Westmead Infants' School, Chippenham
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There is no record of an official opening of the school. The first entry in the logbook, dated 9th October 1865, records J.E.Mitchell taking charge of the school on 21st August with 76 pupils.
It would seem that Westmead was a re-naming of the infants section of the British School, which had moved from its original site in Ladds Lane to Wood Lane in 1856.
New books and pictures were ordered, but the head teacher found it almost impossible to teach the whole range of infants in one room. ' I find the little one annoying ------ they require a new room'.
Children were admitted in one and twos at any time during the school year. When they reached the age of 8, they moved up to the junior section of the school on the same site. The HMI report of 1866 suggested that the partition between the infants' classes and the upper school was too thin, as the noise made by the infants interrupted the work of the older children.
It would seem that Westmead was a re-naming of the infants section of the British School, which had moved from its original site in Ladds Lane to Wood Lane in 1856.
New books and pictures were ordered, but the head teacher found it almost impossible to teach the whole range of infants in one room. ' I find the little one annoying ------ they require a new room'.
Children were admitted in one and twos at any time during the school year. When they reached the age of 8, they moved up to the junior section of the school on the same site. The HMI report of 1866 suggested that the partition between the infants' classes and the upper school was too thin, as the noise made by the infants interrupted the work of the older children.
The 20 years between 1867 and 1887 were ones of struggle and disruption at the infants' school. Teachers came and departed at an alarming rate through illness and discontent. Students from Stockwell Teachers' Training College could not cope with the problems, supported only by one pupil teacher and 2 monitors. The monitors were too few, too young and not given adequate training. The Headmaster from the Senior School had to oversee the infants at times, due to lack of teachers and even some of the managers were called in to help out when the staffing situation became desperate.
HMI Reports.
The lack of continuity had a poor effect on the children. The 1866 HMI report recommended that the children should be taught to think more, rather than just learn facts. An infants' school was judged by the standard of its younger children and the school should not have any scholars above the age of 7. The children should be trained to answer questions more quickly. New books were needed, the desks were too close together and overall, a marked improvement was required.
HMI Reports.
The lack of continuity had a poor effect on the children. The 1866 HMI report recommended that the children should be taught to think more, rather than just learn facts. An infants' school was judged by the standard of its younger children and the school should not have any scholars above the age of 7. The children should be trained to answer questions more quickly. New books were needed, the desks were too close together and overall, a marked improvement was required.
It didn't happen quickly, as the 1867 report reminded the school that there would be no grant given for ' those children that cannot speak' nor for any children in the 5th class ' who do not know all their letters, both capital and small.' Reading was poor, probably because the books they were using were too hard and Mr. Laurie's primer was recommended. Discipline was judged as fair, but the inspectors took exception to an offensive smell in the room.
By 1869 reading and numbers were fair and writing was good, but the desks and the gallery were judged much too high for infants and needed to be lowered. The teachers were criticized for having no written timetable.
The report of 1870 was particularly critical. The admission records were not kept accurately. The children were untidy and dirty -' The mistress should be careful to set them a good example in this respect.' The inspectors suggested that a paid monitor might help the situation.
During the 1870s the reports reflect some progress and the school was still attracting pupils because the report of 1880 declared that pupil numbers must be limited to 90. Should this be exceeded, the grant would be withdrawn. This resulted in children being turned away to keep the average down.
History 1887-1922.
By 1869 reading and numbers were fair and writing was good, but the desks and the gallery were judged much too high for infants and needed to be lowered. The teachers were criticized for having no written timetable.
The report of 1870 was particularly critical. The admission records were not kept accurately. The children were untidy and dirty -' The mistress should be careful to set them a good example in this respect.' The inspectors suggested that a paid monitor might help the situation.
During the 1870s the reports reflect some progress and the school was still attracting pupils because the report of 1880 declared that pupil numbers must be limited to 90. Should this be exceeded, the grant would be withdrawn. This resulted in children being turned away to keep the average down.
History 1887-1922.
Esther Jones from Stockwell College took charge of the school in January 1887. She reported poor discipline, students who were very backward, particularly in needlework and apparatus that was in need of repair or renewal. ' Much skill and time are needed to reform this school.'
The committee took offence at the sharp, critical tone of her report and put the disagreement on record. Miss Jones departed in high dudgeon in February, but this heralded the beginning of a more settled period for the school. She was replaced by Sarah Williams, another Stockwell student, who remained head of the school until 1922, when she was taken ill and died after an eight- month struggle against her illness. She was much missed and the log records ' a wreath was sent by children and staff.'
During her period as head teacher improvements were gradually introduced.
Two new classrooms were built to ease the overcrowding, but the staffing
was still inadequate and in November 1899, £27.5s.11d was taken out of the aid grant to pay for an assistant teacher.
Another £11.16s.6d was taken in 1901 to provide new desks.
Some thought was given to the safety of pupils in 1904, when it was recommended that the gallery be removed to enable the widening of the school entrance. It was a narrow passage between two high walls, leading directly onto the road. ' Children leaving the premises can neither see nor hear any vehicle that may be passing.'
The committee took offence at the sharp, critical tone of her report and put the disagreement on record. Miss Jones departed in high dudgeon in February, but this heralded the beginning of a more settled period for the school. She was replaced by Sarah Williams, another Stockwell student, who remained head of the school until 1922, when she was taken ill and died after an eight- month struggle against her illness. She was much missed and the log records ' a wreath was sent by children and staff.'
During her period as head teacher improvements were gradually introduced.
Two new classrooms were built to ease the overcrowding, but the staffing
was still inadequate and in November 1899, £27.5s.11d was taken out of the aid grant to pay for an assistant teacher.
Another £11.16s.6d was taken in 1901 to provide new desks.
Some thought was given to the safety of pupils in 1904, when it was recommended that the gallery be removed to enable the widening of the school entrance. It was a narrow passage between two high walls, leading directly onto the road. ' Children leaving the premises can neither see nor hear any vehicle that may be passing.'
Class work was improving also. The scripture examiners in 1908 said that in the infants department ' we found the little ones kindly taught and they answer simple questions in bible history with commendable readiness. The Lord's Prayer was known and reverently said.'
The HMI report of 1913 echoed the same tone, that the children were kindly treated and orderly, although it recommended that more individual mental activity was needed and less 'simultaneous chanting.'
This was clearly taken to heart, because although there were no HMI inspections during WWI, the report of 1920 proclaimed the school to be much improved. ' Attention is now given to training children to express correctly what they see and think' although the ' quality of the scholars voices' in both reading and singing needed improvement.
In the same year the children achieved 90% correct answers in their Old Testament history and New Testament teaching tests.
WWI was reflected in the log, when it was noted that three of the school medical inspectors were away on military service, so nurses visited once a month instead.
In September 1918 ' lessons on the war loan were given this afternoon instead of recitation', though it is doubtful how much it meant to infants and would have been more profitably given to their parents!
Subjects taught.
The HMI report of 1913 echoed the same tone, that the children were kindly treated and orderly, although it recommended that more individual mental activity was needed and less 'simultaneous chanting.'
This was clearly taken to heart, because although there were no HMI inspections during WWI, the report of 1920 proclaimed the school to be much improved. ' Attention is now given to training children to express correctly what they see and think' although the ' quality of the scholars voices' in both reading and singing needed improvement.
In the same year the children achieved 90% correct answers in their Old Testament history and New Testament teaching tests.
WWI was reflected in the log, when it was noted that three of the school medical inspectors were away on military service, so nurses visited once a month instead.
In September 1918 ' lessons on the war loan were given this afternoon instead of recitation', though it is doubtful how much it meant to infants and would have been more profitably given to their parents!
Subjects taught.
The main method of teaching the infants was through object lessons, using cards with pictures and words to reinforce the lesson. Main subjects such as animal, vegetable, mineral and common employments, were chosen, then a lesson would be taught on a specific object that fitted within the main subject. In 1866, some of those listed were dogs, deer, chairs, dustpans, bellows, elephants, ladles, potatoes and salt.
Sometimes the lesson was given to the whole school and at others, just to one class.
Besides the 3Rs, the children were taught natural history, colour, scripture, spelling, history, geography, drawing, mat-weaving, paper-folding, bead threading, rug making, stick laying, jointed lathe and cork work. The older girls learned sewing and dressmaking.
Singing and recitation were important parts of the school day. The children learned several new songs each term and the list of recitations sounds fun. 'The Three Bears', 'The Elephant and the Tailor', 'A Merry Little Kitten',
' Naughty Pussy, 'Popsy Wopsy', 'I'se Biggest' and ' The Birdie's Bedtime.'
Physical exercise and action games were also encouraged. When it was too cold or wet to play outside, the children were marshalled indoors to march around and stamp on the spot in their classrooms.
Sometimes the lesson was given to the whole school and at others, just to one class.
Besides the 3Rs, the children were taught natural history, colour, scripture, spelling, history, geography, drawing, mat-weaving, paper-folding, bead threading, rug making, stick laying, jointed lathe and cork work. The older girls learned sewing and dressmaking.
Singing and recitation were important parts of the school day. The children learned several new songs each term and the list of recitations sounds fun. 'The Three Bears', 'The Elephant and the Tailor', 'A Merry Little Kitten',
' Naughty Pussy, 'Popsy Wopsy', 'I'se Biggest' and ' The Birdie's Bedtime.'
Physical exercise and action games were also encouraged. When it was too cold or wet to play outside, the children were marshalled indoors to march around and stamp on the spot in their classrooms.
In 1901, a games' syllabus was listed in the log for the first time. These games, judging from their titles, were designed to teach through play- picking up potatoes, tying a bow, laying and clearing the table, thimble game, cat and mice, two children and the ball game.
1906 saw a much- expanded list of object lessons and in 1907, a complete syllabus for each subject and each class was laid out in great detail. However, after 1912, the syllabus was no longer recorded in the log, probably because it had become important as a separate document.
A county organizer for physical instruction, Miss F. Walmsley, was appointed in February 1921 and in March she was at Westmead School taking practice with the infants. Two days later it was the turn of the teachers to be drilled!
Keeping fit was clearly the fashionable thing in the 20s for in April we find that recitation and singing lessons were reduced to make more time for physical instruction.
Annual and Special Holidays.
School holidays in the 1860s were not fixed in the way they are now. Although it was accepted that there should be holidays at Christmas, Easter and Harvest, the length of those holidays was decided by the school or circumstances.
The pupils of Westmead in 1866, had 2 weeks holiday at Christmas, 3 days at Easter and at Whitsun and 3 weeks in August.
The school always tried to keep open on bank holidays, even though attendance was low.
1906 saw a much- expanded list of object lessons and in 1907, a complete syllabus for each subject and each class was laid out in great detail. However, after 1912, the syllabus was no longer recorded in the log, probably because it had become important as a separate document.
A county organizer for physical instruction, Miss F. Walmsley, was appointed in February 1921 and in March she was at Westmead School taking practice with the infants. Two days later it was the turn of the teachers to be drilled!
Keeping fit was clearly the fashionable thing in the 20s for in April we find that recitation and singing lessons were reduced to make more time for physical instruction.
Annual and Special Holidays.
School holidays in the 1860s were not fixed in the way they are now. Although it was accepted that there should be holidays at Christmas, Easter and Harvest, the length of those holidays was decided by the school or circumstances.
The pupils of Westmead in 1866, had 2 weeks holiday at Christmas, 3 days at Easter and at Whitsun and 3 weeks in August.
The school always tried to keep open on bank holidays, even though attendance was low.
In July 1875 the school decided to have only one week's summer holiday instead of three. A pupil teacher kept the school going and took her leave later.
After the County Council took control of the school in 1906, the holidays became more standardized although they were disrupted in the 1940s by the war. They were spread over extended weekends throughout July in 1940, with 2 full weeks in August, then the school closed again from September 25th to 12th October to enable the children to help with the potato harvest.
There were innumerable reasons for giving day and half-day holidays. Cattle shows, circuses, flower shows, pantomimes, Sunday School outings, Mayor's Day, Ascension Day, all these events tempted children away from school, so holidays were granted. Then there were all the royal occasions- engagements, weddings, jubilees, funerals, coronations, which were all recorded in the log. The school closed for the whole day on February 28th 1922 at the desire of His Majesty the King on the occasion of the marriage of HRH the Princess Mary. There was another in April 1923 for the wedding of HRH the Duke of York.
The children were given medals and a souvenir book called ' The Royal Way' to celebrate the jubilee of George V and on Coronation Day 12th June 1937, they were treated to tea and cake at 4.00 p.m. and presented with a beaker each, paid for by the town council coronation fund.
After the County Council took control of the school in 1906, the holidays became more standardized although they were disrupted in the 1940s by the war. They were spread over extended weekends throughout July in 1940, with 2 full weeks in August, then the school closed again from September 25th to 12th October to enable the children to help with the potato harvest.
There were innumerable reasons for giving day and half-day holidays. Cattle shows, circuses, flower shows, pantomimes, Sunday School outings, Mayor's Day, Ascension Day, all these events tempted children away from school, so holidays were granted. Then there were all the royal occasions- engagements, weddings, jubilees, funerals, coronations, which were all recorded in the log. The school closed for the whole day on February 28th 1922 at the desire of His Majesty the King on the occasion of the marriage of HRH the Princess Mary. There was another in April 1923 for the wedding of HRH the Duke of York.
The children were given medals and a souvenir book called ' The Royal Way' to celebrate the jubilee of George V and on Coronation Day 12th June 1937, they were treated to tea and cake at 4.00 p.m. and presented with a beaker each, paid for by the town council coronation fund.
Holidays were sometimes granted as a reward to pupils for achievement. A paragraph in the log of 1894 suggests an attempt to encourage regular attendance. ' We let the most regular children this week go home a few minutes before 4.00 today as an encouragement.'
On 29th May 1919, a holiday was given to the whole school because ' the children in the mixed department did extra well in the scholarship examinations.'
Special Events.
Any events that were different from the usual school routine were recorded in the log.
In August 1875, 225 children, the whole school, both infants, juniors and seniors, marched out to a field at Lowden for tea, cakes and a prize giving.
A mother's day was held in the last week of term, December 1922. An invitation was sent out to mothers to arrive at 2.15 to see handiwork laid out in the classrooms. Then at 2.45, they were entertained by each class in turn.
' The visitors proved a most appreciative audience.'
So appreciative in fact that the event became an annual feature and developed into a full parents' day. 90 parents turned up in 1926 and in the following year, it was so popular that two half days were needed to accommodate them all.
Rummage sales were held regularly to raise money. The proceeds of two sales in 1924, £30.6s, were used to buy a piano.
On 29th May 1919, a holiday was given to the whole school because ' the children in the mixed department did extra well in the scholarship examinations.'
Special Events.
Any events that were different from the usual school routine were recorded in the log.
In August 1875, 225 children, the whole school, both infants, juniors and seniors, marched out to a field at Lowden for tea, cakes and a prize giving.
A mother's day was held in the last week of term, December 1922. An invitation was sent out to mothers to arrive at 2.15 to see handiwork laid out in the classrooms. Then at 2.45, they were entertained by each class in turn.
' The visitors proved a most appreciative audience.'
So appreciative in fact that the event became an annual feature and developed into a full parents' day. 90 parents turned up in 1926 and in the following year, it was so popular that two half days were needed to accommodate them all.
Rummage sales were held regularly to raise money. The proceeds of two sales in 1924, £30.6s, were used to buy a piano.
The school won 2nd and 3rd prizes in the decorated lorry category of the Chippenham Carnival in 1949 and continued to enter with great success in following years. They won 1st prize and a silver cup for a float of St. George and the dragon in 1953.
Various events took place that year to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Dr. Colenso planted a flowering cherry tree in the school garden in March. ' It was a beautiful afternoon and the garden looked lovely with daffodils and crocus.'
A coronation seat was also placed in the garden and the Mayor presented each child with a coronation mug, either blue and green or clover and orange.
Attendance.
The number of pupils on the roll of the infants' school fluctuated over the years from a low of 65 to a peak of 155.
Three main things affected the attendance of pupils, the weather, local events and illness.
The weather.
Most children throughout the 19thC and well into the 20thC had to walk to school. Many of them came from poor families who could not afford adequate winter clothing or footwear. There were regular entries in the log recording low attendance due to snow storms, icy roads or heavy rain.
On January 21st 1876 only 17 children turned up due to the bad weather- ' several children away through want of boots and insufficient clothing'
Various events took place that year to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Dr. Colenso planted a flowering cherry tree in the school garden in March. ' It was a beautiful afternoon and the garden looked lovely with daffodils and crocus.'
A coronation seat was also placed in the garden and the Mayor presented each child with a coronation mug, either blue and green or clover and orange.
Attendance.
The number of pupils on the roll of the infants' school fluctuated over the years from a low of 65 to a peak of 155.
Three main things affected the attendance of pupils, the weather, local events and illness.
The weather.
Most children throughout the 19thC and well into the 20thC had to walk to school. Many of them came from poor families who could not afford adequate winter clothing or footwear. There were regular entries in the log recording low attendance due to snow storms, icy roads or heavy rain.
On January 21st 1876 only 17 children turned up due to the bad weather- ' several children away through want of boots and insufficient clothing'
As late a 1975 the parents of one pupil were called in to explain why their son was wearing wellingtons to school and it took some effort to talk them into buying him a new pair of shoes and daps for gym.
Heavy snow closed the school for three days in 1881 and in October 1882 it was closed again ' on account of heavy rain and floods, part of the town being underwater.'
During the wet spring of 1916 there was constant need for the drying of boots and socks and abandoning the timetable for singing and drilling.
The severe winter weather in the 1940s, combined with wartime fuel shortages, meant that the school was often closed.
The big freeze of 1962/3 also features prominently in the log.
Local events.
Events such as a visiting circus, flower shows or Sunday school treats were a great temptation for children to skip school. Even the regular market day affected attendance. The early logs are full of comments about this problem.
May 1868 ' poor attendance because of the wild beast show.'
June 1871 ' very few children present in the afternoon due to The Band of Hope children's treat'
September 1913 ' the parents of several children took them blackberrying in the afternoon'
Attendance was always low after the holidays, particularly the summer one.
Heavy snow closed the school for three days in 1881 and in October 1882 it was closed again ' on account of heavy rain and floods, part of the town being underwater.'
During the wet spring of 1916 there was constant need for the drying of boots and socks and abandoning the timetable for singing and drilling.
The severe winter weather in the 1940s, combined with wartime fuel shortages, meant that the school was often closed.
The big freeze of 1962/3 also features prominently in the log.
Local events.
Events such as a visiting circus, flower shows or Sunday school treats were a great temptation for children to skip school. Even the regular market day affected attendance. The early logs are full of comments about this problem.
May 1868 ' poor attendance because of the wild beast show.'
June 1871 ' very few children present in the afternoon due to The Band of Hope children's treat'
September 1913 ' the parents of several children took them blackberrying in the afternoon'
Attendance was always low after the holidays, particularly the summer one.
During the summer holidays of 1920, building work being done on the section of the school used by the older children, was not finished by the beginning of the autumn term, so that part of the school remained closed. But 81 children from the Infants did not turn up for the first day of term, claiming later that they thought the whole school was closed. Those children who did turn up were allowed to play all morning and were sent home at dinner time with the task of calling at the houses of the absentees and bringing them back to school for the afternoon.
Illness and poor social conditions.
Illness, often originating in poor social conditions at home, was the main reason for children failing to come to school. Until the advent of immunization, all infants' schools were beset with epidemics. Measles, cowpox, chickenpox, flu, mumps, quinsy, scarlatina, scarlet fever, whooping cough were all rife and could cause the school to be closed for weeks. It was closed for most of December during the devastating flu outbreak of 1918.
The early logs often record the deaths of pupils. 14th November 1867 ' Tom Randle died of croup.' November 1869 ' Annie Wilcox died of fever.' May 1875 ' Annie Taylor of the 4th class, died today of consumption after an illness of six weeks.' December 1878 ' pupil died of croup.' The simple, matter-of-fact entries reflect the resignation of a society that was used to infant mortality.
Illness and poor social conditions.
Illness, often originating in poor social conditions at home, was the main reason for children failing to come to school. Until the advent of immunization, all infants' schools were beset with epidemics. Measles, cowpox, chickenpox, flu, mumps, quinsy, scarlatina, scarlet fever, whooping cough were all rife and could cause the school to be closed for weeks. It was closed for most of December during the devastating flu outbreak of 1918.
The early logs often record the deaths of pupils. 14th November 1867 ' Tom Randle died of croup.' November 1869 ' Annie Wilcox died of fever.' May 1875 ' Annie Taylor of the 4th class, died today of consumption after an illness of six weeks.' December 1878 ' pupil died of croup.' The simple, matter-of-fact entries reflect the resignation of a society that was used to infant mortality.
Individual children were often sent home because they were suffering from skin diseases like scabies, or infestations of lice or ringworm. An entry of 1866 read ' I find great difficulty in getting the children to come clean.' Pupils were still being sent home because of their 'verminous condition' in the 1920s.
Chilblains were a scourge in the winter months for children and teachers.
Teachers too were absent from school through illness. According to the records, they were beset with bilious attacks, laryngitis, bronchitis, gastritis, neuralgia and in one case, tuberculosis.
Stress is not a modern phenomenon, although in the 19thC they called it over-work. The head teacher, Mrs. Brown, was absent in1875 because of ' a severe indisposition caused by overwork in the school.' She tried to return, but was advised to take a holiday in Scotland for the benefit of her health. This was not a success however, for she resigned at the end of the year.
As can be expected with young children, accidents were fairly frequent.
Chilblains were a scourge in the winter months for children and teachers.
Teachers too were absent from school through illness. According to the records, they were beset with bilious attacks, laryngitis, bronchitis, gastritis, neuralgia and in one case, tuberculosis.
Stress is not a modern phenomenon, although in the 19thC they called it over-work. The head teacher, Mrs. Brown, was absent in1875 because of ' a severe indisposition caused by overwork in the school.' She tried to return, but was advised to take a holiday in Scotland for the benefit of her health. This was not a success however, for she resigned at the end of the year.
As can be expected with young children, accidents were fairly frequent.
1869- a child was badly injured in the school gates: 1870-' dreadful accident to C. Pernel when eye was burnt': 1874 ' had to send a little boy to the doctors to have a piece of slate pencil taken out of his ear that he had put in.': 1890 Tom Cousins sustained a broken leg when a wall at the entrance to the school yard fell on him in a wind storm: 1903 a child had the tip of a finger cut off by a desk ' the piece of iron placed for protection having been broken off': 1917 a child caught his foot in the mud-scraper and cut his eyelid very badly. There were fractured elbows and fingers in 1937 and in 1947, during the lunch hour, a boy cut his forehead on the side of the cycle shed, ducking a piece of cake that was thrown at him!
The county council took over responsibility for the school in 1906 and the beginnings of a more structured approach to improving the health, safety and social conditions of the pupils is reflected in the log.
A full medical inspection, with weighing and measuring is first mentioned in October 1908 and advice was sent to parents when necessary.
Poor ventilation in the classroom was thought to be affecting the children in 1910. The teachers were forced to keep the windows closed because of the fumes from the nearby brewery. ' The same thing occurs nearly every day if the wind is from the East.'
The county council took over responsibility for the school in 1906 and the beginnings of a more structured approach to improving the health, safety and social conditions of the pupils is reflected in the log.
A full medical inspection, with weighing and measuring is first mentioned in October 1908 and advice was sent to parents when necessary.
Poor ventilation in the classroom was thought to be affecting the children in 1910. The teachers were forced to keep the windows closed because of the fumes from the nearby brewery. ' The same thing occurs nearly every day if the wind is from the East.'
1914 saw the advent of the school dentist. His attentions were not always welcomed by the parents. An entry in 1935 recorded that 20 out of 70 children refused dental treatment, presumably because the parents did not want to pay the nominal charge of 6d.
An attempt was made in 1915 to analyse 4 children with learning difficulties, described as ' mental deficit cases.' There is an interesting entry in the log of 1921 relating to this problem- ' The work of the school has been hindered very much this month through the presence of one boy belonging to the mentally deficient class. The case has been reported to the school medical officer.' A later entry confirmed that the boy was eventually excluded. There is no indication of what happened to him afterwards.
The children would have been thrilled to read a few lines in the log in 1928-
' I have received today a consignment of cod-liver oil emulsion from Messrs Ferris and Co.'
The hot milk that was provided at a halfpenny a day in Jan 1930 was probably more welcome and the HM Inspectors praised the school for this innovation.
The next month, 20 infant rest beds were ordered, following a complaint from a parent that her child had two splinters in her head from lying on the floor of the baby room during the rest period.
Immunization was first introduced in 1940 for diphtheria.
An attempt was made in 1915 to analyse 4 children with learning difficulties, described as ' mental deficit cases.' There is an interesting entry in the log of 1921 relating to this problem- ' The work of the school has been hindered very much this month through the presence of one boy belonging to the mentally deficient class. The case has been reported to the school medical officer.' A later entry confirmed that the boy was eventually excluded. There is no indication of what happened to him afterwards.
The children would have been thrilled to read a few lines in the log in 1928-
' I have received today a consignment of cod-liver oil emulsion from Messrs Ferris and Co.'
The hot milk that was provided at a halfpenny a day in Jan 1930 was probably more welcome and the HM Inspectors praised the school for this innovation.
The next month, 20 infant rest beds were ordered, following a complaint from a parent that her child had two splinters in her head from lying on the floor of the baby room during the rest period.
Immunization was first introduced in 1940 for diphtheria.
Another aspect of the social responsibility of the school was highlighted in 1975, when concern was expressed for a pupil who came regularly to school badly bruised and the parents were interviewed.
Misbehaviour and Punishment.
Incidents of bad behaviour were recorded, although there was no heavy stress on punishment. In 1869, a boy called Paul Keevil ' showed a spirit of insubordination', but the next day, ' Paul was a very good boy' and he was rewarded by allowing him to teach a younger class. The same year, a boy was caned for 'indecency' and some children were checked for ' loud singing.'
A girl was removed from school by her mother in 1874 because she objected to her daughter being made to return a scarf she had stolen.
The main reasons for correction were bad language, telling untruths, playing truant, 'spending their school money', being late, inattention in class and throwing stones.
An entry of April 1907 reads ' As two children have had their hands cut through throwing stones in the playground, I have told them that in future I shall have to punish them by making them feel pain.'
Three years later, six- year- old George Neate was given three strokes of the cane for playing truant three times in two weeks and in 1914 two boys received two strokes each for climbing the palings in the playground and setting fire to the paper in the toilets.
Misbehaviour and Punishment.
Incidents of bad behaviour were recorded, although there was no heavy stress on punishment. In 1869, a boy called Paul Keevil ' showed a spirit of insubordination', but the next day, ' Paul was a very good boy' and he was rewarded by allowing him to teach a younger class. The same year, a boy was caned for 'indecency' and some children were checked for ' loud singing.'
A girl was removed from school by her mother in 1874 because she objected to her daughter being made to return a scarf she had stolen.
The main reasons for correction were bad language, telling untruths, playing truant, 'spending their school money', being late, inattention in class and throwing stones.
An entry of April 1907 reads ' As two children have had their hands cut through throwing stones in the playground, I have told them that in future I shall have to punish them by making them feel pain.'
Three years later, six- year- old George Neate was given three strokes of the cane for playing truant three times in two weeks and in 1914 two boys received two strokes each for climbing the palings in the playground and setting fire to the paper in the toilets.
Later logs rarely record misbehaviour.
History 1922-1945.
The school began the 1920s with a head teacher, one certified assistant and two supplementary assistants. The position of the teachers had been improved in 1915 when the incremental salary scale was introduced. The head teacher's salary went up by £5 and there was an automatic yearly increment for staff.
A series of evening break-ins troubled the school in June and July 1922. The teachers' desks and the equipment cupboard were forced open and many items stolen. The police were called in but there is no mention of any culprit being apprehended.
Miss Ruby Liminton became head teacher in September 1925 and put in 25 years of dedicated service.
The school was redecorated in the summer holidays. The walls were distempered pea-green, the wood two different shades of green and the window sills white. The blackboards were renovated and during half term, all the gas fixtures and mantles were checked. In 1931 the décor was changed to primrose and brown.
Throughout the 20s and 30s there was much concern about excessive consumption of water and gas. The meters were faulty and the boilers were continually breaking down. In March 1929, when the caretaker was off sick, the heating failed. The classrooms were bitterly cold, so the gas jets in all the rooms were kept burning to create some warmth until temporary fires were produced.
History 1922-1945.
The school began the 1920s with a head teacher, one certified assistant and two supplementary assistants. The position of the teachers had been improved in 1915 when the incremental salary scale was introduced. The head teacher's salary went up by £5 and there was an automatic yearly increment for staff.
A series of evening break-ins troubled the school in June and July 1922. The teachers' desks and the equipment cupboard were forced open and many items stolen. The police were called in but there is no mention of any culprit being apprehended.
Miss Ruby Liminton became head teacher in September 1925 and put in 25 years of dedicated service.
The school was redecorated in the summer holidays. The walls were distempered pea-green, the wood two different shades of green and the window sills white. The blackboards were renovated and during half term, all the gas fixtures and mantles were checked. In 1931 the décor was changed to primrose and brown.
Throughout the 20s and 30s there was much concern about excessive consumption of water and gas. The meters were faulty and the boilers were continually breaking down. In March 1929, when the caretaker was off sick, the heating failed. The classrooms were bitterly cold, so the gas jets in all the rooms were kept burning to create some warmth until temporary fires were produced.
The summer holidays of 1926 saw a new bicycle shed erected and the playground graveled over, but within six months it was in need of repair and strengthening.
A regular arrangement with Salisbury Teachers' Training College began in 1931 for students to do teaching practice at Westmead School.
The log gives a glimpse of what the children sat on in 1934, when specifications for an order of chairs were recorded- ' chairs 13 inches high, wide back rail with a steel strengthening strip at the back of the seat.'
Later, rubber silencers were fitted to the chairs in the babies' room to reduce the noise.
Attempts were made to keep the school clean when ' two classroom floors, as well as the staff room, have been treated with Dustolio, liquid dust allayer.'
A new piece of land was purchased in 1936, which enabled the school to extend their garden plot and build another bicycle shed, making a new entrance in the playground wall for direct access to it.
World War II.
A country at war is clearly reflected in the log. On September 4th 1939 the school did not re-open after the summer holidays due to the outbreak of war. An extra week's holiday was granted.
The school building was frequently used as an assembly point for evacuees. These pupils were listed on a separate register from the local children. An evacuee from Wanstead High School, Peggy Payne, began teaching practice at Westmead in December 1940.
A regular arrangement with Salisbury Teachers' Training College began in 1931 for students to do teaching practice at Westmead School.
The log gives a glimpse of what the children sat on in 1934, when specifications for an order of chairs were recorded- ' chairs 13 inches high, wide back rail with a steel strengthening strip at the back of the seat.'
Later, rubber silencers were fitted to the chairs in the babies' room to reduce the noise.
Attempts were made to keep the school clean when ' two classroom floors, as well as the staff room, have been treated with Dustolio, liquid dust allayer.'
A new piece of land was purchased in 1936, which enabled the school to extend their garden plot and build another bicycle shed, making a new entrance in the playground wall for direct access to it.
World War II.
A country at war is clearly reflected in the log. On September 4th 1939 the school did not re-open after the summer holidays due to the outbreak of war. An extra week's holiday was granted.
The school building was frequently used as an assembly point for evacuees. These pupils were listed on a separate register from the local children. An evacuee from Wanstead High School, Peggy Payne, began teaching practice at Westmead in December 1940.
The ARP warden attended classes to discuss safety. It was necessary to lengthen the dinner break to allow for the cleaning of the classrooms during the winter because it was impossible to clean in the evenings due to blackout regulations. However, the school was not fitted with proper blackout curtains until February 1942.
Miss Liminton, who was presented with a set of Jacobean glassware as a wedding present when she became Mrs. Devonold, was absent from school in April 1942 to salvage clothes from the home of a relative, damaged in the Bath blitz.
The school subscribed £132 for the Wings of Victory Campaign.
Police Sergeant Brice visited regularly to warn the children not to pick up strange objects incase they were unexploded bombs.
Westmead was desperately short of teachers throughout 1944. At times, the head teacher and one assistant had to cope with 130 pupils aged between 4 and 7.
Moving into the modern era- 1946-1975.
The air-raid shelter in the playground was demolished in September 1946 and the playground resurfaced with tarmac.
The evacuee register was discontinued a year later.
School dinners and free milk began in 1946 and we read of gramophone records being delivered to the school in April 1951.
Miss Liminton, who was presented with a set of Jacobean glassware as a wedding present when she became Mrs. Devonold, was absent from school in April 1942 to salvage clothes from the home of a relative, damaged in the Bath blitz.
The school subscribed £132 for the Wings of Victory Campaign.
Police Sergeant Brice visited regularly to warn the children not to pick up strange objects incase they were unexploded bombs.
Westmead was desperately short of teachers throughout 1944. At times, the head teacher and one assistant had to cope with 130 pupils aged between 4 and 7.
Moving into the modern era- 1946-1975.
The air-raid shelter in the playground was demolished in September 1946 and the playground resurfaced with tarmac.
The evacuee register was discontinued a year later.
School dinners and free milk began in 1946 and we read of gramophone records being delivered to the school in April 1951.
A parent-teacher association was formed in June 1952 and at the inaugural meeting, Miss Mary Brown gave an interesting talk about her work on 'The Daily Mirror.' The association's range of activities was wide - brains trusts, country dancing, play readings, a talk on the origins of surnames and visits to other schools included one to Greenacres Approved School in Calne. A Christmas party for the parents was also organized.
In 1958 the Infants' School acquired its own telephone line and also celebrated its own sports' day in Westmead playing fields.
Such modern wonders as a film projector and electric water heater arrived in 1959, but the pupils had to wait another ten years for a television set.
The teachers used another modern device to check on the noise from Mr. Flowers Brewery yard by taking decibel recordings.
During the 1960s the children were taken on many visits to the cinema, Bristol zoo, Swindon Railway Museum, Slimbridge and other interesting local attractions.
Pratten huts were erected in 1966 as extra classrooms and in the early 70s, a desire was expressed to refurbish the central kitchen to cook meals on site, but it proved too expensive. The kitchen was eventually demolished as unsafe.
The school was badly damaged by fire in 1972 and most of the records for the junior section were destroyed. The building remained in use for another 17 years, then the decision was made to replace it on a new site.
In 1958 the Infants' School acquired its own telephone line and also celebrated its own sports' day in Westmead playing fields.
Such modern wonders as a film projector and electric water heater arrived in 1959, but the pupils had to wait another ten years for a television set.
The teachers used another modern device to check on the noise from Mr. Flowers Brewery yard by taking decibel recordings.
During the 1960s the children were taken on many visits to the cinema, Bristol zoo, Swindon Railway Museum, Slimbridge and other interesting local attractions.
Pratten huts were erected in 1966 as extra classrooms and in the early 70s, a desire was expressed to refurbish the central kitchen to cook meals on site, but it proved too expensive. The kitchen was eventually demolished as unsafe.
The school was badly damaged by fire in 1972 and most of the records for the junior section were destroyed. The building remained in use for another 17 years, then the decision was made to replace it on a new site.
In 1989, it was reborn as Kings Lodge School in Lodge Road, on a piece of land that was once a part of the old Pewsham Forest.