History of Welton School – Part 1: 1895 – 1915

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Overview

1884 copy of Wright’s Northamptonshire Directory states that the first school in Welton, later called The Old School, was established in 1820. It was endowed by the Clarke family, a wealthy family who held much land in the area. 

They had purchased the estate of Welton Manor and were managing farmland at Thrupp in the 1800s. The family supported the villagers of Welton by building the first school on the site now occupied by the village hall and its carpark, physically adjoining the White Horse pub.

This first school was enlarged in 1882 to accommodate 111 children. It was built with an attached Master’s House. Later, a small library of 200 volumes which had been established in 1871 became part of the school. From 1820 the school was handed over to the National Society who were running church schools at that time, although the Diocese took a close interest in the running of the school from the outset. 

This Local Board of Education oversaw the school (a “Board” school) until the creation of Local Education Authorities (LEAs) within County Councils as part of the 1904 Education Act which compelled local education authorities to fund and monitor all schools including voluntary (church) schools. 

In 1906 the name and designation of the school changed to Welton CE School, and it continued as such until 2012 when the school became Welton Academy as part of the David Ross Academy chain.

 In 1915 the school moved to its new premises across the road, following many years of reported concerns about the suitability of the old school house. This building in turn was further expanded and modernised in 1976, 1995 and 2004. The present site includes 5 classrooms, a hall, a library and 2 designated activity areas.

After the school moved in 1915 “The Old School,” as it was called continued to serve the village of Welton as a place for village events – a forerunner to the village hall. Evacuee children during World War II recalled Sunday School being taken in this building, at one point led by the memorably named May West! The Old School continued in use at least until the 1960s, prior to the new village hall being constructed.  

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The head teachers

In 1890 the head teacher was William Quelch, with Mrs Arabella Quelch as mistress. Average attendance in the school was recorded at 86. 

The photograph below is taken from around this time, so likely to be Arabella on the far right and possibly her older daughter Eleanor helping out far left.  As you can see this is the infant’s class, all girls and they are all lacemaking – carried out on a commercial basis by these young children.  The photograph is taken behind the old school building, as indeed many photographs of the time were.

The 1891 census entry number 30 records the following living at the School House

• William Quelch aged 45 – Schoolmaster – born in Stratford (prefixed possible by Essex?)
• Arrabella Quelch aged 46 – Schoolmistress – born in Bethnal Green, London
• William F Quelch aged 21 – son and schoolmaster – Born in Bedfordshire (Silsoe?)
• Eleanor W Quelch – aged 15 – daughter – also born in Bedfordshire
• Ethel M Quelch – aged 12 – daughter – also born in Bedfordshire

In the 1898 Kelly’s Directory details for the school remain broadly the same, however by this period average attendance has fallen to 79 and the head master  was Mr John Reid and the mistress Mrs J Reid. The daily log book shows that Mr Quelch resigned as master of the School on the 22nd August 1895 and that John Reid commenced duties as the New Head Teacher on Oct 1^st 1895.

The 1901 census entry number 46 records the following living at The School and School House:

• John Reid – aged 36 – Schoolmaster – born in Durham, South Shields
• Hannah Reid – aged 36 – his wife – born in North Shields, Northumberland
• Margaret Reid – aged 13 – their daughter – also born in South Shields
• Annie Reid – aged 11 – their daughter – born in Wooler, Northumberland
• John Reid – aged 1 – their son – born in Welton

John Reid continued as the Headmaster of Welton School until March 31^st  1905 when he left his post. From April 3^rd the role was taken on by a temporary Headmaster, Mr H. J. Wright until May 12^th  of that year, when  Edwin Bond became the new headmaster.

The school currently holds the head teacher log books covering the years 1895 – 2005 as completed by a series of successive headteachers, starting with William Quelch. These provide a fascinating overview of village life.

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The victorian school day

In those early records we can see that many aspects of school life were very different, not least what the children learned and their day-to-day experiences of school. But many things remained very similar to today, including a very close scrutiny of attendance, frequent inspections and a focus on behaviour. 

In the 1890s / early 1900s the school year was structured differently with the school year ending on June 30^th. The new school year started very soon after each year on the first Monday in July, shortly to be followed by “Harvest Holidays” later known as “Summer Holidays” usually lasting 4 weeks, but sometimes 5 (there seems no indication why this might have varied) usually starting on the last Friday in July or first Friday in August (usually between July 30^th and August 3^rd). 

The school day was also different. The day had 2 separate sessions, usually starting at 9 0’clock until 12.30. The afternoon session generally started at 1.30 running to 4 o’clock, however as from November 13^th 1905 it became an annual feature that between November and February the afternoon session would run between 1 o’clock and 3.30pm in order to “allow the children living at a distance to reach their homes before dark” (head teacher log book – Nov 9^th 1908)

The school curriculum had, like today a strong focus on the 3Rs – reading writing and arithmetic – however in other respects the topics of learning were very different. 

You can see here a focus on male role models and British military might and domination. This became even more apparent from May 1908 when each year the curriculum for the day included a special focus – “Empire Day” during which “the ordinary reading session was omitted and in its place a short descriptive lesson on the British Empire given by the Head Teacher” (John Reid – May 25^th 1908). This focus on Empire continued right up to 1914, when a holiday was also given in the afternoon. 

Pupils also undertook Musical Drill and Physical Drill. There was a huge focus on sewing – done of course by the girls. Regular – often fortnightly visits to the school were made by Mrs Clarke and Mrs Liddell (wife of Vicar) and later Mrs Garrard of Welton Place to inspect the needlework classes. Children also learned drawing, but painting did not come until later.

Secular instruction was generally taken by Canon Liddell and from 1902 by the Rev Hilton, who succeeded Canon Liddell as Vicar of Welton.

Children also had regular “Object Lessons” in which they were taught about a “common” object! These objects included: iron, wheat, wool, the cocoa plant and the tea plant. These were of variable effectiveness! 

In 1908 “Conversation Lessons” were introduced in the infant class and gardening (for the boys of course) was introduced. This course was promoted and very closely monitored by the new LEA – Local Education Authority that gave the County Council control over schools, a responsibility previously carried by School Boards. 

The gardening course was subject to change – an introductory long course was stopped, and schools had to run short courses; the pupils kept a garden and had written workbooks which were regularly reviewed by visiting inspectors. 

In January 1896 a “Penny Bank” was opened in the school to encourage children to save, 24 joined…perhaps the majority could not afford go do so? 

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Inspection and assessment

Inspection and assessment were very much a focus for the school. In 1895 and into 1896 the Head Teacher undertook monthly assessments of reading, writing and arithmetic. These later became quarterly exams as from December 1906. These were generally quite superficial taking one and a half to two days – often with a half day holiday at the end, and general comments made in the log book.

In addition to head teacher examinations, external tests in drawing and scripture were set externally every year. There were also regular “correspondent” (manager) visits by Rev Darnell, Canon Liddell and Colonel Clarke, as well as later “school correspondents”, as well as annual Government (HMI) Inspections (by Mr Gill, then Mr Wise, followed by J. Harrison Esq and L.J Monro HMI in 19oos). On top of that, fortnightly visits by the School Attendance Officer – Mr Watson (1895- 1903 followed by Mr Peck as from 1904 when the new LEA was established; he continued to 1914) and Diocesan Inspections annually. 

The school received “VG” in its 1898 Diocesan Report! Annual County Council Inspections were carried out by D.Elliot Esq for the years between 1904 and 1914. 

After Canon Liddell, Rev M.F Hilton took over as the “school correspondent” or manager – as part of his role as vicar; he was replaced in Oct 1^st 1906 by the new vicar, Charles Littledale MA until Feb 18^th 1907 when the Vicar Rev J.F Sugden took over. 

School was also visited by several other interestingly named or titled visitors, but it is not always clear why…..

In March 1909 annual medical checks of pupils were introduced with the Head Teacher conducting preliminary weight and eyesight checks which were then followed up by an appointed LEA Medical Officer. Medical cards were “forwarded to parents of children needing special attention” (HT log book March 24^th1911).

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Attendance – and absence

Attendance has always been a key focus for head teachers at Welton school. From the very start of the log book records, absence due to illness was a regular and significant problem. The school buildings were not fit for purpose for a very long time. 

They were cold, poorly heated and ventilated, the sanitation provision was basic and poor. Lighting was bad and accommodation cramped. (see details below). In these circumstances children would not have thrived and the ease with which infectious illnesses could be transmitted was significant. 

This is seen very clearly in the head teacher log books, which regularly report high levels of absence due to colds, influenza epidemics as well as scarlet fever, measles, mumps, chickenpox – of course, this was before the time of vaccinations. Some of these were serious and require the closure of the school:

However, absence was, like today, also a real issue when sanctioned by parents, albeit often of necessity:

The head teacher log books also provide an interesting overview of the weather and the profound impact this often had on attendance. There is no doubt that winters were far more severe at the end of the 19^th century and many entries refer to heavy and prolonged snowfalls, often over several days as well as periods of very stormy weather with heavy rain and strong winds.

Such weather made roads impassable; many children lived outside the village – sometimes referred to as “outside” children or those from “the Lodges” – and they came across the fields to school. Snow and waterlogged conditions made it impossible for them to get to school. Regular entries note a direct correlation between bad weather – especially rainy days – and poor attendance.

Summer temperatures also could be very high, which given the poor ventilation within school building must have made it very unpleasant. A selection of entries illustrates these challenges: 

The Social Division within society was marked in the following entries below: 

There is a real sense of political expectation in how the head teacher recorded events and the very factual, unemotive reporting of the death of a child within the school is shocking to a modern reader. 

The log books are interesting as much for what they don’t tell as much as what they do. Burial records across the period show a sadly high number of deaths amongst the children of Welton – as many as 30% of children in the UK didn’t live to their 10th birthday – yet on only one occasion was this reported in the head’s record. 

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Fit for purpose? The Old School building

Even as early as the summer of 1895 comments were being made by external inspectors that the fabric of the building was becoming a cause for concern: “The room is not suitable for its purpose and is very draughty.”

Over subsequent years this is often repeated, and although the Church and local families of wealth took a strong interest in the school, local support to address these concerns remained conspicuous by its absence! It seemed to take very strong words from HMI to get movement on this pressing issue!

Finally on June 13^th 1910 A Kendall Esq Inspector of School Buildings visited the school and inspected the school premises – and the 1913 HMI report by Mr H Hartley following his visits on 12^th Feb and 2^nd April opens with: “It is gratifying to learn that replacement of these premises by a new building is now likely to be soon carried out.”

On 21^st January 1914 a Government Valuation Officer visited the school to verify the dimensions of the building and the measurement of adjoining land.

And on January 12^th 1915 the head teacher, Edwin Bond, confirmed in his log book that the school “recommenced after the Christmas Holidays in the new school buildings recently completed” …and nothing more was said, perhaps because head teachers were forbidden to express opinions in the official school log book!

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A window into our past

The log books we have also provide fascinating insight into events of the period. 

Some details remind us of events that are now long forgotten. Equally there is a “business as usual” style, such as the limited reference to the outbreak of World War I. Some interesting examples of how Welton’s children in those days experienced history include:

The 1906 Warwick Pageant was a week-long theatrical spectacle (July 2^nd – 7^th) in the grounds of Warwick Castle, celebrating the 1000^th anniversary of Ethelfleda’s conquest of Mercia.  It featured 2000 performers, 200 speaking parts and 10 episodes spanning British History drawing massive crowds and boosting local pride.  It raised a profit of £2615 which was used to purchase the Pageant House and Gardens for the community.  For more details to go to Warwick Tourist Information Centre.

June 16^th 1911: the school was closed for one week in accordance with instruction in Circular 260 – the holiday being granted in honour of the coronation of His Majesty George V.

There were also other days each year when the school was closed for holiday:

Another development was the introduction of the system of using school premises for elections. 

On February 27^th, 1907, the first such direction was sent by the County Council confirming that Welton School would be used as a Polling Station for the County 

Council elections on Tuesday March 5^th, 1907. This development was made possible by the changes in 1903, when on September 30^th the school came under the control of the new Country Council. This nationwide move saw the introduction of Local Education Authorities run by County Councils – a system that would prevail for over a century. 

1910 saw the introduction of national annual medical checks in school. Under the scheme, preliminary weight and eyesight checks were carried out by the Head Teacher followed about a fortnight later by a visit the appointed Medical Inspector of the LEA. In Welton these happened on April 4^th and 18^th 1910. The school later received form M.1.10 detailing children who had been identified as “needing special treatment”.

The approach of war

Entry for the head teacher log book September 25^th 1913:  Holiday given today on account of this district being within the centre of operations consequent upon the “Army Manoeuvres” now being carried on in the counties of Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.”

In September 1913 British Army manoeuvres were held across Bucks and South Northants, serving as a critical final dress rehearsal for the British Army for World War One. These exercises involved roughly 50,000 soldiers and airman, and 25,000 horses in a simulation of war. 

The exercise simulated a conflict between ‘Whiteland’ (defenders centred on Daventry) and ‘Brownland’ (invaders from the South). The climactic battle took place on September 25th and was watched by King George V, Queen Mary, a host of military chiefs including Churchill as first Lord of the Admiralty and wherever possible the general public, who lined the roads. 

Lessons were learned about the importance of spotter planes and railway for troop movement and the limitations of cavalry – but not learned with regard to the importance of deep trenches, tin hats, the numbers of shells that would be needed and the fact that some generals were not up to the job.

War was declared on 28^th July 1914. The children returned to school after the summer break as usual and the first reference to this event did not appear in the head teacher log book  until October 28^th 1914when he recorded the following

On November 16^th, 1914, 6 new children were admitted to the school – these were families of Belgian refugees who had come to live in Welton. Times were changing around the world, within Britain and in Welton, as men of the village went to fight.

However, the school log books show a definite “keep calm and carry on” approach, as if the declaration of war had never happened!

So, on December 3^rd, 1914, the head recorded that Mrs S.H Garrard had visited the school and distributed needlework prizes! Life in Welton carried on as it always had done.

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And finally …. a hint of an earlier school

Although this history covers the period of the formal school, it is interesting to note the entry below from the list of vicars in the Welton Tithe book – 1617 Richard Patrick, Vicar.  I find no account of his burial, but Elizabeth his wife was buried 10th January 1646.  She lived and taught school in Welton above twenty-nine years.

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