Old MosboroughVillage School

THE VILLAGE SCHOOL 1870 to 1899

The Education Act of 1870, arguably the most important Act of social legislation in the last century, made local authorities responsible for making available

free education for all under the age of ten years. Attendance was only made compulsory a few years later.

In his log book entry of January 31st, 1870, William Ascough writes 'I took charge of Mosborough School to-day. Admitted 62 in the morning and re-opened Night School in the evening with 17'.

All through this period there are frequent references to high absence for scarlet fever, measles, chickenpox, etc. It makes pitiful reading indeed.

On April 5th, 1875 the Infants were separated from the older children with ^&ry Anne Davies as Headmistress.

Another entry, dated September 10th, 1883 commented that, when the School was re-opened after the Summer holidays a large number of scholars, both boys and girls, were absent as they were working in the harvest fields.

This is amplified still further when a note, dated February 5th, 1888, states that many of the older children are compelled to leave school having to go to work on account of the poverty of the larger families - no state benefits in those hard, far away times.

A most unusual piece of information of April 26th, 1892 records 'Forty children absent this afternoon, but present this morning, on account of a funeral!!"

Older Mosbronians who remember Headmaster, Edwin (Ted) Drabble, will be interested to know that he commenced duties on April 4th, 1899 as a teacher.

THE VILLAGE SCHOOL 1900 - 1929

In 1900 the School was in two distinct compartments, the Senior School Headmaster being Richard Davies, with Mary Elizabeth Ashmore, Head of the Infants Department. All told there were around 340 pupils on roll.

Discipline was very strict and vigorously enforced and indeed it was expected to be so in those days. The School bell (taken down in the 1950's, but unused for many years before that date) heralded the start of the school day.

Inside the top school yard was a huge thermometer (courtesy of Stephen's ink) and nearby was the large flag-pole on which the Union Jack was flown on special occasions.

A very early entry in the log book states quite tersely that the Headteacher gave the cleaning ladies 'a week's notice for not doing their work properly'

In those far-off times epidemics and ill-health ran rife due to malnutrition, poor housing and unsanitary conditions as the following extracts will show.

In December 1905, 59 children contracted scarlet fever (virtually unknown to-day) and this went on right through into February, 1906 when not only were there 54 cases of scarlet fever but 43 with other illnesses ranging from measles to chickenpox.

58 cases of measles were recorded out of 137 pupils in the Infants Department on 18th March, 1918. What would the media say about these outbreaks to-day? However, thanks to social improvements and medical science they don't have a chance and we should thank God for our present blessings.

Even in 1925 health had improved tremendously for when School re-opened after Easter, 1925 334 children attended out of a roll of 338.

Mention should be made of Selena Fox who had a full school-time attendance during her eight years of school from 1902 - 1910.

A present member of our congregation, Lydia Plant, made a full attendance in her first year at School. Well done Lydia;

Lyd' is now 88 years of age.

THE VILLAGE SCHOOL IN 1930

I have obtained permission to extract entries from the School log book wnich go back to 1870. For this privilege I am most grateful and intend to write three articles using this information.

In 1930 there were 351 pupils on roll in two distinct compartments. There was the Senior Division - Headmaster, Edwin Drabble, with the following teachers, Mrs. Bain, Miss Blenkinsop, Miss Pointy, Mr. Bennett, Miss Andrew and

Miss Godley. Mrs. Sarah H. Groves was Headmistress of

the Infants with the supporting staff, Mrs. Freeman,

Miss Bell, Miss Senior and Mrs. Clayton.

Discipline was much stricter in those days and 'Spare the rod and spoil the child' was much in vogue. Even the 'ruler* had other uses than for measurement - not to

mention the 'slipper'. The register was all important in those days, meticulously kept and' called' both morning and afternoon. It was inspected regularly by the

managers and absentees were chased up by the 'School bobby', but apart from epidemics, in the winter months, attendance was pretty fair.

The 'slate' and slate pencil were used for the early stages of writing and sums, but the nearest thing used then like our calculator or computer was the good, old abacus or bead frame.

If a scholar did something silly or stupid they had to put on the 'dunce's cap' and go and stand in a corner for punishment.

Pupils were given a whole day's holiday for Guy Fawkes Day and had three days' holiday for Eckington Feast.

Mosborough Boys won the final of The Harland Bowden Shield Trophy (open to all Schools in North-East Derbyshire) beating Clowne 1 - 0 in the final replay, having drawn 2-2 in the previous match. This was the second year running Mosborough had won the coveted football shield and their team was, Joe Waller, Albert Keeton, Fred Green (Captain)

David English