Mildred
Anna Fradd and her cousin Emily Fradd were both born about 1885 in St. Merryn,
Cornwall, England. School records have them both attending St Merryn (Elementary)
School in 1892 and 1895
The
elementary schools
- catered for children up to
15 years of age;
- were for the working class;
- provided a restricted
curriculum with the emphasis almost exclusively on the '3Rs' (reading,
writing and 'rithmetic);
- pursued other, less clearly
defined aims, including social-disciplinary objectives (acceptance of the
teacher's authority, the need for punctuality, obedience, conformity etc.);
- operated the 'monitorial'
system, whereby a teacher supervised a large class with assistance from a
team of monitors (usually older pupils).
1870 – Elementary Education Act.
This Act stipulated that
elementary schools were to be established in areas where they didn’t already
exist. Elementary schools provided education for children between the ages of
five and 13 years. A fee of about 2d a week was usually charged, which many
families could not afford, especially as sending a child to school meant they
could not go to work and contribute to the family’s income.
1880 – Elementary Education Act.
Elementary education was made
compulsory for children aged five to 10 but fees could still be charged.
1891 – Elementary Education Act.
Elementary education became free
for children up to the age of 11.
1893 – Elementary Education Act.
The school leaving age was raised
to 11 years.
1899 – Elementary Education Act.
The school leaving age was raised
to 12 years.
St. Merryn was a mixed boy’s
school where both girls and boys were instructed by a Master. Drawing was
instructed three times a week and Plain Needlework and Cutting Out was
instructed twice a week. Singing ‘by ear’
was also taught.
In 1895, Millie and Emily were
both examined and passed in Reading,
Writing and Arithmetic.
School Record 1895
“I certify that the
children whose names remain uncancelled on the above Schedule, and have no
cypher set against them in any sub-division of column III, have reached the
Standards set against their names in column V.”
Given under my hand
this 4th day of July 1895R Barnes Sub Inspector of Schools.
Schools receiving money from the
government were required to keep a daily log of school events so that
inspectors could check that public money was being well spent. They included
information about attendance and reasons for absence, visits from inspectors,
special occasions, school closures and appointments of new staff.
Transcribed below are the
findings of one such inspector at St. Merryn School attended by Mildred (or
Millie) and Emily Fradd in 1895 where the average school attendance for each day
was 49; equally divided between boys and girls.
Whitehall, London, S.W.
24th July 1895
St Merryn Board
W County of
CornwallNo.22323
Rev Sir,
The Report of Her
Majesty’s Inspector upon this school has been examined, and payment of the
Grant allowed, according to the following Schedule (over), will be made in the
course of a few days.
Their Lordships’
decision as to the amount of the Grants to be paid, the Report of Her Majesty’s
Inspector, and any remarks contained in this Form, should be at once
communicated to the Managers, and to all persons whom they may concern.
If the Grants
allowed are found, upon audit, to involve over-payment the excess, if not
sooner repaid, will be stopped from the next year’s Grant.
You are requested, unless
there are special circumstances to explain, not to write any letter in reply to
this present communication between the receipt of it and the arrival of the
payment.
I
have the honour to be,
Rev.
Sir,Your obedient Servant,
G.W. Keperick
To
The Rev E. OliveySt Merryn Vicarage,
Padstow RSO
Cornwall.
Summary of the Inspector’s Report on the School and Remarks (If Any) To Be Made
“The past year was an exceptionally trying one to Mr Roach. The condition of the school, however, continues highly satisfactory. The children are very attentive and well-behaved, and the bulk of their work in the elementary subjects both in the infants’ class and in the standards reflects great credit upon the teaching. Arithmetic in the fourth and sixth standards and Grammar in the fourth standard are not up to the general level of efficiency; but on the whole the quality of the work shows a decided advance for the year. A Map of the British Colonies is needed. The requirements of last year’s Report have received attention. ”A. Strongmans’ (Pupil teacher) papers, except in Arithmetic are weak.
Summary
of the Inspector’s Report on the School and Remarks (If Any) To Be Made
“The average attendance is barely sixty per cent of the number on the books.
The order, tone and instruction of the school are remarkably good under the circumstances.
On the whole the work in the elementary subjects both in the standards and in the infants’ class is up to last years’ level; but handwriting in the upper standards, spelling in the fourth standard, composition in the sixth standard and arithmetic in the fourth and sixth standards need further improvement.
Recitation, grammar and geography are taught with praiseworthy success, and needlework is well done. The registers are not properly tested by the board. A blackboard and slates lined for infants drawing and a suitable table or cupboard for the garments prepared during the year are required.”
The registers must be tested on behalf of the board at least once a quarter, at irregular intervals, as required by paragraph 6 of the circular on registration Appendix II of the revised instructions to St Merryn. Attention is requested to article 85 (d). The board should take immediate steps to secure the regular attendance of the scholars.
J. Wherry is continued under Article 68.”
Vacation or School holidays were
allowed to be given between July the 3rd and 13th for the
Feast, August 19th until September 14th for the Harvest,
and December 23rd until January the 11th for Christmas.
No comments:
Post a Comment