances made since March 78 and asking them to send their chn oftener

Wednesday The bell rope became detached- Thursday and Friday there were a great many late chn

Sent out bills for chns sch fees – arrears of those that are not paid for 2d

October 1878

The attendance officer Mr Thorne called and asked me to send him a list of irregular children

In Reading in 4? Only on L Chiplain could write a K, 4 chn sent down to the infants’ class to learn the alphabet

259

A Sumner very troublesome and obstinate with W Paddow PT and left school without showing home work to his teacher or me

A great fall in attendance this week owing to very wet weather, potato gathering and an appearance of a rash upon a few of the children who seem well in other respects

260

Monday 14th to Saturday 19th Average 93.9

Mr Thorne called and paid up the arrears of children paid for by the Guardians

The average continues to decrease owing to sickness (rash and colds) of children, and children required by parents to pick up and weed potatoes

Examined infants in reading (most unsatisfactory results) only a quarter of them know the alphabet and that imperfectly

261

Owing to the weather which has been very stormy, sickness and gathering of acorns, there has been a very poor attendance this week

Thursday Friday afternoons we opened school at 1.30 and closed registers at 1.40 the children were dismissed at 4 o clock. A great many late on Friday

262

Monday Oct 28th to Saturday Nov 2nd Average 86

The chn of Joshua Watts returned to school after 17 week’s absence. Received a note from Mr Stone objecting to the above chn attending school on the grounds of their sickness (from which they were not perfectly recovered) being infectious, I referred Mr Stone to Mr Jones the vicar.

The attendance was good at the beginning of the week but very poor at the end, just one half of chn absent on account of the weather which was very miserable especially on Friday am

265

Dr Crocker visited on the Friday and cautioned chn against removing a large block of wood and putting it in the road as it caused his horse to take fright

The attendance continues to improve as the weather has been very fine – tho it is very unsatisfactory only 66.6 per cent present of those on the register

266

Some of the big boys (George Upham Jn Hill etc) lighted a fire in Mr Glide’s field, just opposite the school. They were punished by losing the recess on Wednesday. Cautioned all the children against going into the fields to do mischief, and told them to go straight home when dismissed.

A very good attendance in the first part of the week – 104 being the average on Wednesday afternoon. But owing to a very wet day on Thursday the average was diminished considerably as only 65 were present each time on that day.

267

John Rexworthy received four stripes and lost playtime for the week for using bad language to the girls in the dinner time

268

Mr Hillard (manager) visited the school at 12.10 on Wednesday to see if the temperature was high enough as he had just seen one of the children in the road crying with cold- he was satisfied with the heat of the schoolroom.

Harriet Cavill PT who is going to leave shortly appears to take no interest in her work

The attendance has not been so good this week as many of the children have chilblains, a great number of children late on Wednesday morning and three chn just too late to be marked on Friday afternoon

269

Made up class register of fees for the quarter ending Dec 27th. None of the children in arrears with school fees

Harriet Cavill’s engagement terminated today, for the last six weeks she has been indifferent with her duties, her class having made no improvement whatever during this time

270

January 1879

Monday 6th to Saturday 11th Average 41

Mary White absent on Wednesday morning without leave or assigning any reason for her absence. MW gave the following excuse on Thursday morning: Her parents objected to her coming to school when the snow was on the ground NB She had very slight attack of Rheumatism and was afraid that it would be augmented if she came to school. I have also to note that most of the children followed this example the attendance diminishing to 22 on Friday morning. The weather has been very cold and some heavy falls of snow together with sickness of children have caused this very bad attendance

Miss Ash absent on Wednesday afternoon owing to the roads being almost impassable thro the heavy fall of snow

271

Monday 13th Jan to Sat 18th Average 66.1

Mary White PT gave a lesson on Sugar ...was unable to make any use of blackboard as she had a gathering on her thumb. NB she has not been able to do any written exercises all the week

There has been a slight improvement in the reading this week owing to the supply of books being sufficient. NB The books and a few other necessaries were received on Mon 6th. A blackboard easel is greatly needed.

Put a padlock on coal cellar door. Received 12 cwt of coals on Monday afternoon.

I was hindered on Wednesday afternoon about twenty minutes by four of parents of chn bringing attendance cards to be filled up for last week, they having omitted to send them on the Friday afternoon which was the proper time.

272

Mr Sully put up some hat pegs in the place of those broken, there are now pegs for 80 to 110 children

The childrens’ progress is greatly hindered by means of the irregularity which prevails, many children staying away from 2 weeks to 8 at a stretch, the effect being that no permanent impression is made on them.

M White is still unable to perform her duties satisfactorily, she has sore hands

273

Writing lesson given to 1st and 2nd classes instead of object lesson as M White was unable to write or prepare lesson owing to her thumb being sore. NB She has not been well for three weeks

274

Mary White’s thumb continues bad consequently little work has been done this week by her

275

Received note from Guardian of E Brice (Monitor) to the effect that E Brice wished to change her occupation. This day to terminate her engagement (if convenient)

276

....teaching staff insufficient.Robt Dibble has been slight help in maintaining order this week in 1st class in place of E Brice

Charles Coles admitted, name put on 2nd Set register, but he works in the infants’ clas as he does not know the alphabet perfectly altho 9 years of age last month

Mary Whites’ lessons are very badly prepared still Excuse “thumb continues bad”.

Thursday W Paddon’s class St 1 examined in the work done this week; there are only nine children now that cannot read- one being an imbecile – the remaining 20 doing their work very creditably to the teacher

Saturday Gave Teachers a test paper from which M White absented herself

277

Monday 24th to Saturday March 1st Av 90.6

Elizabeth and Samuel Rowe attended school Monday morning without school fees – they were sent home for them but failed to return all the week

Ash Wednesday ..took children to church at 11.00am

M White’s thumb is now well, her lessons have been better done this week

278

Two boys, Wedlake, came to school on Monday morning without fees, for which they were sent home – especially as they are in a position to pay them. They were absent all the week.

Miss Ash has managed the sewing class alone this week as Mr Jones is away from home for a month and the present staff (two pupil teacher and master) is insufficient.

The attendance gradually increases owing to the weather having set in fine

279

Monday 10th to Saturday 15th Average 101.4

The Rev EH Jones ...called on Thursday afternoon and requested me to send registers to him on Friday afternoon as early as I could after they were closed that the Committee (School) could see how irregular the children attnded.

280

Sent to the Rev EH Jones a form, of the School Attendance Committee containing the names, attendances etc, of thirty of the most irregular children

281

Henry Watts (one of the children who was kept behind to help sweep the school) kicked at the door leading into the class room and broke one of the panels

The 1st standard was not tested this week as I had a very severe cold and cough and could scarcely speak.

Whooping cough is prevalent in the village consequently the attendance has not been so good this week as last – list of irregular children sent to Sch Attendance Committee at beginning of week

282

Monday 31st March only

Average 115

A very good attendance both times today. 75 per cent of those on books being present.

James and Walter Burge and James Ware were sent home for school fees, they did not return to school

Not any of children in arears (sic) with school fees from June 1st to March 31st

Made up and tested registers for quarter ended Mar 31st 1879. The average 84.3 attendance is lower for this quarter than for any other quarter in the year. Average for year 88.4

283

April 1879

Tuesday 1st to Saturday 5th Average 114.2

The children have commenced the school year with a very good attendance viz 126 present at all this being 82 per cent of those registered for the week: of those absent (26) 12 are reported by parents as sick.

Alice Farmer who has been very ill for many weeks ( ) returned on Wednesday afternoon, she is still very weak

The discipline and attention to work has been very satisfactorily maintained considering the numbers and usual staff of teachers incomplete

284

Gave notice at each opening of the school that the registers would be closed at 9.25 am on Wednesday to enable the children to be at church (at 11.45 am ) in time for a children’s sermon

Thursday

The children of this school who were qualified by attendances were examined in Reading, Writing and Arithmetic by the Assistant Inspector, Mr Lacey. Everything went off as satisfactorily as could be expected. Just upon 80 per cent of those on books were present. A god number of those presented appeared to do well.

285

Six children taken off registers – five of whom have removed to too great a distance to attend and one (Geo Stone) has gone to work

If the present good attendance continues more slates and Reading Books for second standard will be required

As some of the children have bad coughs and the weather has been rather showery this week, I have kept a small fire in both rooms.

286

A great many children late in the mornings the school clock being too fast – about 7 minutes

287

May 1879

Saturday 10th Average 130

R Boyle Esq Her Majesty’s Inspector of schools paid a visit to Stogumber School on Friday afternoon. No present 122.

Received duplicate of examination schedule from Mr Jones in the evening

Sent to H White Esq Clerk to the Attendance Committee, for a Child’s School book for Rosa Williams

288

Monday 12th to Saturday 17th Average 136.2

Read and fixed notice of the Diocesan Inspection of this school to take place on Wednesday 28th May 1879

H White Esq sent school book (for R Williams) which was sent per post to R Boyle Esq HM Insp Sch

The Vicar, the Rev EH Jones attended school every day this week save Thursday and took Scripture of the following classes viz: 4th and 5th on Wed – 1st and 2nd for rest of week.

Number present at all 147 (being 94% of those on books) highest num = 141 and lowest 131 (Friday afternoon)

Received a letter from M J White – PT M Whites father – to the effect that his daughter was too unwell to attend school today (Friday)

Classes not tested this week. Teaching power being insufficient.

289

The vicar attended school every day except Tuesday this week and gave scripture lessons etc

Dr Crocker called on Wednesday morning and cautioned children against throwing stones and dirt into a well during the dinner hour.

290

The examination in scripture knowledge was held today by the Rev W Michell Diocesan Inspector of Schools

Holiday given for the rest of the week as Thursday is Club Day

291

Attendance has been less owing to the club day of the neighbouring villages being held during the week. The weather too has been very unsettled.

Number of children present at all this week 145 (being just under 90 per cent of those on books) number on books 162, highest number present 130 on Monday morning, lowest 112 on Wednesday afternoon.

292

Report of HM Inspector 1878-9

The work of this school is still not as good as it ought to be: but the master had had an uphill game to play, the children having been backward when he came and the teaching staff weak. The younger children seem the best, the elder are much puzzled by their sums. I should suggest that only one subject (grammar or geography) should be taken next year, if the master wishes to take any.

293

A very small attendance (56) on Monday morning owing to a heavy downpour of rain which continued with more or less vigour throughout the day. The attendance on Tuesday was the highest I have had since I took charge of the school namely 147 both times.

Monday 23rd Two girls admitted from Stogumber private school

295

Some of the children in the upper classes have taken a day or two this week to pick berries, pead etc

296

Thursday morn being very wet the attendance was not good, no Friday many of the children were absent to pick berries

Punished W Sminey for getting over the wall into the play ground on Thursday evening.

297

Monday 11th to Saturday 16th August Average 125.6

One of the panes of glass in the window facing the station Road was broken by a piece of rock blown from the quarry while the teachers were having their lesson about 12.35.

The Berrymans have been ill this week of a fever.

A great number of children have been absent at least one day this week to go picking whortleberries. Lowest attendance 103 on Tuesday afternoon highest 132 Tuesday morning.

298

The school gate padlock was stolen from the gate on Monday night.

The attendance we have had this week has been the lowest we have had during the school year.

Thursday pm Gave the usual harvest vacation.

300

Punished Geo Upham for impudent behaviour to an elderly man in the street.

Cautioned the children against lateness and bad behaviour in the streets.

Mr Thorne Relieving Officer called and paid up arrears of school fees of children paid for by The Guardians – 4 weeks behind.

301

November 1879

Sent in to the School Attendance Committee a list of irregular chn a good number received notices to attend by Wednesday afternoon.

Cautioned chn about playing with rock powder as R Dibble and Alf Hill had been rather severely burned by it on Thursday about 12.30 in Mr Hill’s garden.

302

Prepared list of irregular children for the school attendance committe

The school room has been badly swept this week: excuse sweepers can not see as it gets dark long before they have finished

305

Jan Mon 19th to Sat 24th

The Vicar the Rev EH Jones .... called on Thursday afternoon and left some papers (for me to distribute among the children) concerning lateness.

306

Very few children late this week as by the new rule no child will be admitted after 9.10 in the morning, none being withdrawn from scripture.

307

Taught the words of the song “The march of the men of Harlech”

308

March 1880

E Parsons (mon) was absent with face ache.

309

Sat 20/ 2/ 80 Mary White , William Paddon (PTs) and Elizabeth Parsons (Candidate) went to Central Schools, Taunton for their annual examination.

Received seven new registers for next month and “New Code” for 1880

310

March 1880

Mary White completed her apprenticeship in this school

Received from 9 etc from Education Dept antoerh examination and Duplicate Schedule required. Informed vicar.

314

Report of HM Inspector 1879-80

The upper part of this school is still weak but the younger children shew traces of better work, and it is clear that this school is improving.

Report of the Rev W S Escott Diocesan Examiner 1879-80

Summary for School

Religious Knowledge – Good

Discipline and Tone – Fair

Repetition – Good

The elder children do not answer with quickness and intelligence. The infants are brighter and on the whole did very well.

315

June 1880

Saturday June 5th

Holiday given in this week on Monday being Stogumber Club Day

Tuesday Gertrude Mary Hill of Stogumber commenced her duties as Monitress in place of E Parsons who left on Wednesday

318

Monday 12th July to Saturday 18th

William Smincy broke one of the rails separating playground from the School field by swinging on it. James Hole helped him to break it, they have to pay for the mending of the rail between them. The rail was broken in the dinner hour on Monday.

Monday evening one of the class room windows was broken by Walt Dennet who is working for MR Burston

319

The attendance has not been good lately particularly during the last fortnight owing to parents sending their children to the Hills to pick Whortleberries Chn are often required to carry their father’s dinners.

Choral Festival at Dunster. Miss (?) Lynons, GM Hill and W Paddon were given leave to attend it.

321

September 80

Recommenced school after harvest vacation(four weeks) with a very poor attendance indeed.

323

November 1880

Caned W Hyett for damaging of one of his class reading books. The new books (Oct 19th) are already getting in a very bad state – dirty.

324

25/11/80 Geo Timlett stood too close to class room fire and set the leg of his trowsers on fire; owing to the fright of chn with him, it was not extinguished before his leg was rather severely burned. It happened about 1.30pm. An accident.

326

School reopened after Xmas Vacation (of two weeks) with a fair attendance (80)

Monday 17th Jan to Sat 22

No visits this week

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the roads were impassable owing to the heavy falls of snow – no school held on the above days

327

The Rev E H Jones opened school on Monday Wednesday Thursday and Friday

328

The Vicar The Rev E H Jones opened School on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings.... I gave to the Vicar a list of children who require hunting up or they will not make the number of times to qualify for examinations

Friday Received from the vicar form 8m filled it up and returned it the same day

331

Mrs Apps called to inform me that William Apps was very ill with cough and measles and would not be able to attend on examination day.

332

May 1881

Walt Webber a badly disposed boy, whose turn it was to sweep school last night, threw a broom at Teacher in charge.

Thursday

William Milton, an Infant, cracked one of the panes of glass in the Class room window, when putting his bag which contained his dinner on window sill.

333

More than half the children on the Infant’s register have unfortunately the Measles; consequently the attendance had been very low – average on 58.2 No present at all 78 being 64% of those on the books.

27/5/81 Not being able to get cheque cashed in village, I took it to Bank myself at 10.30 in time for afternoon school.

334

June 1881

Report of HM Inspector 1880-81

The work in this school is open to the same remarks as last year, the younger children have done very fairly, but the elder ones are not at all up to the mark. There is a most unfortunate falling off in the numbers of this school, to which the attention of the management is especially directed. A parish with so large a population should present nearly double the number of children for examination. The walls want paint and plaster, especially the porch.

335

Report of Diocesan Examiner in Religious Knowledge

It is difficult to report upon a school from which one half of the scholars are absent (owing to illness) on the day of Examination. There were some children who did their work with intelligence and pains. A good many were decidedly below the standard. And the infants were greatly deficient.

The fact that one or two children (besides the monitor) present were doing work above standard III deserves the consideration of the managers and of the Local Attendance Committee: unless indeed all children all children who have passed Standard III are exempted from further attendance.

336

Received school fees from Miss Ling so I had to make some alterations in fees column of summary

Mrs Steward was assisted by Mrs Jones on Monday afternoon and Mrs Case on Wednesday afternoon, in instructing girls in their needlework.

Monday 27th to Saturday 2nd July

Jno Burge, Jno Rexworthy and Hen Criddle between them managed to finish smashing pane of glass (which was badly cracked by Wm Milton on May 19th 81) in dinner hour

337

July 1881

W Paddon absent this week to attend scholarship exam at Exeter training coll

Mrs Steward’s engagement terminated last Friday. Sewing will be taken by Mrs Jones assisted by Miss Symons

Whortleberry picking has commenced

339

August 1881

1/8/81 Bank Holiday Closed school all day

Sewing to be discontinued for this and two succeeding weeks, girls having same lessons as boys – by direction of managers.

Monday 8th to Saturday 13th

11/8 Taunton Flower show poor attendance only 42 in morning and 34 in afternoon

15/8/81 Sent in account (for 57 days) to Mr Holland according to instructions received from Mr Jones

19/8/81

Dismissed Children for Harvest Vacation. The 20th inst being the end of three months notice received – termination of my engagement as school master.

340

September 1881

Monday 26th to Friday 30th Average 79.9

I Henry James Mouncher opened Stogumber Mixed School after 5 weeks Holiday

The late master Mr H C Gladstone omitted to leave the Time Table

Tuesday 27th Prepared Time Table

Wednesday 28th

Reading and Writing results very bad indeed. One great fault in the Reading is the almost whispering tone of voice.

Thursday 29th Made a complaint to the Revd EH Jones of the bad state of the Offices attached to the school

Friday 30th Cautioned children against lateness.

341

Sums given, compound addition, simple long division by 29, and the following problem ‘if a book has 360 pages and 58 lines on a page how many lines are there in the book’

Number examined 24. Result 19 had none right, 5 had one.

Tuesday examined standard I in arithmetic. Out of 29 children examined there were 4 passes. 7 children did not know the figures.

Wednesday. Cautioned children against lateness, threatened to cane all the late ones next day

Thursday. Had to carry out my threat on 10 late ones. Examined standard II in arithmetic. Two sums given, 1 had two right, 6 had one right, 7 had none right. The reading of this standard is in a deplorable state.

342 spoke to pupil teachers about coming late. Appointed the time for them to be at school is 8.45 and 1.45

Friday Attendance very small owing to severe gale of winds and rain

344 warned children about being absent from school without leave

347 punished 3 boys for playing truant the previous day.

349 Friday. noticed a window broken in the class room

Friday Discovered that the padlock of the gate was missing. Taken off in the night.

350 Mr Crocker MD called to see if there was any draught to be felt in Edwin Hurley’s place. This boy has been very ill and is not expected to get better. Commenced with a cold. The doctor thought it was not

351 due to his place in class

Friday Gertrude Hill (PT ist year) attempted a lesson to the 1st class on coal. It proved a failure.

Friday Gertrude Hill gave a lesson on the Cow. A decided improvement on any other lesson attempted by her.

Tuesday Gertrude Hill gave a lesson on the elephant. It was fairly well done.

352 Gertrude Hill absent. Confirmation at Taunton.

Friday Gertrude Hill gave a reading lesson to Standard II. Subject ‘the dogs of St Bernard’ – a fair lesson

356 Report of the Diocesan Inspector

Comparing the present state of the school with what it was a year ago, as shown by the Dio Inspectors Report a great and marked improvement has evidently taken place. The infants are satisfactory. ....

358 Report of HM Inspector

This school has passed a very fair examination in standard subjects. No class subjects are taught owing to the backward state of the school last year. The walls require attention on the inside.

May 8th 1882.

359

Thursday 15th July The Baptist Chapel Sunday School treat. Poor attendance.

Thursday. Absent in the afternoon. Attended choir picnic.

360 Miss Shepherd took charge of the school.

362 Found that Walter and Charles Burge were attending Monksilver school.

Thursday Holiday in the afternoon on account of a Temperance Fete in the village.

Friday Attendance Poor – result of Temperance Fete.

Thursday. Noticed a ring worm on Harry Farmers head just as School was being dismissed.

Friday. Attendance very poor. 4 of the Farmer family have the ring-worm so absent from school. Noticed a spot on Louisa Sully’s neck. Snt her home with a note. Mother came and said it was not the ring worm

363 commenced school after Harvest Holidays. Attendance poor. Harvest not finished on account of the wet.

364 Gertrude Hill PT went to Williton to cash cheque for Teacher’s salaries

368 30th November Snow storm. No school this morning 67 children put in an appearance in the afternoon

Wednesday 6th Dec Snowstorm

Thursday Attendance very poor in consequence of the snow

369

Monday 29th Feb Monday was very wet and the attendance suffered all the week in consequence

Friday very wet morning Attendance 79

371

Monday 19th heard that some of the children had Ring-worm. Went round to examine and sent home Alice Webber who had a red spot on her forehead.

Thursday Sent Clara Manning home. She had a rough place on each side of her mouth.

Feb 26th Sent Walter Webber and Jemima Wescombe home as I noticed symptoms of the Ring-worm about them.

Thursday Several children absent owing to sores on their heads

371

Thursday 153 present in the morning and 151 in the afternoon

Friday A very wet morning Only 75 children present.

375 Holiday on account of the annual club feast

376 Report of HM Inspector

A very marked improvement is evident both in the organization and attainments of this school which now bids fair to do exceeding well under Mr Mouncher. Points to which attendance is particularly requested are the spelling of the third and fourth standards and the needlework of the upper stages.

378

Thursday 12th July commenced giving tickets to children who come each time school is opened and in good time

379

Chapel Sunday School Tea treat. Many children absent in consequence

380

Wednesday A good many children absent owing to Minehead races.

[nb no longer getting absences for harvest and whortleberrys – instead increased concern for health and sanitation]

Monday 24th September

Six children absent owing to a ‘Breaking out’ on their heads and faces

382

Many children have been absent during the week - excuse ‘Taking up the potatoes’.

384

J and H Berryman whose names were taken off the Register 3 weeks ago, on account of their becoming inmates of the ‘Union’ put in appearance this morning.

393

Report of HM Inspector for the year 1883-4

In spite of a god deal of irregularity of attendance the School has done decidedly well in the ordinary ? subjects as well as in sewing. More books for the first and second standards, and more desks for the first standard should be at once supplied.

396 Mr Thorne attendance officer called and cautioned several children

397 Wednesday Closed School for Whitsuntide Holidays. Reason for closing so early in the week is that the village club holds its feast on the 29th May. Before closing the Vicar presented the prizes for ‘Attendance’ and ‘Success in the Quarterly Examinations’ to the children who had gained them.

400 warnings sent to the parents of irregular children

Bank holiday and a wedding in the village combined gave us a very poor attendance

Tuesday Most of the farmers have now begun harvest, attendance bad in consequence.

401

Re-opened school after Harvest Holidays. Children on one family (Watts) sent home as they had Measles in the house.

Friday Two other children away on account of Measles, one sent home with Ringworm

402

Tuesday Marked registers a quarter of an hour earlier, as children wished to go to a wax-work show.

Friday A good many children absent on account of Sickness – Ringworm and Bad Throats

495

Tuesday John Ware (aged 6) stumbled and sat down on class room fire; set his trousers on fire and burned his leg. A guard necessary.

407

1885

Thursday 8th Jan Many children sick some with bad throats other bad feet

417

Thursday Heard of a case of Small pox in Kingswood

Friday Sent the children home who live near the house where the small pox is

Friday 15 Kingswood children absent on account of Small Pox

3 on account of Ringworm

4 on account of Whooping cough

418 The Kingswood children came to school this week.

419 Club feast at Monksilver Many children absent

Thursday Received notice that the school fees of children whose parents are rated to the poor must be increased.

422 Whortleberry picking is now affecting the attendance

423 Commenced school after Harvest Holidays (4 weeks) Capital attendance to start with 155.

Thursday Holiday in the afternoon on account of the Athletic Sports at Monksilver

Thursday After school was dismissed the bigger boys were having a Tug of War in the playground when James House and Bert Hyett quarrelled. Stones were picked up, and Hyett’s face was badly cut about ¼ inch under the right eye, probably with a stone held in House’s fist. Didn’t punish either as both were in fault and Hyett was not in a fit state to receive further punishment.

Friday Flogged James Jones for paying truant.

429

Wednesday A Snow storm came on after the children got in school. Kept children. Sent for bread.

430 Had a case of Scarlatina reported to me. Sent a message to the parents of children living in that part of the village to keep their children away from school for a time.

Friday Many children absent owing to sickness

440

As it rained very hard the whole of the dinner time and many of the children had their dinners I sent for some bread for the others gave half an hour for dinner and commenced afternoon school at 12.30 closed at 2.40

441

Holiday on Monday – Club feast

Tuesday A very poor attendance – quite the usual thing after Club day

Tuesday The vicar being unwell I gave a holiday in the afternoon in order to accompany the choir in their annual Picnic.

444

Monday 2nd August Bank Holiday attendance poor

Thursday Minehead Races were held this day , the attendance was poor in consequence

445

Tuesday 10th Gave a holiday in the afternoon as there were Athletic Sports held at Monksilver

Thursday 12th Poor Attendance owing to Taunton Flower show

September Commenced School after four weeks holiday. During the holidays Scarlatina broke out in two families (Wedlake and Watts) Herbert J Wedlake PT absent owing to illness (Scarlatina)

Thursday A poor attendance this afternoon owing to the Athletic sports at Watchet

Friday Many children absent owing to a tea party at Vexford

446

Mr J Thorne (attendance officer) called and cautioned C Ware against irregular attendance

447

Sent Charles and Robert Gadd home for their school money

Tuesday As it rained very hard and many children had their dinner, I sent for 2 loaves of bread and some cheese for those who had not brought their dinner. At 10 minutes to 1 we began the afternoon lesson, stopped at 2.50

[ i get it – he has stopped letting them go out / home at lunch time on rainy days so that the attendance is higher in the afternoons – they would not come back otherwise !]

451

St Thomas Day - begging day with the poorer folks in the village: as there were so many children absent begging there was a holiday in the afternoon

452

Just before beginning afternoon school while playing in the yard Selina Sully fell down and run one knitting needle through her leg and two other part ways. After doing all we could for her we sent for a doctor. Since then she is progressing favourably.

Friday It is reported that a family named Bryant has the Scarlatina in the house

453

Owing to Scarlatina several children living near to the sick family have been asked to remain away from school for a time

Thursday The managers lent the Room for 3 evenings to a travelling theatrical company

Friday A very poor attendance on account of bitterly cold weather and sickness

455

Tuesday A very heavy snowstorm as it grew worse dismissed the children at 12 o clock for the day

Wednesday The snow being about a foot deep got Managers permission not to open school today

465

Tuesday Holiday The Queens Jubilee Celebrated by a feast in the school room

Wednesday Called children together but found it impossible to hold lessons as the Jubilee Committee were here disposing of the remains of the feast

School work resumed in the afternoon

466

A great many children are absent on account of sickness. Whooping Cough is very prevalent; each day some children are taken ill in school.

468

Having few children present on account of Chapel School Tea and Minehead Races we had a half holiday.

476

A very poor attendance on account of a custom people have of begging on this (St Thomas Day)

[does he keep emphasising sickness as a reason for absence to justify attendance figures ?]

selected transcription of school log book 1888-1915

DD/X/STOG/2

1888 Report of HM Inspector

This is a decidedly good school. The results of the elementary subjects shew painstaking care on the master’s part, and had it not been for a break down in grammar in one of the higher standards, both geography and English would have been rated as good. The tone and discipline are highly satisfactory.

Thrashed Bert Perry for wilfully throwing a stone at another boy in my presence while in the play ground

The Doctor called and told me that he had called and seen some children in a part of the Parish called Carslake and found them suffering from measles. He advised me to send any children I had at school from those houses home. I did so at once.

A great many children absent this afternoon – haymaking

A good many small children away on account of Chicken Pox

A large number of the older children are absent on each fine day owing to the whortleberry picking

12 Attendance poor all the week as many of the children are still leasing: A good number have left school, some to go to work, others have removed from the village

13 Oct 1888 A very poor attendance owing to the potato digging

The attendance officer called and warned several children against irregularity

A very wet day indeed only 61 attended: it rained so hard and so few had their dinners that after waiting till one o clock I dismissed the children for the day

March 1889

On account of a severe snow storm there was no school on Monday or Tuesday

Attendance awfully poor: fees remitted for the week.

Thursday 7th March A very very wet day: attendance still poor

Friday An awfully wet day: stopped work at 12.15 and waited for an opportunity to send children home. The last batch started at 3.30 pm in the face of a terrible rain. I found afterwards that some did not reach home till 8pm on account of the floods.

April 1889

A poor attendance this morning. On enquiry I found that many children were sick : a swelling appearing just under the ear.

Tuesday No improvement in attendance – heard that it was ‘Mumps’ the children were suffering from.

Wednesday Had several parents call on me to inform me that their children could not attend owing to the ‘mumps’

Thursday Still more children away some with ‘Mumps’ others from fear of them

Friday The ‘Mumps’ are making still further ravages on the attendance. Very disheartening work.

A very poor attendance on Monday owing to the mumps [no ‘ ‘ this time]

Tuesday A very wet day attendance very bad

Wed A slight improvement in the attendance

Thursday Several children who have been sick have now returned to school

Friday ordinary work

Mon A marked improvement in the attendance I had an afternoon in visiting the parents of irregular children.

Tuesday The attendance still improving

Wed A fresh outbreak of Mumps: very vexing

Thursday More children away on account of Mumps.

Thursday 23 A very poor attendance on account of mumps. A fresh outbreak.

Wed 24th The children suffering from mumps were sent home

Thu 25th The attendance worse than ever

Friday 26th The attendance still poorer.

Monday 6th A fresh outbreak of mumps has caused attendance to fall

Tuesday 14th. Left school in charge of Miss Symons from 3 to 4 pm whilst attending a Meeting of the Managers. Laid before them a plan to secure more regular attendance viz by making a grant of a half penny per week to each child who makes a full week’s punctual attendance. The managers decided to try the plan for a year.

Wed 15th A great many children came late owing to the Relieving Officer being later than usual; children were waiting for bread for dinner.

Dismissed the children for a week’s holiday. Holiday given now instead of Whit week on account of the Village Club Feast taking place in the coming week.

Marked registers at 9.35 as a good many children had asked to go at 11.40 to carry dinner to Haymakers etc (excursion to Watchet)

Tuesday 17th A poor attendance : haymaking has commenced

35 so many bigger children helping about the Hay

The Haymaking still takes many children from school

Tuesday 16th July Minehead races and Whorlteberry picking left us a poor attendance

Examined Standard 1 in Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. This class contains an exceptionally large proportion of exceedingly dull children.

Gave standard 1 lessons in reading writing and arithmetic in order both to help children and teacher and also to thoroughly understand the difficulties the latter has to contend with. The class as a whole is the dullest it has even been my lot to teach.

A very poor attendance in the afternoon owing in part to the Harvest Thanksgiving Service and Tea being held at the Chapel.

A number of children are absent, sick: on visiting them I found that they are mostly suffering from a breaking –out about the head. It has been lurking about in several families ever since the Harvest Holidays. On Saturday last I was greatly distressed to see the shocking state of the Sully family at Kingswood.

A good many children still absent owing to Bad Heads

Many more children absent on account of the Sore Head

The school was opened this morning after the usual Christmas Holiday. Being a wet morning and the old Christmas day there was a very poor attendance.

March Had a note from one parent at Vellow telling me that the children of a neighbour had some disease which she believed to be ‘Itch’. Received note after children had been dismissed for the day.

Tuesday 15th Kept a sharp eye on the children named and as they certainly have some eruption they are to remain at home

Wed 15th As there is a disposition to with hold the voluntary school rate a Meeting of the Ratepayers was called for 3 o clock at the school.

Thursday Had many parents enquire as to the truth of the ‘Itch’ rumour

Several parents kept their children home in consequence

Friday Each day the school has been fumigated

Several children sickened in school today with what appears to be a mild form of Influenza

Tue More children sickened today

Thu Still more children sickening

Fri About 30 children absent owing to the ‘epidemic’

Mon A very poor attendance so many children sick

Tue Attendance still poorer several children sickened during the day , very unwell myself

Wed Too unwell to attend school. Miss L Symons in charge, she went home quite ill at 4 pm

Thu I got to school tho still unwell. Had not been here long before summoned home by a telegram mother ill – dead.

Managers thought it advisable to close the school for a time, as the influenza was so prevalent.

1890 Mon 5th A wet Monday morning. The vicar said prayers.

Tuesday 6th An attempt made to revive the Fair held formerly on this day. A half holiday given in the afternoon.

Wed 7th Sent in my resignation to the Managers

Friday Left school in charge of Miss L Symons as Managers gave me leave to attend before the Vicar of Haywards Heath as a Candidate for Mastership of School there.

1890

A photographer called and photographed the children in four groups

Friday My engagement terminates

Monday 30th I Walter H Grey Cm (ist Div) took charge of this school. Revd E H Jones took the upper classes in Scripture as usual. Many children are absent.

July Friday 4th

I have today sent the bill for fees due from the Guardians for Elizabeth and Ellen Parsons, Robert and Charles Gadd – paupers and W Chidgey Eliz Sully and A L Vickery – non paupers. The paupers are paid for at 1/4d per attendance. The rest at 1 d per week

The attendance this week has been very meagre and exceedingly unpunctual. The ‘Midlands’ arithmetics have been introduced with the effect of saving much time and showing that the apparently satisfactory results of my predecessors were due to copying, very few of the scholars having at all mastered the work they had been supposed to go through.

The attendance this week has been very poor owing to the ‘whort harvests’ and to days rain. Several children are very frequently late and this week Marmion Watts has been twice too late to be marked and James Watts once. Sometimes as many as 25 per cent of the children come after the first marking of the registers in red ink. Wm Coles has been severely punished for disobedience. The Vicar has taken his class each day. The usual routine was broken yesterday afternoon when the Infants assembled early and the girls had no sewing as Miss Symons had arranged to accompany a friend on an excursion.

AUG 8TH The attendance throughout the week has been wretched. On Wednesday a holiday was given as the parents of several children wished them to see the Volunteer review at Minehead. On Monday Marmion Watts wrote indecent words

In a neighbours book and told several lies to hide her fault. On Tuesday he was detained in the dinner hour by way of punishment but escaped through a window. On Thursday he was severely caned and again detained, whilst the rest of the boys were lectured in the play time on the wickedness and filthiness of his language.

This afternoon I received a note from Mr Farmer saying he heard there was an infectious disease in the school and he children would be kept away. Two of the elder scholars are suffering from an eruption to the face.

Yesterday F Perry had to be severely punished for being purposely 25 minutes late in the afternoon

The misses Notley helped with the sewing on Monday

I experience great difficulty with making the children provide themselves with books, slates etc and am afraid I shall have to send some of them home as they have been without copy books for some time. I still have many unpunctual scholars some of whom are only in time on any occasion by accident.

One scholar was sent home this morning for being dirty.

Yesterday afternoon the girls were sent home and their attendances cancelled as they had been some time without copy books. One or two parents had sent word that they would not provide books. Mr Thomas attendance officer visited on Wednesday and his attention was especially directed to the cases of Rhoda Cowlin and Edwin G Routley. The foremer has been absent since the holidays as her mother says she is over 13 although the admissions book makes her age 10.

Attendance on the part of some scholars very poor. I find great difficulty in getting the school fees paid up.

Last week attendance fell off as several parents had a scare about ringworm. The children from three families suffering from it have been excluded.

March 3 J and H Coles of Vellow have lost several attendances through being sent back for fees. ... Today it has not been possible to keep fires on account of smoke.

The school year ends today. On the whole I believe due progress has been made; but some few of the children have not sufficient natural ability to cope with their work, - notably Percy Hembrow, Marmion Watts, and Lily Bulpin. Only two children – Albert Williams and M J Gillard – have been re classified; because having been met on every hand by records of what my predecessor did, I though it would be better to let his classification stand as a whole.

1890/91 report of HM Inspector

Mixed School. There is a serious declention in the examination results this eyar, there being very few good passes above the first ? standards..... the tone is good and the discipline only fair – the scholars being too prone to chatter after being reproved repeatedly.

The attendance this week is exceedingly poor. Several names have been removed from the registers – left. This afternoon A Brewer had to be punished for lying – two strokes on right hand, one on left and two in another place.

1891

June 8th The attendance last week was again very poor – children absent on the slightest excuse.

10th The vicar was absent on Monday. Bidgood has been absent sick all the week. His place has been partly taken by W Hyett. The attendance has been bad all the week and today the Kingswood children are excluded by order of M O H. no help with the sewing on Tue and Wed.

The note on the attendance of the Kingswood children was withdrawn on Monday but they have made but few attendances this week. The attendance throughout the school has been wretched .

July 16 On Monday afternoon during the last lesson Wm Wedlake who had been troublesome during the afternoon through talking – was told to stand on the form. He said his father had forbidden him to do so. As the class room was empty I told him to stand there till I came to him. Instead of doing so when I went to him I found him in the play ground interfering with the little ones. On dismissing the school I went to his father requesting that the limit of his obedience might be withdrawn. Next morning I received a note the latter part of which I took to give me unlimited authority and for the sake of the others I desired him to stand on the form. He persisted in refusing to do so and after prayers the Vicar saw

Him in the porch and desired him to obey my order telling him that unless he did so he must go home. He went home.

Yesterday I received a formal notice that his younger brother will in future receive private tuition. Both names will therefore be removed from the books next week.

The work of Tue and Wed afternoon was interchanged to suit the convenience of the ladies assisting with the sewing.

No help with the sewing on Tuesday and Wednesday

No outside help with the sewing

No boots not so often given as a reason for absence. The managers propose to give a bonus of ½ d per week to those who make 10 punctual attendances during the week. After the holidays this will be a Free School.

96 Last Friday a ‘Warning’ to parents about school attendance was received and as a consequence the school has been very full this week.

Some time ago a half holiday was promised when the numbers through the week did not below 120. This has been the case this week and the school has been closed for the afternoon.

Dec 4 Attendance still good

11 Attendance affected by the weather but considering that drawback good

1892

Jan 15 Re opened school on Monday. The attendance has been poor - ground sheeted with ice and several children and parents sick

During the school holiday the children gave an entertainment in aid of school funds and reaslized (sic) a net profit of £1 6s

This morning Ernest Webber had to be punished for indecency - a second offence

101

Only one fire could be lit in this room yesterday and today and yesterday we were almost suffocated with the sulphurous fumes from our one fire.

Wretched attendance on Tuesday owing to bad weather..... Have discontinued one fire.

111

The attendance has dropped off. Miss Mathews was absent yesterday afternoon, as I had suggested a trip to Watchet for the benefit of her health.

112

June 3 The attendance throughout the week has been very poor owing to club walkings.

17 The attendance throughout the week has been extremely thin.

July 1st Attendance worse again

113

Miss Mathews has the measles. Being left to work the school single handed I have found it impossible to give all the lessons as her time table but I have deviated from it as little as possible. Attendance only 78.9 out of 120. The name of W Stanley is removed from the

114

Books as the doctor declares her unfit for attendance at school. The name of Wm Caleb Sully was placed on the register as I understood he was coming for some time. However he has returned to Bristol.

115

Sep 12th 1892

During the week ending Aug 5 the school was conducted by Mr Grey, the teachers being still absent on account of measles. The attendance was very poor and several children were sickening with measles. On Monday 8th during the Religious Instruction an order to close the school was received from the Medical Officer of Health and it was accordingly closed for five weeks which end today. There are I believe, still some few cases of measles, but it is to he hoped that the epidemic, which has had such disastrous effect upon the school, has now spent its force.

116

Marmion Watts will be severely punished on Monday for filthy behaviour in the offices since school.

117

The total attendance this morning amounted to 28 – reason – pouring rain. This afternoon it is somewhat better. ... A new boy Granville admitted last week played truant on Friday afternoon and Monday last. Walter Hayes of Houndhill brought in a chain last Friday afternoon saying he had found it. Events proved that he had taken it from a neighbour’s house. I gave him a caning for lying to me about it.

21 The attendance this week has been affected by the potato harvest, children kept either to mind the little ones or to pick up potatoes.

120

Walter Parsons was put in the porch on Monday afternoon to be punished for an offence committed in the dinner hour and immediately decamped. As his father has declined to let him return with an apology his name and his brothers will be removed from the books.

121

Some fresh cases of ringworm and broken chillblains.

124

End of the school year which has been an exceptional one the attendance having suffered greatly from measles, scarlet fever and ringworm, whilst from July 15 to Oct 7 one or both of the teachers was absent through sickness and I had to work single handed.

129

1893 April 7

The school has been very thin this week owing to an epidemic cough and there has been so much coughing among the children present that the work has been carried on with great difficulty.

130

Holiday in the afternoon many children having gone to a circus at Williton

134

On Monday Matilda Watts was unwell in school. On Tuesday she was reported as having a sore throat so I kept her brothers apart all day and reported to M O H who declared it fever that evening. The family is therefore excluded. This morning Mrs Calloway reports taht Charles who has been absent for some time has very suspicious symptons.

29 Two of the Stones have measles. All excluded. There are so few children present this morning that there will be a holiday this afternoon.

135

The attendance has somewhat improved but many of the children are kept home on the most trivial excuse.

June 9 There are absent from school the PT and 26 children on account of scarlet fever and measles. The attendance accordingly has been wretched. On Wednesday owing to a club festival at Monksilver we totalled only 46.

23 The attendance has been most wretched the highest number present at one time being 64. Two or three fresh cases of measles. Have had to refuse admission to two or three children who had not yet recovered sufficiently long to be free from the chance of spreading the disease. Being still single handed I have had great difficulty in working the

136

School but have kept to the time table as closely as possible.

June 27 An order was received from the Sanitary authority this morning that the school should be closed for three weeks.

Aug 14 At the expiration of the three weeks for which we were closed by the SA the harvest holidays were begun as the harvest was unusually early. Today we have reopened with a poor attendance. The Holes who have been absent 14 weeks have gone to Watchet ! Last week I was asked in two cases for special leave – one for today the other for the whole week and of course refused it in each case.

18 I have thought it advisable in each class to begin this year’s work from the beginning and find that in most cases the children have forgotten much of the work they had done.

138

Ernest Hyett having entered the Huish School at Taunton as a County Scholar his name has been taken off the books. The managers at a meeting on Monday kindly consented to allow me to leave on Nov 1st.

140

This afternoon Albert Manning and Reginald Tuckfield have been severely punished for indecent behaviour towards Elizth Watts a little girl in the same standard. There have been complaints of Manning before but they have not been so well substantiated.

141

1893 Nov 17 Owing to the pouring rain we did not get those children who live at a distance and go home to dinner this afternoon. Some of those present were wet through.

142

On Wednesday Manning was punished for swearing by detention till a quarter to one

Last night the window at the end of the room was blown out and we have been incommoded and disarranged to day in consequence of absence.

[nb continued theme of vicar absent, unwell, generally not taking his classes – and no help with sewing]

144

In closing my ‘Log’ of the school I desire to place on record my appreciation of the kindness I have experienced at the hands of the Managers of the school throughout the three and a half years during which I have held office; and to take this method of expressing my regret that circumstances have rendered my removal necessary. Walter H. Grey.

145

1894 Jan 8th I George Arthur Hollis (Culham 92-3_ began duty as Master of this school.

146

The children do not work at all neatly on paper; this is perhaps owing to excessive slate work much of the latter has been discontinued, and replaced by paper work. I have had to speak rather strongly to the children about their personal

147

Appearance which is far from what it ought to be.

149

A circular dealing with ‘Employment of Children’ has been received from Williton Union. After being read to the whole school, it was affixed to the notice board.

159

The first week of the new school year has been marked by an excellent all round attendance.

165

A very disappointing week with regard to work; the attendance has been wretched so taht any advance in the year’s work was practically out of the question. On Friday more than 60% were absent on account of Whort harvest principally; and school was closed.

166

Aug 3 The attendance brightened up a little at the beginning of the week but the improvement turned out to be only temporary. On Thursday afternoon a half holiday was given on account of school treat held by the Baptist Chapel.

168

Spe 28th Miss L Symons certificated asst infants mistress has left today; the school funds will not allow the retention of her services. The staff has thus been considerably diminished. Her services as a teacher of needlework have been retained.

183

1895

Four girls admitted today ....[including]...Nellie Coles. The latter is 7 years of age and has never before attended a School.

188

There are about 50% absent this morning in consequence of visits to the ‘whort hill’.

196

Inspection without notice. There are some blanks in the Attendance Registers. Some ages in the Admissions register are omitted. The Summary Register has not been made up since the 5th week of the 3rd quarter – while the entries for the 1st quarter are in pencil – and the average according to age for 2nd quarter is not entered. On my arrival I found the children at play when according to the Time-Table they should have been in school.

212

1896 Sep 17th One large window in the class room measuring 21 ½ inches by 46 inches was blown out with the frame and 3 large panes of glass complete. The gusts of wind which then came through the aperture blew down the pictures from the walls. Rain and mud

213

Beat through the ventilators at the top of the roof, and then large pieces of plaster began to fall from the roof. The children had to be removed from places of danger to safer ones. The lower half of the Girl’s playground is thickly strewn with many tiles blown from the roof. A group of 5 boys, who had gone out during recreation time, contrary to orders, narrowly escaped being struck by two or three falling tiles which came down from the roof together.

216

Two girls and one boy have been admitted from Miss Symons private schol.

220

Mar 4th 1897 Visited the School for the second time under Art 84(1) Few children present owing to the stormy weather – the fireplaces seem quite inadequate for warming the room.

221

During Tuesday night a terrible gale blew and on Wednesday morning considerable damage was found to have been wrought. Several windows were broken and the rain had found its way into the rooms in several places. The weather was so very rough that very few children were able to come to school, and it was found impossible to keep these out of the wind and rain. They were sent home and the damage to the building was looked into at once.

232

26th School was closed on Tuesday and Wednesday on account of the Celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

233

1897

July 3rd Many children are absent from the Mixed Department. Whortle berries are ripe and the children ‘stay at home’ or rather stay away from school and gather the berries. Work does not progress as fast as usual in consequence.

On Friday afternoon many children were absent. There was an afternoon performance for children at the circus.

235

Bidgood (PT) has left; his four years of apprenticeship have come to an end. He goes to Exeter Tr Collge. His place in school has not been filled hence the work is harder for the rest. Hard work has been the order of the week on all sides. Good progress has been made especially in Reading, Arithmetic and Spelling. The old and useless fire-places have been removed and replaced by stoves. The prospects of winter are therefore more hopeful than usual.

241

Winnie Andrews who has made 25 attendances out of a possible 90 must go down to std 4 when she comes again; it is quite impossible for me to keep her up to the same level as teh others. Reginald Tuckfield has made 28 attendances out of a possible 90....... Edith Calloway, Mary Calloway and Nellie Coles have been absent for 12 weeks. The attendance of these children

242

Is disgraceful. The two former are often running the streets but if inquiry is made, they are always too ill to come to school. Their names are always reported to the School Attendance Committee at their monthly meetings but the parents take no notice whatver of this, and simply ignore any interference on the part of the magistrates. I am going to send their names to S A C on Friday for the last time.

246

A statement of the attendances made by the Calloways has been sent to the Education Dept. These three children have made 31, 81, and 313 out of 1,323 attendances respectively.

255

A glaring case of untruthfulness was discovered on Monday afternoon. It is very prevalent among Stogumber children to a marked degree.

256

The attendance is bad just now; the hay time is in full swing and some children are kept away from School to lead horses while other carry meals to their parents.

257

During dinner time on Tuesday some mischievous boys amused themselves by jumping on the Stone which seals the cess-pit in the playground. The stone was eventually taken up and the wood-work damaged by these boys who received well merited punishment for their misdemeanour.

The attendance is excessively bad this week. Many children were absent on Thursday and went to a ‘Sale of Work’ etc connected with the Chapel.

258

Wm Calloway admitted this morning. This boy is 6 ½ yrs of age and this is his first appearance at School. His parents have successfully defied the Attendance Committee for over a year.

259

We break up today for the Harvest holidays, and I resign my post as Head teacher of this school, having accepted a larger school......The very irregular attendance of the scholars makes the working of the school harder than usual and is a stumbling block to progress which should be re? By the managers

262

The attendance has this afternoon reached 90, quite an unusual occurrence for many months. This is to be partly attributed to those coming regularly, who diligently call on absentees.

Oct 6th Mr Thomas Attendance Officer called at school, took names of absent children, and left a copy of the Bye Laws made by the school Attendance Committee for the Union of Williton

264

The school attendance officer visited the school yesterday. Only one child – Calloway – has been very irregular since warning notices were served to about 15 parents.

268

Nov 26th On Friday afternoons the last ½ hour is now given up for a short entertainment. Only those children who have attended the full time during the week are admitted.

269

A few of the names of very irregular children were yesterday sent to the attendance officer. Maud Tuckfield and Anne Sully have made 10 and 9 attendances respectively out of a possible 38.

270

Maud Tuckfield away from school again all last week.

The amount of aid grant alloted to the school is £30 The grant is made for the following purposes. Augmenting salaries £15. Sanitary Improvement £15.

273

School year ends for 1899.

end of selected transcription

New Building

Things might have been expected to improve after 1871 when the present school building was instituted. Even this however bought its tribulations

May 1st 1871

School opened after a fortnight’s holiday. Obliged to assemble in a barn, the schoolroom being enlarged. Found that many children had not heard of the commencement of school

Barn very inconvenient and very cold; A few children absent on account of their parents being afraid to let them come to such a cold place

Eliza Lovell obliged to teach a class at home, the barn not large enough to hold all the scholars

Children very inattentive – watching the birds building in the roof; very few children present except infants

Children very talkative and listless, so many things to attract their attention in the barn – rats and birds etc

Barn so horribly cold. Children unable to write at the desk, the wind blows their leaves about too much

The Barn still so cold. Children’s’ attention still attracted by the birds and cats

In fact they stayed in the barn for the whole of the term and did not move into the new school building until September 1871, but by the end of term only the infants were still attending the school. The rest had absented themselves either because of whortle berry picking or because they had simply given up coming.

The school eventually became free as well as compulsory in 1891

Today we have broken up for the harvest holidays – four weeks. Notice has been given of the establishment of a Boot Club after the holidays so that the school fees formerly paid may be saved and used to buy boots, and that the excuse “No boots” may not so often be given as a reason for absence in the future.

After the holidays this will be a Free School.

The problems of attendance still did not disappear however, because parents still needed the help of their children at home.

Even in the early decades of the last century there were still children in the village who were regularly kept home to help their parents in their work.

Health

The battle to get children to attend school on a regular basis was one which was long and hard fought and which was still not fully resolved even by the end of the Nineteenth century.

However the efforts of the Victorian state to improve the lot of children were more successful in another aspect of their lives.

The high mortality rate of children in the early decades of the Nineteenth century began to decline as major advances were made in the field of public health after about 1860.

The late Victorian period stands out as one in which there was a much greater awareness of how to control and treat diseases which had been endemic. These included infrequent but devastating diseases such as typhoid or cholera, but also more common diseases began to be tamed, such as measles, whooping cough and TB– TB alone for example was responsible for at least a quarter of all deaths.

This new concern comes through very strongly in the school log book where teachers become increasingly conscious of health issues as the century progressed towards its end.

They were quick to act in concert with the medical officer at the first sign of illness breaking out. School closures of several weeks to prevent the spread of infection were not uncommon.

December 5th 1876

I have this morning seen Dr Crocker and owing to the fever being in the village he advised me to close the school and having informed Mr Jones the manager he told me to do so which I have done

1877 Jan 15th Reopened after being closed six weeks

--------------------------------------------------------

Thursday 23rd April 1884

Heard of a case of smallpox in Kingswood - Sent the children home who live near the house where the smallpox is

Friday May 1st 15 Kingswood children absent on account of Small Pox; 3 on account of Ringworm; 4 on account of Whooping cough

1885

Had a case of Scarlatina reported to me. Sent a message to the parents of children living in that part of the village to keep their children away from school.

1888

-------------------------------------------------------

Sep 12th 1892

During the week ending Aug 5 the attendance was very poor and several children were sickening with measles. On Monday 8th during the Religious Instruction an order to close the school was received from the Medical Officer of Health and it was accordingly closed for five weeks which end today. There are I believe, still some few cases of measles, but it is to be hoped that the epidemic, which has had such disastrous effect upon the school, has now spent its force.

--------------------------------------------------------

On Monday Matilda Watts was unwell in school. On Tuesday she was reported as having a sore throat so I kept her brothers apart all day and reported to Medical Officer of Health who declared it fever that evening. The family is therefore excluded. This morning Mrs Calloway reports that Charles who has been absent for some time has very suspicious symptoms.

June 27 An order was received from the Sanitary authority this morning that the school should be closed for three weeks.

-----------------------------------------------------

March 14th Had a note from one parent at Vellow telling me that the children of a neighbour had some disease which she believed to be ‘Itch’. Received note after children had been dismissed for the day.

Tuesday 15th Kept a sharp eye on the children named and as they certainly have some eruption they are to remain at home

Thursday 17th Had many parents enquire as to the truth of the ‘Itch’ rumour

Several parents kept their children home in consequence

Friday 18th …The school has been fumigated

It is worth being reminded of the effects of the 1889 flu pandemic which killed over one million nationally. This particular strain of flu was particularly virulent amongst children and the elderly with infection rates as high as 50%

Monday Several children sickened in school today with what appears to be a mild form of Influenza

Tuesday More children sickened today

Thursday Still more children sickening

Friday About 30 children absent owing to the ‘epidemic’

Monday A very poor attendance so many children sick

Tuesday Attendance still poorer several children sickened during the day , very unwell myself

Wednesday Too unwell to attend school. Miss L Symons in charge, she went home quite ill at 4 pm

Thursday I got to school though still unwell. Had not been here long before summoned home by a telegram: mother ill – dead.

Managers thought it advisable to close the school for a time, as the influenza was so prevalent.

Sources

Further reading

Birchencough, C., History of Elementary Education in England and Wales from 1800 to the Present Day, (London, 1914).

Cunningham, H., Children and Childhood in Western Society since 1500, (Harlow, 2005).

Cunningham, H., The Invention of Childhood, (London, 2006).

Page, W. (Ed.), The Victoria County History of Somerset, V. 2 (London, 1911)

Sharpe, A., Early Modern England: A Social History 1550-1760, (London, 1997).

Sutherland, G., Elementary Education in the Nineteenth Century, (London, 1971).

Primary Sources

Somerset Record Office

DD/X/STOG/1

DD/X/STOG/2

DD/X/STOG/4

D\P\Stogm/13/6/1 1-6

D\P\Stogm/13/5/1

D\P\Stogm/13/5/2

D\P\Stogm/13/6/2

D\P\Stogm/13/5/3

D\P\Stogm/13/5/4

D\P\Stogm/13/5/5

D\P\Stogm/13/2/4

D\B\bw/1679

D\N\sr.b 7 miscellaneou

DD/Tb 29//9/1-45

Q/SR/18/18

Q/SR/257/1-2

Q/SR/168/1

Q/SR/104/15

Q/SR/19/84

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse