[Wrotham Church School, Kent.] Three manuscript school diaries or log books, one of them relating to the Infant School, covering the period 1872-1885, and the other two, relating to the Junior School, 1863-1939.

These three log books, covering a period of nearly eighty years, constitute an attractive piece of social history, charting the growth of a rural school from precarious beginnings to a secure state on the eve of the Second World War, and providing a vivid example of the change in the British educational system from the nineteenth to the twentieth century. The domestic tragedy of the first Master George Barham (a noted organist), and his struggle to keep a grip on his school, are chronicled in the second volume (see the extracts in the description of Item Two, below); and the contrasting approaches of a succession of school mistresses of the infant school are recorded in the first volume; the last volume reflects the implementation of the new teaching and administrative methods of the twentieth-century. As the extracts given below indicate, the entries themselves are often interesting and amusing, with references to topics ranging from truancy to typhoid and theft to celebrations of Queen Victoria's jubilee. A counterpoint in all three volumes is provided by the full transcripts of the reports of HM Inspectors. The three items in fair condition, on aged and worn paper, in heavily-worn bindings. ONE: Wrotham National Infant School manuscript log book, 1872-1885. Filled in by school mistresses including Annie Georgina McCowen, Sarah Jane Taylor, Emily M. Lakin, Alice M. Lee, and also containing transcripts of Diocesan reports and of reports of H.M. Inspectors (the latter signed by the school mistress and 'Correspondent of the Managers'). 176pp., 4to. In brown leather half binding, with brown cloth boards. Printed label on front paste-down, headed 'School Diary or Log-Book', carries a text explaining the purpose of the volumes. The label's seven points (numbered 34 to 40) include: 'The principal teacher must make at least once a week in the Log-book an entry which will specify ordinary progress, and other facts concerning the school or its teachers, such as the dates of withdrawals, commencements of duty, cautions, illness, &c., which may require to be referred to at a future time, or may otherwise deserve to be recorded.' The final point on the label begins: 'The Inspector will call for the Log-book at every visit'. In addition to information on the progress of lessons, attendance and other matters relating to the running of the school, the log reports on the structure of the building (the premises are enlarged in the early years), health of children (whooping cough, colds, 'bumps & measles'), weather (sometimes preventing children from attending) the third school mistress, Emily M. Lakin, notes the subject of her lessons (including sheep, reindeer, brown bear, the giraffe, lead pencil). On 16 August 1880 she writes: 'The singling lesson was taken on Thursday morning, instead of Friday, when we commenced learning a new song entitled "Three little forms". On 17 December 1880: 'The School was conducted this week by Miss C. Barham, through my absence being at London, sitting for my certificate'. The fourth school mistress, Alice M. Lee (beginning 17 June 1881), provides the most exhaustive entires, giving the most information regarding the academic activities of the school. For example, on 3 November 1881 she writes: 'Examined the 1st class. 16 girls present. 10 passed in Arithmetic. 2 in Writing. The spelling is the failing point throughout the class. 4 sums were given, & to ensure a pass, 3 were required to be right. 12 passed in reading. The Revd. A. A. Knollys visited the school in the afternoon & criticised the Time Tables.' And on the following day: 'The Rev: A. A. Knollys gave a Scripture Lesson to the 1st. class. The Revd. Canon Knollys visited the school to consult as to the best means to be adopted to enforce homelessons being done by one of the 1st. class girls, whose mother refuses to allow them to be done. Kept several children in for staying in the playground beyond the allotted time. Average attendance lowered by the wet weather.' On 9 December 1881: 'Two or three things had been lost out of the ante-room, so a strict watch was kept at the doors, & finally, it was discovered that a girl belonging to the school had taken them. The Rev. Canon Knollys was informed, & he at once dismissed the girl from the school.' The entry for 14 December 1883 carries, in three columns (Natural History; Objects; Common Things), a 'List of Collective Lessons'. Miss McGowen begins the volume on 15 July 1872: ' Entered upon my new duties as School Mistress of the Wrotham National Infant School, having been provisionally certificated on the recommendation of my late Inspector the Revd. R. L. Hoe. Found the children to be very backward indeed, their being several seven years of age, and knowing only the alphabet; and not one able to read words of one syllable without spelling. | The average attendance of the Infants for the week 28.6 | The elder girls from the boy's school attending the Infants School round of an afternoon to receive instruction in needlework & cutting out | Annie G. Mc.Cowen | July 22nd. Commenced School this morning with an attendance of thirtyone children, who were more punctual as to time Admitted three fresh children during the week, none of which knew their letters. Received of Mr. Barham the School Master six new reading cards, two alphabet and two writing cards, also board & easel and three object cards & a set of scripture cards. Average for the wk. 29.4 | July 29th. Commenced school this morning with an attendance of twenty-nine children their [sic] being several absent in consequence of the weather being so wet and stormy | Admitted two fresh children during the week. | July 31st. The children in general improved in behaviour and a slight improvement in their reading and figures. | Average for the wk. 31.8 | July 22nd. I. S. Also received of Mr Barham A Log Book two class registers, summary and admission register; also ball frame and duster and five dozen and a half of reading books.' On 11 November 1872 she writes: 'Made an alteration in the arrangement of the classes; separating those children that read the best into a class by themselves; teaching them to read out of books. Commenced fire this morning. Several children absent in consequence of sickness | Average for the Wk. 31.9.' On 3 February 1873: 'Commenced school this morning with only five children; in consequence of a heavy fall of snow. The roads being almost impassable for such little ones. The average for the week amounting only to 8.8.' On 26 March 1873 H.M. Inspector Rev. G. R. Moncreiff signs the volume and reports that he has 'Inspected this School'., beginning 'Miss Mc.Gowen has made a good start, and seems to me an excellent mistress, both for Infants and for needlework.' On pp.17-19 is a transcript of Moncreiff's report On 2 May 1873 she reports that 'The attendance during the week small. Admitted one little boy. The Afternoon attendance also very small. Several of the girls employed in hop-tying.' On 8 October 1876: 'Commenced duties in the New School after Seven week holiday - The schools were opened by the Bishop of Gibraltar. A large number of persons being present. Admitted two little girls and two boys. The school was visited on Friday by Sir Sydney & Lady Waterloo, The Rector, Curate and two ladies.' On 27 April 1877 McGowen writes: 'Closed the School this morning, Thus ending my duties as School Mistress of The Wrotham Infant School after nearly Five years Service. | Average 47.2 | Annie G. McGowen. | The Registers were checked this morning by The Rev. J. H. Jaquet and found correct.' TWO: 493pp., 4to. Similar in arrangement to Item One, but written in a more terse and businesslike style. The dimensions of the school are given on the first page of the volume. The report of HM Inspector, 30 July 1863, notes that 'The school, as I gather, from previous years had been gradually rising from a very backward condition since Mr Barham came. The singing, general order, writing and reading are now fairly good. Arithmetic moderate. Religious knowledge much below the average standard of Annual Grant Schools. Needlework also backward, the Girls being very slow over it, and too dependent on help.' On 13 May 1864 the Inspector notes that 'In Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic the Children are now about on a par with most rural schools.' On 24 March 1865 the Inspector finds that 'the attendance is very much broken, and I observe that the only Second Class boy who passes in all subjects in that Standard is the only one who has attended more than 200 days'. On 17 May 1866 the Inspector notes that there is 'rather too much disposition to talk'. On 13 March 1869 the Manager Charles Lane detects some cheating: 'I still observe some tendency to copy among the first class boys'. An unusual personal note is sounded on 10 January 1870: 'My darling Maggie died last evening. God's will be done. Age 4 yrs. 10 mo. 3 dys.' And on 1 April of the same year: 'My dear wife died. "And now Lord, what is my hope."') In May 1871 the Inspector writes: 'I see no reason to change my opinion of Mr Barham. I believe he works honestly, but has more on his hands than he is able to grapple with.' The following year the Inspector notes that 'the whole tone of the school is languid and spiritless', and the conclusion of the report is that 'My lords are unable to make any Grant to your School on this occasion, as Article 17c is still unsatisfied in spite of the warning given last year. The instruction of the Infants is not such as to satisfy Article 17g.' Following this report Barham has an 'interview with the Rector on request, as to the arrangements to be made - told him the only safe plan to work upon was the New Code.' 'Some fresh cases of Typhoid' are noted in November 1882. On 7 November 1885 Barham writes: 'Termination of my duties as Teacher of this School. Commenced June 1858. Ended Nov. 7. 1885. He is replaced by G. W. Barber, who immediately initiates change, writing on 'Nov: 9-13': 'My conviction is - that a "Mixed" School would bring better results as practically one teacher has 7 standards to teach - which cannot be well done.' A few days later he notes that 'Some boys I find in habit of playing truant.' On 25 June 1897: 'Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Monday 21st prep. Tuesday: Holiday Sports & Tea: Meal Tea Adults Bread & Butter & Cake for Children: Assemb: 2 O Clock 22nd June'. As the nineteenth century progresses the school grows in size, the log noting on 11 March 1898: 'Average attendance 221 highest on record'. The volume ends in February 1901 with sickness and bad weather. THREE: 495pp., 4to. The 'Accommodation' of the school is given on the first page of the volume. The volume is arranged in a more businesslike manner than Items One and Two, and includes statistics and records of financial matters. New activities (swimming lessons, cookery) feature. Standards continue to rise. More mention is made of individual children and their activities. On 8 June 1925: 'Had occasion to punish Harry Coles for sticking pins into smaller children (see punishment book.) After school I had a visit from his mother, who carried on as an "irate female". And the following day: 'Had another visit from Mrs. Coles who wished me (a) to apologise for punishing the boy (b) to promise not to punish him again. Needless to say, I declined both proposals point blank.' The 1936 report of HM Inspector G. W. Buckle indicates the change which has occurred in the school over the seventy years covered in the logs. It begins: 'This is a difficult school to manage, with four rooms for six classes and a Staff who require effective supervision and guidance.' The volume draws to a close with the approach of the Second World War. On 11 November 1938: 'Armistice Day: as is usual, special lessons dealing with the observances of this day were taken by the Headmaster and Staff. Special point was given to these lessons in connection with the recent crisis.' The volume ends on 1 September 1939, with the following entry: 'The evacuation of London children commenced today. The School was hurriedly closed in view of the arrival of parties of children with their Teachers. | (New Log Book commenced.)' Loosely inserted in the volume are twenty items, manuscript and typed, comprising a range of related material, from original school reports to sick notes, dating from the period 1901-1938.