The School opened as a separate Infant’s Department on Thursday, May 1st 1873
23/6 The school was visited by H.M. Inspector, who stated that ‘Efforts should be made to make the gallery more suitable for the size of the children’s limbs and to support them more.’
6/11 Arrangements are being made with the joiner to restore the gallery.
19/11 Confusion and noise affecting the school, as the workmen started taking up the seats of the gallery. No gallery lessons could be taken.
20/4 The school was visited by H.M. Inspector, Who stated that the room was very stuffy, the ventilators were all closed. They should always be open, even in the coldest weather’.
2/11 Several children were reproved for ‘climbing the school wall’.
21/5 Mr.Black came about putting up more pegs, for the children’s clothes.
13/10 No schooling today, part of the roof having fallen in – the workmen were in school all day.
13/10 Lit the fire this morning, the weather was very wet.
22/1 Two large panes of glass have been broken wilfully.
11/4 Boy fastened to a peg on the wall because, ‘he had been in a terrible passion’.
18/6 Six new desks were fixed in the school for the use of the infants.
Hall Orchard became a Mixed School from October 1886.
1/4 The Inspector’s Report states, ‘There should be a short wall to complete the division of the Boy’s
and Girl’s play-grounds, joining the north east corner of the Infant’s Room to the adjacent boundary wall.’
13/3 The Inspector’s Report states, ’The outer door of the Infant’s room should be made to fit with the bottom.’
4/3 The Inspector’s Report states, ‘The accommodation for the older children is overcrowded at the Mixed School. Should the Inspector complain about the overcrowding next year, then a deduction may have to be made for the Grant. Plans for any new buildings or alterations that may be proposed, and drawn in accordance with the enclosed rules, must be submitted to the Department for approval, BEFORE any work is begun.’
6/1 The Head states, ’If so many older children are returned, additional accommodation should be provided.’
12/7 The Head states that, since February, he has not admitted any new children in the Mixed School on the order of the Managers.
17/10 Four new desks have been put into the school.
30/11 The Inspector’s report states, ‘The accommodation of the Mixed School is at present insufficient for the average attendance. This should be remedied at once or the grant next year may be endangered. The floor is worn at the doorways and draughts were thus admitted. This MUST receive attention. The classroom is below the minimum size allowed in the Schedule Rules and should be enlarged.
6/12 The Inspector’s Report states,’ The average attendance for the school for older children should not again exceed 125 in the existing premises.’
11/12 The Inspector’s Report states, ‘Blinds are needed for the south windows in the Infant’s class, and the older children’s classroom. The children’s cloaks should not be hung up in the school room.’
12/4 The school was closed for a fortnight on account of building operations, in the Easter holidays.
3/5 We commenced to use the new class rooms today. Since December we have had nothing but noise till now, and only the one room to accommodate the older scholars.’
9/1 An aid grant has been allotted to the school for the purpose of:- Maintaining efficiency £50; Providing apparatus £25; Effecting repairs £10.
20/9 The Inspector’s report states, ‘The fireplace in the Infant’s room does not seem sufficient to warm it in severe weather. The temperature should be noted during the winter.’
16/2 The average temperature in the Infant’s school for the month, the measurement taken at 10.30 am after the fire had been lit for three hours, was 49.8 degrees.
30/11 The Inspector’s report stated, ‘That during the winter the Infant’s class is not sufficiently warmed.’
6/10 The Inspector’s report stated ‘That a room for the babies is very desirable.’
27/11 The Inspector’s report stated, ‘Infant Class, All the classes for this section are taught in one room. He babies not only have no separate room, but are taught by a Mistress of little experience,’
2/12 The Class Rooms were very cold this morning, the thermometer registering only 40 degrees at 10 am. The stoves appear too small for the rooms, and do not draw at all well when first lighted.’
4/12 The Inspector’s report stated, ‘Mixed School – The walls need re-colouring, washing and painting. The drainage of the playground is not satisfactory and should receive the early attention of the manager’s. Infant’s Class – The introduction of 4 classes in one room prevents the best work being done. The gallery should be removed and its place taken by suitable desks, the supply of which is at present inadequate.
25 /3 The school buildings are to be painted and cleaned.
28/9 The school clock is running slightly fast.
3/10 As the mornings are cold we have started fires in the school.
14/10 The Headmaster states,’ I have decided to keep the school clock exactly regulated with the church clock, and to adhere absolutely to it. I have lengthened the pendulum slightly to prevent it gaining. Therefore, CHURCH TIME WILL BE THE TIME AT THE SCHOOL.’
1/11 Numerous complaints have been made to the Headmaster, by the caretaker and the Infants mistress about the state in which the Infant’s rooms are left after being used by the Good Templar’s on Friday evenings.
17/11 Last evening the school was hired by the Wesleyans who gave an entertainment in the Infant’s room. ‘Some new desks were scraped by feet, and the wall which was recently painted was badly scraped.’
4/5 The Headmaster states,’A new stove appears to be required in the Mixed School before the autumn.’
25/10 The Headmaster states, ‘That a boy, aged six, climbed the gate between the two playgrounds before school yesterday afternoon and lacerated his hand badly on the spikes at the top. I consider the spikes very dangerous in the playground and have protested against their retention to the Managers.’
26/4 The Headmaster states,’ The Band practices in the Infant’s School on Thursday evenings. A number of boys are allowed in the room with the men and damage is done. Last evening a window pane was broken.
1/5 The slates badly require attention on the Boy’s offices.
26/7 The barbed wire, recently placed round the waterspouts, against the school wall, is very dangerous.
6/5 The school has been closed for 6 weeks, due to a measles epidemic. During this time the school was thoroughly cleaned and painted by the LEA, and they now present a very bright appearance.
14/2 The Headmaster stated,’ The front brick in the stove in the Infant’s Room appears to be cracked. Though only recently new, there has been no overheating of the stove during day school hours.’
27/4 The Inspector’s report states, ’The Infants are taught in one long undivided room, and this makes distinct hearing difficult, and hampers subdivision of the class for special purposes. The division of this room by a partition is very desirable. The room is heated by a single stove and it is doubtful if this is sufficient in cold weather. The ventilation of this room is not very good.’
9/2 The state of the playground, caused by continued wet weather, renders outside drill almost impossible.
13/9 During the holidays (4 weeks) the inside of the school buildings have been cleaned and painted.
13/12 The Headmaster stated, ‘It was impossible to use the small classroom before 11 am, this morning due to the imperfect state of the stove. The temperature was 33 degrees and the room was filled with smoke. The stove was repaired between 9 and 11 a.m.’
16/10 The Headmaster stated,’ That the school closets were not in a fit condition to be used, owing to the neglect of the Sanitary Department.’
This became a reoccurring entry throughout 1918 and 1919
11/1 Woodwork was not taken this afternoon, owing to repairs to the room.
5/9 ‘On opening the school on 3/9 it was noticed the drains were blocked. It has been found necessary to open them at various places in the playground.’ The drains were in order, for use by 7/9.
The Council School (Cotes Road) and Hall Orchard were amalgamated after the Easter Holidays in 1924. The Hall Orchard was to be the senior school with pupils from 9 years old.
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Last Updated. 17-May-2023 By Keith
