May 2^nd 1892 – I commence my duties today as Infants’ Mistress in this school.  We have re-opened after the Easter holidays with an attendance of 69.  Have admitted four new children.

Florence Withers

May 3^rd – The Diocesan Inspection has taken place today.  No registers marked.  Attendance only 53, owing to the inclement weather.  Frances Windridge commenced teaching today as a monitress.

(Editor’s note:  Frances was the daughter of the blacksmith, Richard Windridge, and sister to his son, Thomas, who continued as a blacksmith in Whittington until the middle of the 20^th century.  She would only have been about 13 at this time.)

May 4^th – Admitted one boy.

May 5^th – Admitted a girl

May 12^th – Received from the Midland Educational Company a packet of Hughes’ Kindergarten Drawing Cards 2/-  (Editor’s note: common abbreviation for two shillings).  Also other specimens.

May 16^th – Mr Drury came to enquire how his little boy’s shoulder had been hurt; he was afraid it was dislocated.  I informed him how he had fallen from a boy’s shoulder.  The boy was carrying him in the playground.  It was the first time I had seen them playing such a foolish game and forbid them ever playing it again.  Two or three have disobeyed, but have punished them by keeping them from play for a week.

May 18^th – Christopher Drury has been taken to the doctor.  His shoulder is hurt, but I have not been informed to what extent.

May 20^th – Have been working with Standard I for three weeks.  They are very backward in arithmetic and reading.  W. Elson I have put down and H Brown has been put up from the 1^st Class Infants.

May 23^rd – Have begun to work with 1^st Class Infants this week.  They do not know their Capitals and many do not know their small manuscript letters.  Several do not know even their alphabet and cannot read.  Arithmetic was not commenced until I came and very few know any numbers from 10 and upwards, several not knowing their figures.

May 26^th – Being Ascension Day the children had their usual half-holiday.

May 27^th – Have examined the second class and babies on a fortnights’ work given to the monitor.  Only 6 of 19 children presented could do their writing, none their figures.  The reading was better.  Only one of the babies, besides two admitted since I came and who had previously attended another school, could do a stroke of anything or say one of the letters appointed to be learnt.  I must come and work with this class after another week’s work with Class I.  The attendance has improved very much since Easter.  The average for the past month being 74.7.

June 2^nd – Attendance very poor today owing to the weather.  There was a most severe thunderstorm yesterday afternoon, but as the children were already assembled, it did not affect the attendance.  The average so far for the week is 84.3.  There are 46 children away today.

June 3^rd – Attendance not much better today.  Made two attendances.  Marked the registers at 9 o’clock and dismissed at 1 o’clock.  We break up today for the Whitsuntide Holiday.

June 13^th – Re-assemble today with 82 children present.

June 17^th – Frances Windridge absent today on account of illness.  Have admitted two fresh children this week.  Four children have left this Whitsuntide having left the neighbourhood.  Average for the week 80.7.

June 20^th – Admitted a fresh scholar for Standard I.  F. Windridge still absent.  Received the report of the Diocesan Inspector.  The following is a copy of the Report:

The elder Infants answered creditably and shewed good and definite knowledge; their repetition too was correct.  In the Lower Division however both the knowledge and the repetition were much below the average; the children indeed appeared to know very little.  The school is not classed this year owing to the recent change of teacher.

June 21^st – The attendance is very poor this morning owing to “The Dog Club Feast”.  The usual holiday was given in the afternoon.  F. Windridge still away.

June 22^nd – Frances Windridge returned to school today.

June 23^rd – Poor attendance owing to the weather.

June 24^th – Several cases of mumps have been reported this last fortnight and one or two cases of measles.

June 27^th – Two more cases of mumps reported.  Attendance poor.

June 28^th – Permission having been given to the teachers to attend the Annual Festival of the Girls’ Friendly Society, the registers were marked at 9 o’clock and the children dismissed at 1 o’clock.  It was also the Anniversary of the “Bell Club Feast”.

June 30^th – Have sent into Mr Keyte a list of irregular children.

July 1^st – Very poor attendance this week, a deal of sickness about.  Obtained a parcel from the station containing Kindergarten material.

July 15^th – Owing to insufficient accommodation, the babies’ class has been removed to the parlour of the schoolhouse adjoining the Infant School.  It is easy of access and under the charge of a monitor.

July 18^th – School not held today, as the polling for the election took place in the schoolroom.

July 19^th – Poor attendance, very wet day, also the Feast at “The Bell Club”.  Registers marked at 9.15.  School dismissed at 1 o’clock.  Made two attendances.

July 20^th – Received a doctor’s certificate for Leah Wheelton to the effect that she is not strong enough to attend school.

July 22^nd – The Vicar verified the registers for this morning.

W. H. Kay, Correspondent

Closed school for the Midsummer Holidays.

August 15^th – Re-opened school.  Attendance poor.  Admitted several fresh children.  Two children returned after being absent several weeks.  Received medical certificates for Charles Selby.

August 19^th – Attendance better towards the end of the week.

August 23^rd – Mrs Smith and friend visited the school and stayed a short time.

August 26^th – Begun the second reading book for Standard I.  This subject was very backward and I was obliged to take them through a good Infant Reader before attempting their second book.  Attendance better this week.  Average 76.

August 29^th – Attendance very poor indeed owing to the rain.  Only 47 children present this morning.

September 1^st – Examined Standard I, passed 83 per cent.

September 2^nd – Examined Standard I in Arithmetic and Writing only, passed 89 per cent.

September 6^th – Received some new slates and manuscript alphabet from The Midland Educational Company.  Attendance so far this week very good.  Admitted two fresh children on Monday.

September 7^th – Martha Illing commenced to teach as monitress.  We day.  Attendance poor. (Editor’s note:  Martha would have been aged about 16)

September 9^th – Have sent Mary and John Owen home.  They are very rarely at school before the registers are called, several times they have been marked absent.  I have repeatedly warned them and told them and others that I should send them home if they came again after the registers were closed.  They came at 10.30 this morning.

September 16^th – I, Harriet Pittman, Certificated Teacher, have taken temporary charge of the School during this week owing to the absence of Mrs Withers, the Mistress.  Several children have attended very irregularly.  Average for week 78.

September 23^rd – The attendance has fallen off towards the end of the week owing to several children having severe colds.  There are also one or two cases of mumps and measles.

September 30^th – The attendance is very irregular.  Many children absent on Friday.  Average for week 69.4.

October 7^th – Commenced fires in school this week.

October 10^th – Mrs Pitman went home on Saturday evening (the 8^th) owing to the receipt of a telegram.  There being no one to take her place, I have been obliged to come into school again until someone is appointed.

October 14^th – School visited and examined by Mr Jarvis, Organising Inspector.  Attendance poor owing to the weather.  Gave the children a half-holiday in the afternoon.  Attendance has been good this week until today.

October 17^th – Attendance not so good this afternoon owing to a tea at the chapel.  Sent the names of a few very irregular children to the Attendance Officer on Saturday.

October 20^th – Weather very cold and frosty causing a poor attendance.

I commence my duties as temporary Infants’ Mistress in this school today.  Number present 79.

Clara J. Sadler

October 24^th – The Vicar verified the registers for this afternoon.

W. H. Kay, Correspondent

October 28^th – Attendance poor since Monday, many of the children having colds.

November 1^st – Commenced new Registers this morning.  Attendance still poor owing to sickness.

November 4^th – In consequence of several cases of whooping cough and other sickness, the attendance is very poor.  Average for the week 62.6.

November 11^th – School work as usual.  Still many children away with whooping cough.

November 14^th – Had to send home Richard Payne and Edward Shipley today, as they were suffering from a skin disease and were not fit to be with the other children.

November 21^st – The Government Examination took place this morning and children had holiday in the afternoon.

November 22^nd – Attendance being poor, school was closed in afternoon.

November 25^th – Transferred Standard I to Mixed School on Tuesday.  Gave the children holiday this afternoon.

List of Object Lessons for 1893

Natural History

Sheep, butterfly, horse, hen, robin, frog, camel, cow

Natural Phenomenon

Ice, spring, a storm, the sea shore

Common Objects

A book, a penny, a straw hat, a bottle, a yard measure, a looking glass, a kite

Miscellaneous

A tree, the potato, soap, sponge, butter, gloves, bread, sugar, the Post Office, the Shoemaker’s Shop, an orange

approved by HM Inspector 21 November 1892

November 29^th – Rev W H Kay visited the school this morning and also in the afternoon.

December 1^st – I resume my duties in school today.  Mrs Sadler resigned yesterday.

F. S. Withers

December 2^nd – Attendance very poor today owing to a frosty morning.  There is also a great deal of sickness and whooping cough, thirty children being absent, chiefly through it.

December 5^th – Only 17 children present this morning owing to the snow, so have closed the school for today.  Ellen Lockey absent.

December 6^th – No school today.  Only 8 children present.  E. Lockey still absent through sickness.

December 7^th – Only 19 children present out of 69.  The Vicar said I was to send them home again, so have had no school again today.

December 8^th – Attendance worse.  Only 16 children came this morning.  School was not held.

December 9^th – Only 8 children present this morning.  No school again today.

December 12^th – Have marked the registers this morning.  Only 31 children present.  There are many cases still of whooping cough and mumps.  Have sent notes of enquiry to all children not reported ill.  Ellen Lockey returned to school this morning.

December 15^th – Attendance very poor this week.  29 cases of sickness have been reported, chiefly mumps, chickenpox and whooping cough.

December 16^th – Attendance worse today.  In the infant girls’ register only 4 attendances were marked this morning and 2 this afternoon.  Average attendance for the week 32.6.

December 20^th – Attendance slightly improved this week.  Yesterday average 40, today it has fallen to 36.

December 22^nd – Average slightly better this week being 38.2.  Have given to each child present a Christmas Card.  Have closed school for the Christmas Holidays.

January 9^th 1893 – Re-opened school after the Christmas holidays with a very poor attendance owing to a snow storm.  Only 28 children present in the morning and 31 in the afternoon.

January 10^th – Attendance but slightly improved.  Have enquired after the absentees and several cases of mumps reported.

January 13^th – Copy of HM Inspector’s Report 1892

Infants’ School

Mrs Withers took charge in May last and has her school in good order.  The children are on the whole fairly well taught, but the second class should be more forward and Reading should improve generally.  The first Standard did well except in Reading.  Object Lessons might be made more instructive and varied occupations should be utilized to train mind, hand and eye.  The boys hold their pencils badly when drawing and in many cases do not begin at the right end of the lines.  They must improve before they can earn the grant.  Needlework was well done.  The gallery seats need backs and a box of form and colour is wanted.  The lower grant is earned for singing.  This department cannot be regarded as being properly organised if children of advanced age are retained in it.

W. H. Kay, Correspondent

The average for the week is only 35.2 owing to the severe weather.

January 16^th – Several of the children who have been suffering from the whooping cough have returned to school.  Have made two sand rollers for the doors, as the steps are very much worn and there is a great deal of draught from the outside.

January 20^th – School work has gone on as usual.  Attendance better.  Average 49 for this week.

January 25^th – Re-admitted Laura Burns from the Barracks School.  She is nine years old, but can only read very easy words, and did not get one out of three Standard I sums right.  As there is no Standard I at present in the mixed school, I thought it better to retain her here until one if formed, as she would be of no use for Standard II.  Have also admitted a boy.  The attendance is not much improved yet.  Average for today 50.  Number on books 70.

January 27^th – Have added the attendances for the quarter and find the average to be 48.6 against 60.1 the corresponding quarter of last year.  This is owing to the great sickness among the children and the severity of the weather.  I examined Standard I this morning.  They have leant all their Arithmetic and passed a fair examination in it – 57 per cent.  Reading was fair and writing very fair; the only error being the wrong use of the capital letters.

Jan 31^st – The Vicar verified the registers for this afternoon.

W. H. Kay, Correspondent

February 2^nd – A very wet day, only 28 children present out of 70 on books.

February 3^rd – Ellen Lockey left off teaching today.

February 6^th – Attendance slightly improved.

February 10^th – Poor attendance today owing to the wet weather.

February 14^th – Gave the accustomed half-holiday as it was Shrove Tuesday.

February 16^th – As drawing was not a success last year, I shall return to the Needlework for the boys.  Am giving needle drill to commence with this afternoon.

February 20^th – James Hull and John Snape gone to live in barracks and will consequently go to their school.  Ellen Lockey resumed teaching again today.

February 24^th – School work as usual.  Attendance still poor owing to sickness.

March 1^st – Attendance has improved this week, until this morning, when a wet day has caused 25 children to be absent.

March 13^th – Was absent from school last week owing to illness.  The assistant mistress from the mixed school was in charge and Mr Withers was often in supervising and marked registers.  Martha Illing away with a bad throat.

March 15^th – Martha Illing returned to school.  Sent Mary Owen home because she had a ringworm on her neck.

March 16^th – A wet day and attendance not so good.

March 23^rd – I sent two of my boys, C. Martin and S. Elson to Mr Withers to be punished for staying out watching a threshing machine until half past two.  Sam Elson has had to be sent for several times for staying out watching any machines that may be in the neighbourhood.

March 24^th – Very poor attendance today, although the weather is all that could be wished for.  Sent a list of irregular attenders to Mr Keyte about a week ago, but have not found much difference in the attendance.

March 30^th – Closed school for the Easter Holidays.

April 10^th – Re-opened school after Easter holiday.  Poor attendance 58.  A case of scarlet fever reported.  Admitted four fresh children.  One 6 years and another 7 years old, who know nothing of school work.  Have sent notes of enquiry to all absentees.

April 13^th – Received notice that the Diocesan Inspection is to be held on 4^th May.

April 17^th – Poor attendance, only 44 present as it was a wet day.

April 18^th – Better attendance this morning.  Re-admitted Hubert and Leah Wheelton and Marjory Pritchard who have been attending a private school since last September.  Tow of them are nine years of age, but as they are very backward and cannot do any of Standard I work, I thought it better to retain them here for a while and transfer them with a few others of the same age, who are to be sent to the mixed department at the half year end.

April 28^th – Martha Illing left off teaching today.

April 28^th – The Vicar verified the registers for the morning.

W. H. Kay, Correspondent

May 4^th – No registers were marked today, as it was the Diocesan Examination.

May 11^th – Today being Ascension Day the usual half-holiday was given in the afternoon.

May 19^th – Closed school for the Whitsuntide holiday.

May 29^th – Re-opened school after the Whitsuntide holiday.

May 30^th – Jessie Twamley began today as monitress.  (Editor's note: her father was shown as a carpenter in 1896 Kelly's Directory.)  Received parcel from Cox & Co of school materials, amongst which was a dinner and tea set for shewing the children how to set a table.

June 12^th – Admitted three fresh children.

June 13^th – Poor attendance today, only 45 present this afternoon owing to the “Peel Club Feast”.  The Vicar says the Scripture Report has come some days ago, but he has not sent it on to school yet.

June 20^th – Registers marked at 9 o’clock and school dismissed at 11 o’clock.  Poor attendance 49 present.  Number on books 89.  Being the “Dog Club Feast”, the usual holiday was given in the afternoon. 

June 21^st – Another case of scarlet fever has been reported.  Received 29 new slates for Standard I, also 2 boxes of slate pencils from the Midland Educational.

June 23^rd – Began teaching the children the words of the new hymn composed for the marriage of Prince George and Princess May.  The children are to sing it on July 6^th.

June 28^th – A case of measles reported today.

June 29^th – Registers marked at 9 o’clock and 11 o’clock.  School closed at 1 o’clock.  This was done to allow the teachers to attend the festival of the Girls’ Friendly Society.

July 3^rd – Have received some new Kindergarten materials.

July 5^th – Mr G R Dyott came into school for a few minutes this morning to announce to the children the arrangements for tomorrow.

July 7^th – A holiday was given yesterday.  The children assemble at school at 4 o’clock.  Each child was presented with a flag, then formed in procession and marched around the village, headed by the village band to the field where tea had been provided.  The evening was spent in games and sports.

Poor attendance today.  Weather fearfully hot.  Several cases of sickness reported.  Frances Windridge left off teaching today.

July 10^th – Attendance very poor today.  Many more cases of sickness reported.  Number present 54, number on registers 93.

July 11^th – Several more cases of measles reported.  39 children absent from school this afternoon.

July 12^th – A wet morning.  More cases of measles.  49 children absent.

July 14^th – Ellen Lockey left off teaching today.  I have no help now, but a sixth standard girl.

July 17^th – More cases of measles and fever.  41 children absent.  Sent home today Maud A Newman on account of fever in the house.

July 18^th – Gave half holiday this afternoon 52 children absent out of 94.  Attendance poorer owing to the Anniversary of “The Bell Club”.  Received the Diocesan Report today.  The following is a copy:

This school has made creditable progress during the past year.  The Lower Division especially has been much improved and the religious knowledge in each group is now satisfactory, both in extent and accuracy.  The repetition also is good, though of Scripture Texts it might be more fluent.

The school is classed as “Good”.

July 20^th – The registers were verified this morning.

Geo R. Dyott, Manager

July 21^st – Average for this week has fallen to 48, 31 children having been absent all the week.

July 24^th – Two more cases of measles.

July 25^th – Another case of measles reported.

July 26^th – Five more cases of measles reported this morning.  46 children present out of 95.

August 21^st – Re-opened school after the Midsummer holidays with an attendance of 61.  Martha Illing re-commenced as monitress again for a short time.  Fred Wakefield, a boy five years old, has died during the holidays.  The schools have been colour-washed this last week, but there is great inconvenience owing to no water as yet being laid on to the school.  The neighbours dare not give the children to wash their hands as it belongs to the S.S.W. Works.  Fever and measles are still among the children.

August 25^th – Attendance higher this week than it has been for the whole of the year.  Average 70.1.

August 30^th – Received a parcel of Reading Books for the II Class.

September 1^st – Examined Standard I.  The slates were clean and tidy.  Writing good.  Arithmetic 79 per cent.  Reading improving.

September 5^th – Received notice last night that the Organising Visitor proposed to visit the school tomorrow, 6^th September.

September 6^th – Mr Jarvis, the Organising Visitor, came into school at 5 minutes past 3 o’clock this afternoon, but did not examine the children as he was engaged with the Rev. W. H. Kay.

September 7^th – Martha Illing absent today to attend the hospital at Birmingham.

September 8^th – Attendance very much better.  Average for the week 72, number on books 86.

September 14^th – Attendance poorer this afternoon owing to the Lichfield Races.

September 15^th – Registers marked at 9 o’clock.  Made two attendances on account of the poor attendance at school.

September 22^nd – Average rather better than last week.

September 29^th – Average not so good as last week having fallen to 69.7.  The water had been laid on to the school premises this week and repairs to the pipes in connection with the offices are being done.

October 9^th – Martha Illing absent owing to sickness.

October 10^th – The Vicar verified the registers for this morning.

W. H. Kay, Correspondent

October 13^th – Martha Illing still away.  Attendance not quite so good this week.  Three cases of fever and measles reported this week.  Sent another list of irregular children to the attendance officer, in addition to one last Friday.

October 16^th – Martha Illing still absent suffering from pleurisy.  Jessie Twamley also absent suffering from a sore throat.  My only help is one or two children from the mixed school.  Number present 77.

October 19^th – Jessie Twamley returned today.  Martha Illing still absent.

October 20^th – Registers marked and closed at 9 and 11 o’clock, making two attendances.  Children dismissed at 1 o’clock.  This was in order that the workman might take down the old gallery.  A new one was partly fixed on the Saturday.  Average for the week slightly better.  Mr Keyte called for some children’s attendances.

October 23^rd – Martha Illing still absent.  I have visited her and do not think she will be able to come this week.  Received notice that the Government Inspection will take place on November 8^th.

October 27^th – Attendance very much better this week.  Average 79.  The new gallery has been placed opposite the door and both teacher and children are exposed to cold and draught.  Martha Illing still absent.  A new Fire Guard has been added to the Infant Room.

October 30^th – Martha Illing returned to school today.  The new gallery was finished on Saturday.  Desks have been placed on it.  Attendance not so good as last week, as the weather frosty.

November 1^st – Began new registers today with an attendance of 72.  Number on registers 90.

November 2^nd – Standard III from the Mixed School were transferred to the Infant School for today on account of alterations in their school.  Also the girls were in for their Needlework lesson in the afternoon.

November 3^rd – Registers, summary and all particulars for Form IX ready.  Only four children have made over 400 attendances out of a possible 421 during the last year.  They are:

Mary Woollands, aged 4, 411

Kate Sharman, aged 8, 403

Lily Woollands, aged 6, 401

Charles Bates, aged 7, 400

Sickness has been the cause of a great deal of the bad attendance this last year.  The number on the books has fluctuated between 70 and 91 after the Standard I was transferred to the Mixed School.  The average attendance for the year is only 60.3 against 67 in the preceding year with the same number on the registers.

November 7^th – The Rev W H Kay visited the school this morning to sign the registers.

November 8^th – The Government Inspection was held today.  H.M.I. arrived shortly before 9.30.  The children were dismissed between 12.30 and 12.45.  For two and a half hours they were required to sit still.

November 9^th – Jessie Twamley absent though sickness.  Marked the registers for this morning in the column for yesterday afternoon by mistake.  Have ruled a line through.  Mr Withers has examined Standard I this morning for the purpose of transferring those ready to the other school.  Percentage of passes:  Arithmetic 84, Reading Good, Writing Very good.

List of Object Lessons for 1893-4

Natural History

The lion, ostrich, cat, beaver, owl, whale, goat, elephant, reindeer, eagle

Common Objects

Wool, cocoa, salt, starch, cork, sago and rice, leather, gold, spices, soap

Miscellaneous

The Blacksmith’s Shop, snow and hail, a country walk, meat, idea of a lake, fable of the Lion and the Mouse, a railway station, a coat, chairs, knives

Form and Colour

Approved: R Knight

November 13^th – Harry Handoll, a boy of five years of age died on Friday evening after a fortnight’s illness.

November 15^th – Martha Illing absent this afternoon.  Leave given to her to act as one of the bearers for the above child’s funeral.  Have taken Tom Martin’s name from off the register, as he is now an inmate of the hospital at Birmingham.

November 17^th – Martha Illing absent yesterday and today on account of sickness.  Average for the week 51.4 with 64 names on books.  The attendance officer called yesterday afternoon.

November 20^th – Martha Illing returned to school today.

November 24^th – Received the Government Report today.  The following is a copy:

To conduct the school successfully the mistress requires the help of an efficient Monitress (or better still of a Pupil Teacher) throughout the year, but a really satisfactory standard of efficiency can never be attained until a marked improvement is effected in the discipline and the children are properly trained in habits of attention and order.  The reading and arithmetic of the children presented in the first Standard are very poor; much greater attention should be given to word building in the Infants’ classes and in the Kindergarten exercises care should be taken that the faculties of the scholars are carefully trained.  In the lower divisions care must be exercised to graduate the writing exercises according to the capabilities of the scholars.  Additional pegs should be provided in the Infants’ Cloakroom.  Unless improvement is shown in the Infants’ Department at the next Inspection, it will be necessary to formally warn the Infants’ Department as inefficient under Article 86 of the Code.

W. H. Kay Correspondent

November 27^th – Sent Fred Parker home as he was suffering from ringworm.

November 28^th – Mary Elson a monitress absent through sickness.

December 1^st – Mary Elson still absent.  An epidemic of influenza has broken out in the village and there is a great deal of sickness among the children.  There are only 35 children present this morning.  Number on books 61.  A half holiday is given this afternoon for the school room to be got ready for an entertainment that is to be given in the evening.  Five children have left the neighbourhood during the last fortnight.

December 4^th – Mary Elson returned to school today.  Two more children, Edward and Elsie Templeton, have left the neighbourhood.

December 8^th – Was absent from school myself yesterday and the day before suffering from influenza.  There is still a great deal of sickness about.  The average for this week is 45.5 with 60 names on register.  Have had no school today.  Only 18 children came, as the rain was very heavy when the children should have been starting for school.

December 15^th – Average not very good this week.  Much sickness prevails.

December 18^th – The Vicar verified the registers for this afternoon.

W. H. Kay Correspondent

December 20^th – No school held this morning because of the wet.  More assembled this afternoon, so the registers were marked.  Number present 31, number on books 60.

December 21^st – School closed today for the Christmas Holidays.

December 25^th – Mrs Dyott of Whittington Court distributed oranges and packets of sweets to all the children and afterwards presented myself and Mr Withers with a very pretty timepiece and pair of ornaments subscribed for by the teachers and children.