School minutes (1845-48): unfounded allegations against school mistress
Post date: Mar 05, 2013 11:28:14 AM
At Kent archives (reference P385/25/4) are the minutes of the Committee of the National Schools. The ones for 1845 to 1848 are transcribed below. See also School Minutes 1844 and School Rules (1843).
Summary: at the end of 1845 the first Master & Mistress were given notice and in February 1846 Willam and Mary Ann Stiles were appointed as Master and Mistress. In June 1846 William Boorman makes "certain charges" against Mary Ann Stiles; the committee examine her and some of the girls and find they have no foundation.
Next year in August 1847 a committee meeting, with a particularly large number of attendees, records: In consideration of the progress the children have made since Mr. & Mrs. Stiles have had the management of the Schools, resolved that an addition of £10 per annum be added to their present salary and the committee beg to express their satisfaction at their conduct since their appointment.
In May 1848 the committee Resolved, that as the Schools were built for the Poor of this Parish, those above that rank should pay 4d per week for each child’s education. The AGM of December 1848 reveals that an infants school has been set up and the mistress should be paid £15 p.a. A discount is to be allowed for second and subsequent children. Application is made for independent external inspection and Wateringbury's liberal credentials are shown by allowing ladies who subscribe to have the right to vote at AGMs by (male) proxy.
George Newman's recollections "Wateringbury Revisited" edited by Dail Whiting (pages 28-30) give some of his insights on William Stile, who he remembered fondly, despite suffering a severe beating from him on one occasion: "his two strong points were music and calligraphy"; " an essentially firm but kind man"; when he left Wateringbury "appointed to a larger school at Barnet".
Nationally in 1846 a system of certifying teachers was introduced. However teachers were not treated with great respect, one government minister likening the notion of consulting teachers about what should be taught to "asking chickens with which sauce they would be served."
1845
At the quarterly meeting of the Committee of the National Schools held at the school residence on Monday February 3rd 1845
Present James Woodbridge
Revd Henry Stevens
Resolved, that a new writing desk be fixed at the upper end of the Boys school.
Henry Stevens Chairman
At the quarterly meeting of the Committee of the National Schools held at the school residence on Monday May 5th 1845
Present Revd Henry Stevens
S. Lancaster Esq.,
There being no business to transact, the meeting was adjourned to the next quarter day
Henry Stevens Chairman
At the quarterly meeting of the Committee of the National Schools held at the school residence on Monday Augst 4th 1845
Present Revd Henry Stevens
James Woodbridge, Esq.,
Mr. Featherstone
There ordinary business of the meeting being transacted, the meeting was adjourned to the next quarter day.
Henry Stevens Chairman
At the quarterly meeting of the Committee of the National Schools held at the school residence on Monday Novr 3rd
Present Revd Henry Stevens
Mr. Featherstone
There ordinary business of the meeting being transacted, the meeting was adjourned to the next quarter day.
Henry Stevens Chairman
At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the national schools, held at the School Residence on Monday Decr 22nd 1845.
Present Revd Henry Stevens
James Woodbridge, Esq
Messrs J.B. Jude
Featherstone
S.L. Lancaster Esq.,
Mr Perrin
Resolved,
That the following subscribers in addition to the vicar & Churchwardens form the Committee for the year 1846: Mesrs Gould, Langridge, ????, Mills, ??? & Leney
That the meetings of the committee for the ensuing year be held at the School Residence on the 4th Feby, the 5th of May, the 5th of Augt & the 4th of November 1846 at 3.00 o’clock in the afternoon.
That notice having been given by the Committee to the Master & Mistress to leave the school residence on the 2nd of Feby 1846 & the vicar having advertised in the Ecclesiastical Gazette for fit persons to succeed them, & having several applications, but not accompanied with testimonials,
Resolved that the committee meet on notice from the vicar that he has received such testimonials, to elect a Master & Mistress.
Henry Stevens Chairman
1846
At the quarterly meeting of the National school committee held at the School Residence on Wednesday the 4th Feby 1846.
Present Mr. Woodbridge
No other member of the committee being present , the meeting was by him adjourned to the 5th of May 1846.
[ note appended to minute book]
We William & Mary Ann Stiles
Agree to quit the School Residence at Wateringbury in the county of Kent at six weeks’ notice from the Committee of the national schools and also to give six weeks’ notice to the said committee in case we desire to give up the situation of Master & Mistress .
Wateringbury
19th Feby 1846
[Signed]William Stiles
Mary Ann Stiles
Witness James Woodbridge
At the quarterly meeting of the National school committee held at the School Residence on Wednesday May 5th.
Present Revd Henry Stevens
No other member of the committee being present , the meeting is adjoined adjourned to the next quarterly meeting.
Henry Stevens Chairman
At a special meeting of the committee of the National schools held at the School Residence on Friday June 12th & called to investigate certain charges made by Mr. William Boorman against the Mistress
Present H. M. Gould
? Langridge
Jas Woodbridge
Revd Henry Stevens
Resolved,
That Mr. William Boorman, not having appeared to substantiate his charges against the Mistress of the Schools & the committee having examined the mistress & various girls on the subject have come to the conclusion that there is no foundation for the charges made
James Woodbridge, Chairman
At the quarterly meeting of the National school committee held at the School Residence on Wednesday Augt 5th, 1846
Present Revd Henry Stevens
No other member of the committee being present, the meeting was adjourned to the 4th of November..
Henry Stevens Chairman
At the quarterly meeting of the National school committee held at the School Residence on Wednesday Nov. 4th, 1846
Present Revd Henry Stevens
James Woodbridge, Esq
The ordinary business of the meeting being transacted, it was adjourned to the next quarter day.
Henry Stevens Chairman
At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the national Schools, held at the School Residence on Monday Decr 1846
Present The Revd Henry Stevens
Messrs Gould
Featherstone
Resolved
That the following subscribers, in addition to the vicar and Churchwardens of the Parish, form the Committee for the year 1847: Messrs Lancaster, White, J B Jude, Allingham, Featherstone.
That the meetings of the committee for the ensuing year be held at the School Residence on Feby 3rd,May 5th, Augt 4th, & Nov 3 at 3 o’clock.
Resolved that the Treasurer being unavoidably absent, the consideration of the accounts be deferred til the next quarterly meeting.
Henry Stevens Chairman
1847
At the quarterly meeting of the committee of the National schools held at the School Residence on Wednesday the 3rd Feby 1847
Present Mr Woodbridge
Mr White
Mr Featherstone
The Treasurer accounts were examined & found correct & the Girls Work Book showing several sums unpaid for work returned.
Resolved,
That the accounts for the same be sent to the parties & payment requested in accordance with the rules of the National school
James Woodbridge
Thomas White
Wm Featherstone
At the quarterly meeting of the committee of the National schools held at the School Residence on Wednesday May 5th, 1847
Present Revd Henry Stevens
Mr Allingham
The ordinary business of the meeting being transacted, it was adjourned to the next quarter day.
Henry Stevens Chairman
At the quarterly meeting of the committee of the National schools held at the School Residence on Wednesday August 4th, 1847.
Present Revd Henry Stevens
S.L. Lancaster, Esq
Jas Woodbridge, Esq.,
Thos. White Esq.
Mr. Allingham
Mr. W. Featherstone
In consideration of the progress the children have made since Mr. & Mrs. Stiles have had the management of the Schools, resolved that an addition of £10 per annum be added to their present salary and the committee beg to express their satisfaction at their conduct since their appointment.
Henry Stevens Chairman
At the quarterly meeting of the committee of the national schools held at the School residence on Wednesday Novr 3rd 1847
Present Revd Henry Stevens
James Woodbridge
Resolved that the bills for books etc. be paid by the Treasurer.
Henry Stevens Chairman
At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the National Schools held at the School Residence on Friday Decr 31st 1847
Present Revd Henry Stevens
James Woodbridge, Esq.,
Mr. W. Featherstone
The Treasurers accounts having been examined & found correct
Resolved,
That the following subscribers in addition to the Vicar & Churchwardens form the committee for the year 1848: Messrs Mills, ??? Willcocks, Earle, Seath & Ongley.
That the meetings of the committee for the ensuing year be held at the School Residence on Feby 2nd,May 3rd, Augt 2nd, & Nov 1st at 3 o’clock.
Henry Stevens Chairman
1848
At the quarterly meeting of the committee of the National Schools held at the School House on Wednesday 2nd February, 1848
Present Mr. Woodbridge
Mr Ongley
The ordinary business of the meeting being transacted, it was adjourned to the next quarter day.
James Woodbridge Chairman
At the quarterly meeting of the committee of the National Schools held at the School House on Wednesday the third of May, 1848
Present Revd Henry Stevens
Jas Woodbridge
Resolved, that as the Schools were built for the Poor of this Parish, those above that rank should pay 4d per week for each child’s education.
Henry Stevens Chairman
At the quarterly meeting of the committee of the National Schools held at the School House on Wednesday Augt 2nd, 1848
Present Revd Henry Stevens
The ordinary business of the meeting being transacted, it was adjourned to the next quarter day.
Henry Stevens Chairman
At the quarterly meeting of the committee of the National Schools held at the School House on Wednesday Nov 1st, 1848
Present Revd Henry Stevens
Mr. Willcocks
The ordinary business of the meeting being transacted, it was adjourned to the next quarter day.
Henry Stevens Chairman
At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the National Schools held at the School Residence on Friday Decr 29th 1848
Present Revd Henry Stevens
S. L. Lancaster Esq.,
Jas Woodbridge
Mr W Featherstone
Mr J White
The Treasurers accounts having been examined & found correct
Resolved,
That the following subscribers in addition to the vicar and churchwardens form the committee for the year 1849 : Messrs S L Lancaster, Woodbridge , Langridge, ??? , Faetherstone
That the meetings of the committee for the ensuing year be held at the school Residence on the first Wednesday in the months of Feby, May, Augt, & Novr at three o’clock.
That rule 2 be altered thus –the parents of children in the National schools shall pay twopence a week for one child, & a penny a week for every additional child.
That the infant school be united to the National schools of this parish and that the parents of the children pay in the same ratio as in the National Schools
That application be made to the Committee of Council and Education for the periodical inspection of the Wateringbury Schools and that form no 6 having been duly filled up, be forwarded to the secretary of the said Committee.
That no person subscribing less than 10 s per annum shall be eligible to be placed on the committee and that Ladies subscribing to that amount shall possess the right of voting by proxy at the annual Meeting.
That a salary of £15 be granted to the infant school mistress for the year 1849.
Henry Stevens Chairman