Armitage School Logbook 1917

The transcript below is taken from Armitage Senior School for 1917 – the building at the top of Church Lane. It was written by G.H. Neville, Headmaster. It shows that the school year started in April and that the summer holidays were taken for the hay harvest and for the corn harvest – the School Managers decided the exact dates on the basis of when the local hay and corn were ready for harvesting. In 1917 the village had outbreaks of whooping cough, chicken pox and measles which meant that the school closed down for four weeks at one point. Where it seemed appropriate I have added notes in brackets [].

School logbook 1917

8^th Jan            School re-opened today. The attendance is poor owing to bad weather and, as I hear, the presence of whooping cough and chicken pox in the village.

10^th Jan          Received a p.c. [postcard] from Miss Boult, S.A.O. [ School Attendance Officer?] at Heatley, saying she had broken her leg and would not be able to attend to her duties.

Average for week 115.7

15^th Jan          I have been verifying reported infectious cases & today sent a list of suspected cases to Local M.O.H. [Ministry of Health]

16^th Jan          The Infants Dept. was closed this day for four weeks under order of M.O.H. I have rearranged the positions of classes. Miss Walker will continue with Std. II until a new teacher is obtained.

Average for week 111.5

19^th Jan to 22^nd Jan            I interviewed Mr. E.H. Phillips with regard to supplying manure for School garden. He agreed to supply a good load & a half for ten shillings.

23^rd Jan          Mr. Phillips delivered the manure – very good material & good value in my opinion.

26^th Jan          Several more cases of chicken pox and whooping cough have been reported and the attendance in consequence is lower than it has been since I have been in charge.

Average for week 106.4

29^th Jan          At opening school this morning there were only 71% of children present. I deferred marking register & after consulting the Rector (Correspondent & Chairman of Managers) I went to P.O. [Post Office] and telephoned Dr. Tomkys M.O.H. for the District. He advised reference to School M.O. at Stafford. Registers were marked and closed at 9.45 a.m. I have written to Stafford explaining the circumstances.

2^nd Feb           The attendance has steadily declined during the week. It is so bad this morning that the Rector wired Stafford again. In the dinner hour a telegram was received from Mr. Balfour closing the school for four weeks.

Average for week 90.4

5^th Mar          Re-opened school this morning – there has been a good fall of snow in the night. At 9.20 a.m. there were 78 children present (133 on books but 3 have left during closure & so I calculated on 130). In accordance with instructions I telephoned the percentage to Stafford – 60 per cent. Two boys came later – percentage 61.5. Under the inclement weather rule I decided not to mark the registers until I heard from Stafford. I received a wire with instructions to remain open for the week. Registers were at once marked.

6^th Mar          I received a letter confirming telegrams and instructing me to report at week-end.

9^th Mar          Percentage 72. Report to Stafford.

Average for week 96.2

12^th Mar        During week-end I personally reported to Mr. Stoney that seeds had not arrived. He informed me that there was a delay but seedsman said they would be sent off in a few days. I did not therefore report to Stafford as per card.

16^th Mar        We were able to get in the garden today & got in a very good start with planting.

Average for week 112.6

20^th Mar        S.A.O. called and took list of absentees.

22^nd Mar       Received seeds for School garden from Leightons Newcastle.

23^rd Mar        Received a p.c. from L.E.A. [Local education Authority] to say that a parcel of books as nucleus of School Library had been despatched.

26^th Mar        As I shall be finalising examinations this week I shall find it necessary to make some slight alterations in the Time Table. The Rector (Correspondent) brought a notice from Rev. W.V. Chilwell asst Diocesan Inspector to say date fixed for Scripture examination was Thursday 13^th April. After reading the notice I posted it up. Also Circular 13/1917 (maintenance) the allowance being fixed at £19 11s 9d which as we are practicing the strictest economy will be more then sufficient.

29^th Mar        Received 21 books as nucleus of school library – in good condition. C.D. Forth Esq. H.M.I. after visiting at Infts. Dept. came in at 2.15 p.m. He advised that Miss Lyversage should continue teaching Std I and suggested a system of dual marking of English work which seems to have much to recommend it. I shall give it a good trial.

Average for week 119.0

2^nd April         Opening of new school year. There was a very deep snow, but thawing fast. Only 42% of children arrived & so registers were not marked. 14 boys & 13 girls arrived from Infts. Dept. in the afternoon. Miss Lyversage I and Miss walker II is the arrangement for the lower classes.

6^th April         School closed for Easter Holiday

16^th April       Re-opened after holiday. Good attendance & most of sickness now disappeared. I admitted 5 children who had been attending at the little private school of the late Miss Harvey at Ridware.

17^th April       As we are behind with the garden, and there is extra work to do, I seized the opportunity of a very fine day and took the boys in the garden.

19^th Apr         Registers not marked today – Scripture Exam. Rev W.V. Chilwell of Kings Bromley inspected.

Average for week 152.7

24^th April       The Rector brought the Rept. Of Scripture Exam.

Copy               Lichfield Diocese, Armitage C.E. School

Examined Thurs. 19^th April 1917

The Religious Instruction in this school is good & it is evident that the teachers take much care to make it as interesting as possible. The children’s answers were good and the written work was well done. The Head Master is to be congratulated  on his excellent Scheme of Work for the subjects taught. The general tone of the school is all that one could desire.

W.V. Chilwell, Deputy Diocesan Inspector

Schemes of work are prepared on similar lines for the coming Scripture year

27^th Apr         Have had boys in the garden two days again this week & we are now fairly up-to-date with the planting.

Average for week 148.6

1^st May          The Rector sent in a letter from Stafford asking me to arrange for Miss Walker to attend Lichfield on Mondays during the coming term

Average for week 148.7

3^rd May          Mr. Gardner called and left the salaries. As Miss Walker is attending Lichfield on Mondays the temporary alteration of the Time-Table is cancelled and it will now operate exactly as shown

Friday 4^th May         I was out of school for a considerable time this morning. At about 10.40 a.m. Mrs [Hannah] Grimley called me out and I found that old Mr. Henney lying by the wall outside the playground with his face very badly cut. Apparently the old man who is nearly blind had walked into the buttress. I got him down to Mr. Clarke & stayed while the wound was stitched and dressed. Returned to school at 11.45 a.m.

28^th May       Whit Monday – School closed all day

29^th May       Re-opened school – S.A.O. called

1^st June          C.H. Oldham Esq (Board of Agriculture) called at school & asked to see the school-garden. He appeared very interested in various experiments & took some specimens for use of Food Economy Committee.

8^th June         Average for week 148.4

13^th June       J. Stoney Esq (Agri) Horticulture Instructor called at school in the morning. We visited the garden & I pointed out both successes and failures with my reasons. Mr. Stoney coincided and made a few suggestions.

15^th June       Average for week 148.8

17^th June       Rector handed me a p.c. from Stafford granting a half-holiday to celebrate the knighting of the Director – holiday for aft. Of Friday 22^nd June.

18^th June       Rector & Mr. Ottewell thought, as farmers were beginning to cut their grass, hay-harvest holidays should be taken forthwith. Mr. Gardner in reply toa note from me agreed and cards were despatched to Stafford & H.M.I. informing them that school would be closed at noon on Friday 22^nd June for three weeks.

22^nd June       Closed school at mid-day till Monday 16^th July

Average for week 147.2

16^th July         Re-opened school – good attendance. Miss Walker still attending at Lichfield High Scl. on Mondays.

17^th July         S.A.O. called in the morning

18^th July         Miss Walker absent – attending Senior Local exam: at Tamworth for purpose of qualifying in History.

20^th July         Miss Porter informed me that she had applied for a post as Cert. Asst. in Liverpool in order to be nearer home.

Average for week 139.3

21^st July         Miss Porter informed me that she had been successful in her application & was resigning.

27^th July         Miss Boult S.A.O. called twice during the week. Miss White, Cookery Instructress, called to see me and said classes would recommence in September. Miss Porter was absent today having obtained permission from the Managers to go to see her youngest brother home on leave from France & whom she had not seen for over two years.

Average for week 140.2

30^th July         The Rector came in and informed me that schools might be closed for Aug. Bank Holiday and cards to HMI and Stafford were sent.

3^rd Aug.          Miss Boult called & told me she would be having three weeks holiday.

Average for week 140.1

6^th Aug.          School closed for Aug. Bank Holiday

7^th Aug.          Miss Porter’s sister came to school and informed me that her sister was too ill to come to school. She had received news that the gentleman to whom she was engaged had been killed in France. I informed the Rector and he called at school & went to visit Miss P.

10^th Aug.       For the greater part of the week I have been taking Terminal Exams for the 1^st Term. The Managers had a meeting and decided to close the school for corn harvest for three weeks as from 17^th Aug. The Rector told me that he had informed Stafford.

Average for week 138.5

17^th Aug.       Miss Porter finished her engagement here today. The schools were closed for three weeks.

Average for week 137.1

10^th Sept.      Schools were re-opened this morning. Miss Maude Saville Buckley Trained Cert. Teacher No.    (Miss B. not superannuated & therefore has no number) commenced duties here this morning replacing Miss Porter. During the holidays I heard of several cases of measles in the village & so I had asked Miss Boult to come on Monday morning if possible. There were thirteen cases in this school & a good number in the Inft’s Dept. Miss Boult arrived later, took my list & called later with a verification of same. I notified M.O.H. by evening post.

12^th Sept.      Miss Boult called again and asked for a report at the week-end of the number of cases of measles.

14^th Sept.      We were able to go to the garden and begin clearing up for the winter. Mr. T.W. Morecroft Armitage Brickworks has promised me some loads of clay for the garden. I hope to effect a considerable improvement with it. Miss White (Cookery Instructress) called before 9.30 a.m. I had a three-term class ready for her. She approved of them & accepted them as a class (10). She asked for some vegetables and I supplied her with potatoes, carrots and onions. Later I sent about 20 lbs. of potatoes to the Cookery Centre. Miss White called & offered to pay but I refused to allow it as I am of the opinion that where possible school-garden produce should supply the cookery classes & if there is any advantage let it be for the girls of the class.

Average for the week 129.9

17^th Sept.      There are several cases of measles reported this morning.

18^th Sept.      Miss Boult called & later returned having verified reported cases of measles.

19^th Sept.      Mr. A. Moffat, Horticultural Representative for this district under Food Production Committee called this afternoon. I gave him the information he desired.

21^st Sept.      Attendance has improved slightly.

Average for the week 121.1

27^th Sept.      The Rector (Correspondent) visited the school this morning.

28^th Sept.      Attendance shows further improvement

Average for week 129.3

29^th Sept.      (Saturday) Mr. E.W. Walker called at my home with a certificate showing that his daughter Miss A.N.P. Walker – Asst. Teacher here – had passed in History at the Oxford Senior Exam. In July last. As Stafford had been informed that she had failed I wired the Director at once.

3^rd Oct.          Miss Reeds (District Nurse) called and asked if she might examine the heads of the girls. I gave permission. Later she asked me to exclude G H of Tuppenhurst Lane for one afternoon. I examined the child’s head, at the request of the Nurse & agreed that the exclusion was necessary. I sent officially to warn Mrs. H. that immediate attention must be given to the child’s head. Nurse Reeds also sent her official notice.

4^th Oct.          Nurse Reeds called again & examined G.H. declaring that there was a wonderful improvement & said the mother must have worked very hard.

5^th Oct.          Rector called this morning & left Miss Walker’s agreement. The children have been remarkably successful in the collection of horse-chestnuts for munitions [see note after the logbook]. The attendance is much improved.

Average for week 130.9

9^th Oct.          Attendance officer called this morning.

12^th Oct         Attendance for week 135.2

15^th Oct.        Rector brought a circular re closing schools earlier for the winter months and said the Managers agreed with L.E.A.’s suggestion that school should open for afternoon school at 1.30 p.m. & close at 3.40 p.m. Attendance officer called on Wednesday.

19^th Oct.        Average for week 134.8

22^nd Oct.       We commenced the new time for afternoon school today i.e. 1.30 p.m. to 3.40 p.m. The alteration on the Time Table consists in the dropping out entirely of the short lessons (3.10 to 3.30) arranged for all classes & taking one lesson only after play. The Rector brought the necessary forms for Annual returns 9E etc.

25^th Oct.        In accordance with instruction re the monthly circular school closes this afternoon for mid-term break (Friday & Monday holiday).

Average for week 131.1

30^th Oct.        School re-opened this morning. There are still a considerable no. of children away through illness – school attendance officer called & I asked her to verify several cases.

1^st Nov.          Rev. E. Samson (Rector) visited the school this morning.

2^nd Nov.         Average for week 129.2

6^th Nov.          Returned 9E and all other necessary forms completed to correspondent this morning after obtaining signatures of Managers.

9^th Nov.          Took the new garden class to the garden & organised a collection & leaves & sweeping which I hope will prove beneficial to the very light soil of the school garden.

Average for week 131.4

12^th Nov.       School was visited today by C.D. Forth Esq. H.M.I. who arrived about 11 a.m. and stayed till the close of afternoon school. He expressed his pleasure at the work of the upper class in mensuration [the part of geometry concerned with ascertaining lengths, areas, and volumes] and made a few suggestions which I shall try.

13^th Nov.       Rector called this morning.

16^th Nov.       Average for week 128.9

19^th Nov.       I have decided to relieve Miss Buckley of Std. IV until end of school year and so have taken charge of Stds. IV, V and VI. Miss Buckley having III, Miss Walker II & Miss Lyversage I. The three lower classes to use the classroom and other positions in rotation – the order being 3,1,2.

23^rd Nov.       Average for week 130.6

26^th Nov.       Miss Buckley arrived at school this morning in an obviously fit state for her work being scarcely able to get along, most evidently too ill for duty. I advised her to see a doctor at once & sent a big girl with her to Mr. Clarke, who said she might not be back at school.

27^th Nov.       Miss Buckley was absent this morning but came in this afternoon to superintend the sewing of the upper classes.

30^th Nov.       Average for week 123.4. Despatched monthly card to S.A.O.

3^rd Dec.          Received a certificate this morning stating that Miss Walker is suffering from measles. I am forwarding the Cert. to Stafford. Owing to re-grouping of classes in consequence it will be necessary to make some slight alterations in the Time-Table, but not sufficient to make it necessary to get a temporary one. Average for week.

12^th Dec.       Received small extra stock from M.E. Co. all in order as per invoice. Std. I readers still reprinting. Average for week.

18^th Dec.       Handed in my resignation as Head Teacher of this school to a Managers Meeting held at the Lodge.

19^th Dec.       Received an authority to close on Thurs. 20^th Dec. instead of Friday 21^st.

20^th Dec.       Mr. H.W. Gardner brought salaries together with the extra block payment authorised.

21^st Dec.        School closed for Christmas holidays. Average for week.

Note.

Cordite was used to make smokeless explosives and it requires a solvent called acetone. In 1915 Chaim Weizmann, a research chemist at the University of Manchester who would later become President of Israel, discovered a bacterium that could produce acetone from maize, which was full of starch. Maize however was all imported and by 1917 the German U-boats threatened the ships that carried the maize and an alternative source of starch was required.

In the autumn of 1917 notices were pinned to classroom walls throughout the UK asking children to collect horse chestnuts and acorns, with the headline ‘THIS COLLECTION IS INVALUABLE WAR WORK AND IS VERY URGENT. For their efforts, children earned 7s 6d for every hundred weight (roughly 50kg) of conkers they handed in. Acetone was produced from this, though problems with shell removal made the wider use of conkers as a starch impractical. The school logbook makes no reference to the children being paid so the school probably donated the conkers for the war effort. No doubt outside of school kids and probably their families roamed throughout the surrounding area looking for conkers and acorns.  The national conker collection resulted in the manufacture of 20,000 tons of explosives.