January 31st 1919

On January 23rd 1919 the log book reports: School very cold today owing to the lack of coke and the poor quality of what is supplied and on January 30th the log book tells us: School closed this afternoon owing to lack of fuel. The explanation for the fuel shortage comes on January 31st:

School still closed, for above reason. There is plenty of coke at the Gas Works but the contractor will not deliver up this hill.

January 31st 1901

Found that Rosa W. was suffering from mumps. Ascertained from Medical Officer that such was the case and sent all family with instructions not to return until better ...

January 25th 1907

The weather had a much greater affect on the school 100 years ago and back then the school didn't have much heating. Often the log books report poor attendance due to bad weather, and in the winter there are a lot of entries about severe colds and flu which kept large numbers of children at home.

Attendance today poor. Average for week 306. Have borrowed gas stove as middle room is so cold.

January 24th 1896

Names have been edited to protect the innocent!

John C. punished for truanting on Wednesday and for coming to school in a filthy state, not fir to go near any other children.

January 23rd 1901

Occasionally, internationally important events are mentioned in the log books, such as here:

Classes 1, 2 and 3 were assembled in Centre Room this morning at 11 o'clock and at 2.45 this afternoon and were told of loss of Empire in the death of the Queen yesterday. Accounts of the Queen's life and illness were also read to them from the 'Daily Telegraph' and 'the Daily mail' for today.

January 18th 1917

There were some strange occurrences from time to time - whether this event was connected to the First World War the log book doesn't say.

At 1.35 today a bullet passed through the centre window on the north side and crossed the hall passing through the screen - 24 ft width of room - on other side then striking the wall on the south side of the corridor about 12 inches above a small window. The police sergeant was at once informed and the ocurrence reported to the secretary at Dorchester.

January 18th 1901

Attendance this week on the whole very good. Wednesday morning and this morning being very wet there was a drop but it was much better in the afternoon each day. On books 354. Average 319. 90%

School numbers were much higher in 1901 than they are today, and they were all squashed into fewer buildings!

January 17th 1895

School closed this afternoon on account of the funeral of Mr William Brown, Coxswain of the Swanage Lifeboat who was drowned on Saturday last (12th) during a gale, by being washed out of the lifeboat off Old Harry Ledge while proceeding to the rescue of the crew of a Norwegian barque wrecked off Hook Sands to the north of Poole Bar.

A barque is a saling ship with three or more masts. The ship that the lifeboat was on its way to rescue was called the Brilliant - you can read more about the history of Swanage's lifeboats here: http://www.rnli.org.uk/rnli_near_you/southwest/stations/SwanageDorset/history

January 15th 1900

Very rough and stormy day. Attendance bad, as those who were away ill last week, but are now better are afraid to venture out in such weather.

January 12th 1899

We now think of Victorian children as being polite and well behaved, but it's clear from some entries in the log books that one or two were nothing of the kind! Bad behaviour was rewarded with severe punishment, though, as you can see:

Richard M. severely punished for inattention, disobediance and insubordination. He was inattentive in Geography lesson and he was stood out and punished with pointer by the teacher. He was told the answer to the question previously asked but refused to repeat it. When sent to Master he refused to go, and started home. His teacher told Master but boy refused to raise his hand for punishment. As master had been kicked by boy on similar occasions previously he called Mr Knight and took boy into cloak-room and gave him about a dozen cuts on buttocks with the cane. The boy did not cry at school, but did at home about half an hour later. Father called this afternoon and complained ...

January 8th 1917

The First World War had an effect on Swanage First School, as it did on the rest of the country.

Reopened this morning. Attendance only fair.
Mr Grant returned having been invalided out of army - wounded.

January 8th 1894

School scrubbed and walls brushed during holidays. Reopened this morning, snow very thick on ground from fall of Friday last. Very few children present. These sent home and school closed for the day.

The headteacher responsible for keeping the log book in 1894 was Mr Padmore, who according to a note added at the front of the book began teaching at Swanage National School, as it was then known, in 1890. In 1894 there were 217 children attending, with room for 300. There was an Infants Department and a Mixed Department.

January 7th 1895

Victorian schools taught the 'Three R's' - reading, writing and arithmetic. The children were divided into six Standards, and to move from one standard to the next the child had to pass a test, meaning that some children would be held back in a lower standard if they failed. The entry in the log book for January 7th 1895 shows how some children were judged rather harshly:

School has been scrubbed and cleaned and maps and pictures cleaned during holidays. Gravel has been laid in the playgrounds also. All teachers present this morning. Moved 4 children from Standard IV to Standard III as they are backward and a drag for the higher classes.

January 6th 1896

Again, the entry in the log book for January 6th 1896 shows how some children were judged rather harshly:

Reopened this morning. School has been thoroughly cleaned during holidays and repairs where necessary. All teachers present except Miss Barton who had leave of absence. Standard III divided into two sections - the upper to go on into Standard IV work when ready as it contains the forward children and three dullards from Standard IV. E Ward to help Mr Willimont in taking this class with Standard IV.