Headmaster L.J. Cope - 1902
1902 118 children on books
10th Oct 1902 Rev A Cotton visited the school. Attendance has been small owing to the childrens’ engagement in outdoor occupations. This is especially noticeable in the upper division.
17th Oct 1902 J.W. Leonard visited.
The Register of Attendance of the Lower Division was checked on Wednesday by the Correspondent. The scholars on lower Division were examined by me this week and the results in Stand I were very poor. The class will for a time be divided the Monitors taking the upper portion thus allowing the Additional Teacher B Goodwin opportunity to devote more attention to the remainder who appear listless and inattentive.
24th Oct 1902 Attendance has improved in the last fortnight. Received supply of wool for knitting
31st Oct 1902 The second quarter of the school year ends today with a diminished average.
A list of irregulars forwarded to Attendance Officer.(Mr Chatfield).
Received a supply of “Lay of the Last Minstrel” Political Recitations.
6th Nov 1902 The Rev A Cotton visited and made arrangements for his entertainment “Animated Photographs of His Majesty’s Coronation and Thanksgiving Processions” to the villagers this evening.
14th Nov 1902 Mrs Cope absent from duty this week, suffering from acute rheumatism. TheInfants are taught by the Monitors under my supervision. I find the Additional Teacher (Beatrice A Goodwin Ast 68) lax in discipline, as a consequence the scholars in her class are indifferent and listless; a piece of script on Black board not even copied without several mistakes whilst the writing is unshapely and untidy.
One family precluded from attendance by medical order on account of diptheria, and one through chicken pox.
Average for week 105.3 No on Books 118
21st Nov 1902 The correspondent visited four times.
Received Duplicate Examination Schedule showing Minnie Boorman had reached Standard 5 at the examination held on 15th at Maidstone by H.M. Inspector for Certificates of Proficiency. Several scholars absent with heavy colds.
Mrs Cope still confined to her bed.
28th Nov 1902 Took Lower Division on Wednesday results in all subjects very meagre.
Upper Division taking Geography of Australia. As it was very wet the afternoon session today commenced at one o’clock, the majority of the scholars having brought their midday meal.
Mrs Cope still unable to undertake duty.
5th Dec 1902 As only twenty three scholars presented themselves this morning the roads deep with snow, no sessions were held.
Mrs Cope resumed duty on Monday last.
19th Dec 1902 Received a supply of Drawing Materials and a set of new Readers for upper form. Several drains blocked and repairs needed to School Buildings. The yards are in a very dirty condition, not having been gravelled for many years. Mrs Casalet presented 36 prayerbooks for school use, the old ones having done duty for past twenty years.
24th Dec 1902 Lady Clinton Dawkins? And her father Mr Johnstons visited yesterday to arrange for Xmas tree and tea to the scholars on 27th. School closes from this date till 12th for the Christmas vacation.
1903
10th Jan 1903 The Managers held a meeting at Fairlawn this evening to consider the manner the Education Act 1902 affected the management of the school and to make representations to the Board of Education. It was decided to make an early special appeal by circular for financial aid to assist the Foundation Managers in meeting the expense pertaining to repairs and maintenance of the fabric.
17th Jan 1903 The snowstorm and severe weather have reduced the attendance considerably. Wallace Browning has left school.
27th Jan 1903 Registers examined and found correct. Rev Francis L. Schreiber (new vicar?)
30th Jan 1903 Forms received from County Council Technical Education Committee for returns as furnished to Board of Education for school year ending April 1902
6th Feb 1903 Attendance improved, a fine dry week.
The work of the lower Form having been so carelessly performed, the upper portion has worked in the large room under my supervision for past week, this leaves a very small number for Additional Teacher but as they are very backward and untidy in their work it will enable more individual attention being given.
13th Feb 1903 The Pattenden family removed to Maidstone
20th Feb 1903 The work on paper shows improvement in neatness and arrangement. The children transferred three weeks ago take more interest in their work which is tidier and more accurate.
Mrs Cazalet presented 36 copies of Hymns Ancient and Modern for school use. The continued fine weather has enabled a good attendance to be attained; of 115 on roll, average for week 104.8
An instrumental class of violins and mandolins has been formed and receives tuition at midday once or twice a week.
27th Feb 1903 The work generally is improving, listlessness amoungst some of the juniors in the upper group hinders their progress.
6th March 1903 The Correspondent paid frequent visits; and is very keen on an examination in Religious Knowledge and Church Doctrine, which has been arranged for 27th
13th March 1903 Repairs to outside of Master’s residence executed.
Form received from County Authority requesting names of Foundation Managers.
27th March 1903 School opened eight times this week today being denominationally set apart as per Section 7 sub section 1 of Education Act 1870
3rd April 1903 The scholars have been promoted, several elder ones qualified by age have left.
8th April 1903 School closes today for the Easter vacation.
Part of the ceiling in the main room fell during the night and is to be repaired during the vacation.
20th April 1903 School resumed after holidays with an attendance of 104.
The Correspondent called to say he required the Choir boys and Additional Teacher tomorrow in attendance at Tonbridge for the Musicals Competition, accordingly the School will be closed, H. M. Inspector being acquainted by telegraph.
24th April 1903 G. Coleman left for seaside higher grade school
30th April 1903 Mr Leonard L Russell elected a School Manager by the Parish Council pursuant to provisons of Education Act 1902
The school year ends today. The school has been opened 407 times during the past year, the annual average being 100.
9th May 1903 The children who stay to dinner have no fit arrangements for washing hands the lavatories having been out of repairs since Christmas which has been repeatedly notified to the Correspondent.
Nineteen scholars received Certificates of Merit for proficiency in writing an essay on “The action of Alcohol on the Muscles” awarded by the Diocesan branch of the C.E.F.S.
11th May 1903 A medical certificate for Laura Pearson received.
Some rough lads entered school yards and broke the swing after school hours.
Percentage of Attendance 90
12th May 1903 A reunion of past scholars was held last evening when 93 attended.
Sir John Hollams kindly provided funds and a cold collation was served.
Letters were read from the Rev A.G Simpson and Rev A.P. Wharton former vicars and Correspondents. Sir John and Miss Maude Hollams and the Rev A B and Mrs Cotton attended. Sir John, the Rev A B Cotton , the Correspondent and the Master addressed the old scholars, the former intimating his pleasure to entertain them annually. The present pupils assisted to entertain the company with vocal and instrumental music, and a very pleasant evening was spent.
15th May 1903 The Additional Teacher applied for increase of salary, the application was deferred until after July 1st when the Education Act 1902 Part 3 takes effect.
18th May 1903 The Additional Teacher told the Managers on Saturday she should resign, they have promised her an increase of £5 per annum from this date.
22nd May 1903 The school floor has been repaired.
Received Needlework materials.
29th May 1903 The school closes from today for a week’s Whitsuntide vacation.
6th June 1903 HM Inspector’s Report for year ending 30th April 1903 Mixed School. “This school continues to be a very satisfactory one; in the higher classes, especially, work is good. Some brushwork has been started with good results.”
Infant Class. “ The Infants are as usual very well taught, under suitable surroundings.”The Teachers do not appear to be engaged under written agreements. I am to refer you to Article 71 of the Provisional Code of 1903
Staff Lorence J Cope, Certified Master
Amy M Cope Assistant Ast 50
Beatrice A Goodwin Additional Ast 68
12th June 1903 Gertrude Jenner left and three scholars admitted.
No. on roll 123
1st July 1903 The Education Act 1902 comes into operation in this County today and the secular work of the School is henceforth under the control of the Education Committee. As a local body of Managers the following have been nominated:-
W M Cazalet, Sir J Hollams, C L Fox and Rev F Schreiber as Foundation
Managers, H B Read representative for County Council, and L L Russell representative appointed by the parish council.
10th July 1903 The work of the lower group is untidy and careless, the teacher on remonstrance complains of desk accommodation and uses the lack as an excuse accordingly the dual and some of infants desks have been transferred to that room.