A Chiltern Village SchoolAgainst all Odds1850-1930 by Joan West The story of Lacey Green School, Buckinghamshire. |
|
It is available from selected local bookshops or direct from the author. |
|
| And now just a taste... | |
|
My idea was to write about the school, but found the teacher's log and Inspectors' reports told the story by themselves. I have resisted the temptation to add my own thoughts. "Step back with me and be caught up in the struggle to climb the educational ladder". Feel for the teacher who asks "How can I teach 60 children in one small classroom all on my own, with ages from three to fourteen. Some children walk over two miles to school. They arrive soaking wet but there is nowhere to hang their things let alone dry them. It is cold and dark. How can we succeed?" But this is a success story. It is social history. You will have to imagine the curriculum, heavy on religion. Although this is about Lacey Green it could be any little village.
Joan West 2000
|
1874
April 17th. Commenced duties on Monday morning with 37 children. Found them fair in reading and spelling but deficient in writing, arithmetic, tables, scriptures and catechism. 12 children admitted during the week.
July 10th. Two girls under 8 at home all week making lace. July 17th. Only 11 children present at half past nine. In consequence very little progress made. Three children returned who have been absent several weeks, very dull and ignorant.
June 1st. Half holiday given on Thursday on account of a tea given to Temperence children on Whiteleaf Cross. Cecil Dell behaved much better this week. June 8th. Fourth standard worked on their sums more carefully. Several boys punished for being late. June 14th. Michael Causey and Albert Anderton punished for being late. Attendance good. June 29th. Several of class 1 boys absent haymaking. Gave A.Eggerton the cane for disobedience. Ernest Hickman and Joe Stevens played truant after play on Friday. Michael Causey did his writing very nicely in his copy book. average attendance 65.
January 26th. The paint on the walls has greatly improved and added to the comfort of the room. A new blank map of England has been procured which is found to be very useful in geography lessons. the two new desks have come and are a great boon. February 10th. This being Shrove Tuesday I gave half holiday and took all the children for a nice walk.
February 19th. Attendance very poor. Children away with severe colds. Many present coughing most of the day. Teaching has been quite difficult. A very wet day.
In the afternoon the children went to the field at the back of the school, kindly lent by Mr W.Saunders of Stocken Farm, and played National Games with their teachers. Returning to school for prayers and dismissal.
|
May 11th. Cecil Dell and Michael Causey punished for stubbornness. Average attendance 70.
January 14th. Joseph Clark and Alfred Darvill, being naturally dull children, I thought it advisable to retain them another year in the same standard as last. With this in view I have consulted the parents of both and they entirely concur and think it will be to the benefit of the children.
January 30th. No coals arrived. With permission of the vicar the children were sent home.
May 23rd. Empire Day. Vicar invited the scholars into his garden where they sang songs, recited and listened to the piano which he kindly played for them. After a few remarks on the duties of patriotism, they assembled in front of the house, sang the National Anthem and gave cheers for the King and the Vicar.
|
A Chiltern Village School
is stocked by several bookshops in the locality.
The author, Joan West, can be contacted by
email
, or telephone on 01844 275591, and would be interested to hear from anyone with recollections of the School or the Lacey Green area.
She can also supply the book direct at £12.50, inclusive of post and packing in the UK, with the postage to other destinations being subject to application.
|