The Village School

Edlesborough School

Edlesborough School, date unknown

1849 -The village school was opened by the Countess of Bridgewater (Lady Marian Alford). With her at the opening was her son, Viscount Alford, the future Lord Brownlow. He presented the pupils with £1 to mark the occasion.  It had one room with a gallery and benches for the children to sit on.

The first school master to be appointed was William Waggon Allison, age 22, on a temporary basis, with a salary of £40 per annum, paid by the Ashridge Estate. The school was attended by about 80 children, though there were many absentees and part timers.

1870 - The first Education Act was passed by Parliament giving local school boards power to compel children between the ages of 5 and 10 years to attend school.

1874 - Mr Allison started the first school log book. Children were often absent through bad weather causing the roads to be deeply rutted by carts, as well as by ill health.  Scarletina was the main infection and in October 1874 there were 70 children away with this illness.

In addition to the usual holidays, the school also closed at harvest time to allow the children to help in the fields.

1880 - The Elementary Education Act imposed compulsory attendance for children of 5–10 years. Ensuring that children of poorer families attended school proved difficult, as it was more tempting to send them working if the opportunity to earn extra income was available. At Edlesborough 3 hours were devoted to straw plaiting each day at the parents request (see article about straw plaiting for more details).  

1893 - The Elementary Education (School Attendance) Act raised the minimum leaving age to 11.  

1899 - This act was amended to raise the school leaving age to 12.

From 1900, the Board of Education wanted all children to remain at school until the age 14 but continued to allow most children to leave school at 13 - or sometimes 12-years-old through local by-laws.

This photograph of Edlesborough school children was taken about 1900 so most of  their names are unknown. The lady teacher is believed to be Mary Varney who was there at the same time that Mr Allison was Headmaster.

Those that are known are Fred Kempson with a broad white collar - no tie, Frank Sear No 6 in 2nd row from back and John Hancox right of 2 in front row. (By I.R. 1900)

1902 - Mr Allison retired but continued as organist at the Parish Church and was succeeded by Mr Scott.

1904 - Mr Thomas Deeth became the school master.

c1913 - The teachers on the left are Miss Alice Deeth and Mr Thomas Deeth, on the right are Miss Olive Deeth and Miss Mary Mead.

It has not been possible to identify all the children but here are some that have been:

Alfred Southam, John Pratt, Joe Hings, Ivy Oakins, Florence Sear, Nellie Sear, Bob Meakins, Hilda Smith, Muriel Millett, Doris Heley, Ivy Smallbones, Grace Tompkins, Nellie Tibbett, Frank Kefford, Ivy Janes, Stan Fountain and Ena Sear.

1918 - The Education Act enforced compulsory education from 5–14 years, but also included provision for compulsory part-time education for all 14- to 18-year-olds.

1919 -Mr Thomas Deeth with the School boys.

Edward Cook, Guy Jaggard, Aubrey Meakins, Ken Fountain, Alec Janes, Stan March, James Cook, Arthur Small, Robert Jaggard, Stuart Simmons, Fred Sear, Claude Smith, John Smith, Donald Jarvis, Basil Simmons, William Sear, Fred Hills, Fred Janes. (By F.S. 1919)

1920 - Thomas Deeth retired.

 

Sources

  1. School and Education -Heritage Open Days Display compiled by Friends of the Church on the Hill
  2. Chris Yates album - photos and people
  3. Wikipedia
  4. Komaromy 'Edlesborough 1815-1865'