[This first section is on the page facing page 1 in the log]
Dimensions of the School Room
23 1/2 ft long ­ 19 1/2 ft wide ­ 15ft high

450 1/4 square feet: - and 6873 3/4 solid feet
458.25 ÷ 8 = 57, number the room will accommodate allowing 8 square feet for each child in average attendance.
6873.75 ÷ 80 = 85, the number the room will accommodate allowing 80 cubic feet for each child in average attendance.

Dimensions of Class Room
15(ft) 10(in) long, 11 ft wide, 12 ft high

North Runcton Boys' School
March 1863

March 2nd The time taken up in collecting pence and Clothing Club subscriptions necessarily shortens the reading lesson every Monday morning.
March 3rd Attendance very small on account of an annual fair, which always takes away several of the senior boys.*
March 4th The Geography lesson was very successful this morning.
March 5th Nothing of importance to record.
March 6th Master as usual took collectively on the lessons of the week ­ children answered very fairly.
* [The Mart]

March 9th School very thin, hence the Time Table was slightly departed from.
March 10th Prince of Wales married, hence, no school.*
March 11th Very thin school:- Master putting up devices &c for next day's school treat.
March 12th No school. Rector** gave the children a treat at the Rectory, as a celebration of the Marriage of the Prince of Wales.
March 13th Children getting wet the day before, & many a great distance from home, the school was very thin, hence, little was done.
*[Edward, later King Edward VII]
**[The Rector was William Hay Gurney, Daniel Gurney's second son]

March 16th One boy re-admitted. The morning was wet, which prevented those coming that live at a distance.
March 17th Rector called to say he had received notice of School examination by H. M. Inspector on the 27th
March 18th Nothing particular to record
March 19th First & Second class worked Arithmetical and other subjects on paper.
March 20th Continued examination on paper.

March 23rd Admitted one pupil. First class are progressing in their work on paper.
March 24th Took the 1st and 2nd class collectively on English History, and Geography:- answers were very fair.
March 25th Rector called to say the Inspector's visit might possibly be a day earlier: hence, boys went through lessons in the Girls' School Room to allow Boys' Room being cleaned.
March 26th Had boys ready for inspector's visit. Inspec: did not come. First and Second class took a part in the Baptismal Service at Church in the afternoon.
March 27th H.M. Inspector arrived at 10 1/2 a.m. Examination was at 12. Inspector expressed himself satisfied with the boys' attainments.

March 30th Admitted one pupil. The fine weather is giving employment in the fields, hence the 2nd & 3rd classes are very thin.
March 31st Nothing particular to record.
April 1st Scripture lesson very successful, but the Geography not so.
April 2nd First Class took a period of Eng History on paper instead of writing in Copy Books.
April 3rd Children attended Church. No School in the afternoon.

April 6th Three of the First Class have left for all summer, and others from 1st and 2nd Classes for a few weeks.
April 7th School as usual, very thin. Employment after cattle for the market thins the 1st Class.
April 8th Nothing particular to record
April 9th C [?].W. Thrower, who left this school in 1858, to be apprenticed in Wisbeach [sic] School, called and informed Master of his success at the Easter [?] Coll: Examination at Peterborough.
April 10th Morning very wet, hence, attendance thin.

top

April 13th One withdrawn from the 1st Class to take a situation as servant in one of the principal shops in Lynn. School work going on as usual.
April 14th Cautioned some late comers. Afternoon 1st class read the lesson "The Three Giants" from 4th Irish [?] Book. Children's curiosity excited to know to whom the Giants alluded.*
April 15th Upon enquiry, Master found two of the senior boys had been absent from school without leave. The truants will be kept in school the noon hours & evening until the lost time is made up. First Class very thin, hence, the Geography and Grammar lessons not successful.
April 16th Master gave first oral lesson on Eng: Hist: to the 2nd Class; subject, the roman Period. Children seemed very much interested.
April 17th Rector received H.M. Inspector's Report upon the school, of which the following is a copy:- "The room is very rough and unsuitable. There are no proper offices or playground. The children are very fairly instructed"
*[According to "Some Habits and Customs of the Working Classes, by Thomas Wright, 1867 - Part 1 - Working Men in their Public Relations - The Working Man's Education", the Three Giants is a tale "in which, under the guise of a pleasant story, the powers of air, water, and steam were explained and exemplified." See Victorianlondon.org ]

April 20th Admitted two into the 4th Class. Very few absentees. Work very fairly done.
April 21st Largest number in school since the day of Examination. School work goes on as usual.
April 22nd Morning being wet, many of the children who live at a great distance from School were absent. Rector called in the afternoon:- talked over matters relative to the "New Code"* ­ Master offered suggestions for Rector's consideration.
April 23rd Nothing particularly to record. School work as usual.
April 24th The numbers being thin, Master did not give lessons orally as is usual on Fridays, but worked the 1st Class in back rules in Arithmetic.
*[Possibly a reference to the Revised Code, introduced in May of 1862. For an analysis of the relationship between Educational Codes, inspection and funding see EDUCATION POLICY ANALYSIS ARCHIVES ]

April 27th Re-admitted two who had been employed in the fields several weeks. Shifted two from the second into the first class.
April 28th Morning being wet, several of the boys who live a great distance from the school did not come. Seniors boys being absent work was not successfully done.
April 29th First class did mountain systems of Europe from memory very fairly. Second and lower classes very thin.
April 30th Nothing to record beyond the ordinary working of the school.
May 1st First Class did their recapity [recapitulatory] work very fairly. This First day of May as regards the attendance, has been the exception to the rule: not one absentee. Master finds from the experience of past years that the custom of School Children parading the village with garlands is wearing out.

May 4th Second Class boy withdrawn from school altogether to work in the fields. Master has been obliged to enquire into a suspicious case of truanting. School work very fairly done.
May 5th the attendance in the first class good, hence, geography and grammar lessons were very successful. Master kept a first class boy over time for truant, the same boy referred to on page 4, date 15th [April].
May 6th First Class did their Eng; History very well, the attendance not so good as yesterday.
May 7th Attendance very good. Shifted boy from the third to second class. School work as usual.
May 8th School thin. Master took the school collectively on the Liturgy. Rector called, and dismissed the School.

May 11th Re-admitted four boys who had been employed in the fields several weeks. Attendance very good, and schoolwork fairly done.
May 12th Morning being wet, prevented those coming who live at great distance from School. The first class being thin of senior boys, the grammar & history were not successful.
May 13th The river system of Europe was done very fairly by first class, work of lower classes as usual. Rector called and made enquiries about attendances of a first class boy.
May 14th Numbers good. Work very fair. Rector called in the afternoon and dismissed the school.
May 15th First class not so well up in the week's work. Numbers rather better than are generally on Friday.

top

May 18th Very good attendance, especially in the first class which has been generally thin at this time of the year.
May 19th Work done as usual, hence, nothing particularly to record.
May 20th The Geography lesson was very well done; attendance not so good.
May 21st Numbers very good. Master obliged to make enquiries as to the Cause of the East Winch boys' absence.
May 22nd Recapitulatory work not done so well as on previous Fridays, Master had to keep five first class boys after school hours to finish their morning work.

May 25th Being Whit week, the school as usual was closed.

June 1st Club Anniversary and procession in the village interfered as usual with numbers; hence school work not so successful as usual.
June 2nd The very warm weather today has made the children drowsy, hence, not so active in the lessons.
June 3rd Attendance better than the two previous days. Master gave notice of treat to children.
June 4th No School. Children had their annual treat in the park, day very fine and full of enjoyment.
June 5th Numbers small and work having no energy. Children tired from yesterday's exertion and unusual late hour from home.

June 8th School thin on account of unfavourable weather. Work as usual.
June 9th Shifted two from second to first class. Numbers very fair and lessons very fairly done.
June 10th First class very thin. Upper parts of second class passed from Compound Multiplication to Division.
June 11th Work as usual. Master had two cases of punishment for transgress---- [obscured] in the noon hour.
June 12th Morning being so wet numbers very thin:- hence the usual Friday lessons were wanting in energy.

June 15th Numbers good. Work very fairly done. Re-admitted a boy into second class who had been absent from school nine months.
June 16th Numbers fair, but the afternoon work slightly altered, Master being unavoidably kept from personal attendance to the classes.
June 17th Children in the 3rd & 4th classes very drowsy on account of heat. Nothing else particularly to record.
June 18th Finished outline of Eng: History; since the examination. Numbers very fair.
June 19th School very thin on account of the weather, hence, work not very successful.

June 22nd Re-admitted two, first class: Numbers fair and work very fairly done.
June 23rd Third and fourth classes very thin, work in upper classes very fair.
June 24th School work as usual. Rector call'd in the afternoon and dismissed the school.
June 25th Morning work slightly disturbed, on account of children being present at a Marriage Ceremony. Afternoon work rather dull, the weather being hot and children drowsy.
June 26th School thin. First class not up in their arithmetical exercises. Second class work fairly done.

top

June 29th Numbers fair and work very fairly done.
June 30th Several first class boys absent; field work coming on.
July 1st Nothing to record beyond the minute of yesterday.
July 2nd School not so thin several weeks past.
July 3rd School very thin and the recapitulatory exercises not so successful as usual.

July 6th Re-admitted a second class boy. Mrs W Gurney called in the afternoon.
July 7th Reading lessons not successful, the hot weather makes the children drowsy. Arithmetic &c more successful.
July 8th Numbers fair. Rector called and dismissed the school.
July 9th Numbers fair. Master not being very well, school dismissed earlier than usual.
July 10th First class not so quick in their arithmetical work. Dictation very fair. Rector called and dismissed the school.

July 13th School very thin, several first class boys in the hay fields.
July 14th Numbers as before, which will continue so until the harvest vacation.
July 15th Nothing particularly to record beyond the two preceding entries.
July 16th In addition to employment in the hay fields, an excursion to Hunstanton has thinned numbers. Work rather dull.
July 17th Numbers very thin, which makes the school-work very uncertain.

July 20th School very thin, first class especially so, the fine weather calls so many into the hay fields ­ others from the lower classes to scare birds from the corn.
July 21st Nothing particularly to record beyond the minute of yesterday.
July 22nd School continues very thin. C [?] W. Thrower, formerly a pupil in this school, now student at Peterboro' called and informed Master of his success in taking first prize and first position on the college list.
July 23rd Schoolwork and numbers as before. Master had an unusual occurrence with first class boy. (see Index I)
July 24th First class did arithmetic very fairly. Numbers thin as before.

July 27th School very thin, the harvest having commenced the numbers will continue to fall off until school closes for Harvest holidays.
July 28th Nothing particularly to record. East Winch boys called into the harvest field.
July 29th School thinner than on two preceding days. Rector called and dismissed the school.
July 30th Numbers as on three preceding days. Work rather tame.
July 31st School closed for Harvest holidays. Numbers today as follows: Four in the 1st class, seven in 2nd, four in 3rd & three in 4th. School closes a fortnight earlier than in preceding year on account of the forward season and early harvest.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

top

Aug 31st School opened very thin in number. The weather during the last week having been fickle, the harvest in a few places not finished, hence, the gleaning not over.
Sept 1st No increase on previous day's number. Rector call'd in the morning.
Sept 2nd Nothing to record beyond what is mentioned in preceding minutes.
Sept 3rd Numbers thinner than on preceding days. Rector call'd in the morning.
Sept 4th The average weekly attendance has never been so low. Work rather tame.

Sept 5th School very thin, only four over last week's number. Field work the cause.
Sept 6th Numbers as before. Work wanting in life and perseverance.
Sept 7th First and second classes being so thin, Master takes them collectively in reading, geography &c.
Sept 8th Nothing particularly to record.
Sept 9th Master never remembers such a low weekly average as the present, nor work carried on with such little progress.

Sept 14th Numbers slightly improved, but the first class still very thin.
Sept 15th Second and third classes more into their general work.
Sept 16th First class so thin, Master took 1st and 2nd classes collectively.
Sept 17th Nothing to record beyond preceding minutes. Numbers & work being similar.
Sept 18th The average weekly attendance is slightly above that of last week, but the classes being so thin, and numbers fluctuating, Master has not been able to carry on work with any order.

Sept 21st No increase in number. Several after potatoes &c. In the afternoon Sir Thos and Lady Troubridge called, and expressed themselves pleased with the singing.
Sept 22nd Numbers not so good as yesterday, wet morning prevented those coming from a distance.
Sept 23rd Nothing particularly to record. Numbers and work as usual.
Sept 24th Numbers thinner than on any of three preceding days. Rector call'd and dismissed the school.
Sept 25th School thin, as on preceding days. Collective lessons very dull.

Sept 28th No addition to numbers. Several getting in fruit, potatoes &c.
Sept 29th Nothing particularly to record. Numbers and work as usual.
Sept 30th Master not very well. School worked principally by upper 1st Class boys.
Oct 1st Morning being wet, boys from a distance not at school.
Oct 2nd Work as usual. Weekly average very low.

Oct 5th School very thin. Fine weather gives employment to several of the senior boys.
Oct 6th Numbers , and work, as usual. Rector call'd and dismissed the school.
Oct 7th Morning very wet, hence, boys at a distance from school not here.
Oct 8th Master had to call two boys in question respecting non attendance.
Oct 9th Weekly average not improved.

Oct 12th Opened with an increase of two, work as usual.
Oct 13th Rector call'd and settled School Clothing Club Account with Master.
Oct 14th Attendance lower than on two preceding days. Work, as usual.
Oct 15th Day very wet which kept those from school who live at a distance.
Oct 16th Numbers thin, and the average attendance no improvement on last week.

Oct 19th Numbers slightly improved. Re-entered two in 1st Class. Numbers fluctuate so much, that little progress in work can be recorded.
Oct 20th Attendance not so good as on previous day. Work as usual.
Oct 21st Admitted two from W Winch. Neither of whom know the alphabet thoroughly.
Oct 22nd Master not well. School managed in part by Mistress from Girls' School.
Oct 23rd Attendance low as usual on Fridays. Weekly average improved.

Oct 26th Numbers slightly improved. Re-admitted first class boy.
Oct 27th Numbers as before. Rector call'd in the afternoon and took 1st Class in Reading Lesson.
Oct 28th Weather kept those at a distance from school. Work, as usual.
Oct 29th School not opened. Boys partook of their annual dinner at the Hall (See Index 1).
Oct 30th Numbers better than usual on the Friday. Weekly average higher.

top

Nov 2nd Morning very wet which kept those at a distance from school. (Re-admitted a first class boy. [sic]
Nov 3rd School very thin on account of the weather.
Nov 4th Numbers higher than on any day since the Harvest Vacation.
Nov 5th First class thin on account of weather. Many boys of this class live at a distance from school.
Nov 6th The average this week would have been higher than usual, but for two wet days. School work this week has been attended with more life, the 1st class, with two exceptions, has been pretty good, hence greater stimulacy [sic: perhaps "stimulancy" was meant] has been given to the lessons.

Nov 9th Opened with a fair number; work very fairly done.
Nov 10th Number very small on account of morning being so wet.
Nov 11th Numbers as on Monday. Master very pleased with 1st class Geography lesson.
Nov 12th Numbers and work as on three preceding days.
Nov 13th Master gave first class a drilling in "Simple Proportion" and was rather pleased with the quickness and accuracy with which the examples were worked out. Weekly average, fair.

Nov 16th Numbers fair. Admitted one, first class. Work very fairly done.
Nov 17th Finished outline of the Pentateuch* in Coll lessons. Numbers as yesterday.
Nov 18th Numbers as before. Having gone through the "Descriptive" Geography in 4th Book Irish [?] series, Master recapitulated on the countries of Europe.
Nov 19th Numbers very fair. 1st class work very fairly done.
Nov 20th Master worked the 1st class in Proportion and Practise. Weekly average higher than any preceding week since the holidays.
*[The first 5 books of the Old Testament]

Nov 23rd Numbers fair. Admitted one into 4th Class. 1st Class did Geography lessons very fairly: Mountain ranges of the world and their principal features.
Nov 24th Numbers very fair. Rector call'd in the afternoon and took the first class in the Reading Lessons.
Nov 25th Numbers as before. Master took the 1st and 2nd classes collectively on the Mountain System, answered very fairly.
Nov 26th Nothing particularly to record beyond the minute of yesterday.
Nov 27th Worked up the 1st class in English History, Norman Period. Weekly average above the preceding.

Nov 30th Re-admitted two, first class. In upper subjects, may hope to be more successful, the 1st class being fair in number.
Dec 1st Numbers fair. Nothing particularly to record respecting work.
Dec 2nd Morn being wet, children living a great distance from school absent. Senior boys being from school, the Geography lesson not successful.
Dec 3rd Weather so bad that only village children present, hence general work not successful.
Dec 4th The unfavourable weather this week has interfered with the weekly average which promised well in the early part.

Dec 7th Readmitted first class boy. First class very fair in number.
Dec 8th Took upper part of school collectively on Plantagenet Period, which, for want of numbers, was not taken on Friday last.
Dec 9th Numbers very fair. Nothing else to record.
Dec 10th Numbers as before. Worked up 2nd class in Multiplication of Money.
Dec 11th Worked first class up in Practise & Fractions. Average attendance this week very fair.

Dec14th Opened with fair numbers. Work, especially the Geography lesson, very fairly done.
Dec 15th Nothing to record beyond the minute of yesterday.
Dec 16th Numbers fair. First and Second classes did geography lesson very well.
Dec 17th Morning being wet, numbers not so good. Work very fair.
Dec 18th Weekly average very fair. Rector call'd in the afternoon and dismissed the School.

Dec 21st First class thin, as has been generally the case in Xmas week.
Dec 22nd Nothing particularly to record respecting work. Numbers as yesterday. Rector call'd in the afternoon.
Dec 23rd Master superintending the Church decorations, hence, school managed principally by senior boys.
Dec 24th School closed until January 4th. Average this week very low.

Jan 4th Opened with fair numbers. Sharp weather caused a few latecomers in the morning. Work fairly done.
Jan 5th Numbers very fair. Took first class on the Coast line of Asia. Fourth class thin on account of weather.
Jan 6th Lower division as before. First class fair in number. Work not so well done as usual, boys shrink at the cold.
Jan 7th Nothing apart from the entry of yesterday to record.
Jan 8th Latecomers and want of earnestness in work by reason of weather have prevailed during the week. Weekly average very fair.

top

Jan 11th Numbers in first class very good. Re-admitted one second class boy. Work, especially Geography and Arithmetic, very well done.
Jan 12th Numbers very fair. Work, especially the Geography lesson, very well done.
Jan 13th Nothing particularly to record, beyond the entry of yesterday.
Jan 14th Numbers fair. Finished the Plantagenet period in the reading lesson. Master took the lesson collectively & found the first class fairly up in this period.
Jan 15th Drill'd the first class in their back rules in Arithmetic. The weekly average very fair.

Jan 18th Opened with very fair numbers. First class numbers so well as to give a h------ [obscured] zest in teaching when compared with numbers during the summer months.
Jan 19th Numbers as before. Rector took the 1st class in the afternoon in the Reading lesson.
Jan 20th Numbers and work as ordinarily. Nothing else to record.
Jan 21st Numbers and work as before.
Jan 22nd Work 1st and 2nd Classes in the Pentateuch, and outlines of Eng. History. Weekly Average very fair. Rector call'd and dismissed the School

Jan 25th Opened with very fair number, first class in particular: hence, geography, arithmetic &c very fairly done.
Jan 26th Nothing particularly to report as to work &c, beyond the preceding entry. Admitted one into the 4th class, from Middleton.
Jan 27th School not so full, the morning being wet. Nothing else to record.
Jan 28th Numbers better than on the previous day. Rector called in the afternoon and dismissed the school.
Jan 29th Master worked 1st class in miscellaneous arithmetical exercises. Weekly average very fair.

Feb 1st Opened with fair numbers, the lower classes especially. Admitted one into the 4th Class from WWinch.
Feb 2nd Numbers as on previous day. Admitted one into 4th Class from Seech. [sic] Work very fair.
Feb 3rd Master took the Geography of Denmark with 1st and 2nd Classes, being a country of some interest just now, as connected with Germany*.
Feb 4th Numbers very fair. Nothing else to record beyond the ordinary entries.
Feb 5th Numbers fair. Afternoon worked upper part of school up in the Morning and evening services of the Church as a (sort?) of recapitulatory exercise of past lesson(s?). Weekly average very fair.
*[In December 1863 allied German/Austrian troops had moved north onto the Danish peninsular, entering the province of Holstein without interference from the Danish army. They demanded that Danish forces be withdrawn from Schleswig, and when the Danes rejected this ultimatum, war began on the 1st of February 1864. For a full account of this see Danish Military History ]

Feb 8th School thin on account of weather being unfavourable in the morning. Lessons not beyond moderately done.
Feb 9th Numbers better than day before. Nothing else particular to record.
Feb 10th This being "Ash Wednesday", the children assembled for Church. No school in the afternoon.
Feb 11th Master had ocassion to call one or two boys in question about non-attendance on preceding day. Numbers and work very well done, especially Geography and History.
Feb 12th Weather being so unfavourable, only twelve boys were present. Hence the usual Friday work very tame. Weather this week has considerably lowered the weekly average.

Feb 15th Numbers very thin, so many of the children parading the village as is the custom on Valentine's day.
Feb 16th Numbers better than on previous day. Admitted one into the 4th Class from West Winch.
Feb 17th Numbers fair. Nothing particularly to record respecting work.
Feb 18th Numbers rather thin, this being a day, which, as in previous years, parents take their families to the Mart.
Feb 19th Numbers fair. Weekly average lower than usual.

Feb 22nd Opened with fair numbers. Master had to punish some late comers.
Feb 23rd Very thin school, this being what is called the second Tuesday of the Mart.
Feb 24th Nothing to record beyond the entry of yesterday.
Feb 25th Numbers better, especially in the third and fourth classes. Work, as usual.
Feb 26th The average this week has been brought down on account of the Mart.

Feb 29th Opened with fair numbers in 1st and 2nd classes, but 3rd & 4th classes thin on account of sickness.
Mar 1st Numbers and work as usual. Nothing else to record.
Mar 2nd Numbers thin, especially in the first class, from local circumstances.
Mar 3rd Numbers better. One left for the Spring & Summer from the 1st class.
Mar 4th Weekly average, from sickness and other causes, rather low. The mornings during the past week having been unfavourable, Master has been troubled with late comers. This refers to children who live at some distance from School.

Mar 7th Opened with very fair numbers. Rector call'd in the afternoon and dismissed the School.
Mar 8th Weather so stormy, the children from a distance could not attend. Hence, work irregular.
Mar 9th Weather worse than on preceding day, only 12 present, work as before.
Mar 10th Numbers better than on two preceding days. General order of work disturbed on account of numbers so fluctuating.
Mar 11th The usual Friday work a failure on account of absentees. Weekly average considerably lower than usual.

Mar 14th School thinner than usual, some of the upper boys are withdrawn for a time to work in the fields &c.
Mar 15th First Class thin for reasons given in foregoing entry. Lower class good in number. Nothing else to record.
Mar 16th Numbers as before. Master took for Geography lesson the River system of England, in the Course of which the late catastrophe at Sheffield* was referred to. Rector call'd in the afternoon.
Mar 17th Numbers as before. Master had to caution two boys for misconduct in the Noon hour.
Mar 18th First class very thin, hence the Friday work rather dull in the upper part of the School. Weekly average very fair.
*[The greatest disaster that England had ever seen, had occurred on the previous Saturday. At midnight on 11/12th March, 700 million gallons of water burst out of the Bradfield reservoir. Eight miles downstream in Sheffield, the flood killed 270 people, destroyed some 800 homes, as well as washing away bridges and factories. See this account by Sheffield University ]

top

Mar 21st School thinner than usual. Three of the upper boys have left for the Spring & Summer.
Mar 22nd Numbers have not been so small (except on wet days) for several weeks. Many at work. Rector called in the afternoon and took the 1st Class in the Scripture lesson.
Mar 23rd Numbers slightly better than yesterday. Work, as usual.
Mar 24th Nothing particularly to record. Master had occasion to Caution two of the big boys respecting misconduct in the Noon hour.
Mar 25th Being "Good Friday", no ordinary work done. Children attended Church in the morning. No School in the afternoon.

Mar 28th School very thin. Several are gone to work in the fields.
Mar 29th Morning being so wet, numbers were unusually thin.
Mar 30th Numbers an improvement on yesterday. Rector called in the afternoon and dismissed the School.
Mar 31st Numbers as yesterday, nothing else particularly to record.
Apr 1st School very thin. The weekly average lower than any this quarter. Seed time &c being the cause of numbers falling off.

Apr 4th Numbers thin, more gone off for the summer, to work in the fields.
Apr 5th Stock fair in Lynn has taken some of the 1st class, hence numbers very thin.
Apr 6th Numbers continue to fluctuate; being seed time, boys are called away one day and attend school the next.
Apr 7th Nothing particularly to record, numbers continue thin, & work uncertain.
Apr 8th Numbers less than any previous day this week, especially in the first class. Weekly average lower than in any previous week this year. Crow scaring and other employment in the fields the sole cause.

Apr 11th Numbers thin, particularly in the 2nd class. Cause, as before stated.
Apr 12th Numbers thinner than yesterday, several called away to attend a great stock fair held in Lynn.
Apr 13th First class very thin, beside absentees at work, others off to witness the "Review" at Lynn.
Apr 14th Numbers thin. Rector call'd in the morning and dismissed the School.
Apr 15th Numbers very thin which interfered with the usual Friday work. Weekly average also low.

Apr 18th Two, who have been absent for some weeks, have returned;-Numbers however are very small.
Apr 19th As is always the case on Tuesdays, the School is very thin. Some of the elder boys attend Lynn Market.
Apr 20th Numbers better than yesterday. Rector call'd and dismissed the school
Apr 21st Numbers as yesterday. Nothing particularly to record.
Apr 22nd Numbers very small. The weekly average a slight improvement on last week.
Apr 25th Numbers very fair. The Bishop of Norwich accompanied by the Rector, Rev Freeman (Rural Dean), and Mr Wight (Churchwarden), visited the School. The Bishop briefly examined the 1st & 2nd classes in the Pentateuch and four Gospels, looked over the writing &c, and spoke to the children by way of advice. Admitted two from Tottenhill, into the seond [sic] class.
Apr 26th Numbers very fair. Master referred boys to points in Scrip: lessons suggested by the Bishop. School more in working order by reason of numbers.
Apr 27th Numbers as before. Nothing else particularly to record.
Apr 28th Numbers keep up very fair, which has given a zest to the geography and grammar lessons.
Apr 29th First class rather thin, numbers in lower classes as usual. Weekly average improved.

May 2nd Opened with very fair numbers. Re-admitted one from Middleton into the 3rd class.
May 3rd Morning being wet, several from distant part were absent.
May 4th numbers thinner than yesterday for similar reasons.
May 5th Nothing particularly to record.
May 6th Numbers very thin, and the weekly average, in consequence of wet mornings lower than the last two.

May 9th Numbers fair. Admitted one from Middleton into the fourth class. Rector call'd and dismissed the School.
May 10th School very thin, so many at Lynn market with their friends.
May 11th Numbers better than those for several weeks past. School work of an ordinary kind.
May 12th Numbers and work of an ordinary kind. Nothing else to record.
May 13th School rather thin. Weekly average very fair. School closes today, until after the Whitsun holidays.

May 23rd Opened with fair numbers. Admitted two from Middleton into the 3rd Class.
May 24th Numbers low as is usual on Tuesday. In other respects, school as usual.
May 25th Master had occasion to caution a boy for being absent without leave.
May 26th Numbers rather thin. Rev G. Ellen call'd in the afternoon, & made enquiries respecting children from his parish.
May 27th Numbers and work of an ordinary nature. Weekly average very fair.

top

May 30th Opened with very numbers [sic]. Nothing else to record.
May 31st Numbers thin. Rector received the Govt Notice & Schedules for School examination.
June 1st For some unaccountable reason, the School was very thin.
June 2nd Numbers and work as usual. Nothing particularly to record.
June 3rd Weekly average slightly better.

June 6th Numbers thin on account of Club Anniversary. Admitted one into the 2nd Class. Rector call'd and dismissed the School.
June 7th Numbers better. Re-admitted first class boy. Work not brisk in account of the heat.
June 8th Numbers fair. Rector call'd in the afternoon and examined the 1st and 2nd classes Collectively on the Pentateuch.
June 9th Numbers fair. Rector call'd in the morning and continued examination on the Pentateuch.
June 10th Numbers not so good but the weekly average above many of the preceding.

June 13th Numbers fair. Re admitted first class boy.
June 14th Ordinary School. Nothing else to record.
June 15th School very thin, on account of the Agricultural Show at Lynn.
June 16th Nothing particularly to record.
June 17th Numbers and work as usual. Weekly average slightly improved.

June 20th Numbers very fair. Re admitted one into the first class
School staff*
William N[deleted]orton Certd Teacher of the 3rd Class*
F Meyrick H.M.I*
June 21st Numbers better than on any previous day this year. School examined by Rev: J Meyrick, H.M. Inspector. Presented 26 as eligible for examination. H.M. Inspector expressed himself pleased with the Order and general attainments of the children.
June 22nd School thin. Received intimation that School treat would be given tomorrow.
June 23rd No School. Children had their annual treat.
June 24th School very thin. Many of the children who live at a distance from School, fatigued from previous day's exertion.
*[These lines written by the Inspector]

June 27th Numbers very good. Admitted five from the Infant School.
June 28th Numbers good. Rector called in the afternoon and dismissed the School.
June 29th Numbers higher than any preceding day this year, a very unusual occurrence at this time of the year, especially with the upper division.
June 30th Usual School. Nothing else particularly to record.
July 1st Numbers thin, as is usual on the Friday. Weekly average considerably improved.

July 4th Numbers very good; just now above the average for this time of the year.
July 5th Numbers thin, as is always the case on Tuesday. Many of the senior boys attend market with their parents.
July 6th Numbers better than yesterday. Nothing else to record.
July 7th Local circumstances caused numbers to be very small.
July 8th The attendance this week has been very fluctuating, which has brought down the weekly average.

July 11th Opened with smaller numbers. Several in the hay field.
July 12th Numbers thin. Rector called in the afternoon and took the first class in Reading.
July 13th Nothing beyond the ordinary routine to record.
July 14th The fine weather has called many of the children into the hay field.
July 15th Numbers very thin, and the weekly average much lower.

July 18th Numbers very thin. Several left till after the harvest holidays.
July 19th Fine weather is making employment for several of the elder boys in the hay field.
July 20th Numbers as before. Rector call'd in the afternoon & dismissed the School.
July 21st School very thin from local circumstances.
July 22nd The attendance this week has been very thin, which has considerably brought down the weekly average. Hay harvest giving employment to many, is the main Cause.

top

July 25th Numbers thin, for reasons stated in previous entries.
July 26th School and numbers as before. Rector recd H.M. Inspector's Report of the School of which the following is a Copy: - "The Schoolroom is inferior to any that I visit in the County of Norfolk or Suffolk. The walls are rough and unsuitable for maps being hung upon them. There is no ceiling nor any roof except a covering of tiles. The floor is good. The Offices are more than one hundred yards distan--- [obscured] from the Schoolroom. Furniture is very moderate. Apparatus is fair. The Schoolmaster is capable. The Order is good. The spelling of the elder boys and the Arithmetic of the younger ones require attention."
Wm H Gurney [signed, presumably to confirm accuracy of copy]
Manager
July 27th School and numbers as before. Nothing else to record.
July 28th School closed for the day.
July 29th Numbers very thin, but the weekly average higher than last week.

Aug 1st Numbers very thin, the harvest having commenced in the next village.
Aug 2nd School thin for above mentioned reason.
Aug 3rd Numbers smaller than yesterday, especially in the first class.
Aug 4th School continues thin. Nothing else of importance.
Aug 5th Numbers very thin. Weekly average brought down considerably.

Aug 8th Numbers very thin, only two in the 1st Class. Work in consequence, very tame.
Aug 9th School thinner than on preceding days, some in the gleaning field.
Aug 10th School continues falling off in numbers. Rector called in the afternoon.
Aug 11th Numbers as before. School closes for Harvest holidays. Numbers today as follows:- 1st Class, 3. 2nd Class, 4. 3rd Class, 2. &4th Class, 5.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sept 12th School opened with fair numbers. 4 in the 1st Class, 5 in the 2nd, 8 in the 3rd and 7 in the 4th.
Sept 13th Numbers as yesterday. Nothing else particularly to record.
Sept 14th Rector call'd in the morning and dismiss'd School. Numbers as before.
Sept 15th School continues thin in number. Nothing of importance to record.
Sept 16th Day very wet, hence, children from a distance not able to attend School. Weekly average very low.

top

Sept 19th Numbers fair. Admitted three into the 3rd & 4th classes.
Sept 20th Re-admitted one into the 3rd class. Numbers improved.
Sept 21st Nothing particularly to record. Numbers &c as before.
Sept 22nd First class very thin. The weather being fine, several are gathering fruit.
Sept 23rd Numbers fair, and the weekly average considerably above that of last week.

Sept 26th Admitted one into the 4th Class. Master had to caution in two cases for absence without leave.
Sept 27th Numbers better than yesterday. Nothing else to record.
Sept 28th Numbers higher than on any previous day since the re-opening.
Sept 29th Numbers keep up very well, especially in the 3rd & 4th classes.
Sept 30th Average weekly attendance above that of corresponding week of previous year.

Oct 3rd Numbers very fair. Re-admitted two who have not attended for some time before the harvest holidays.
Oct 4th Numbers thinner than yesterday. Master had to caution some late comers.
Oct 5th Numbers and School work as on previous day.
Oct 6th Numbers fair. Master had a truant case to deal with.
Oct 7th Attendance this week has been on the increase, which has slightly raised the weekly average.

Oct 10th Numbers very fair in lower classes, but the first class continues very thin.
Oct 11th The minute of yesterday will apply here.
Oct 12th School thin, several after potatoes and fruit.
Oct 13th School thin, for reasons stated in the preceding entry.
Oct 14th Field employment has slightly brought down the weekly averages.

Oct 17th Numbers on the increase. Admitted one into 1st Class from Middleton.
Oct 18th Numbers very fair. Admitted two into 1st Class from Middleton.
Oct 19th Numbers as before. Nothing else of importance.
Oct 20th Master had to detain late comers. Nothing else to record.
Oct 21st The weekly average better than any preceding since the holidays.

Oct 24th Weather being fine, several after potatoes &c, hence numbers thin especially in upper classes.
Oct 25th Numbers thin for reason above given. Nothing else of importance to record.
Oct 26th Master informed the Children of their Annual dinner at the Hall.
Oct 27th No School. Boys had their Annual dinner at the Hall.
Oct 28th Numbers very thin. Weekly average below two preceding weeks.

Oct 31st Numbers thin, admitted two from Middleton into fourth Class.
Nov 1st Very thin, so many getting in potatoes &c.
Nov 2nd Nothing particularly to record.
Nov 3rd Numbers thinner than on any preceding day this week. Outdoor work the Cause.
Nov 4th The thin attendance has considerably brought down the weekly average.

Nov 7th Attendance higher, but first class below numbers on the Registar. [sic]
Nov 8th Nothing particularly to record.
Nov 9th Attendances better than on two preceding days. Master had to caution some of the smaller Children for disobedience in the Noon hour.
Nov 10th Numbers and work of an ordinary kind. Nothing else to record.
Nov 11th Numbers thin and the weekly average below preceding weeks.

top

Nov 14th Numbers improved. Admitted two, one from West Winch and the other from Middleton.
Nov 15th Several absent (as is usual on Tuesday) to attend Market &c.
Nov 16th Numbers fair. Nothing else particularly to record.
Nov 17th Numbers good. Rector call'd and dismissed the School.
Nov 18th The attendance this week has been very fair, which has raised the weekly average.

Nov 21st Numbers higher than on any preceding day since the Harvest holidays.
Nov 22nd Numbers very fair. Afternoon being dull, Master dismissed boys earlier, who live at a distance from School.
Nov 23rd Nothing particularly to record, except that increase in numbers gives a greater zest for work.
Nov 24th Morning was so wet, that only the village boys were present.
Nov 25th Numbers better than is generally on Friday. Weekly average fair.

Nov 28th Numbers very fair. Boys who live a great distance from School, dismiss'd early on account of weather.
Nov 29th Nothing particularly to record.
Nov 30th Numbers fair. Day so dull, and weather so wet, the School met earlier in the afternoon for the benefit of boys who live at a distance from School.
Dec 1st Nothing particularly to record.
Dec 2nd Weekly average above that of preceding weeks.

Dec 5th Opened with very fair numbers. Rector call'd and dismissed the School.
Dec 6th Nothing particularly to record.
Dec 7th Numbers very fair. First class better in number than many previous weeks.
Dec 8th Numbers thin. Wet morning prevented the more distant boys attending school.
Dec 9th First class very thin. Weekly average below that of previous week.

Dec 12th Numbers higher than on any previous day this year.
Dec 13th Day so dull, that in the afternoon Master was obliged to change the ordinary to an Oral lesson.
Dec 14th Numbers keep up; Nothing else to record.
Dec 15th First class good in numbers. Some absent in lower division on account of weather.
Dec 16th The weekly average higher than any preceding week this year.

Dec 19th Opened with very fair numbers. School ordinary progress.
Dec 20th Morning so wet, kept those from School living at a distance.
Dec 21st Nothing particularly to record; the School closed for Xtmas [sic] holidays.

Jan 2nd Numbers very fair. Admitted one from Tottenhill and one from Infant School.
Jan 3rd Weather kept several from School who live at a great distance.
Jan 4th Numbers better than previous day, but 1st class very thin.
Jan 5th Numbers fair. Master had to Caution several late-comers from Tottenhill and Middleton.
Jan 6th Numbers thin, especially in the 1st Class, which has been during the week.

Jan 9th Numbers very fair. Admitted two into the 3rd & 4th classes. Rector call'd and dismissed the School.
Jan 10th Numbers very good. Admitted one from Wormegay into the 3rd Class.
Jan 11th Numbers as before. Nothing else of importance to record.
Jan 12th Numbers and work of an ordinary Kind.
Jan 13th The weekly average Considerably above that of the two preceding weeks.

top

Jan 16th Numbers very good. Nothing else to record.
Jan 17th Weather kept the lesser boys who live at a distance, from School.
Jan 18th Numbers very good, especially in the lower classes.
Jan 19th Nothing of importance to record
Jan 20th Weekly attendance and average better than usual.

Jan 23rd Numbers thinner than usual; several of the smaller boys who live at a distance from School, kept at home on account of the severe weather.
Jan 24th Numbers better than yesterday. Nothing else to record.
Jan 25th Numbers fair. Rector call'd in the afternoon & dismissed the School.
Jan 26th Nothing particularly to record.
Jan 27th The weather so rough, that only the village Children in attendance. This has considerably brought down the weekly average.

Jan 30th Numbers very thin on account of the weather.
Jan 31st Numbers improved, but several of the lesser children absent on account of the weather.
Feb 1st Numbers below the average: Cause as stated in the two preceding entries.
Feb 2nd Nothing beyond the above to record.
Feb 3rd Numbers thin. The weekly average is considerably lower than in preceding weeks, on account of the weather.

Feb 6th Opened thin School on account of the weather.
Feb 7th Nothing particularly to record.
Feb 8th Numbers and working of School of an ordinary Kind.
Feb 9th Rector call'd in the morning. Nothing else to record.
Feb 10th Numbers thin especially in the 1st Class. Weekly average lower than usual.

Feb 13th Numbers very thin on account of the weather.
Feb 14th Being Valentine's Day, several children from School, after the Custom of the Neighbourhood.
Feb 15th Rector look'd in in the afternoon. Numbers &c as before.
Feb 16th Numbers & work as ordinarily.
Feb 17th The weather was so bad, that none from other villages could attend, and only five village children were present.

Feb 20th Numbers not good on account of the weather. Admitted one from Wormegay.
Feb 21st School very thin: several gone to Lynn Mart.
Feb 22nd Numbers continue very thin, as is always the Case during the Mart.
Feb 23rd Numbers and work of an ordinary Kind.
Feb 24th Weather so wet, that none who live out of the parish present, and only 8 village children.

Feb 27th Opened with small number, on account of the weather.
Feb 28th Numbers better, but weather and roads are hindrances to the attendance of smaller children.
Mar 1st Being "Ash Wednesday", school left off work at 1/4 11.a.m. and attended Divine Service. School closed in the afternoon.
Mar 2nd Morning so very wet, that few of those who live at a great distance from school were present.
Mar 3rd Numbers better than on previous day, but the weather has seriously effected [sic] the weekly average.

top