Log books record early school history

Two log books which were kept by the headmasters of our local primary and secondary schools still exist, the first dating from July 1877 when the school opened until December 1904 and the second from January 1905 until June 1989.

The entries begin with the opening of the Star Lane Board School in Star Lane, now Abbey Road, following the appointment of John Derry as headmaster and his very first entry dated 2nd July 1877 reads:

"I opened the Star Lane Board School this morning. The staff at starting consists of myself and three monitors for the boys' department. These monitors are desirous of becoming pupil teachers. Their names are Arthur Smith, Harry Smith and Frederick Warren. We admitted 36 boys today who were distributed as follows: Standard III - 6; Standard II - 6; Standard I - 24. Of these 24, as many as ten, although over seven years of age did not know their letters and nine could not tell that 2 and 1 make three."

Within a month, the school roll had reached 96 and as the school closed for the summer holidays on August 17th, the log book recorded:

"Broke up at the close of the morning's work for a month's holiday. The work hitherto has been fairly satisfactory. Order not very good, boys being restless and talkative but no disobedience or wilful disorder. Have worked on the mark system. Gave to Story and to Franks books as reward for obtaining highest number of marks."

From these early beginnings stemmed the primary and secondary education system we have in Bourne today. The log books cover a total of 112 years and record the daily life of the school, the trials and tribulations of teaching and of truancy, of success and of failure, the effects of war and of the transition through the various educational changes during two centuries and the dedicated staff who supervised them.

These records also give a great deal of information about elementary education in late Victorian and Edwardian times and also provide glimpses of community life in Bourne in those days before the Great War of 1914-18. The entries are so detailed concerning children's attendance at school, a matter demanding scrupulous and consistent attention in those early days of state education, that they also provide a potted history of bad weather and widespread illness.

We cannot be certain who wrote all of the entries because the handwriting differs but the majority must have been the work of either the headmaster of the boys' school or the headmistress of the girls' school, or their deputies. However, following the appointment of Joseph J Davies as headmaster of the boys' school on 7th May 1887, it is an easy task to identify his distinctive copperplate handwriting and the erudite entries which chronicled his time in office for the next 33 years. His entry for that first day on 9th May 1887 reports: "I commenced duties in this school this morning. J L Bell, clerk, called this morning and showed me a communication from the Department about irregular attendance. I have commenced inquiries into the reasons of  absence of irregular boys."

Mr Davies was to discover in the years to come that absenteeism was one of the main problems at the school and for a variety of reasons.

In one January week of 1878, bad, stormy weather had caused fluctuating attendance with a "very low" figure on the Friday. A year later, "very deep snow" resulted in only 55 girls turning up out of a total of 120 and on 11th February 1900 "the terrible snowstorm has pulled the attendance down". On a July day in 1901, heavy rain flooded the streets, the school closed in the afternoon and the children were taken home in vans. The very wet weather which caused serious flooding in Bourne South Fen at the end of 1910 prevented "the fen boys from attending" on December 9th. There was a recurrence of these conditions in 1911 which led to further serious flooding of the fens and in November 1912, there are numerous daily entries of  "a pouring wet morning", "pouring wet today" and "weather still inclement".

Further bad weather in 1920 brought problems and the log book recorded on March 15th:

"Most inclement afternoon after continuous snowstorm in the morning. Only 101 present out of 204; most of the boys were very wet, I do not consider it safe to keep them a full session. I therefore, after consultation with girls' and infants' mistresses, have dismissed them at 3 pm without marking registers."

Illness and epidemics are also well documented in the records because outbreaks of various infections occurred frequently while coughs and colds were a constant problem. On 27th February 1891, 60 children were absent with mumps and in 1897, the school was compelled to close for a fortnight because of measles. Whooping cough also brought periodic attendance problems, as did many diseases which are now rare, and on 23rd June 1891, the log book recorded: "During the past three weeks, influenza has been very prevalent in Bourne. The board therefore decided to close the school (under the doctor's advice) for a further period of 14 days, as a preventive measure."

On 13th June 1892, the log book records an attendance of 180 pupils but "in the afternoon several children were sent home through illness" and on June 17th, the entry reads: "More were absent on Tuesday morning. I made close inquiries and found that the children were suffering from measles. On Wednesday there were 150 present and on Friday 135. Acting upon the advice of the Medical Officer, I have sent home all children in families affected with the complaint." Attendance continued to decline and on June 23rd came the entry: "Attendance so wretched that I dismissed children in the afternoon" and on June 27th: "School closed by order of the Medical Officer of Health for three weeks. At the expiration of this period, an order was received to close the school for two weeks, making five weeks in all."

In March 1893, even smallpox is mentioned in the log book, accounting for the absence of certain children, especially those from the Bourne Union, or workhouse. This entry is not surprising, as an outbreak of infectious disease at that time was strongly suspected by the Board of Guardians to be one of smallpox but the  Medical Officer of Health did not confirm this and a heated exchange of letters between the workhouse authorities and the Local Government Board failed to establish beyond any doubt whether the disease had or had not been smallpox. Another outbreak was suspected in 1928, although not confirmed, because the log book entry reads: "I have heard unofficially that there are 2 or 3 cases of smallpox in the workhouse. The children from the workhouse are absent from school this afternoon."

Diphtheria was also among the most serious illnesses to affect schools at that time because it was so infections and the results could be deadly. The log book records on 12th June 1933: "School closed for a week so that the buildings may be thoroughly disinfected on account of an outbreak of diphtheria in the district." Another illness that is unheard of today was the subject of a log book entry on 6th May 1940: "Children resident in Gladstone Street are excluded by order of the local medical office owing to an outbreak of scarlet fever in the street."

Apart from bad weather and sickness, the log books also give other reasons apart why absenteeism was rife. Bourne was in the middle of a rural area where farming was the main industry and at busy times of the year such as the corn harvest and potato picking, every member of the family was needed in the mustering of all possible labour. On 15th March 1879, the log book recorded "attendance lessening, Boys going out to work in the fields" and on July 7th, the entry revealed exactly how widespread the problem was: "100 boys absent today."

Then on 13th October 1898, the log book noted: "I have made a special duplicate list of this week's absentee list for Mr Farr (school board) together with a copy of last week's absentee report. In almost every case, the excuse alleged is 'potato picking' or 'at work'. Today the attendance is 120, one of the worst I have known since I came here."

The headmaster also had problems with his staff because on 28th July 1879 he wrote: "Bad order today. Harry Smith is pretty nearly useless to keep order. He seems at times to altogether lack energy and sits dreaming before his class" and on August 12th he reported: "Harry Smith and Frederick Warren absent from lessons without leave."

The pupil teachers were again in trouble on 28th February 1881 when the log book recorded:

"I find that lately there has been a systematic petty persecution on the part of the pupil teachers against the woman who sweeps the school. I have remonstrated with them and pointed out how mean such conduct is but without any effect. On Friday night, taking advantage of my being engaged (elsewhere), they clambered to the school roof and amused themselves and a group of children by throwing stones down at Mrs Walker. I told them then and again this morning that I should require some explanation of this misconduct but it seems they have nothing to say - no apology to offer. I shall therefore show this entry to the School Board at the meeting tomorrow as that seems the only way of convincing the pupil teachers that such conduct is wrong."

The matter appears to have been resolved later that day because the log book entry said: "In reference to the above entry, the pupil teachers deny that they threw stones at Mrs Walker or that their visit to the school roof had any connection with her whatsoever, Arthur Smith has the candour to admit that it was indiscreet to go there. That the stones thrown went near Mrs Walker was an accident. I am glad that this incident should end with this explanation."

The recruitment and retention of staff were a constant problem for the school, especially with the pupil teachers and in 1893, the log book recorded a tragedy in respect of one of them. On July 24th, Ernest Skinn was absent through illness which continued for the next few days. Then on August 11th, the entry said that although still weak, he had "attended for two days this week" but the school then broke up for the harvest holiday. Lessons resumed on September 25th when the entry read: "Ernest is suffering from a dangerous attack of rheumatic fever. I have notified this to the board." Then on October 1st, the headmaster wrote:

"I deeply regret to record that Ernest Skinn died yesterday morning. He was a very promising youth who at all times was diligent in the fulfilment of his duties. Bright, capable and energetic, he possessed a natural gift for teaching and I had looked forward with hope to see him occupy a high and honourable position in the profession. Both by the scholars and his fellow teachers, he was held in high esteem and we all grieve that we shall see him amongst us no more. I feel his loss as a personal sorrow."

Two weeks later, the board appointed Mr Skinn's wife, Helen, as a temporary monitor to assist in the junior school.

By 1910, the staff had risen to ten, including two ladies although there was still some acrimony among the male members having to work alongside women and this included the headmaster's wife who was occasionally called upon to help as a teaching assistant when staff were off sick or on holiday. On 9th November 1908, the headmaster reported that he had been absent for several days through illness and the log book entry continued:

"During my illness, I requested Mrs Davies to take charge of and supervise the junior section as Miss Boyers, the new assistant mistress, only commenced during this week. On Tuesday, Mr Watson resented publicly Mrs Davies' presence in the school in a most objectionable and insulting manner and laid a complaint before the correspondent (clerk to the board) Mr Bell. As the offensive words had been spoken to Mrs Davies in the presence of the boys, on the matter coming to my knowledge, I censured him. A special meeting of the managers was held on Saturday when he was censured and directed to apologise to Mrs Davies for whose long and valuable service in their schools they expressed their appreciation. Mr Watson thereupon apologised."

Miss Boyers had only just joined the staff as assistant mistress of the junior section but her stay at the school was to be a brief one. The log book recorded on 29th January 1909 that "she has been absent this week through illness. The doctor informs me that she is very weak and will need quite three weeks' rest." On February 22nd February, it was revealed that Miss Boyers was "suffering from St Vitus's Dance and will be absent for at least a month". Then on March 1st, the headmaster reported: "Miss Boyers' illness is so serious that she has sent in her resignation."

Bullying was also an occasional problem and the log book entry for 26th May 1881 records a playground altercation: "Mrs Grummitt brought her son Bertie to me this afternoon to show a black eye made by Albert Reeves, monitor. It appears that in the playground, Reeves accidentally knocked Grummitt down. Grummitt then called Reeves names, who, in return, boxed Grummitt's ears and so cuffed him as to make him a black eye. I have frequently warned the teachers against striking boys. This case had nothing to do with school discipline, as Grummitt is not in Reeves's class."

But absenteeism appeared to be the major worry. In mid-October 1879, when the harvest was significantly late that year, attendance was affected because "girls were out gleaning" and six years later, almost to the day, the headmistress reported: "Attendance irregular - some of the girls are absent getting the potatoes up." In July 1901, an entry read: "Attendance not so good this week, so many of the girls are away half-days taking dinner and tea to the hay fields."

The attendance at the boys' school was even more badly hit on such occasions but the authorities were aware of the problems of schooling in a farming area and tried to minimise the difficulties by arranging the school holidays to coincide with busy times on the land with the result that during the 1880s and 1890s, a summer or harvest holiday of five or six weeks duration was not unknown. An entry on 18th November 1918 as the Great War was ending appeared to accept that pupils were needed on the land because the log book recorded: "The school has been closed from October 21st  to November 15th to ensure a supply of boy-labour for potato picking, urgency being pleaded."

The headmaster was also aware that pupils needed some form of diversion from their lessons because on 17th January 1879, he wrote: "Good attendance this week. Bought a dozen copies of Boys' Own Paper for boys to read in class. This is a new
publication by the Religious Tracts Society." Unfortunately, the magazines proved to be too popular because the entry on January 20th reports: "Found one of the papers had been stolen by someone this morning - shall in consequence not trouble to buy any more unless the missing number is returned."

The headmaster continued to exercise strict discipline in extreme cases and on 14th January 1880, he records the first case of expulsion since the school began:

"I dismissed the boy Edward Buckberry from the school today for bad conduct. He came to school in the afternoon nearly half an hour late and while 'standing out' at a line, employed himself with shooting pellets of paper with a piece of elastic at the faces of some little boys. I warned him that I should cane him if I found him repeating the offence. A little while after, I found him doing the same again. I called him out and he refused to hold out his hand so I punished him and sent him home. I sent a note to his mother telling her of the occurrence and asking her to come to the school and see me. She has not done so. I shall therefore strike the boy's name off the register and not re-admit him till he is prepared to take the punishment which I think is justly due to a boy who flicks little boys' faces with elastic."

Drastic measures were again called for on 1st October 1885: "Have had a great deal of trouble this week with the boy Thomas Phillips. He has truanted lately and yesterday ran away from school. His mother says he is quite unmanageable at home. I gave him a sharp thrashing today."

Caning was frequently doled out by teaching staff although the headmaster did try to restrict this form of punishment and on 1st February 1901 he recorded:

"I have given orders to the assistants to limit punishment to one stroke of the hand. I took note, without previous notice, of the boys who have been punished during this afternoon. Mr Harrison had given 26 boys the cane and Mr Butler 15. In each room, some of the boys appear to have had more than one stroke, hence the above order to which Mr Harrison strongly demurred but I replied by repeating it, finally, and decisively. Mr Butler agreed to my order, not at the first."

Two weeks later, the issue surfaced again and the headmaster reported on February 11th:

"I found this morning that Mr Butler had given a boy, Tom Hill, two or more strokes. I pointed out to Mr Butler, the order and expressed my opinion plainly. In the afternoon, I deemed it advisable to make my order clear to Mr Harrison who again demurred. I stated that I requested from both explicit assurance on this matter of obedience to my reasonable demand. Otherwise, it would be my duty to report the matter, as by Art 32 (Institute of Inspectors) I must report every case of corporal punishment."

The headmaster's instruction was eventually accepted and on February 15th, the log book recorded that "both Mr Harrison and Mr Butler have expressed their agreement to my request". Then on April 4th, he wrote: "Mr Harrison and Mr Butler are heartily co-operating with me on reducing corporal punishment to a minimum with excellent results."

Entertainment and other diversions were also reasons why children stayed away from school, notably in April 1879 when a circus arrived in the town. So few children turned up for lessons on that day that they were sent home and a holiday declared. In December 1887, a menagerie arrived in Bourne resulting in another low attendance and two years later, a cheap rail day trip to Spalding to see Barnum's show and circus attracted many schoolchildren from the town who played truant to attend.

Attendance in the face of such distractions could bring their rewards because on 24th May 1881, the log book recorded: "Wombwell's Wild Beast Show in the town today. Causes low attendance. Attendance on the whole unusually large; 134 present during the week. As a reward for good conduct, I take a party of a dozen boys to the show tonight."

The visit was obviously beneficial because on another occasion, the staff, while yielding to the inevitable on such occasions, tried to arrange something of educational value from the presence of these travelling showmen and on 1st March 1912, the log book records that classes were dismissed at 3.40 pm "to allow children to attend a large menagerie where the manager gave a description of the animals."

On 9th November 1902, the log book recorded: "On Wednesday afternoon, a circus in the town caused a fall of 50 in the attendance. In every case, save one, written notes were sent to me by parents. In the exception, the boy's father had inflicted punishment for truancy."

Other annual events in Bourne kept children away from the classroom and the entry for 8th May 1890 reads: "Wednesday being the May Statute hiring fair, a holiday was given. Children were dismissed on Thursday afternoon before the time specified for closing registers as the attendance was miserably low."

The log book also provides examples of the practical lessons introduced by the staff, as illustrated by this entry from 20th May 1882:

"Last night for home lesson [homework], I asked the upper standards to get as many specimens of leaves as could be found in the hedge and ditch along the West Road as far as Bell's stile. There were many full collections, G Mason gathering 50 specimens and A Glendening's collection was more carefully arranged. Last week or two, I have given a weekly examination and awarded a small prize such as a patent ink-pencil, a knife etc, to the one boy whose paper has greatest care, being neat, well written and correct throughout."

By the late 19th century, new technology was beginning to make its appearance in the classroom for the benefit of teachers who had few text books while the pupils often had slates. But the log book entry on 9th January 1885 recorded: "Mr Chadwick has made us a very useful copying machine which with little trouble will copy notes for a class. In this way, compound tenses, lists of auxiliary verbs, pronouns etc have been made for the upper standards. The poetry has been copied too and learned for home lessons."

School furniture and fittings, however, remained primitive, and the entry for 10th October 1885 noted: "Farrar (Standard I) trapped his finger very severely in a desk this morning. Our desks are by no means as safe as might be and their construction allows several possibilities of trapping in one way or another."

There were other accidents, some of them serious, such as that recorded in the log book on 25 July 1904:

"I am sorry to record an accident today that happened to Frank Stubley (12) after twelve in the playground. He had climbed (against orders) up the spouting to get a ball and was walking along the spouting when it gave way and he was thrown to the ground. Mr Butler picked him up and I was sent for from the 2nd Standard room . We placed him in the porch. He was bleeding from the mouth, from a bad wound and was unconscious. He gradually came round and we had him wheeled home under nurse's care. Dr [James Watson] Burdwood was at once in attendance. His wrist was broken and his head slightly injured. I have warned boys against climbing."

Compulsory schooling was still hard for some parents to grasp, many regarding their children, particularly boys, as unpaid labour or additional wage earners. An unpleasant encounter with one parent was recorded on 23rd May 1881: "The father of the boy Joseph Parrish called yesterday and asked if his son, who is only in the second standard, could go to work. I told him that he could not do so until he had reached his third standard. The man went away in a violent passion saying that he would never let him attend any examinations but would send him out of the town at examination time."

At the boys' section of the school, varied factors were the cause of absenteeism. In July 1877, "market day" caused a low attendance and in the following month it was "the church choir trip to Matlock". In January 1878, when temperatures had dropped below freezing point, boys were soon "skating on Watson's pit" rather than attending to their studies while at the end of April 1880 they were attracted by a battery of artillery which halted in the town and was soon surrounded by a crowd of curious schoolboys, all absent from their lessons.

There was more ice skating during freezing conditions early in 1880 although the headmaster appears to have taken a tolerant view of boys being absent for this purpose because the entry on January 29th reports:

"Attendance very low today. Many boys away skating and the ice is perfectly safe and they fear the frost will not continue too long. Cold weather always increases the attendance as there is no work then for the boys but when the ice becomes perfectly safe, a dozen to twenty boys are absent every noon with leave from their parents to go skating. Skating is a passion with Lincolnshire boys and indeed men."

Treats or outings organised by local churches were also a distraction from school but on those occasions, an official half-day holiday was usually declared. In September 1878, the headmistress of the girls' school noted: "Half holiday on Wednesday, in consequence of a picnic to the wood for the Band of Hope children. A very low attendance in the morning."

In July the following year, the log book records: "On Monday and Tuesday we kept school open from 9 am to 1 pm, omitting the scripture, and marking the registers twice. This was on account of two school treats, the Wesleyan and the Church, one of which was held on Monday and the other on Tuesday. Partly no doubt on this account, and partly on account of some club feasts, which have been held during the week, the attendance has been unusually low."

Quite often, these Sunday School treats were held locally, with a procession through the· town, a banner and brass band, then sports and refreshments in a suitable field. But the railways were making it possible to go further away and when the seaside beckoned, children stayed away as illustrated from an entry dated July 1904: "School was closed on Wednesday as the Church Sunday School went to Skegness". Again in 1905:"A full day's holiday as the Wesleyan and West Street Sunday Schools were going to Mablethorpe."

For many years a day's holiday was also given for the town's October Fair. On this occasion, cattle and horses were sold in the streets, mainly West Street and North Street, and at times the cattle stretched up into North Road even as far as Mill Drove. The fair also extended to what was at one time known as the Bull paddock, that space at the rear of the Bull Inn [now the Burghley Arms], accompanied by fairground attractions such as sideshows, swings, and stalls, and sometimes the Rock King from Peterborough, a well known personality specialising in seaside rock. Entries in the school records show that this fair was still being held until well after the first World War and still maintaining such an attraction for the younger members of the community that they still often stayed away from school.

The log book also contains many other entries recording annual events such as 5th May 1905: "Very poor attendance on May morning, so many of the girls were round with garlands", a reference to a popular countryside May Day tradition which continued in Bourne well into the 20th century. A clothes basket would be decorated and filled with bouquets of flowers, then covered with a sheet and girls would take it from house to house offering a peep for payment of a halfpenny, a pastime which proved to be far more agreeable than going to school that day.

Important national events also had their effects on school life, especially when the whole town was celebrating. Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897 was a particularly grand occasion with abundant decorations in the streets, marching bands, religious services and a torchlight procession in the evening to a huge bonfire on Stamford Hill. For the children, this was not only a day off school but a thousand of them were gathered in the Market Place to sing the National Anthem and then enjoyed a free tea at the Abbey Lawn followed by sports with a fireworks display at dusk at the Wellhead field.

In 1901, the death of Queen Victoria brought a wave of national mourning and the log book entry for January 23rd gives an insight into the loyalty she had inspired: "The death of the Queen has cast a gloom over the school. I made her noble life and example the subject of my talk to the boys in the first lesson. We have hoisted the flag half-mast."

Holidays were also given for the coronations in 1902 and 1911, and in an intensely patriotic age, war time successes were unhesitatingly celebrated in the schools. Thus, between March and May 1900, Bourne schoolchildren enjoyed no less than three spontaneous half-holidays for major events during the Boer War, celebrating the relief of Ladysmith, Mafeking and Pretoria respectively. And on a June day in 1902 "Mr Wherry [from the school board] came into school at 9.45 am and the schools were then closed for the day, owing to peace being proclaimed."

Throughout the Great War of 1914-18, there are frequent references in the log book to old boys who were now serving with the armed services in France and elsewhere. Mr Davies kept in touch with many of them by writing and receiving letters which he often shared with the boys and staff at assembly. On 23rd October 1914 he recorded:

"Read several letters of old boys in the army and navy now on active service. One letter, from a French gentleman, Monsieur E Marie Lefebre, who lives near Amiens, sent to Mrs Kettle (widow), of Eastgate, states that he had met Sgt Stephen Kettle and his brother by great chance, men of Bourne, brave, who have been in the fighting line from the first, and who had helped to capture six guns from the enemy. Stephen and William Kettle are old boys of this school."

On 2nd January 1915, the headmaster noted that "over 100 old boys names are on our Honours Roll." Casualties among old boys were inevitable and the log book recorded on 18th March 1915:

"I deeply regret to state that news has been received of two old boys at the front being killed, Wilfred Watson, Royal Rifle Brigade, and John Jarvis Smith, 1st Lincolns, both thoroughly good lads in their school career. Several old boys who were wounded in the early battles have called at the school before returning to the front."

The entries were to become a frequent occurrence but others recorded the resilience and bravery of some old boys. On 13th March 1916, the headmaster wrote:

"Pte 'Prim' Phillips has been recommended for the DCM by Sir Ian Hamilton for gallant conduct in the Suvla battles in one of which he rescued a wounded officer and returned to bring in wounded comrades under gun fire of the enemy. Phillips was wounded in the Ypres fighting (he was with the Grenadier Guards), discharged from Netley Hospital as unfit for service in July 1914: immediately re-enlisted under the name of his cousin, George Mason, in the 5th Dorsets and was at once sent out with that regiment to Gallipoli."

Many former pupils also called in while on leave and some spoke to the boys of their experiences. An entry on 28th February 1917 records:

"Almost every week, old boys from the front visit the school and receive a hearty welcome. They said a few words to the boys. Sidney Brown came in; I am proud to note that for special courage under danger, rescuing a fallen comrade under fire and bearing under very trying conditions at a critical time, a message safely to the general of a French company, Sidney Brown has been awarded the Military Medal and Croix de Guerre."

Another military honour was recorded on 25 April 1918: "I am happy to note the following: Corporal Matthew Michelson (transport section of the Lincolns), for splendid devotion to duty while taking ammunition to the front, has been awarded the Military Medal."

But even after the Armistice on 11th November 1918, memories of the conflict remained and the log book entry of 6th November 1919 is particularly poignant:

"This morning, in accordance with the King's request, a two-minutes' silence in reverence for the memory of those who fell in the Great War was observed. This was preceded by a brief address, the reason of this silent ritual of two minutes' silence for five years of remembrance of the fallen of the armies and of the unhealed wounds of war. Especial note was made of the names and memory of our many Brave Old Boys who gave their lives. After the reverent pause, the boys recited 1.Cor.XIII; sang the verse: "Far-called our navies melt away; Teach us the strength that cannot seek by deed or thought to hurt the weak." and recited Longfellow's "The Arsenal"; sang the hymn "O God of Peace" and Lowell's "Englishmen, who boast that ye come of fathers brave and free" and recited various selections on "Peace"; thus leading to another brief address on the aim of the League of Nations. The King's letter advocating the cause of the League was read."

The peace proclamations for the Great War are also recorded in the infants' school log book for 11th November 1918 when the headmistress wrote: "Afternoon. News received that Armistice has been signed. The children, with the help of the caretaker, made a bonfire in the playground to celebrate it." The celebrations seem to have been either exhausting or prolonged because the log book for the following day records: "There were no children at school today and so the teachers all went home."

But despite the many holidays and unofficial breaks from school, teaching and learning did proceed with great enthusiasm with many children turning up regularly and making good progress, and by 1900, figures had improved considerably. In 1907, an average weekly attendance of over 90% was not uncommon in the girls' school and in the infants' school, even in that unusual week of the 1918 armistice, the average was 76% while reports from the school inspectors generally spoke highly of the standards achieved.

As early as 1881, the inspector commented of the girls' school: "It is a pleasing school; the girls are most neat and orderly and have passed an extremely good examination on the whole, though the second standard are rather weak. Grammar has been fairly well done, and needlework is taught with great success."

There seems little doubt that the good progress of both the girls' and the boys' schools was largely due to the character and ability of their respective head teachers. From 1880 to 1920, Miss Clara Ward was headmistress of the girls' school. She was a strong disciplinarian who was remembered by one of her pupils as being very keen on the teaching of grammar and whose devotion to her work is manifest in the entries she made in the school log book over a period of forty years.

On a February afternoon in 1920, Miss Ward received a farewell presentation from managers, staff, children and "Scholarship girls now attending Stamford High School". On that day she wrote: "February 27th 1920. I resigned my post as headmistress of this school, and must express the regret with which I part from all connected with it, for I have received unqualified kindness from everybody during the many years I have been here."

In the same year Joseph J Davies retired as headmaster of the boys' school, having held that post for 33 years. He had been dogged by ill health for many years and this had caused several absences but he was clearly a man who had inspired respect and devotion from his pupils. His last entry on 30th June 1920 reads: "By the doctor's order, I have sent in my resignation, the three months notice expiring September 30th. I began here May 7th, 1887."

To the farewell presentation from pupils and staff, Mr Davies replied by a letter which was read to the assembled school, and the comment by a journalist who was present conveys the atmosphere of the occasion: "The reading of the letter caused a profound impression, for it is not too much to say that the boys loved their master."

Mr H E Sharpe took over as temporary headmaster when school reopened on 20th September 1920 pending a permanent appointment which was eventually filled by Harry Goy, a former pupil teacher, but conditions had declined during this period, a reflection no doubt on the efficiency of Mr Davies, and his first entry in the log book on November 1st said: "The school is in a very neglected state. Discipline is lax. No scheme of work can be found. Stock cupboard is practically empty. I am therefore formulating a scheme of work to carry on until Xmas."

By the end of December, conditions were improving and Mr Goy wrote on December 22nd: "The examination results are gratifying. A general all round improvement is evidenced. The work was in a very backward condition when I took charge on November 1st. The results must be examined comparatively. Discipline is steadily improving and I am satisfied that with steady application it will be possible to attain a high standard of efficiency."

Mr Goy's entries were frequent but shorter and dealt with everyday matters concerning the running of the school and examination results although he was concerned about the health of his pupils. On 26th November 1924 he wrote: "Have this morning sent home three boys as suspicious cases of impetigo. Have instructed them to attend clinic on Friday morning." Again, on 13th January 1925, the log book recorded: "Sent home Arthur Hill from Class IV with instructions to remain at home until he had attended the medical clinic. The boy had a nasty eruption on the face and head."

Children from outlying areas were now travelling in by bus and on 3rd December 1930, the log book recorded: "As the fen children were coming to school this morning, some person threw a sugar beet at the bus. The windscreen was broken and one lad, John Seaton, received two nasty cuts above the right eye, dangerously near the eye itself. I sent the boy to the hospital for treatment and am glad to report that the wounds are not serious. I have also reported the matter to the bus proprietor."

The state of children attending school was also a concern and on 25th February 1937, the log book recorded: "Cyril Clay works in a fried fish shop in his spare time. The smell from his clothes was so objectionable this afternoon that Mr Harris complained to me. I examined the boy then sent him home. His mother has been to the school and after a few terse remarks about our imaginations, informed me that he will have to stay at home until his clothes can be aired or washed." And again on 18th February 1942: "This morning I sent home John Thomas Smith. He is filthy dirty both in person and his clothes. He is also insufficiently clad."

Every small boy carried a pocket knife in those days which would be unlawful today. But they could be dangerous because the log book reported on 4th October 1937:

"During playtime this afternoon, Philip Longland sustained a severely cut wrist. Not knowing that his friend was just closing his pocket knife, he commenced to spar and caught his wrist on the knife blade. I immediately bound up the wound and then took the boy to his own doctor. Three or four stitches were needed. After treatment, I took the boy home and reported to his mother."

Hundreds of boys and girls were evacuated to Bourne during the Second World War of 1939-45 to live with local families to escape the bombing of their home town. The majority went to the Abbey Road school and despite being accompanied by several teachers, this put pressure on space and facilities. On 8th July 1940, the headmaster reported: "We are now to work on a double-shift system. It has been decided to arrange a weekly change over. In the 'off' sessions, the various halls in the town are to be used and full use is to be made of the recreation ground and the local football ground for physical training and organised games. Nature walks and educational rambles will also be arranged."

There were other signs that Britain was at war and an entry on 1st May 1941 said: "This is Bourne and district War Weapons week. An armoured train is on view at the railway station. I am arranging that the children be taken to see it, girls in the morning, boys in the afternoon." Air raid warnings often sounded as enemy planes passed overhead when the school was evacuated to adjoining air raid shelters that had been specially built but the effect on pupils could be alarming, as was recorded on 14th May 1941:

"Alert at 1.45 pm. At 2.45 pm, I took the responsibility of bringing the children back into school. The shelter accommodation is very inadequate when all the children are on the school premises and several girls were on the verge of collapse. Raiders passed 3.15 pm."

Then on 29th May 1945, came the welcome relief with the entry: "In continuation of VE [Victory in Europe] celebrations, all the schoolchildren are being entertained in the Corn Exchange tonight. They will meet at the school at 5.30 pm." And on June 28th: "Hull evacuees returned to Hull today."

Mr Goy's time at the school ended on 30th November 1945 when he wrote: "I am retiring from the teaching profession today after 25 years as headmaster of this school. I wish to place on record my very sincere appreciation of the many kindnesses shown to me and especially for the unfailing loyalty and co-operation of the staff."

His successor was Leslie Day who was appointed as the new headmaster from 1st January 1946 and in that year the school began operating from split site premises and temporary buildings in Queen's Road. Over the next few years, there were new buildings, new staff and more pupils from outlying areas and on 28th June 1949 he reported:

"The school is now working well. Both the new children from the villages and the Bourne children seem happy together. The staff have worked with enthusiasm and I am confident we shall do well."

There were still the occasional problems with staff, particularly the new PT and games mistress, Dr M Nentwich from Vienna, who had been engaged in September 1949 for one year. But on 8th November, the log book entry states:

"Miss Nentwich came to school this morning wearing breeches and high boots. I asked her why and she replied she was cold taking games and that she intended to continue wearing the costume. I requested her to go to her rooms and change into suitable attire for the physical training to be taken in the Vestry Hall. She went away and has not returned to school until today, having interviewed the Director of Education at Sleaford. The correspondence of this case will be found in the staff file."

The outcome of this confrontation is not known because the staff file has been lost and there are no further entries in the log book relating to Miss Nentwich.

By 1950, the school had become Bourne County Secondary School and the final pages of the log books contain fewer and shorter entries, dealing with daily engagements and minor incidents with no references to the former Abbey Road premises. A landmark entry, however, on 15th July 1958, illustrates just how far the educational system had progressed since those early days in 1871:

"Speech Day and a dedication of the new building by Canon D S Rowlands, vice-chairman of the governors, and a plaque was unveiled by the Earl of Ancaster, the Lord Lieutenant. Including 200 children, the ceremony was attended by 620 people. A memorable, happy occasion. - L R W Day."

Mr Day retired on 31st August 1968 and was succeeded by Howard Bostock by which time log book entries were now reflecting the modern educational system we know today, with school trips abroad, outings and skiing holidays for pupils accompanied by teachers, staff training, musical productions, parent evenings, meetings with local employers, visits by businessmen and the local M P. There is one notable entry on 10th October 1972 when Mr Bostock recorded in the log book:

"From 10th October to 8th November, the school was a staging centre for Asians who had been evicted from Uganda by General Amin. The Asians landed at Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick, and came up to camps at Hemswell and Foldingworth. Altogether, 2,400 Asians came through Bourne, the youngest being twelve days old and the oldest 87 years. The WRVS provided the food and it necessitated me being on duty continuously for almost twenty four hours each day. For several nights, I slept at school."

Louis Decamp took over as headmaster on 12th May 1980 and continued until 3rd April 1984 when he wrote: "Visit from the chief inspector to say goodbye. It begins to register that time is short." He was succeeded by Michael Kee on April 30th and it was he who made final the entry in the log books on 13th July 1990 which related to pupils being given work experience, a reminder of how the educational climate had changed since the Victorian era.

One last point: turning the pages of the log books I detected a faint but distinctive smell of tobacco, another sign of an age long gone.

WRITTEN FEBRUARY 2012

See also

Death in the playgound     The punishment book