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All the teaching took place in one room and the pupils were divided by age into 'Infants' and 'Seniors'. The Seniors were further divided into seven Standards, with children of six years of age being in Standard I, ranging upwards to Standard VII for twelve years old. Each Standard had its own curriculum so that there would be about 5 or 6 pupils in each Standard being taught a subject and each at a different stage from the rest of the school.
During all the time the school was open the current Headmistress did all the teaching with help at times from monitresses, pupil teachers and auxiliary teachers. The monitress was usually a girl from the senior class whose sole responsibility was teaching the infant class. She was paid a small salary. The first scholar on the admission register was Sarah Ann Pople, aged 15. As she was above school age she was probably a monitress although no mention is made of her in the school log. She left just before her sixteenth birthday to go into domestic service. Pupil teachers and auxiliary teachers were working towards their 'certificate' that would enable them to take up a more senior position at another school. It was part of the Head Mistress's job to train them.
The main subjects in the curriculum were reading, writing, arithmetic, geography and history. In addition the children were given an 'object' lesson when the teacher either produced a natural or man-made object, or a picture of a subject which was examined and discussed by the children. In 1896 the list of objects to be studied was Cat, Cow, Horse, Sheep, Wool, Birds, A Fish, Insects, Butterfly, Silkworm, Oak, Elm, Apple, Potato, Wheat, Sugar, Bread, Butter, Plant (parts of), Tea, Fruits, Coal, Salt, Iron, Brick, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.
The Infants were taught to thread beads and weave mats. They drew pictures on their slates and traced letters in trays of sand. Needlework was taught to the girls and drawing to the boys. The girls worked on their knitting and needlework 'specimens' during the school year. A needlework inspectress who visited the school once a year then examined the worked specimens. On the morning that the boys took their annual drawing examination the girls had a holiday and the boys were given the afternoon off.
Singing and recitation was also part of the school day and the whole school often sang or recited to the numerous visitors. Many songs were taught, the best known being 'Rule Britannia' and 'Home Sweet Home'.
The school was inspected once a year and the pupils tested on their academic abilities. Most of the time the pupils seemed to be of average ability. The girl's needlework was often praised, but arithmetic and spelling were often described as 'weak'.
Religious knowledge was also taught and from 1902 the school was inspected once a year. All the school was examined on the Old Testament, New Testament, Catechism, Scripture, Hymns, and collects. At nearly every examination the results were 'very good' or 'excellent', and on 6 October 1911 the following report was made -
This tiny school maintains its good reputation. The children are bright and intelligent and they are being thoroughly well taught. The knowledge of the bible subjects is capital and the written work well done. J.G. Marshall Diocesan Inspector
In a later report the inspector commented -
There is a very good and happy atmosphere and the children are like a big party - I enjoyed my visit.
G.A. Beechey
Assistant Diocesan Inspector. 8.11.1937
A few group photographs of school pupils can be found in the picture gallery section.
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