Melton Constable History

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The Mixed School
Log Book 1897 - 1914

Important Mile Stones

School built at Melton Constable in 1896
Before the School opened the children went to school at Briston and Swanton Novers School
The School Log Book starts on 1st March 1897
12th March 1898 - plans approved for enlargement of the school building
6th April 1900 - new classrooms are finished
1901 Census - Alfred Hamer, School Headmaster
1st December 1904 - Infant Class made into a separate School
23rd Jan 1906 - School used for the first time as a Polling station for the election
6th October 1913 - Standards V - VII were transferred to the new school {now Astley Primary)
There is no mention of the outbreak of war in 1914 in the Log Book
Kellys Directory 1937 - The children of this place attend a Central school, erected in 1912, in the adjoining parish of Briston; Norman H. May, Master.

School Log 1897

1st March 1897 - Opened School: present Alfred Hamer, Master; Mary Alice Hamer, Infants Mistress and 85 children
4th March 1897 - Have examined the whole school of the Mixed Department, and I find that the children are very backward. The children in the upper Standards do not understand their arithmetic some of them not being able to divide by 20 short division.
Their notion of method is very primitive. Reading lacks intelligence. Spelling is very weak and the writing in the Upper Standards is anything but good.
4th March 1897 - Visited school, found 85 children present. A. Hamer examining children to find out what they know. Signed by William Marriott
26th March 1897 - No on books 101 {children}
1st April 1897 - Alice Wright commenced duty as candidate.
13th April 1897 - Received a new piano for the school
15th April 1897 - School closed for Easter Vacation
26th April 1897 - School reopened. Mrs Harmer absent on account of her mother's illness
7th May 1897 - Attendance not so good owing to Influenza which is prevalent in the village
17th May 1897 - Miss Eke commenced duties as assistant Ex PT
24th May 1897 - Received Clock & two Thermometers
28th May 1897 - Mr Palmer and 4 Directors of the Railway visited the school. One of the Gentleman left 3/6 to be divided among the Infants
2 June 1897 - Miss Eke absent from duty on account of injured ankle
25th June 1897 - School closed on Tuesday & Wednesday on account of the Jubilee.
30th July 1897 - No on books 120 {Children}
2nd Sept 1897 - School Report for 1897
Mixed School
Though many of the children are at present very backward especially in spelling and Arithmetic the school promises well. It is already full and will probably need enlargement before long.
Infants School
The Infants school is also promising - Drawing and Object lessons have been well taught.
The average attendance 59 in the mixed school has slightly exceeded the accommodation allowing (of) 58. I am to request your attention to article 85(a) of the code.
A. Wright will be recognised under Article 33 until she completes her 16th year. (Article 33(a))
My Lords have Sanctioned the omission of the Annual Inspection of your school due in June 1898.
E G Palmer - Correspondent
5th Nov 1897 - The boys have been presented with a Football by the Institute Committee
3rd Dec 1897 - Attendance very poor owning to the state of the weather 85% {attendance}

School Log 1898

14th Jan 1898 - Attendance poor; most of the children in the Infants Department are suffering from Influenza
19th March 1898 - Attendance not very grand; several of the children being absent on account of measles
18th April 1898 - School reopened after Easter Holidays. Mrs Edmonds commenced her duties in this school as Asst. Mistress
29th April 1898 - Miss Eke left
6th May 1898 - Measles still prevalent in the school
6th June1898 - A. Wright absent on account of Confirmation
19th July 1898 - Report for year-ending 31 May 1898
Mixed School
I am glad to hear that the necessary enlargement of the school is to be proceeded with at once. The discipline is very good and the teaching careful and intelligent. I have pleasure in recommending the Higher Principal Grant. Summary mark for sewing - Good.
Infants School
The Infants school is well and carefully taught. It deserves the Highest variable Grant. Summary mark for sewing - Upper Division Good. Lower Division Fair.
The enlargement for which plans were approved on the 12th March, should be completed as soon as possible.
H. Edmonds Cambridge Certificate should be forwarded to this office for inspection together with enclosed form duly completed. The Certificate of Mr Hamer will be issued after the 1st Sept 1898 upon the application of the managers if he continues in the school till that date. E. G. Palmer - Correspondent
29th Aug 1898 - School reopened after the Summer Vacation. Mrs Hamer absent on account of sickness. Lilian Armstrong begun her duties as Monitress
9th Sept 1898 - Attendance very bad there are on or two cases of Scarletina
12th Sept 1898 - Mrs Edmonds absent on account of sickness
19th Sept 1989 - Mrs Edmonds absent sick
23 Sept 1989 - Attendance very poor on account of Fever
5th Oct 1898 - School closed on account of the death of the headmaster's little boy
19th Oct 1898 - A. Wright absent from duty. Refuses to come until she has heard from the Department the reason why she did not receive notice to attend her examination.
31st Oct 1898 - Alteration of time for morning and afternoon sessions.
Morning 9 - 12.30; Afternoon 3 - 4
11th Nov 1898 - Attendance improved, still there are two or three children absent on account of fever
21st Nov 1898 - A. Wright absent on account of sickness - afternoon
24th Nov 1898 - L. Armstrong absent - sickness
2nd Dec 1898 - Mrs Edmonds absent Nov 30 to Dec 2
7th Dec 1898 - Mrs Edmonds absent
13th Dec 1898 - Mrs Edmonds returned to duty
15th Dec 1898 - A Wright 1st year - Passed Geography, History, Music (Theory & Practical Skill)
22nd Dec 1898 - Mrs Edmonds absent
School closed Xmas vacation

School Log 1899

9th Jan 1899 - School reopened
20th Jan 1899 - Attendance very much improved. Average 135 for the week.
Mrs Edmonds absent on Monday 15th
10th March 1899 - On books 153 {children} average 137.3
17th March 1899 - Mrs Edmonds resigned her duties in this school
15th May 1899 - Visit of inspection in the morning. The rooms are greatly overcrowded
1st June 1899 - Miss Miles commenced her duties in this school as an Assistant
6th June 1899 - Infants drafted to the Institute during alterations
8th Sept 1899 - Attendance poor 85%. Parents holiday making
18th Sept 1899 - Mr Mines Head Inspector visited the school to see what progress had been made with the new building
10th Nov 1899 - Mrs Hamer absent
22nd Nov 1899 - Alice Wright 2nd year P T Passed - below fair. Arithmetic, Grammer, Geography, Music (Theory) and Teaching (Knowledge of Method), History
1st Dec 1899 - Examined school. There is an improvement in the written work of Stds I & II
Reading should receive attention. Papers of Std III should be neater. Arithmetic of Stds V & VI requires attention.

School Log 1900

19th Jan 1900 - Attendance very poor owing to the prevalence of whooping cough & Influenza in the village
22nd Jan 1900 - A. Wright & L. Armstrong absent Influenza the cause
26th Jan 1900 - Attendance is bad the average for the week is only 124 diseases are on the increase
29th Jan 1900 - L. Armstrong returned to duty
31st Jan 1900 - A. Wright returned to duty
1st Feb 1900 - L. Armstrong absent - Influenza
8th Feb 1900 - Lessons stopped 3.25 pm Prizes distributed by Lady Hastings
9th Feb 1900 - The temperature of the new rooms is 39 degrees (Fahrenheit)
19th Feb 1900 - Miss Miles absent - sick
6th Apr 1900 - The new rooms are finished. The extra school furniture has arrived
1st May 1900 - The afternoon session altered to 2 – 4.10 pm
14th May 1900 - Temperature of school 46 degrees (Fahrenheit)
13th June 1900 - Miss Miles absent - half day
15th June 1900 - Mrs Hamer absent - sickness
13th July 1900 - School Report for year ending 31st May 1900
Mixed School
The discipline is very good, and the instruction is sound and intelligent. Excellent classrooms have recently been added to the premises; and the teaches are now able to carry on their work much more methodically and satisfactorily than before.
Infants Class
The Infants are being taught with much care and are making very satisfactory general progress. A. Wright must not be allowed to serve in school for more than 20 hours as specified in paragraph I of the Memorandum of Agreement.
E. G. Palmer - Correspondent
18th July 1900 - A. Wright absent - sick
3rd Sept 1900 - School reopened after vacation. Attendance wretched. 60 children absent. Several of the parents commence their holiday and children are kept away
21st Sept 1900 - L. Armstrong absent
25th Sept 1900 - Miss Miles absent. Half - holiday in the afternoon
2nd Oct 1900 - Miss Miles absent - two days
8th Oct 1900 - A. Wright absent.
10th Oct 1900 - Cookery Class commenced
26th Oct 1900 - Miss Miles - absent
1st Nov 1900 - Miss Hunt begun her duties in this school as Assistant Mistress
9th Nov 1900 - Attendance improving though not up to the mark yet
4th Dec 1900 - Afternoon session 1.45 - 3.45 pm
12th Dec 1900 - A. Wright absent from Dec 6 - 12 sick
13th Dec 1900 - Miss Miles absent - sick
20th Dec 1900 - Alice Wright passed below Fair - Arithmetic, Grammar, History & Composition 2nd year.
Liliam Armstrong 1st year - Failed

School Log 1901

23rd Jan 1901 - Cookery Class not held. Miss Brownjohn sick
6th Feb 1901 - Cookery lesson omitted Miss Brownjohn absent
8th Feb 1901 - Lessons stopped at 3 o’clock in the afternoon session - Prizes distributed by Lady Hastings. Miss Miles absent - sick
11th Feb 1901 - Miss Hunt absent - sick
13th Feb 1901 - Lesson on Paper - folding and Paper cutting from 1.45 - 3pm
14th Feb 1901 - Miss Hunt returned to duty
15th Feb 1901 - Miss Hunt absent from duty sick
25th Fab 1901 - Miss Hunt returned to duty
8th March 1901 - Examined school. Work progressing satisfactorily. Third Standard weak in Dictation. Standard IV weak in arithmetic
13th March 1901 - Mrs Hamer absent two days on account of sickness
28th March 1901 - Miss Miles absent - sick
4th April 1901 - Attendance poor -– measles prevalent. School closed Easter Vacation
26th April 1901 - Attendance (average) 205.6. Cooking Class finished
29th April 1901 - Miss Miles absent - sick
2nd May 1901 - Miss Miles returned to duty
3rd May 1901 - Average for the week 210 {children}
5th May 1901 - Afternoon session begins at 2pm
23rd May 1901 - Average for the week 213.8 {children}
31st May 1901 - School year ends, the scholars have been moved up to the next Standard. Average for the year 192 {children}
14th June 1901 - Average attendance for the week 218.6 (93.7%)
20th June 1901 - Miss Miles absent by permission
4th July 1901 - Miss Hunt absent by permission
16th July 1901 - School Report
The scholars are in very good order and are being taught with much energy and with very satisfactory results.
Infant Class
The Infants are being taught in a bright and sympathetic manner. They are very carefully instructed in Reading, Writing and elementary arithmetic; and their powers of observation and imitation are being duly awakened and trained by means of frequent Object lessons and a variety of Manual Occupations.
The presentations in Cookery of the scholars numbered 12,13, 28, .32 and 33 on the Schedule have been disallowed. (Article 101(g) of the Code. C. Stolworthy is recognised under Article 33 till the 10th December 1901.
E. G. Palmer Correspondent.
26th July 1901 - Children of 13yrs of age leave school although not qualified to do so by the Code
13th Sept 1901 - On books 246 {children} average 216
19th Sept 1901 - L. Armstrong absent - sick
20th Sept 1901 - Miss Miles absent by permission - sickness
24th Sept 1901 - Mrs Hamer absent on account of daughter having measles
30th Sept 1901 - School closed on account of measles
28th Oct 1901 - School reopened
11th Nov 1901 - Received the following - “That Miss Hunt on and from the 8th Nov be made solely responsible for the needlework from Std I & upwards”
15th Nov 1901 - A little improvement in the attendance, still there are some who have not yet returned
22nd Nov 1901 - Lilian Armstrong 1st yr - Failed. Constance Stolworthy Candidate - Failed
24th Nov 1901 - Miss Miles absent father dead
26th Nov 1901 - A. Wright absent - sick
27th Nov 1901 - The girls of the Upper Standards begin cookery under the tuition of Miss Brownjohn
9th Dec 1901 - A. Wright absent attending Scholarship Examination
11th Dec 1901 - Cookery not taken Miss Brownjohn absent - sick
18th Dec 1901 - Cookery not taken Miss Brownjohn absent - sick
20th Dec 1901 - Afternoon lessons altered on account of Prize Distribution.
Christmas Vacation Dec 20th to Dec 30th.

School Log 1902

1st Jan 1902 - Miss Hunt absent by permission
Examined school the following weak points noted. Dictation Std II III & IV. Composition Std V. Arithmetic of V & VI
28th Jan 1902 - Miss Miles absent - sick
31st Jan 1902 - Form 17 received Jan 24th 1902. A notice advising Grant £20 being approved by Dept. From Norwich Diocesan association noted. This Grant to maintain the present charge for salaries.
E. G. Palmer - Correspondent
5th Feb 1902 - Cookery not taken Miss Brownjohn absent
6th Feb 1902 - Miss Armstrong absent afternoon by permission
7th Feb 1902 - C Stolworthy absent by permission
19th Feb 1902 - Cookery not taken Miss Brownjohn absent by permission
24 Feb 1902 - Mrs Hamer absent - sickness
28th Feb 1902 - Attendance poor mainly on account of sickness
5th March 1902 - Mrs Hamer returned to duty
19th March 1902 - Mr Hamer absent on Tuesday the 1st inst. & Wednesday morning - sick
21st March 1902 - Mr Hamer absent Thursday and Friday morning - sick
24th April 1902 - Examined school. Spelling of Std IV is not so strong as it ought to be otherwise the work is improving in all Stds.
29th April 1902 - Miss Hunt absent - sick
20th May 1902 - Miss A. Wright absent morning
23rd May 1902 - Half an hour’s extra recreation allowed for good attendance
30th May 1902 - Mrs Hamer resigned her duties as Infant Mistress. Miss A. Wright left
2nd June 1902 - Miss Brown commenced her duties as Certificated Assistant in the Infant department.
13th June 1902 - Miss Miles absent - sick
23rd June 1902 - Constance Stolworthy absent morning
26th June 1902 - School Closed two days for Coronation
8th July 1902 - School Report for year ending May31st 1902
Mixed School
The children are in very good order and are being carefully and successfully taught. The course of instruction for the first class should include lessons in Elementary Science.
Infant Class
The Infants are being very well cared for. The teaching in this class is animated and interesting and the children are making very satisfactory general progress.
The presentations in Cookery of the scholars numbered 8 and 15 of the Schedule have been disallowed. Article 101(g) of the Code.
L. Armstrong is recognised under Article 68 from the 31st March 1902
E. G. Palmer - Correspondent
2nd Aug 1902 - School closed. Summer Vacation
1st Sept 1902 - School reopened. Ida Neal commenced her duties as Probationer
4th Sept 1902 - Miss L. Armstrong absent sick afternoon
6th Oct 1902 - Constance Stolworthy absent sick
7th Oct 1902 - Examined school the following weak points noted: Dictation of Stds II III & IV and the Composition of Std V; Arithmetic of Stds I & III
8th Oct 1902 - Half-an-hours play extra allowed for the boys to engage in Football under the superintendence of the Head Master
13th Oct 1902 - Constance Stolworthy returned to duty
3rd Nov 1902 - Afternoon Sessions 1.45 - 4pm
5th Nov 1902 - Cookery Class commences
10th Nov 1902 - Miss Miles absent - sick
12th Nov 1902 - Miss Miles returned to duty. Mr Tuck Attendance Officer visited the school
13th Nov 1902 - Miss Miles absent
19th Dec 1902 - Examined School. The following weak points noted: the arithmetic of Stds I & IV, the Dictation of Stds II 7 III and the Composition of Std V.
Lessons stopped at 3.30pm for Distribution of Prizes.
School closed. Christmas vacation. Miss Hunt resigned her duties as Assistant in this school

School Log 1903

5th Jan 1903 - School reopened. Miss Cullum commenced her duties in this school as Assistant Art 50
9th Jan 1903 - Form 17 received 20th Dec 1902 and notice advising Grant of £20 being approved b Dept from Norwich Diocesan association noted. This Grant to maintain the present charge for salaries.
E. G. Palmer - Correspondent.
23rd Jan 1903 - C. Stolworthy absent by permission - afternoon
6th Feb 1903 - Miss Miles absent - sick
20th Feb 1903 - Constance Stolworthy absent Thursday & Friday morning
6th March 1903 - Examined School. The Dictation of Stds II 7 IV and the Arithmetic of Stds II IV 7 V require attention
23rd March 1903 - C. Stolworthy absent
3rd April 1903 - C. Stolworthy absent without permission
5th May 1903 - Received Form 13 for Lilian Armstrong to attend Scholarship Examination
11th May 1903 - Constance Stolworthy passed 1st year. Arithmetic and Music
29th May 1903 - Whit Vacation Friday afternoon until Tuesday morning June 2nd 1903. Miss Berta E. Brown assist. Infants resigned her duties in this school
10th June 1903 - Miss Mary Lydamore commenced her duties in this school as Assist. Infants 1st year certificated.
22 June 1903 - Miss Lydamore absent - sick
24th June 1903 - Miss Lydamore retuned to duty
7th July 1903 - Miss Lydamore resigned her duties in this school
9th July 1903 - Miss Brown commenced her duties in this school as Asst. Infts Department
30th July 1903 - School Report for year end May 31st 1903
Mixed School
The order is very good and the instruction is intelligent and thorough. The lessons in Cookery would prove more permanently beneficial if they were continued during a greater portion of the year.
Infant Class
The work in this class is going on very satisfactorily. Payment of quarterly instalments of Fee Grant is suspended until the Board of Education are informed that a properly qualified teacher is in charge of the Infant Class (article 100 of the provisional Code).
The Teacher L. Armstrong does not appear to be engaged under a written agreement. I am to refer you to article 71. C. A. Stolworthy will be recognised the school staff as a pupil teacher for two years from the 1st Jan 1903 on receipt of a satisfactory certificate on the enclosed Form.
Staff:- A. Hamer - Head Teacher
Miss Bertha E. Brown - Asst Certificate
Miss Martha E. Miles - asst Art 50
Miss Rosa E. Cullen -– asst Art 50
Miss Liliam Armstrong – asst Art 68
Constance A. Stolworthy - P T
Ida A. Neal - candidate for 1st year
31st Aug 1903 - School reopened. Ida Neal absent - father dead
4th Sept 1903 - Miss Miles absent - sick
18th Sept 1903 - Miss Miles absent - mother dead
23rd Sept 1903 - Miss Miles returned to duty
2nd Oct 1903 - Percentage of attendance for the week 90
9th Oct 1903 - Examined school. The Dictation of Stds II III & IV and the Arithmetic of Std VI require attention
16th Nov 1903 - Miss Browne absent - sick
23rd Nov 1903 - Miss Brown returned to duty
18th Dec 1903 - Prizes for the school year ending May 31st 1903. Lessons were stopped at 3pm. Liliam Armstrong absent this week attending Scholarship Examination
Xmas vacation - ?th Dec 1903 - 4th Jan 1904

School Log 1904

Xmas vacation - ?th Dec 1903 - 4th Jan 1904
4th Jan 1904 - School reopened
8th Jan 1904 - Half holiday school having obtained 93% for the past month
5th Jan 1904 - Half holiday school having obtained over 90% for the past month
12th Feb 1904 - Mumps have broken out in the school. 81 per cent of attendance for the week
17th Feb 1904 - Ida Neal absent - sick
19th Feb 1904 - School closed on account of mumps
14th March 1904 - School reopened
25th March 1904 - Constance Stolworthy absent - afternoon by permission
12th April 1904 - Hilda Smith & Emily Cork engaged as Candidates for Pupil Teachers
11th May 1904 - Miss Cullum absent by permission attending Drawing (BB) examination
16th May 1904 - Ida Neal absent - sick
18th May 1904 - Ida Neal returned to duty
26th May 1904 - Received Needlework Sales account Book from the attendance Officer
30th May 1904 - Received Ten Registers from Messrs. Jarrold & Sons
31st May 1904 - Present 281 children number on books 290 - 1
April 30th 1904 - The school stock was taken by Messrs. W. Marriott, H. Stolworthy, A. Newman
6th June 1904 - Received June 5th, 1904, from Education Offices that Ida A Neal has been certified by H.M.I {His Majesty’s Inspectors} as having passed Grade II May exam 1904
18th July 1904 - Miss Cullum absent - sick. Mr Lewton-Brain visited the school
30th Aug 1904 - School reopened. Miss Brown absent - sick
19th Sept 1904 - Mrs Chilvers commenced her duties in this school as an Assistant Art 50
23rd Sept 1904 - Attendance very poor children absent on account of Fever Water rot {stomach flu} & whooping cough
10th Oct 1904 - Miss Brown returned to duty
11th Oct 1904 - Emily Cork absent - sick
17th Oct 1904 - Emily Cork returned to duty
1st Nov 1904 - Mr Lewton-Brain visited the school
11th Nov 1904 - Emily Cork absent afternoon - sick
14th Nov 1904 - Miss L Armstrong absent - sick
16th Nov 1904 - Miss L Armstrong returned to duty. Afternoon Session 1.45 - 3.55pm
12th Dec 1904 - Constance Stolworthy absent attending Scholarship Exam
19th Dec 1904 - Miss Brown absent - sick
21st Dec 1904 - Ida Neal absent morning - sick
22nd Dec 1904 - Miss Brown returned to duty
23rd Dec 1904 - School Report for year ending 31st May 1904
Mixed School
The discipline is very good. An Intelligent interest is displayed in the work throughout and the teaching is vigorous and thorough. The supply of Reading Books is not quite sufficient.
Infant Class
The Infants are being well taught and nicely managed.
Staff: Head Master - Mr A. Hamer
Assit. Cert. - Miss B. E. Browne
Art 50 - R. E. Cullum, M. E. Miles
PT’s - C. A. Stolworthy, Ida A. Neal
Monitress - Hilda Smith
Probationer - Emily Cork
Art (68) L. Armstrong
1st Dec 1904 - Infant Class made into a separate School. The records of the Infant Dept have been kept along with those of the mixed Dept on account of no Head Mistress being in that Dept & no Log Book etc. Supplied for the same.

School Log 1905

9th Jan 1905 - School reopened. Miss Miles absent on account of Scarlet Fever
Infant Department start their own Log Book the following excerpts are for the Mixed School only.
13th Jan 1905 - Head Master & monitress taking Stds I & II & V & VII. 106 children present. Half-holiday school having obtained 90%
27th Jan 1905 - Attendance very fair. Some children absent still on account of measles & Scarlet Fever.
31st Jan 1905 - Cookery taken on Tuesday instead of Wednesday
24th Feb 1905 - Attendance very fair. Constance A Stolworthy passed scholarship.
2nd March 1905 - Miss Miles absent attending her Aunt's funeral.
16th March 1905 Examined School: Stds VI & VII in Arithmetic & Std III Dictation require attention
20th April 1905 Easter vacation Apr 20th - May 2nd 1905. Mrs Chilvers terminated her temporary engagement
8th May 1905 - Hilda Smith passed examination for admission to P T
19th June 1905 - Children moved up into a Standard higher
23rd June 1905 - Half holiday - school having earned the necessary 90% for the past month
3rd Aug 1905 Summer vacation Aug 3rd - Sep 6th 1905
5th Sept 1905 - Hilda Smith attends Norwich P T Centre on Tuesdays and Fridays, alternative Thursday morning and every Saturday morning. Daisy Hayward Canidate for P T
9th Oct 1905 - Mr Tillard H.M.I. visited the school
20th Oct 1905 - Attendance poor several children absent on account of mumps
1st Nov 1905 - Mr May commenced duties in this school as assistant master. Ida Neal absent afternoon by permission
11th Dec1905 - Ida Neal absent attending scholarship Examination Parts I & II
13th Dec 1905 - Examined School. The following need attention Reading of Std I Dictation of II III & IV. Comp of V – VII. The Stds have been re-grouped during the past month.

School Log 1906

8th Jan 1906 - Hilda Smith will attend school every day until Easter. Miss Ida Neal - services returned as an Assistant. Daisy Hayward absent - morning.
23rd Jan 1906 - Holiday - school used as Polling station for the election
12th March 1906 - Examined School -– Arithmetic of Stds I V-VII require attention, the writing of Std III Dictation of II & IV.
24th Apr 1906 - Hilda Smith attends Norwich P T Centre every day
29th May 1906 - Ida Neal attending Norwich P T Centre. Failed Scholarship Exam
29th June 1906 - Half-holiday school having obtained over 90% for the past month. Ida Neal left.
18th July 1906 - Mr Hamer left school at 3.30pm to attend inquest
5th Oct 1906 - The afternoon session commenced at 1.30pm and closed at 3.45pm to allow some of the children to attend a funeral
11th Oct 1906 - Mr Tillard H.M.I. visited the school
16th Nov 1906 - Mr Parkinson H.M.I. visited the school

School Log 1907

5th Feb 1907 - Mr Cox Assistant Secretary and County Inspector visited the school
14th Feb 1907 - Valentines Day - children received each an orange kindly sent by Mr Colman, sweets & nuts kindly sent by Mr Rose, and half a crown kindly sent by Mrs Raby which was spent on nuts
8th Mar 1907 - Mr Bushell Secretary, Norfolk Education Committee visited the school
27th June 1907 - Hilda Mary Smith passed the Preliminary Certificate Exam
2 July 1907 - Daisy Hayward passed entrance Exam for P T held in May
3rd Sept 1907 - The following have been kept down in the same Std. For the year ending Harvest 1908.
Wm Oliver Std I born 20th Aug 1898. Infant room 1906, made 391 attendance in the year ending May 1907 - naturally dull.
Syd Ling Std I born 10th Aug 1899. Infant room 1906, made 242 attendance year ending May 1907. Absent with Doctors Certificate.
Nellie Wade Std I born 5th Jan 1899. Infant room 1906, 403 attendances year ending May 1907. Almost Blind.
Sybil Humphrey Std II born 8th May 1898. 377 attendances in 1906. 233 in 1907 away at Peterboro’ for months.
Edith Sayers Std II born 29th March 1895. 410 attendances year ending May 1906. 405 attendances in 1907. Naturally dull.
John Lewis Std II born 24th Oct 1898. 259 attendances in 1906. 297 in 1907. Sickness - absent since Mat 31st 1907.
Daisy Hayward attends Norwich P T Centre Saturday mornings, Mondays & Tuesdays - Half holiday. Thursday afternoons. Two years engagement. John Sculpher commenced his duties as P T. Three years engagement. Attends Melton Constable P T Centre on Saturday mornings. Studies half week. Half holiday Thursday afternoons.
10th Sept 1907 - School Report after visit of July 9th1907.
The children are being carefully taught and are making good progress. The habit of observation is being encouraged in connection in the composition. Number in the third & fourth Classes & voice training in the class will need attention.
Thermometers are needed in the class rooms, Ventilation needs some attention. In the middle class room the air supply appears to be inadequate.
A.Q. Newman - Correspondent
11th Sept 1907 - Hilda smith transferred to Infant department
Dec 31st 1907 - John Sculpher’s Report, very good. Work & very creditable examination.
No record of Homework in Geography.

School Log 1908

26th Feb 1908 - Ayre’s Training & Correspondence Classes.
Interim School Report
The method of teaching reading in the lower classes require reconsideration, at present they are unintelligent. In the higher classes the children should be trained to acquire the simple facts of History & Geography as far as is possible by silent reading.
The dado in the first classroom is scratched & dirty. Several fire guards are needed.
A. Q. Newman 27/02/08
16th March 1908 - John Sculpher absent on account of his sister having measles
26th March 1908 - Miss Jackson commenced duties temporarily in this school
27th Mach 1908 - Miss Jackson duties ended in this school
30th March 1908 - Rosa E. Cullum & John Sculpher returned to duty.
Measles have broken out in the school - 62 children being absent out of 206. Nellie Wheatley & Maggie Massingham absent on account of sisters having measles. These children have made full attendance up to the present.
31st March 1908 - School closed by order of the Medical Officer of Heath
4th May 1908 - School reopened. Miss Trumpeter commenced duties as Supply Teacher in this school. Mr May absent
15th May 1908 - Attendance poor still children absent on account of measles
29th May 1908 - Rosa E. Cullum resigned her duties in this school
16th June 1908 - Miss Davies commenced her duties in this school as uncertificated teacher
26th June 1908 - Rosa Trumpeter Supply Teacher, left - gone to Bacton
14th Sept 1908 - The following children kept down:- Std I Sidney Ling, Stanley Stone, Emily Leverick, Alice Eke, Agnes Money. Std II Cecil Barrett
15th Oct 1908 - Mr Hamer left school at 10.15am for the reminder of the day on account of sickness
6th Nov 1908 - Copy of H.M.I’s report after visit of 6th October. T. Tillard Esq.
Staff & Supervision:- The Head Teacher is responsible for the supervision for the instruction of 65 children besides the general supervision of a school of 228 scholars & the training of 2 Pupil Teachers. It is clearly impossible for him to do all of this in an efficient manner.

School Log 1909

8th Jan 1909 - Attendance very poor partly on account of Scarlet Fever having broken out.
15th Feb 1909 - Mr Colman very kindly presented each child with an orange
10th May 1909 - Frank Wm Postle commenced his duties in the school as an uncertificated assistant
25th May 1909 - Mr Hamer absent - fever in house.
14th June 1909 - Medical Inspection of children
15th June 1909 - Copy of H.M.I.’s report after visit of Jan 27th H.M.I. - Mr A. M. Moore.
The temperatures in all the rooms is much too low in the early mornings, more careful attention should be given to the fires before the opening of the school
23rd July 1909 - Mr Hamer returned to duty - afternoon
18th Oct 1909 - Mr Hamer absent - Scarlet fever at home
25th Oct 1909 - Whole holiday. School closed for the Kind’s visit to Norwich
27th Oct 1909 - Mr Hamer returned to duty having obtained lodgings in the village
16th Nov 1909 - Mr Postle absent morning attending Court at Holt
22nd Dec 1909 - School Report after visit of 17th Nov 1909.
The school is not so good as one of this size and importance ought to be. The teachers work very hard (indeed they make the common mistake ......{pages missing from log book, then continues as follows}
Mixed Premises. The numbers have risen considerably during the past two years and with 242 on the books the school is now overcrowded. All the rooms expect one contain more children than they will hold on the 10 square feet basis; in one (holding 50 at the rate of assessment) there were on the day of inspection 75 present out of 83 on the class register. In the lower part of the school this overcrowding interferes considerably with the curriculum and leads to the adoption of unsuitable methods of instruction. Only one of the rooms is really well ventilated. In some the atmosphere was most unpleasant even early in the session. There is not enough hanging accommodation in the girls’ and Infants’ cloakroom.
23rd Dec 1909 - Lessons stopped at 3pm on account of the distribution of prizes. School closed for Christmas vacation

School Log 1910

2nd Feb 1910 - Sr Nash the Medical Officer visited the school
28th July 1910 - School closed - Summer Vacation.
July 31st 191 - J. Sculphers’ apprenticeship ends. Gone to Martham school
12th Oct 1910 - Mr Hamer absent afternoon by permission
13th Oct 1910 - The Head Master left school at 3.40pm to attend inquest.
7th Dec 1910 - School closes on account of Election

School Log 1911

9th Jan 1911 - School reopened after Xmas Vacation. Dr Fisher visited the school
28th Feb 1911 - Medical Inspection by Dr Douglas
30th March 1911 - Mr Hamer absent Thursday & Friday by permission of the managers
4th Apr 1911 - Mr May absent by permission of the managers
12th May 1911 - The attendance is not what it ought to be a great number of children are regularly half a day a week
21st June 1911 - School closed Holiday for Coronation & Royal Show.
18th Aug 1811 - School reopens:
Staff - Norman H. May C.Stds VI & VII
A. Hamer C Std V
Rosa E. Drake Un Std IV
Frk Wm Postle C Std III
Henry Jordan Un Std II
Martha E. Miles Un Std I
25th Sept 1911 - The attendance is still poor, besides some children who have been absent the whole week, a great number are away two or three times a week wanted at home
3rd Oct 1911 - Received from the Norfolk Education Committee a Certificate awarded by the Royal Agricultural Society for the exhibit at the Royal Show at Norwich
13th Oct 1911 - The attendance is very poor notwithstanding the number of children who are absent on account of sickness
1st Nov 1911 - Miss Nicholson Government Inspectress (Cookery & Sewing) visited the school

School Log 1912

8th Jan 1912 - School reopened - Head teacher takes Stds IV & V – 75 children
30th Jan 1912 - The lessons of Stds IV - VII were stopped at 3pm - a lecture was given by Mr G. A. Roff of the United Kingdom Band of Hope Union - permission having been granted by the Norfolk Education Committee. {In 1912 the United Kingdom Band of Hope Union was a prominent temperance organisation focused on promoting abstinence from alcohol, particularly among children}
14th Feb 1912 - Mr Colman very kindly sent an orange for every child who was present at school
22nd March 1912 - Attendance is not what it ought to be by a long way- children who are not sick are kept away by their parents
29th April 1912 - Olga Lewis had to attend Holt Court with regard to an assault case. She has made perfect attendance up to this date and was trying for a watch
12th & 13th June 1912 - A. Key Esq. Visited school {Inspection}
1st Jul 1912 - Head teacher takes Stds IV & V - 72 children on Books
5th July 1912 - School report after inspection on the 12th & 13th June
Mixed
Progress has been made in various directions during the past three years, but there are still few signs of the children being conscious that they are leading a corporate life or of active supervision on the part of the Head Master, although the staff has been strengthened by the appointment of a second certificated Assistant Master.
The greatest improvement has taken place in the lowest class where more interesting and rational methods are now followed; but it is doubtful whether in a school like this it is well to entrust the young boys & girls in Stds II & III to young assistant masters. At Mental Arithmetic all children are quick and intelligent: practical work is good and have learnt a good deal: the second standard children have learnt to read a map.
In the First Class the children are smarter that they were at Physical Training and many of the exercises are very well executed. In the lower part of the school the children draw better from object than from nature, the latter work being poor
8th July 1912 - Mr George Yarker commenced his duties in this school as an assistant master
11th July 1912 - Mr May absent by permission of the managers
15th July 1912 - Dr Campbell visited the school - tested children for glasses.
23rd July 1912 - Dr Campbell visited the school on the 22nd & 23rd July
30th July 1912 - Dr Campbell visited the school
31st July 1912 - Lady Hastings distributed the prizes at 12 Noon this day
2nd Sept 1912 - School reopened - Miss Toll absent morning owing to train service.
School Staff: Norman May C Stds VI & VII
Alfred Hamer C Std V
George Hbt Yarker Prov C IV
Frank Wm Postle C III
Gertrude Justinia Toll Un II
Martha R Miles Un I
30th Sept 1912 - Mr Samuel Geffrey Gidney commenced duties in this school as a certificated assistant master
8th Nov 1912 - Attendance poor several of the children absent on account of coughs which are bordering on to whooping cough. Still more than a dozen of the children were absent for the following reasons: - viz Mother wanted child, gone out for a day or half day, keeping house, mother washing
13th Dec 1912 Attendance officer has not visited the school. Several children absent who have no right to be

School Log 1913

6th Feb 1913 - Medical Inspection by Dr Campbell
28th Feb 1913 - Nurse Bullock from the Nurses’ Home Wymondham visited the school & all children's heads were examined
11th March 1913 - Nurse Bullock visited the school to see if the mothers of the children who were advised respecting the hair etc had carried out the instructions with respect to the same
7th April 1913 - Nurse Bullock visited the school to see if the children who had been previously warned about the cleanliness of their heads had had the same attended to
10th April 1913 - Mr Day County Councillor & member of the Norfolk Education Committee visited the school
17th April 1913 - Nurse Bullock visited the school to further examine a few of the childrens' heads to see if her orders had been carried out
29th April 1913 - Nurse Bullock visited the school
20th May 1913 - Nurse Bullock visited the school to again examine a few of the girls’ heads
26th May 1913 - Jack Newman absent on account of diphtheria having broken out in the family
30th May 1913 - Nurse Bullock visited the school to see if instructions with regard to one family had been carried out
2nd June 1913 - This family of children (three) excluded for one week by order of the Medical Officer. Jack Newman returned to school as the case was only suspicious one of diphtheria. Charles Newman also returned. Miss Toll absent - sick
9th June 1913 - Attendance Officer visited the school. Nurse Bullock visited the school to examine the children who had been excluded for the previous week
11th Sept 1913 - Nurse Bullock visited the school
22nd Sept 1913 -
Frederick G. Faircloth commenced his duties as assistant Master (Art)
1st Oct 1913 - Mr May absent transferred to the New Higher Standards School
6th Oct 1913 - Stds V - VII transferred to the new Higher Standards School. Miss M. Woodcock transferred to the new school.
School Staff:- A. Hamer - Head Teacher
F. G. Faircloth - Certified Assistant
Martha E. Miles - Un Assistant
Gertrude J. Toll - Un Assistant
Ruth Graveling - Monitress
Ester Revell - Monitress
1st Dec 1913 - Mr Faircloth absent attending grandmother's funeral (afternoon). Attendance officer visited the school

School Log 1914

30th Jan 1914 - Poor attendance partly owing to sickness
2nd March 1914 - School afternoon session 2 - 4.10 pm. Mumps have broken out
17th March 1914 - Dr Sumpler Medical Officer Dentist visited the school
20th March 1914 - Attendance poor, chiefly owning to some of the children suffering from mumps
8th May 1914 - Attendance still poor on account of mumps
28th May 1914 - W Tench Esq. H.M.I. visited the school & tested Registers, including Summary & Admission Registers.
8th June 1914 - School reopened.
Esther Revell & Ruth Graveling passed the entrance examination for Pupil Teaching for two years engagement. Date of examination 2nd May 1914
12th June 1914 - Mr Faircloth resigned his duties as Assistant Master in this school
19th June 1914 - Attendance slightly improved but not what it should be - two children being absent for months
29th July 1914 - Visted school 139 present all in good order. E. B. Clark.
Lessons stopped at 3pm on account of the distributing of prizes
31st July 1914 - R. Frank Wm Postle left this school. School closed - Summer vacation. Esther Revell transferred to the Higher Std. School & Ruth Graveling transferred to Melton Constable Infants School
No mention of start of War
7th Sept 1914 - School reopened. Mr Albert S. Warby commenced duties in this school as Cert Asst Master.
School Staff: A. Hamer - Head teacher
Albert S Warby – Cert
M E Miles - Un
16th Oct 1914 - Attendance is not what it ought to be, several children absent minding babies, acorn gathering etc.
30th Oct 1914 - Attendance improved a little, a few children absent - washing day
20th Nov 1914 - Attendance very poor - some of the children are employed at home on washing days
27th Nov 1914 - Dr Campbell School Medical Officer visited the school to examine some of the children
1st Dec 1914 - Dr Campbell finished visit and inspection
4th Dec 1914 - The Head Teacher did not enter the school until 11.30 am sickness the cause

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