Schools inspectors' report (1896)

Post date: Feb 14, 2012 12:40:45 PM

Extract from Parish magazine of April 1896:

THE NATIONAL SCHOOLS.

The following summary of the Inspector's Report upon the work of the Schools during the year ending January 31st, 1896, has been received from the Education Department:-

BOYS' SCHOOL—" This department appears to have continued to work steadily and well during the past year.''

GIRLS' SCHOOL —" This department has been methodically and carefully conducted throughout the year.''

INFANTS' CLASS -" I am satisfied that the Infants have continued to be very well and carefully taught. The provisions of Article 73 of the Code, as to the organization (see footnote to that Article) should not be lost sight of."

This report so far as it concerns the teachers and their work, may be considered eminently satisfactory. The government grant has been transmitted to the Bankers. The scale on which the grant has been calculated is the same as that of previous years.

The highest possible award has been made in respect of 'discipline and organization' in Boys'and Girls' departments, for the two class subjects for which a special grant obtains in each school, namely, 'English' and 'Geography and History' in the Boys', and 'English' and 'Needlework' in the Girls',also for 'Singing by Note' in the Boys, and 'Singing by Ear' in the Girls. In both departments the principal grant is fixed, as heretofore, at 12s. 6d. per head; it is understood that the general condition of the schools in respectt of buildings, appliances and staff render it impossible that the higher award, under this head of 14s., should be obtained.

In the Infants' Class the highest awards have been made under every head, namely, 'Fixed Grant','Variable Grant' ' Needlework and Drawing', and ' Singing by Ear'. A high average of attendance has raised the total sum of the Grant to a higher figure than that of last year by £24.

The note in the Inspector's Report having reference to the Code's requirements as to organization in the Infants' class was anticipated by the managers, who, some time ago, instructed the correspondent to endeavour to obtain a suitable candidate for probation as pupil teacher. The matter is in process of arrangement. A pupil teacher counts on the staff for 30 pupils, and a candidate for probation counts for 20 pupils.

The Inspector of Drawing has again awarded the "Excellent" Grant to the Boys School, but his report intimidates that this award will not be given on the next report unless the work of the school in this subject shall have reached a higher standard.

The school also benefited from an inspection in May of the same year with a visit of Rev R.E. Spencer, Deputy Diocesan Inspector, who examined the children in Religious Knowledge and gave unqualified glowing reports for all.