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Second World War extracts from the log books of “Ibstock Senior School” 1939-1945

Ibstock Senior School

1939-1945Verbatim transcription from

the school log book kept by the Headmaster :

Mr. J.V.Measures

Transcribed by Mr K. Norman.

Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this Figure 1: Mr. J. V. Measures – Headmaster and author of this


The College holds log books from the opening of the school in 1925 until the modern period. These log books remain the property of the Governors of Ibstock Community College.

These fully transcribed extracts cover 1939-1945 and there are also additional edited references to recovery in 1946.

If any reader wishes any personal or family information to be removed from this copy, please contact the transcriber, Mr K. Norman, at the College.

Contents

An attempt at a draft Index..................................................................................................3Academic year 1939 - 1940................................................................................................14Calendar year 1940................................................................................................................18Academic year 1940 - 1941................................................................................................24Calendar year 1941................................................................................................................26Academic year 1941 – 1942...............................................................................................31Calendar year 1942................................................................................................................34Academic year 1942-1943..................................................................................................38Calendar year 1943................................................................................................................40Academic year 1943-1944..................................................................................................43Calendar year 1944................................................................................................................46Academic year 1944-1945..................................................................................................49Calendar year 1945................................................................................................................51



An attemp t at a draft Index Appleby.............................................................................................................................................................32, 35

No students in at all due to farm work...................................................................................................32Ashby.......................................................................................................................................................................42Attendance............................................................................................................................................................18Bagworth....................................................................................................................................................19, 27, 32

Bus getting through.......................................................................................................................................27Battram...................................................................................................................................................................19Bosworth................................................................................................................................................................ 14Celebrations

1939 Christmas Parties................................................................................................................................161939 Christmas Parties................................................................................................................................171939 Christmas Parties - £52 raised.......................................................................................................171939 Christmas Parties - donations by local tradesmen..................................................................171939 Christmas Parties Conjuror and Film projector hire................................................................171940 Christmas Parties £17 received for Evacuees...........................................................................261942 Christmas Parties..........................................................................................................................................391943 Christmas Parties..........................................................................................................................................451944 Christmas Parties..........................................................................................................................................501945 Christmas parties - pre war scale..................................................................................................................55Dances for end of War..........................................................................................................................................53Death of Hitler announced....................................................................................................................................53Thanksgiving Services at end of War.....................................................................................................................53VE day - school closure..........................................................................................................................................54

CoalvilleTechnical Institute - munitions work........................................................................................................27

Education Office.Examiners' meeting.......................................................................................................................................21

Ellistown................................................................................................................................................................. 45Evacuees................................................................................................................................................................14

1940 Christmas Parties - £17 cost............................................................................................................26Birmingham - Holy Family Sch - Mr Heneghan..............................................................................................35Birmingham - 341 evacuated children resident in district...............................................................26Birmingham Birchfield Rd School

Hutchinson Mr. - Resignation...........................................................................................................................34Birmingham Birchfield Rd School..............................................................................................................27Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - 459 children expected to arrive........................................14Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - 87 boys......................................................................................14Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Arrival in Ibstock.....................................................................14Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Brockington Mr -. visit...........................................................15Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - christmas party.......................................................................17Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Ford Mr.......................................................................................19Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Lady Mayoress of Birmingham visit.................................15Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Lord Mayor of Birmingham - visit......................................15Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - MacMahon Dr D - visit...........................................................15Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Martin Lady - visit...................................................................15Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Martin Sir R.E. , visit..............................................................15Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Newspaper photographs......................................................16Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Only 24 left - no Birmingham staff...................................22



Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Poor discipline amongst children.......................................16Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Preparations to receive........................................................14Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - receiving district and arrangements...............................14Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Seperate assemblies and structure.................................14Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Snow Mr S. H......................................................................14, 16Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Snow Mr S. H............................................................................17Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Snow Mr, - returns to Birmingham..................................18Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Steer Mr.....................................................................................21Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Watkins Mr................................................................................26Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Williams Mr...............................................................................22Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Williams Mr.........................................................................21, 22Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - - Williams Mr ..............................................................................14Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - decreasing numbers................................................................21Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Ford Mr..........................................................................................18Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - absorption of class into main school...................................29Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - half students return home for holidays..............................22Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Hutchinson Mr............................................................14, 21, 24, 25Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Hutchinson Mr.............................................................................22Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Hutchinson Mr.............................................................................29Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Hutchinson Mr.............................................................................31Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Hutchinson Mr - in charge.......................................................19Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Hutchinson Mr - return after injury......................................31Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Hutchinson Mr - sole charge during holidays...................21Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Hutchinson Mr – taking late Easter holiday.......................21Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Hutchinson Mr, broken collarbone........................................31Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Leonard Mr....................................................................................17Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Leonard Mr....................................................................................14Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Leonard Mr - returns to Birmingham...................................18Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Watkins Mr....................................................................................27Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Watkins Mr - retained by Birmingham L.E.A.....................29Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - Watkins Mr - unable to return due to snow.......................27Birmingham Birchfield Road School - Hutchinson Mr - returning to Birmingham....................33Birmingham Christchurch School Sparkbrook - Allen Mr arrives to do duty for Miss Baldwin

......................................................................................................................................................................... 27Birmingham Christchurch School Sparkbrook - Allen Mr returns to Birmingham....................27Birmingham Christchurch School Sparkbrook - Wellings Miss............................................26, 27, 31Birmingham Christchurch School Sparkbrook - Wellings Miss - returning to Birmingham. . .33Birmingham Holy Family RC school.......................................................................................................................35Birmingham St James' C.E. School - Baldwin Miss - arrival..............................................................28Birmingham St James' C.E. School - Baldwin Miss returns to Birmingham.................................26Birmingham St James' C.E. School - Hogg Mrs - arrival.....................................................................28Birmingham St James' C.E. School- Hogg Mrs departure..................................................................28Birmingham St James C.E.School - placed in 2 separate classes..................................................26Birmingham St James' C.E.School, – Baldwin Miss E..........................................................................26Birmingham St James' CE. School - arrival of 14 children................................................................26Birmingham Starbank Road Junior School – Butler.............................................................................31Birmingham Starbank Road Junior School - Butler Mr.................................................................26, 27Birmingham Starbank Road Junior School - Butler Mr - gardening with 1st year boys..........30Ipswich - admission of 22 children...........................................................................................................25Ipswich - Emergency arrival of 204 Mothers & children...................................................................24Ipswich - need to shelter 70 Evacuees...................................................................................................25Ipswich - Skinner Miss - recalled to Ipswich during holidays...........................................................26London - receiving centre for 450.............................................................................................................25



Medical inspection - 29 students...............................................................................................................33re-arrangement of classrooms...................................................................................................................26

Health253 children second immunisation against Diptheria.......................................................................29268 children first immunisation against Diptheria..............................................................................29Absence due to after-effects of Diptheria immunisation..................................................................29Bronchitis..............................................................................................................................................................40Bronchitis - Mrs Hudson........................................................................................................................................35Chicken-pox......................................................................................................................................................29chill............................................................................................................................................................28, 46, 53Dentist...................................................................................................................................................................46Diptheria...............................................................................................................................................................45Doctor...................................................................................................................................................................47Edwards Pansy - Broken bone in foot during PT..................................................................................21General sickness.............................................................................................................................................19Hopton John - accident.........................................................................................................................................42Hutchinson Mr. - broken collarbone.........................................................................................................31Immunisation........................................................................................................................................................49Infirmary..........................................................................................................................................................43, 47Influenza.....................................................................................................................................18, 21, 35, 40, 45Measles..............................................................................................................................................................29Medical Inspection................................................................................................................................................49Medical Inspections of 99 students..........................................................................................................33Meldrum Dr – Pansy Edwards - broken foot..........................................................................................21No Doctor available for Derrick Underwood's accident.....................................................................30Pansy Edwards - accident............................................................................................................................21Playtime. Underwood Derrick - cut heel.................................................................................................30Roberts Freda - swallowed a needle.....................................................................................................................47Roy Bailiss - accident....................................................................................................................................30Sickness prevalent.........................................................................................................................................18tonsillitis..........................................................................................................................................................25, 41Underwood Derrick- accident.....................................................................................................................30Wrist injury............................................................................................................................................................43X Ray..................................................................................................................................................................... 47

Heather...................................................................................................................................................................18Hinckley.....................................................................................................................................22, 29, 36, 51, 53, 54Ibstock public buildings

Toc H...................................................................................................................................................................14Ibstock public buildings

Wesleyan Reform Primary School.............................................................................................................14Ibstock staff

Hughes..................................................................................................................................................................50Lester Miss - teaching practice..............................................................................................................................53

Ibstock StaffBailey Mr - Loughborough Student...........................................................................................................25Barden Mr.............................................................................................................................................................42Barden Mr - Teaching Practice..............................................................................................................................42Barry Miss..........................................................................................................................................................31Barry Miss S......................................................................................................................................................31Barry Miss............................................................................................................................................34, 38, 40, 41Bartlett Mrs FHJ.........................................................................................................................................43, 44, 49Brookes Mrs.......................................................................................................................34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40, 44Brooks Mrs..........................................................................15, 24, 25, 27, 28, 31, 36, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 52, 53



Butler Mr...............................................................................................................................................................34Butler Mr. Absence due to death of Mother.........................................................................................................35Davies Mr BT - Teaching Practice..............................................................................................................33Davies Mr BT - to Cambridge to join Navy.............................................................................................33Davis Mr................................................................................................................................................................35Dayton Mr.............................................................................................................................................................38Deer - Teaching Practice..................................................................................................................................39, 40Dennis Mr..............................................................................................................................................................35Dennis Mr. J R - Teaching Practice............................................................................................................33Dennis Mr.- Teaching Practice...............................................................................................................................33Desborough Miss...................................................................................................................................................41Desborough Miss - Teaching Practice....................................................................................................................41Dixon.....................................................................................................................................................................51Downes Mr...................................................................................................................................................25, 27Downes Mr - joined R.A.F.............................................................................................................................27Downes Mr - medical examination for RAF at Gosport......................................................................26Downes Mr - temporary duty......................................................................................................................25Downes Mr T.........................................................................................................................................................27Drake Flight Lieut. resumption of duty..................................................................................................................54Drake Mr.................................................................................................................................................15, 24, 27Drake Mr - called for RAF tests..................................................................................................................24Drake Mr - leave of absence for medical examination before entry into RAF..........................23Drake Mr - left to join R.A.F.........................................................................................................................27Drake Mr - medical board............................................................................................................................24Drayton Mr............................................................................................................................................................38Dunnicliffe Mrs....................................................................................................................................49, 50, 52, 53Eddington Mr..................................................................................................................................................51, 52Eggington Mr............................................................................................................................38, 40, 44, 47, 51, 52Eggington Mr - death after 2 year illness...............................................................................................................52Elderfield Miss.......................................................................................14, 15, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 31, 52, 53Elderfield Miss..............................................................................................................34, 35, 37, 38, 40, 41, 44, 45Eldridge Miss - PT training...........................................................................................................................21Fawcett Mr............................................................................................................................................................42Fawcett Mr - Teaching Practice.............................................................................................................................42Fisher Mrs..........................................................................................................................................................28Fisher Mrs - left................................................................................................................................................31Fort Mr....................................................................................................................................................15, 18, 24Fort Mr - Called to Military service............................................................................................................25Fort Mr - medical board................................................................................................................................24Fort Mr J..........................................................................................................................................................25, 54Fort Mr J - resumption of duty on return from service..........................................................................................54Griffiths Miss............................................................................................................14, 15, 18, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27Griffiths Miss - illness and sore throat.....................................................................................................26Griffiths Miss - Illness gastric stomach....................................................................................................18Griffiths Miss - termination of employment...........................................................................................28Hallas Miss - Teaching Practice..............................................................................................................................41Halstead Mr...........................................................................................................................................................46Harratt Miss - unpaid leave of absence to marry Fiance on leave.........................................................................54Harratt Miss Eileen...................................................................................................................43, 44, 45, 52, 53, 54Harrison H.E. Call up papers to Catterick...............................................................................................................35Harrison Lieut HE released to resume work..........................................................................................................54Harrison Mr................................................................................................................................15, 24, 25, 27, 31Harrison Mr - in charge of Greenhouse...................................................................................................21



Harrison Mr - Loughborough student.......................................................................................................25Harrison Mr.....................................................................................................................................................34, 35Heneghan Miss - absence due to snow.................................................................................................................34Heneghan Mrs................................................................................................................................28, 29, 31, 34Henshaw Mrs....................................................................................................................................................27Hewes Miss J.........................................................................................................................................................42Hewes Miss Jean - Teaching Practice....................................................................................................................42Hoges Mrs.............................................................................................................................................................36Holland Mr.................................................................................................................................................38, 52, 53Holland Mr......................................................................................................................................................34, 44Howcroft Mr., Student teacher of Loughborough College..........................................................19, 21Hoyes Mrs....................................................................................................................................................31, 34Hoyes Mrs....................................................................................................................................................29, 30Hoyle...............................................................................................................................................................47, 51Hudson Mrs................................................................................................................................25, 27, 31, 52, 53Hudson Mrs – temporary duty....................................................................................................................25Hudson Mrs sickness.............................................................................................................................................35Hudson Mrs sickness - bronchitis..........................................................................................................................35Hudson Mrs..................................................................................................................34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 44, 46, 47Hutchinson Mr......................................................................................................................................................53Hutchinson Mr - temporary duty - originally Evacuated Teacher from Birmingham.............................................52Hutchinson Mr - transfer to Hinckley....................................................................................................................54Irons Mr - joining Fleet Air Arm.............................................................................................................................49Irons Mr G..................................................................................................................................................46, 47, 49Jenkins Miss...........................................................................24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 34, 37, 38, 44, 52, 53, 54Jenkins Miss......................................................................................................................................................15Jenkins Miss – dangerous illness of Mother in South Wales.............................................................28Jenkins Miss - leave to meet brother returning after 4 years................................................................................54Jenkins Miss, staff training...........................................................................................................................21Kellett - Teaching Practice...............................................................................................................................39, 40Kelly Mr - PT student......................................................................................................................................21Kitson....................................................................................................................................................................51Lieutenant Downes T - awarded MBE for Gallantry.............................................................................................48Lowe Miss S......................................................................................................................................................31Marry Miss............................................................................................................................................................40Mattley J Miss - clerk, left.............................................................................................................................31McCarthy...............................................................................................................................................................47Measure Mr - absence due to illness of Mother...................................................................................................42Measures Mr..............................................................................................................................24, 37, 40, 44, 52Measures Mr - absence due to family bereavement..........................................................................28Measures Mr - absence due to illness......................................................................................................29Measures Mr - absence from school on A.S.E work............................................................................29Measures Mr - absence from school on A.S.E. work.....................................................................22, 29Measures Mr - absence through illness...................................................................................................26Measures Mr - absent at conference........................................................................................................30Measures mr - attending meeting of BBC General Council...................................................................................46Measures Mr - entered hospital............................................................................................................................40Measures Mr - illness...............................................................................................................................30, 33Measures Mr – illness....................................................................................................................................16Measures Mr - Influenza...............................................................................................................................19Measures Mr - lamenting "mollycoddling" of children.......................................................................18Measures Mr - serving on LEA Teacher training board..........................................................................................53Measures mr - to attend NUT conference.............................................................................................................50



Pacey Miss..........................................................................................................................40, 44, 46, 47, 52, 53, 55Phillips...................................................................................................................................................................47Pollard Mr.............................................................................................................................................................40Rogers Mr..............................................................................................................................................................46Sabine Mr...........................................................................................................................................................15Sabine Mr - leaving for war work..............................................................................................................22Sabine Mrs.................................................................................................................................................41, 42, 43Simpson Miss..................................................................19, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28, 31, 34, 37, 38, 43, 44, 51, 52, 53Simpson Miss..............................................................................................................................................15, 19Stenhouse Mr, Student teacher of Loughborough College..............................................................19Swain Miss - teaching practice..............................................................................................................................53Swinburne - Teaching Practice..............................................................................................................................39Tapp Captain - resumption of duty........................................................................................................................54Tapp Mr..................................................................................................................................................15, 19, 24Tapp Mr - called to military service..........................................................................................................25Tapp Mr - medical board..............................................................................................................................24Tapp Mr, called up,.........................................................................................................................................25Thomas Mr............................................................................................................................................................50Thomas Mrs.....................................................................................................................................................41, 42Wallace Mr..............................................................................................15, 25, 27, 31, 34, 38, 42, 43, 44, 52, 53Wallace Mr........................................................................................................................................................15Wallace Mr........................................................................................................................................................19Wallace Mr........................................................................................................................................................24Warner Mr.........................................................................................22, 25, 27, 31, 37, 38, 40, 44, 46, 47, 49, 50Warner Mr..........................................................................................................................................................15Warner Mr - incharge of school for 2 days.............................................................................................30Warner Mr - staff training............................................................................................................................21Warner Mr J...........................................................................................................................................19, 21, 24Warner Mr J - in charge of Greenhouse...................................................................................................21Warner Mr J – left in charge.........................................................................................................................16Warner Mr. R.M - First Assitant seconded to Hinckley..........................................................................................51Warner Mrs...........................................................................................................................................................34Wellings Miss........................................................................................................................................................34Wells Mr........................................................................................................................................36, 37, 38, 39, 41Wells Mr S.C..........................................................................................................................................................36Wells Mrs...........................................................................................................................36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43Whatmough Miss.....................................................................................................................14, 15, 22, 24, 29Whatmough Miss – influenza......................................................................................................................21Whatmough Miss - left..................................................................................................................................31Wickendon Miss - Teaching Practice.....................................................................................................................41Wickenham Miss...................................................................................................................................................41Wilkes Mr........................................................................................................................................................42, 46Wilks Mr - Teaching Practice.................................................................................................................................42Wooley..................................................................................................................................................................50Wright Miss S....................................................................................................................................................31Wright Mr A. Caretaker - called to resume work at Colliery............................................................31Wright Mrs.........................................................................................................................................................31Wright Mrs.........................................................................................................................34, 36, 38, 39, 44, 45, 46

Market Bosworth............................................................................................................................................22, 42request for children to write ration books..............................................................................................22

Military events1939 September outbreak of war.............................................................................................................141940 August - air-raid - nightly..................................................................................................................24



1940 August - air-raid - psychological strain due to nightly air-raid until 4am........................241940 August - air-raid warning – first......................................................................................................241940 December air-raid alert.....................................................................................................................261940 December air-raid alert.....................................................................................................................261940 November air-raid - psychological strain on children.............................................................251940 November air-raid alerts...................................................................................................................251941 February air-raid alert........................................................................................................................281941 February planes overhead...............................................................................................................28

NewboldBus getting through.......................................................................................................................................27

Rugby...................................................................................................................................................................... 43School administration

160 Extra pupils necessitating use of Dining Hall as classroom....................................................311940 11 Sept - 411 pupils and 87 Evacuees.........................................................................................141940 14 May cancellation of Whitsun holidays due to war conditions........................................221941 October - Give permission for further closure for farm work...............................................32A.S.E Board meeting..............................................................................................................................................36Absorption of Evacuee class into main school.....................................................................................29Agriculture - progress difficult due to potato lifting..............................................................................................39Assembly Hall..................................................................................................................................................16, 53Attendance............................................................................18, 19, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 34, 35, 39, 51attendance poor due to snowfall...............................................................................................................27Attendance problems - letters home due to too much time spent on farms and war-work.

......................................................................................................................................................................... 32BBC radio broadcast to South Africa.....................................................................................................................39big classes due to staffing problems.......................................................................................................25Calling up papers.......................................................................................................................................35, 38, 49canteen...........................................................................................................................................................38, 49Canteen.................................................................................................................................................................54Change of school day due to dark nights..............................................................................................16Change of timings of school day............................................................................................................................45Change of timings of school day - possibly due to dark nights......................................................33changes to school day...........................................................................................................................................33Classes cancelled due to illness of staff.................................................................................................29Cross country run to relieve tension........................................................................................................22Dining Room - change of use.................................................................................................................................34Diptheria immunisation................................................................................................................................29Domestic Science........................................................................................24, 31, 34, 38, 40, 41, 42, 52, 53, 54, 55Drayton Mr - Calling up papers.............................................................................................................................38Evacuees taught in 2 separate classes..................................................................................................26Examinations......................................................................................................................19, 23, 36, 42, 45, 48Examinations - ASE examiners meeting.................................................................................................21extra Air-raid stress PE and Music ...........................................................................................................25Extra time given to gardening due to planting season....................................................................29film show - Christmas....................................................................................................................................17film show - gardening..............................................................................................................................31, 33film show – Health upper school................................................................................................................20film show - Ministry of Information......................................................................................................................40film show - six films.......................................................................................................................................28First year classes mixed due to staffing problems.............................................................................24Further closure for farm work....................................................................................................................32Harratt Miss. Leave given for fiance home on leave..............................................................................................52holiday..........................................................................................................................21, 22, 23, 28, 37, 39, 41, 49



holiday change - 2 days instead of Whitsuntide week......................................................................30holiday procedures changed......................................................................................................................23Holidays...................................................................................................................................17, 20, 21, 33, 37, 39interview...................................................................................................................................................39, 41, 42introduction of general science.............................................................................................................................36Jacques Alderman JT - examination of stock and stores........................................................................................47kitchen.................................................................................................................................................................. 44Law..................................................................................................................................................................28, 32Lax feeling needs toning up........................................................................................................................16Leicester Domestic Science College...........................................................................................................40, 41, 53Loughborough College...............................................................................................................................19, 39, 42Medical inspections........................................................................................................................................33No supply cover available - shortage of manpower...........................................................................31Open during holidays for activity and dinners.......................................................................................................37Opening time returns to 9am/....................................................................................................................28Poor attendance 80%....................................................................................................................................19Post War - cleaning and decorating of the school.................................................................................................55poverty - insufficient clothing and footwear.........................................................................................................51programme continues with children who got through snow...........................................................27Punctuality.....................................................................................................................................18, 19, 25, 32, 46pupil numbers in September 1944 - lowest since 1925.........................................................................................49Registers..........................................................................................................................................14, 18, 19, 27re-organisation after staff Military Service............................................................................................25School closure to aid Farm work...............................................................................................................29Science.......................................................................................................................................................29, 38, 46Science Room - change of use..............................................................................................................................34Session abandoned due to late arrival of 450 Evacuees..................................................................25Shortening of lessons....................................................................................................................................16Shotened Easter holiday..............................................................................................................................29Six Ministry of Information films in the Hall..........................................................................................28special lecture - Miss Banns, animal Welfare........................................................................................................51Special lecture on.................................................................................................................................................46Special lecture - sex hygiene.................................................................................................................................50Special lecture Mr J H Butler Band of Hope - Food and Drink...............................................................................51Special lectures - Japan and China.........................................................................................................................46Special lectures on Flower arranging to girls.......................................................................................31special lectures to top classes on War Problems................................................................................25Staff shortages......................................................................................................................................................36Teaching Practice.................................................................19, 21, 24, 25, 33, 35, 39, 40, 41, 42, 45, 46, 47, 50, 53time lost due to air-raid alert.....................................................................................................................28Time table....................................................................................................................18, 21, 35, 36, 40, 43, 46, 49Time table alteration - to suit gardening classes................................................................................29Timetable..............................................................................................................................................................31timetable changes children going home in the dark.........................................................................16Timetable suspended due to unexpected Evacuees.........................................................................25Weather - problems.....................................................................................................16, 18, 19, 21, 35, 47, 49, 51

School AdministrationDining Room..................................................................................................................................14, 16, 31, 34, 53

School administration - Female staff losing posts due to returning male staff from the services..............................................................................................................................................................55

SchoolsNewbold Junior School..................................................................................................................................18

South Wigston......................................................................................................................................................21



Transport- no buses due to snow.........................................................................................................................................341942 Bus chaos due to snowfall............................................................................................................................35Bagworth Bus getting through snow.......................................................................................................27Battram bus not in due to snow................................................................................................................19Bus abandoned due to snow.................................................................................................................................34Bus collision......................................................................................................................................................18Bus Newbold Bagworth.................................................................................................................................18Bus services resume......................................................................................................................................27Buses.................................................................................................................................................18, 19, 34, 46Buses not getting through due to snow..................................................................................................27

visitorButler Mr. J.H - Band of Hope - lecture on food and drink....................................................................................51

VisitorMason Mr HMI......................................................................................................................................................52Tricker Mr. HMI.....................................................................................................................................................52Wallace Doctor - lecture on sex hygiene...............................................................................................................50

Visitors? Lhector?..........................................................................................................................................................15Arnold Mr HMI..................................................................................................................................................15Banns Miss, Council for Animal Welfare special lecture........................................................................................51Bonet Mr - film show on gardening..........................................................................................................31Brunt Miss H.M.I..............................................................................................................................................17Director of Education...............................................................................................................................16, 41Elliott...................................................................................................................................................................16Elliott Mr HMI...........................................................................................................18, 21, 22, 24, 36, 39, 46, 49Freestone Police Sergeant "safety first" lecture....................................................................................................35Georgievsky Ivan - distinguished Russian..............................................................................................................46Howrie Mr - gave 6 lectures on War problems.....................................................................................25Howrie Mr - lecture on Soviet Russia....................................................................................................................42Irvine Professor Magnus - MC MA - lecturer on Japan and China.........................................................................46Kemp Mr - Book Drive...........................................................................................................................................47Lamplugh Robinson Mrs - flower arranging lectures..........................................................................31MacMahon Dr D - Birmingham LEA.......................................................................................................................15Mason Mr HMI......................................................................................................................................................49Miss Power HMI................................................................................................................................................29Powers Miss HMI...................................................................................................................................................46R.E.M.E Sergeants researching Teacher Training..................................................................................................47Royle Mr HMI...................................................................................................................................15, 23, 29, 46Salton Davies Mr HMI....................................................................................................................................16Usher Mr - "S" branch...........................................................................................................................................24Vidger-Jenks Mr K HMI...................................................................................................................................21Vidger-Jenks Mr K HMI...................................................................................................................................21

Wallace Doctor..............................................................................................................................37, 40, 44, 47, 50War work

Agriculture - 100 boys helping with the hay. School closure..........................................................22Agriculture - 1st year boys gardening with Mr. Butler......................................................................30Agriculture - 2 acres in total taken over.................................................................................................16Agriculture - 4 films "Gardens in War time"..........................................................................................33Agriculture - 64 boys on farm work during holiday............................................................................29Agriculture - arrears in planting needing to be made up.................................................................29Agriculture - boys on Greenhouse work.................................................................................................21Agriculture - boys working on food plots - girls doing academic work........................................32



Agriculture – construction of tool shed...................................................................................................16Agriculture - Corn Harvest 61 children....................................................................................................33Agriculture - disruption to timetables......................................................................................................21Agriculture - double time for boys in gardens......................................................................................21Agriculture - extra time given to sowing................................................................................................21Agriculture - farm...........................................................................................................................30, 32, 44, 49, 50Agriculture - farmers apply for 200 children to work on farms......................................................32Agriculture - Farmers telling children they do not have to go back to school..........................32Agriculture - farms..................................................................................................22, 29, 32, 33, 39, 43, 44, 49, 50Agriculture - garden.............................................................................................................................15, 22, 49, 54Agriculture - girls fruit picking and jam making...................................................................................22Agriculture - greenhouse.......................................................................................................................................32Agriculture – half a day for all boys..........................................................................................................21Agriculture - Hay harvest 138 children...................................................................................................33Agriculture - labour.........................................................................................................................................31, 32Agriculture - permission to work on farms withdrawn by Head Master after 1 month’s work

......................................................................................................................................................................... 32Agriculture - planting season in full swing.............................................................................................29Agriculture - post war potato harvest - dissatisactory conditions for children......................................................55Agriculture - potato harvest......................................................................................................................39, 49, 50Agriculture - potato harvest 315 children..............................................................................................33Agriculture - potato harvest 315 children working.............................................................................33Agriculture - potato setting 167 children...............................................................................................33Agriculture - potatoes...........................................................................25, 29, 31, 32, 33, 36, 39, 44, 49, 50, 54, 55Agriculture - potatoes - drudgery..........................................................................................................................50Agriculture - problems in getting children off farms and back into class...................................32Agriculture - School closed for 2 weeks to help with potato harvest...........................................31Agriculture - school closed for longer period so students can work in fields............................32Agriculture - school closure for one week farm work............................................................................................30Agriculture - school closure to help with potato setting...................................................................29Agriculture – taking over an acre of land...............................................................................................16Agriculture – taking over an acre of land...............................................................................................15Agriculture - Time table alterations to suit gardening.......................................................................29Agriculture - visit by area organiser.........................................................................................................33Agriculture - Visits to farms by staff......................................................................................................................32Agriculture – work during holiday.............................................................................................................22Agriculture Apple Picking.............................................................................................................................49Agriculture- arrival of seed potatoes.......................................................................................................21Agriculture Blackberry picking....................................................................................................................38, 49Agriculture Blackberry picking..........................................................................................................................43Agriculture Blackberry picking..........................................................................................................................49Agriculture- girls not involved....................................................................................................................21Agriculture jam making...................................................................................................................22, 38, 43, 49Agriculture potato harvest........................................................................................................31, 32, 33, 39, 44BBC........................................................................................................................................................................39Blackberries for jam..............................................................................................................................................54cleaning - girls cleaning storerooms etc...............................................................................................................32Cleaning - children and staff due to return of caretaker to colliery..............................................31Cleaning - Girls in store-rooms and repairing equipment................................................................32Collections - Warshiips week.................................................................................................................................35collections for........................................................................................................................................................41Collections for Weapons week - £1,000 target....................................................................................30Collections for Weapons Week - collected £2,563..............................................................................30



Food...............................................................................................................................................16, 30, 32, 51, 54munitions - ten boys at Coalville Technical Inst. Munitions work..................................................27Ration books - 32,000 addressed by children.....................................................................................30Ration books – 16,000 addressed by children......................................................................................22Ration books – 16,648 books addressed by children.........................................................................16Staff changes - Downes Mr joined RAF...................................................................................................27Staff changes - Drake Mr joining RAF......................................................................................................24Staff changes - Fort Mr called up..............................................................................................................25Staff changes - Sabine Mr - leaving for war work................................................................................22Staff changes - Wright Mr - caretaker ordered to return to work at Colliery.............................31

War WorkCollections - Book Drive........................................................................................................................................47collections "Salute the soldier" week....................................................................................................................47

Weather1940 February - floods..................................................................................................................................191940 February winter weather worst this century..............................................................................191940 January - Fog.........................................................................................................................................181940 January Frost.........................................................................................................................................181941 Jan - Snow and frost............................................................................................................................26Dry spell helping gardening effort............................................................................................................29Snow.....................................................................................................................18, 19, 26, 27, 28, 34, 35, 46, 51



Academic year 1939 - 1940

Sept 11 1939. War has broken out. We should have opened school a week ago, but all schools have instructions not to open at the usual time. Our area is a receiving district for Evacuees from Birmingham On Friday Sept 1st I received a telegram instructing me to be ready by 4pm to receive into the village 459 school children, 35 teachers and 26 helpers who were being evacuated from Birchfield Road School in Birmingham.

The Staffs of the three schools here and a band of women helpers made hurried preparations to receive these Evacuees. By 3pm we had billets ready, and we secured a supply of beds and blankets to help the householders to find the necessary sleeping accommodation.

At 4pm the first bus load of Evacuees arrived from Bosworth, where they had been detrained. Instead of the 459 school children expected, 221 only arrived accompanied by 30 teachers and half a dozen “helpers”. The children had with them a minimum amount of extra clothing and 2 days emergency rations.

They were tired, rather wondering, but very cheerful. The evacuation organisation worked with fine precision.

Our villagers were waiting eagerly to see their new families, and the welcome these Evacuees received was simply magnificent.

By 5.45 pm we had everybody billeted in their new homes.

We did not commence school for a week. Extra rooms were required before we could accommodate all our new pupils. After inspecting all the rooms put at our disposal we decided to use the Wesleyan Reform Primary School, and the Toc H. room.

On Monday September 11th we reopened the School.

There are 411 pupils on our registers and 87 boys on Birchfield Road Senior Boys Registers. We have organised the Ibstock children into 10 classes, and the Birmingham boys into 3 groups.

Whilst the B’ham boys will have all the facilities the school can offer in common with our own children. They will retain their own entity. They will have a separate morning assembly in the Dining Hall, and B’ham teachers will be their Form masters.

The following staff from Birchfield will be remaining here: -

Ford Mr. R. Birmingham Birchfield Rd School - -.



Mr W.J. HutchinsonWilliams Mr .Snow Mr S. H.

11 Sept 1939 Miss Elderfield Miss Griffiths BSc, Miss Whatmough joined the Staff today.

12 Sept 1939 We are working on Temporary Time Table.

13 Sept 1939 Mr Royle HMI visited the School.

15 Sept 1939 Started to work on the new Schemes of work and the Winter Programme.

18 Sept 1939 We have taken over nearly an acre of neglected allotments to work on war basis. Every boy will garden for a whole afternoon at least. Some classes will do considerably more.

19 Sept 1939 Mr Royle HMI visited the school.

20 Sept 1939 ? Lhector? Visited the School.

Allocation of Staff for 1939-1940

Warner Roland M 1st

Asst3 boys 4

0Gardening, History & Music

Wallace James 2a boys 40

P.T. ; Geography

Tapp Franklin W BSc 2b boys 42

Science and Art

Drake Francis C BSc 1a boys 43

Science Gardening English

Fort Jack 1c mixed 44

Harrison Havelock Floating Gardening PTSabine Wm A. Handicraft instructorSimpson 3 girls 4

2Needlework & Geography

Jenkins Elizabeth J 2a 44

Needlework & History

Elderfield Evelyn J 2b 43

Needlework PT

Griffiths Maud E 1a 43

Science & Music

Brooks Evelyn D Mrs 1d 35

Special Class

Whatmough Margaret DS

4 Oct 1939 Mr Royle HMI and Mr Arnold HMI visited the School this morning.



18 Oct 1939 Dr. D. MacMahon 1 of the Birmingham L.E.A. visited the school today.

20 Oct 1939 At noon today we had a visit from the Lord Mayor of Birmingham 2 who is touring the district in which there are Birmingham Evacuees. He was accompanied by the Lady Mayoress, Sir R.E Martin 3, Lady Martin, Mr Brockington 4, Dr. MacMahon & several others.

The Birmingham children from all three schools here assembled in our Hall, The Lord Mayor & Sir R.E Martin spoke to them for a short time. The Lady Mayoress afterwards gave each child a bar of chocolate. The Press took a number of photographs for the B’ham, as well as the local newspapers. I had the honour of entertaining the whole party to lunch in our Dining Hall.

24 Oct 1939 Mr Warner left in charge this afternoon whilst I visited a specialist in Leicester

As a piece of War work we undertook to assist our Local Authority in addressing Food Ration Books. The upper part of the School has had three and a half days at the work and we have completed Schedules covering 16,648 persons.

We have taken nearly an acre of disused allotments and we shall put this area under food production. When the weather permits each boy will put in half a day a week on the gardens. With this addition the School will be responsible for about 2 acres of land.

The boys, with the assistance of our own handicraft instructor and the Birmingham instructor, Mr Snow, are erecting a shed 15’ x 12’ to serve as a class room on the allotments

1 Dr. Desmond MacMahon , became an Inspector of Schools in 1935. 2 Mr. Theodore Beal Pritchett MC (born 1890), was Lord Mayor of Birmingham and a Deputy Lieutenant of Warwickshire. He was educated at Bromsgrove School and served in the Royal Artillery during World War I, being awarded the Military Cross. He was a Councillor on Birmingham City Council from 1924 to 1939, before being appointed as an Alderman. He was Lord Mayor of Birmingham for 1939-40. A Deputy Lieutenant for Warwickshire, he was knighted in 1953 and was awarded the Freedom of the City of Birmingham on 7 May 1960. (Wikipedia)3 Soldiers of the Queen Website has photographs of him and this entry: The following information is from a memorial plaque in St. George's Chapel at St Martin's Cathedral, Leicester “In memory of Lieut-Colonel Edmund Martin CMG TD VL JP MH LLD. Served with the 5th Battalion 1908-1915. Commanded 4th Battalion 1915 until badly wounded. During his 36 years as Chairman of The Leicestershire County Council he gave outstanding help to the Regiment. Died 12th June 1961. Robert Edmund Martin was born on the first day of December 1874. Educated at Eaton and Kings College Cambridge, he became the managing director of a granite mining company. In the World War I he served in France and Belgium where he was twice wounded and twice mentioned in dispatches. In 1916 he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of the county and, in 1949, Vice Lieutenant of Leicestershire. Chiefly responsible for the fund raising for the restoration of the bishopric, in 1926 he was a member of the House of Laity of the National Assembly of the Church of England as well as a lay canon of the Cathedral. He was a member of the County Council for over fifty years, 36 as chairman. In 1955, on his 80th birthday over 1,000 school children took part in a pageant in his honour. Granted the Freedom of Leicester in 1960; Sir Robert died in Loughborough Hospital a year later, aged 86.4 Sir William Brockington. Director of Leicestershire Education from 1903 -1947. Source contains Article and photograph.


http://www.le.ac.uk/lahs/downloads/seabornePagesfromvolumeXLIIIsm-8.pdf

http://www.soldiersofthequeen.com/HomeService-LieutenantREMartinLeicestershireRegiment.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorary_Freedom_of_the_City_of_Birmingham

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorary_Freedom_of_the_City_of_Birmingham

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knight

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birmingham_City_Council

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Cross

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Artillery

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromsgrove_School

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Deputy_Lieutenant_of_Warwickshire&action=edit&redlink=1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Mayor_of_Birmingham

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_Cross

http://firthparkgrammarschool.co.uk/?page_id=516


2 Nov 1939 The Director 5 visited the School this afternoon with Mr. W.R. Elliott who is succeeding Mr. Salton Davies as H.M.I.

20 Nov 1939From today the afternoon session will be shortened. It is desirable that the bus children should be able to reach home before dark, so we are closing at 3.40 instead of 4.10. We shall do this until the end of February. The Time Table is now affected. The four periods will be of 30 mins each instead instead of 35 mins.

27 Nov 1939From today until the end of the Term there will be little specialism in teaching. The school needs toning up and I feel an improvement can be quickly obtained if there are fewer class changes.The War, and the presence of Evacuees whose discipline is rather loose is making work rather difficult.

14 Dec 1939Christmas Parties.This year in particular seems to call for a special effort to give the Children as happy a time as possible. The Staff have very loyally and willingly preferred to assist in overcoming the many difficulties which arise with evening Parties.

We have raised, during the last three weeks, just over £52 towards the cost of the Parties. We have blacked out the two Halls and the Science Room. The Evacuees will be entertained along with our own Children.

The Parties will begin at 6.30pm and finish at 10.30pm. We have engaged a conjuror and also hired a film projector.

Supper, on the usual scale will be available – largely due to the good will of the local tradesmen.

14 Dec 1939 Decorations finished at 3pm. First party of 140 outside children & Staff.

15 Dec 1939 Second Party of 120 Ibstock children and B’ham children.

18 Dec 1939 Third Party of 120 Ibstock & B’ham upper school children

19 Dec 1939 Fourth Party of 127 leavers & older B’ham children.

20 Dec 1939 The Parties cost us £50. School closes today for the Christmas Holidays. Forty two children leave today on age exemption. All of them have jobs to go to.Mr. Leonard and Snow Mr S. H. of the B’ham Staff will not be returning. Miss Brunt H.M.I. visited the school today.

5 Sir William Brockington.



Calendar year 1940 8 Jan 1940 School reopened this morning.

Miss Griffiths is absent ill – gastric stomach.Forty Evacuees have resumed work with us.Only 4 boys have not returned and these lads are eligible to leave school at the end of January.Mr. J. Fort will take charge of Miss Griffiths’ class.Ford Mr. R. is now in charge of the B’ham groups here.Owing to the return to B’ham of Mr S. H Snow. and Mr. Leonard we shall have to work to a new timetable.

Jan 11 1940 Mr Elliott HMI visited the school today.

Jan 19 1940 There are 100 children absent today.The weather is bad, there is much sickness, but I am certain many of the “outside” children should be in. There is much “mollycoddling. They are forgetting how to walk.

22.1.40 The attendance is still abnormally low. The severe weather has something to do with this: there are many colds and sore throats. 30 (degrees) of frost registered last night.

23.1.1940 This morning the weather is particularly severe and there is fog as thick as a blanket. All the buses were late and registers were not marked until 9.30. The Newbold Bagworth bus had a collision on its outward journey from Ibstock and was in consequence 30 mins late in arriving at Newbold. Half the children returned home; I have just heard by telephone that 12 children have reported to Newbold Junior School.

26.1.40 The attendance this week has been very low indeed. An average of 100 children absent each day. Influenza and colds seem to be responsible. Progressive work is impossible.

29.1.1940 Heavy snow has fallen all the weekend and the country roads are impassable. No buses have been able to get through. So none of the children from outside villages can be present.Not a single child has got through from Heather, and only 40% of Ibstock children have presented themselves.71 children are in attendance. I have placed them in 2 classes and we are taking general revision.The school will close this afternoon.

30.1.40 Roads almost impassable. No buses running. 65 children present. Registers not marked.

31.1.40 Weather worse: 52 children present. Registers not marked.



1.2.40 66 present a.m.71 present p.m.

2.2.40 74 present a.m. 79 present p.m. Registers have not been marked all week.

5.2.40 There has been a heavy thaw, but the roads are still impossible for buses. One bus did get to Bagworth and picked up 13 scholars, but it could not reach Battram. The number present this morning is 154, the number present this afternoon is 152.We are working as nearly as possible to the normal Time Table.

6.2.40 164 children present today. Normal Time table followed.

7.2.40 162 children present today

8.2.40 160 children present today.

9.2.40 152 children present today.

The weather this fortnight has been the worst this century. The roads in some areas are only now becoming useable. The only outside children who have been able to get in are the Bagworth children.

Whilst we have had about 80% of the local children present, the attendance of the School as a whole has never reached more than 45%. We have in consequence not marked the registers for a fortnight. In some of the nearby villages the folk have had no post or newspapers for days.

12.2.40 The buses have commenced to run again and our outside children have been brought in this morning. The attendance however is still low: there is much sickness among the children.We are, however, able to commence real work once more.

Mr. R. Ford of the B’ham staff is ill & Mr. Hutchinson will now be in charge of the B’ham Evacuees.

19.2.40 There has been another very heavy fall of Snow during the week-end and this morning the roads are unspeakable. Buses all late.Battram not in at all.

20.2.40 A heavy thaw has set in, and now floods prevent many children from getting to school.

23 to 26 Mid-term Holiday

27.2.40 School reopened.Mr. Warner, Mr. Tapp, and Miss Simpson absent. All are sick. Mr. Stenhouse and Mr. Howcroft of Loughborough College commenced their final Teaching Practice today.



4.3.40 Mr. Tapp returned. I was absent from this date to 11.3.40 suffering from InfluenzaMr J Wallace was in charge of the school.

11.3.40 I have returned to work. Mr Warner and Miss Simpson are still absent. Examinations begin.

12.3.40 Examinations being held today.Health Film shown this afternoon to the upper part of the school at 2.30pm

20.3.40 The School was closed this evening for the Easter Holidays.



1.4.40 The school reopened this morning. Miss Simpson and Mr Warner returned to school this morning. Miss Whatmough is unable to return owing to influenza.

As the number of Evacuees is now down to 30 it will be advisable to absorb them rather than to keep them as a separate unit. They can now join their appropriate age group and work with our boys. The two B’ham teachers, Mr Williams and Mr Hutchinson will take principally Music and Art through the school. All the boys will this term have half a day in the gardens.

4.4.40 Mr Hutchinson is taking his Easter Holidays from today. He took charge of the whole group of Evacuees in Ibstock during the holiday period. Mr Steer has come from Birmingham to replace him.

8.4.40 At long last it is fit to send boys on the gardens. As long as the weather holds fine, this week double time will be put in on gardening. The time table for boys is being altered accordingly.

9.4.40 Pansy Edwards damaged her foot at PT this afternoon. She landed badly from a High Jump off the “buck”. Miss Elderfield was in charge. We treated the foot for a strain – but it did not respond. As I suspected a broken bone I called Dr. Meldrum.

12.4.40 Mr. Steer finished supply work here today.

15.4.40 Miss Eldridge will be away from school every Monday and Wednesday afternoon for one month. She is attending a PT course at South Wigston. Her course commenced today.

Mr Hutchinson has returned. Mr Warner and Miss Jenkins have leave of absence this afternoon to attend a meeting of ASE examiners in the Education Office.

16.4.1940 Concentrated work is being done now. We have received the seed potatoes at last and planting has begun in real earnest.

This concentration is causing a disturbance with Time Table lessons; we are however trying to keep the ordinary routine as closely as possible.The girls are not affected by these alterations.

19.4.40 Mr K Vidger-Jenks HMI visited the school this afternoon.

22.4.40 Mr Howcraft a handicraft student is doing another fortnight’s Teaching Practice.



Kelly Mr. A third year PT student will work here each Tuesday during the term.

6.5.40 Mr Elliott & Mr Vidgen-Jenks visited the school this morning.

8.5.40 Extra time was given yesterday and also today to the gardens. We are trying to finish all seed sowing before the Whitsuntide break. Mr Warner and Mr Harrison will have 2 complete days with boys, principally in Greenhouse work.

9.5.40 The school closes today for the holiday. About half the Evacuees are going to B’ham for the holidays.Mr Hutchinson is staying here to take charge of those left.

14.5.40 The School reopened this morning. The National situation is so grave that the Government has cancelled the Whitsuntide Bank Holiday Instructions were given over the week-end for all works, factories, & school to resume work as usual. Some confusion has been caused because our L.E.A. advised schools to take the holidays as arranged, and then cancelled this instruction yesterday. A number of pupils evidently do not know why they should be in attendance and some are away in camps and on holiday. Miss Whatmough and Miss Griffiths were advised by me by telegraph yesterday not to return. This instruction had to be reversed last night and I expect them back some time later in the day. Williams Mr – a Birmingham teacher has not yet returned. The rest of the staff are present. Miss Whatmough returned this afternoon. Mr Williams returned this afternoon.

15.5.40 Miss Griffiths returned this morning. She was travelling all day yesterday.

The boys are having a cross county run this afternoon, starting at 2.45. This will take the place of PT. and also help to relieve the tension that exists among them today.

17.5.40 Mr Williams BSc returns to Birmingham School today. He has been here since the first day of evacuation. As there are only 24 Evacuees here now no successor to Mr Williams will come out.

23.5.40 The Market Bosworth R.B.C. have asked us to undertake again the writing up of Ration Books. I have undertaken to do 16,000 books next week.

24.5.40 Mr Elliott H.M.I.

30.5.40 I have been absent from the school for three days: May 24th, 27th & 29th

doing A.S.E. work in the Hinckley district. Mr Warner took charge of the School in my absence.



Since Monday 27th half the school has concentrated in writing up ration books.

19.6.40 Mr Sabine leaves for War work.

21.6.40 The School closed this afternoon for a fortnight. The purpose of this vacation is to free the children to work on farms. Over 100 boys are booked for work on the land: the majority will be helping with the hay. The men on the staff will also be working on local farms.

A certain number of boys will come to School each day to work on the school garden and war food plots.

Girls will return next week for fruit picking and jam making.

8.7.40 School reopened.

12.7.40 Mr Drake has been given leave of absence today to go to Cardington for medical examination. He has also volunteered for the Air Force.

15.7.40 Mr Royle HMI

18.7.40 Yearly examinations. Ordinary timetables suspended.

19.7.40 Yearly examinations.

2.8.40 Term ends today and 85 children leave on age exemption.We close for a week’s holiday. The usual procedure regarding holidays has been suspended because of war conditions.



Academic year 1940 - 194112.8.40 School reopened this morning for the New Year 1940-1941.

134 new children have been admitted. Owing to expected changes in staff due to the war, the first year classes will all be mixed.

Allocation of staff 1940 - 1941Name Class No. Special subjectsMr R.M.Warner 3 Boys 44 Gardening, History and

MusicMr W Hutchinson 2a Boys 44 ArtMr F W Tapp 2b Boys 44 PT & ArtMr J Wallace 1a 42 PT & GeographyMr H E Harrison 1C 45 GardeningMr J Fort Science, ArtMiss Simpson 3 Girls 43 Needlework & GeographyMiss Jenkins 2a Girls 36 Needlework & HistoryMiss Elderfield 2b Girls 38 PT & GamesMiss Griffiths 1b 45 ScienceMrs Brookes 1d 22 Special class and

needleworkMiss Whatmough D.S. All girlsMr F Drake Gardening & Science,

expecting to join forces any day.

Mr J V Measures HT Gardening, Scripture etc.

21.8.40 We have had our first air-raid warning this morning at 10.30. The children were mildly excited at the fact that the warning was a real one and was not a “practice”. The “all clear” was given after about 10 minutes. No children were sent home.

26.8.40 Mr Drake has been called to Cardington for further tests – Air force.

Mr Elliott, HMI visited the school this morning and brought with him a colleague from the “S” branch – Mr Usher.

27.8.40 Drake, Tapp & Fort all away today for attendance before a Medical Board.

29.8.40 This week has been marked by nightly air raids. The children are tired and rather strained. Many children have stayed at home; quite a number have been in shelters until 4.am. each night.



12.9.40 We had a “crash” evacuation of 204 Mothers and children from Ipswich this morning. As this school is the receiving centre I have had to send the children home whilst we received, fed and clothed the Evacuees.

13.9.40 School re-assembled, but the Time Table has been suspended as we still have to feed and shelter 70 Evacuees.

Mr. Tapp & Mr Fort called to Military Service.

16/9/40 School fairly normal. Mrs. Hudson and Mr M. Downes commenced temporary duty this morning vice Mr. Tapp & Mr Fort. These changes will necessitate a complete re-organisation of staff.

20.9.40 The School closes today for a fortnight. This closure is so fixed that the children shall be available to help in harvesting potatoes.

7.10.40 The School re-opened this morning after a fortnight’s break. We admitted 22 Ipswich children and several other un-official Evacuees. Our classes are very big now – too large for good work to be done. The staffing arrangements at present are:

Class 3 boys 45 Mr Warner2a boys 45 Mr Wallace2b boys 50 Mr Harrison1a mixed 48 Mr Downes1b mixed 47 Miss Griffiths1c mixed 46 Mrs. Hudson1d mixed 34 Mrs. Brooks3 Girls 44 Miss Simpson2a Girls 42 Miss Jenkins2b Girls 44 Miss Elderfield

31 Oct 40 Mr Warner absent: he has tonsillitis. Mr Hutchinson will take charge of Class 3 in Mr Warner’s absence.

14 Oct 40 The School has closed today as we are to be the receiving centre for 450 London Evacuees.The whole staff will be required to help with this immigration. We are to feed these people on arrival.

15 Oct 40 Owing to the late arrival yesterday of the Evacuees, we were not able to get them to their billets much before midnight. In consequence the school could not be ready for the Scholars, so the session was cancelled.

11 Nov 40 Mr Warner returned this morning. Two Loughborough students, Harrison & Bailey commenced Teaching Practice this morning.



13 Nov 40 Mr Howrie is taking each Wed morning from 9:15 to 10am for six weeks to give a series of 6 lectures on War problems to our two top classes.

20 Nov 40 Frequent air-raid seriously affect out attendance. Signs of strain are evident. The children are irritable and unable to concentrate. The Staff are making every effort to make the work varied and interesting. I have increased the time to be given in both P.T. and Music.

26 Nov 40 Another evacuation from B’ham takes place today. School will close at Mid-day; we are a receiving centre.

27 Nov 40 School closed again today whilst we issue billeting forms, ration books etc. This afternoon we had a conference with the Headteachers of evacuated schools. We find there are 81 children in the Senior group; 166 in the Junior group and 58 infants. In all 341 children of all ages have been received.

28 Nov 40 School reopened.

29 Nov 40 Evacuees admitted today. I have unearthed some old furniture and by using the Science Room as a classroom as well as the Woodwork Room we are able to seat everybody.

The following B’ham Teachers are here:-

Mr Watkins Birchfield Road Senior SchoolMr Butler Starbank Road Junior SchoolMiss Wellings Christ Church, Spark brook.

3.xii.40 “Alert”at 3pm. “All Clear” at 3.30 pm.

5.xii.40 “Alert” sounded as school closed : children kept for short term only. I was absent today – unfit.

6.xii.40 Returned to school today. Miss Griffiths absent – bad cold and sore throat.Mr J. P. Downes was away for three days for examination as Gosport for entry into R.A.F.

9.xii.40 Miss Griffiths returned today.

16.xii.40 This morning we admitted 14 children from St. James’ C. E. School, Birmingham. They were accompanied by Miss E. Baldwin, the Teacher-in-Charge. They have been placed temporarily in the two Birmingham Classes. Miss Baldwin is returning to Birmingham after this week.

17.xii.40 An “alert” from 1.30 to 2.30 pm.



19.xii.40 Term ends today and 31 children leave on age exemption. The School closes until Tuesday morning Jan7th.

Calendar year 1941 7.1.41 School reopened this morning. There is snow and frost & the

attendance is only fair. Miss Skinner was recalled to Ipswich during the holidays.

£17 has been received to cover the cost of Christmas Parties to Evacuees. This amount is the combined sum received from Birmingham and London.

Staffing for Easter Term.

3a girls 41 Miss Simpson2a girls 42 Miss Jenkins2b girls 41 Miss Elderfield3a boys 42 Mr Warner2a boys 44 Mr Wallace2b boys 45 Mr Harrison1a mixed 43 Mr Downes1b mixed 43 Miss Griffiths1c mixed 42 Mrs Hudson1d mixed 35 Mrs BrooksB’ham Girls 38 Miss WellingsB’ham Boys 36 Mr WatkinsScience/English Mr DrakeMusic & Geog’ Mr ButlerArt & Arithm’ Mr Hutchinson

8.1.41 Mr Allen of Christchurch School, Birmingham, reported for duty vice Miss Baldwin.

15.1.41 Mr Allen has returned to Birmingham.

15.1.41 Today, arrangements have been made for 10 boys to attend CoalvilleTechnical Institute to do metal work in connection with munitions. These boys will attend there all day.

17.1.41 Mr Downes joined RAF. Left today.

20.1.41 During the week there has been a very heavy fall of snow, and this morning no bus can reach the outside villages. There are only 172 children present = 36%. Registers will not be marked. The normal programme will be kept with the children who are here. Mr Watkins is the only member of staff not present and he cannot get here from Birmingham.



160 present this afternoon.

21.1.41 Buses still unable to travel. The attendance is about 37%. Bagworth bus arrived.

22.1.41 Attendance 41%.

23.1.41 Attendance 52%. Bagworth and Newbold Bus arrived.

24.1.41 Attendance (.. blank..) ditto.

Mr F.C.S. Drake left today to join the R.A.F.

27.1.41 Mrs. Henshaw commenced supply work here this morning vice Mr. Drake. Time table changes will again have to be made. All bus services resumed this morning.

3.2.41 We are starting work on the new Timetable this morning.Miss Elderfield is now taken from A class and will take all the PT & games for the girls. Mrs Davidson will be responsible for all the Science in the School.

5.2.41 Miss Simpson is ill and unable to come to school. Miss Jenkins is taking charge of Miss Simpson’s Class, & Mrs. Hogg – a B’ham teacher, will take charge of Miss Jenkins’ Class.

7.2.41 Mrs. Heneghan absent today.

10.2.41 Miss Simpson and Mrs. Heneghan returned today. We have today resumed the normal time of opening at 9a.m.

12.2.41 We lost 40 mins today on “Alert”. 3:20-4. There were planes overhead.

19.2.41 Another heavy fall of snow has adversely affected the attendance.

21.2.41 School closed today and Monday 24th for Mid-Term holiday.

25.2.41 School re-opened.

25.2.41 Mrs. Hogg of St James’ School B’ham left for B’ham on Thursday 21.2.41. Miss Baldwin has arrived in her place this morning. Mrs. Heneghan is suffering from a chill and is absent from School. Miss Baldwin will take her class 2b girls.

I was absent this afternoon attending the funeral of my sister in law and brother in law.



26.2.41 Mrs. Heneghan has returned. Miss Elderfield is sick and unable to come to School.

27.2.41 Mrs. Heneghan and Miss Elderfield still absent.

28.2.41 Mrs. Heneghan and Miss Elderfield still absent. Miss M.E. Griffiths terminates her appointment here today.

3.3.41 Miss Elderfield and Mrs. Heneghan returned. Miss Jenkins absent ill.

4.3.41 Miss Jenkins returned.

5.3.41 Mrs. Fisher commenced temporary supply work this morning.

From 11am to 12 the whole school assembled in the Hall to see shown by the Ministry of Information.

7.3.41 Mrs. Brooks absent today. Sick.

10.3.41 Mrs Brooks has returned.Miss Jenkins is absent. She has been called to S. Wales owing to dangerous illness of her Mother.

There will be no P.T. for girls whilst Miss Jenkins is away as Miss Elderfield will be taking charge of class 2a.

Epidemic of measles, Chicken pox etc is spreading. Our attendance is seriously affected.

11.3.41 Mrs. Heneghan absent again: sick.

14.3.41 Miss Jenkins and Mrs Heneghan still absent. P.T. classes have had to be cancelled this week and some of the Science lessons in Classes 1 to 5.

17.3.41 Miss Jenkins and Mrs Heneghan returned this morning.

3.4.41 I was away from School owing to illness from this date to 8th of April.

9.4.41 The School will close today (Wednesday) for a shortened Easter holiday. The School will reopen on Tuesday morning.

15 Ap. School reopened this morning. Mr Watkins has been retained by the Birmingham L.E.A. so his class has been absorbed into our own classes.Extra time will be given to gardening now that the planting season is in full swing.

16.4.41 Mr. Royle H.M.I. visited the School.

18.4.41 Miss Power and Mr Royle H.M.I.s inspected the School today.



268 children were given first dosage of immunisation against diphtheria.

21.4.41 During this week the Time Table will be altered to suit the gardening classes.Advantage will have to be taken of this dry spell and arrears in planting made good.

25.4.41 The School will be closed next week so that the boys may help the farmers with potato setting.

5.5.41 School reopened this morning. 64 boys worked on farms last week.

14.5.41 Mrs Heneghan and Miss Whatmough absent. Miss Whatmough is sick. Mrs Heneghan returned p.m.

15.5.41 I was away today doing A.S.E. work in the Hinckley district.

16.5.41 Miss Whatmough has returned. Mr Hutchinson has leave of absence today. 253 children had second injection for immunisation again diphtheria this afternoon.

Miss Jenkins terminated her appointment here today.

19.5.41 Mrs Hoyes B.A. commenced temporary duty here today. Very many children are absent because of after effects of immunisation.

20.5.41 I was away today doing work in Hinckley. A.S.E. Interviewing Board.

25.5.41 War Weapons Week began today. The school target is £1,000.

31.5.41 We have passed our target figure of £1,000 and have reached £2,563.

School closes today for a two day break instead of the usual Whitsuntide holiday.

4.vi.41 School reopened this morning with a very low attendance.

5.vi.41 I was absent this morning attending a Teachers’ Conference in Birmingham. The School is undertaking to write up 32,000 ration books for the local Food officer who is unable to obtain the necessary Clerical Assistance.

16.5.41 Miss Jenkins resumed her place on the Staff today.Mrs Hoyes has been placed in charge of Class 1a in order to free Mr. Butler for gardening with the first year boys.



19.vi.41 At playtime this afternoon Roy Bailiss, in play, threw a stick at Derrick Underwood and cut his heel rather severely. As the wound looked as if stitches were needed I tried to get a doctor, but none was available. We bandaged the wound and I advised Underwood to see a doctor when he got home.

20.vi.41 Underwood saw a doctor last night. A stitch was necessary.

16.vii.41 I have been given leave of absence for the remainder of the week.Mr. Warner will be in charge of the School for the next two days.

18.vii.41 School closed for three weeks: one week for farm work.



Academic year 1941 – 194211 Aug 41 The School reopened this morning. A few more changes of staff have

taken place. Miss. Whatmough (D.S.) left on July 18th, and Miss. S. Barry has been appointed to take her place as from this morning. Mrs. Fisher left also on July 18th and her place has been taken by Mrs. S. Wright. Miss. Joyce Mattley, clerk, left on July 18th and Miss. S.Lowe has been appointed to fill that vacancy.

160 new pupils were received this morning, giving us 484 on Roll. This number necessitates the formation of an extra class which will have to work in the Dining Hall as there is already a class in the Science Room.

The organisation and distribution of Staff is as follows:

Class 3 Boys Mr Warner2a Boys Mr Wallace2b Boys Mr Butler3c Mixed Miss Elderfield3 Girls Miss Simpson2a Girls Miss Jenkins2b Girls Miss Heneghan1a Mixed Mrs Hoyes1b Mixed Mrs Hudson1c Mixed Mrs Wright1d Mixed Miss WellingsSpecial Class Mrs BrooksD.S. Miss BarryGardening Mr HarrisonArt, Evacuation etc Mr Hutchinson

25.8.1941 Mr Hutchinson broke his collarbone during the week-end and he will be absent from Duty for some weeks. The time-table for this term will have to be modified in consequence.

29.8.41 Mrs. Lamplugh Robinson gave a talk to all the girls on the Art of Flower Decoration. Mr Bonet showed two gardening films to all the boys from 3pm to 4pm this afternoon.

8.9.41 The caretaker Mr A Wright has been called by the Ministry of labour to resume work at the Colliery. Children and staff will be called upon to do some cleaning until another man has been appointed.

No “supply” is available to replace Mr. Hutchinson: numerous alterations in the Time Table are therefore unavoidable.

22.9.41 Mr Hutchinson returned today.



26.9.41 The school will be closed for the next fortnight: all children will now be eligible to help with the potato harvest.

13.10.41 School reopened this morning. There are many children absent working on farms. From Appleby for instance not a single boy has come to school.I am inundated with requests to release children from school to help with the late potato harvest.

14.10.41 Applications from farmers for child labour still pour in. There are requests for more than 200 children.

15.10.41 After consulting the Director & Chairman of managers it has been decided to close the school for a further period in order to make child labour available for the farms. All children not so engaged are to report to school. All staff will report to school too.

16.10.41 66 boys and 41 girls present.The boys are being used on the gardens and the greenhouse. The girls are helping to clean the store-rooms, cupboards and stock rooms. Books are being repaired; equipment over-hauled too.

17.10.41 61 boys and 41 girls present. Yesterday’s programme continued. Some academic work has been done by the Smaller Children. Farms visited by 6 members of staff.

20.10.41 51 boys 40 girls present.All boys and men will work on the Food Plots lifting and storing potatoes. The girls will continue academic work. A completed survey of the work being done on farms has now been made. 235 children have now been employed for a week or more and 37 for periods for less than a week.

21.10.41 35 boys and 66 girls present.

22.10.41 31 boys and 66 girls present. All permissions for farm work are being withdrawn today. After freeing for one month all children required on farms, the farmers are still calling for more child labour and wanting to have children for another fortnight. They are also taking the law into their own hands by telling children they have authority to keep them at work all the month and that my recall can be ignored.

23.x.41 Full school reopened. There are still 79 children on farms. I am sending to each parent insisting on attendance at school.

24.x.41 34 children still farming.

27.x.41 3 children only on farms.



31.x.41 108 children absent today. Appleby and Bagworth attend very badly.



7.xi.41 315 children have worked on farms during this potato harvest. Visits to farms have been made by 7 members of staff.

Farm work during 1941:

Potato setting 167 children for varying periodsHay Harvest 138 children for varying periodsCorn Harvest 61 children for varying periodsPotato Harvest 315 children for varying periods.

10.xi.41 The area Organiser (Gardens and Allotments), showed 4 films on “Gardens in War time” to all the boys in the school from 3p.m. to 4p.m. this afternoon.

Mr. J.R. Dennis began his Teaching Practice today. Mr. B.T. Davies has gone to Cambridge to enlist in the . He will begin his Practice on 13. Nov.

24.xi.41 The School will open for morning session at 9.20 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. The session will continue until 12:15 instead of 12 noon. The afternoon session will end at 3:30 for the next six weeks.

9.xii.41 I was absent yesterday – sick.

19.xii.41 Medical Inspection completed today. 70 local and 29 evacuees examined. School closes today for Christmas Holidays. Two Birmingham teachers return to their own Authority today – Mr W. Hutchinson who has been here since September 1939, & Miss Wellings who came in November 1940.



Calendar year 1942

5 Jan 42 The school reopened this morning.Classes have been rearranged owing to the withdrawal of Mr Hutchinson and Miss Wellings. There are now 10 classes instead of 12. This alteration frees the Dining Hall from a class, and also the Science Room which can now be used for Art and Needlework.

Allocation of Staff:

Class 3 boys Mrs WarnerClass 3 girls Miss SimpsonClass 2a Boys Mr WallaceClass 2a girls Miss JenkinsClass 2b boys Mr ButlerClass 2b girls Mrs HeneghanClass 1a mixed Mrs HoyesClass 1b mixed Mrs HudsonClass 1c mixed Mrs WrightClass 1d mixed Mrs BrookesPT, Games & Art Miss ElderfieldPT, Gardening etc etc Mr Harrison2 days handicraft Mr HollandD.S. Mistress Miss Barry.

20.1.42 There has been a heavy fall of snow during the night, 6 and there are deep drifts all over the countryside. No buses have run this morning and no “outside” children are here. The attendance this morning is 126 or 33% of the whole school.Registers have not been marked. Individual, rather than class work, is being done.All staff here except Miss Heneghan, who travels on a school bus.

21.1.42 210 children present this morning. Registers will not be marked.

22.1.42 221 children present; no registration.

23.1.42 169 children present: no registration.One bus was ditched and did not arrive here until 11.35 a.m. No one hurt. Miss Barry and Mrs Wright sick.

6 “The year 1942 began with a cold spell which lasted until mid-March and which included the coldest February in England and Wales since 1895.” www.seaclimate.com


http://www.seaclimate.com/3/pdf/3_22.pdf


26.1.42 Attendance about normal again.A Police officer – Sgt Freestone gave two lectures on “Safety First” to the school. All girls 1.30 to 2.5 and boys 2.10 to 2.40.

29.1.42 School transport is chaotic this morning owing to the treacherous nature of the road surface. Appleby has not arrived: 9.40.

3.2.42 Another heavy fall of snow. Impossible to get Appleby & Snarestone children here. Percentage of attendance is 62. Mrs. Hudson sick.

6.2.42 The weather has remained exceedingly cold and the roads are very treacherous. The attendance during the last fortnight has been exceptionally low. Mrs. Hudson has bronchitis.

9.2.42 Mrs Hudson returned today.

13.2.42 School closed for 2 days, 16th and 17th – Mid Term.

18.2.42 School reopened.Mr. Butler absent owing to the sudden death of his mother. Mr. Harrison will take charge of this class.

23.2.42 Mr. Butler returned.

2.3.42 I have admitted this morning eight children from the school of the Holy Family – a group evacuated from Birmingham to newton Burgoland.This school was a self-contained R.C. Unit in the charge of Mr. Heneghan. This teacher has been called to the forces, so all the senior children have been transferred to us.

5.3.42 Mr. H. E. Harrison has received his calling up papers this morning. He has to report for duty at Catterick on 12th inst.He will have three days leave of absence as from Monday 9th.

Dennis & Davis on Teaching Practice.

6.3.1942 Time tables all upset again. Shall work on amended timetable until Easter.

13.3.42 Mrs. Brookes absent today.Miss Elderfield will take charge of the class.

16.3.42 Mrs. Brookes absent – influenza.



Warships Week.

Our school target is £1,000.

18.3.42 We have passed our target: we have taken up to date £1,500.

20.3.42 The school has managed to raise £2,300 this week. Mr. Elliott H.M.I. has visited the school this morning. Total £2,867.

14.4.42 Mrs. Brooks returned today.Mr. S.C.Wells commenced duty here today.

A certain amount of general science will be introduced in the Boy’s classes now that Mr. Wells has joined the Staff for a time. As I am expecting another change on the Staff in a week’s time I do not propose yet to attempt a new Timetable.

27.4.42 Mrs. Hoges is absent. She is sick.

28.4.1942 Mrs. Wright finished work here for some time. She is to undergo an operation.The boys’ classes are now giving more time to gardening. We have half a ton of potatoes to set & over 2 acres of ground to dig.

29.4.1942 Mrs. Wells (C.A.) commenced temporary duty here this morning vic Mrs. Wright.

6.5.1942 Mrs. Hoges returned this morning.

14.5.42 I was in Hinckley Dist. With A.S.E Board.



8.6.42 I attended at the Board of Education. London with the Director & Chairman of Ed. Comm.

15.6.42 Mrs. Brookes’ husband died last night & she has been given a week’s leave of absence.

22.6.42 Mrs. Brookes returned



30.6.42 Mrs. Hoges terminated her appointment here today. Mr. Wells will take charge of her class (1.a.) as no teacher is available to fill in the vacancy. The time table will have to be altered once more.

13.7.1942 Yearly examinations begin today. Two whole days will be given to the examinations.

13.7.42 School closes today for the Summer Holidays. The School will be officially closed for two weeks: actually the school will be closed for two days only! On Wednesday the School will be open to receive such children as are desired by their parents to attend for recreational activity & school dinners.Rota for holiday duties:Aug 5 & 6 Mr. Warner, Miss Simpson, Miss JenkinsAug 7 & 10 Mr. Wells, Mrs. Wells, Mrs Brookes.Aug 11 &12Mr. Measures, Mrs. HudsonAug 13 & 14 Mr. Wallace, Miss Elderfield.

Nos. for School Dinners MilkAug 5 48 30 31Aug 6 49 49 31Aug 7 47 29 31Aug 10 43 28 31Aug 11 42 29 31Aug 12 41 28 31Aug 13 38 27 31Aug 14 40 28 31



Academic year 1942-1943

17.8.42 Mr. Eggington, Mr. Dayton, and Mrs. Wright joined the Staff this morning.

163 new children admitted.

Allocation of Staff

3 Boys 40 Mr Warner 39 (Ed.this column pencil)

2a Boys 39 Mr Wallace 402b Boys 30 Mr. Drayton 301a Boys 39 Mr. Eggington 371c Boys 40 Mrs. Wells 423 Girls 40 Miss. Simpson 402a Girls 39 Miss. Jenkins 402b Girls 40 Mrs. Hudson 401a Girls 40 Miss. Elderfield 421c Girls 37 Miss. Wright 381d Mixed 33 Mrs. Brookes 33D.S. Mistress Miss. S. BarryHandicraft Mr. Holland

17.8.42 Mrs. Barry is ill & unable to resume duty. Her medical certificate indicates she will be absent for 3 or 4 weeks. Temporary registers will be used this week whilst we classify the entrants.

18.8.42 All first year children are being tested today.

24.8.42 Norman (Ed. sic!) school routine resumed today.

31.8.42 Miss. Barry returned to school this morning.

9.9.42 There are 100 girls out today picking blackberries which will be made into jam for the school canteen.

10.9.42 Over 2 cwts. of blackberries were gathered yesterday. We have made 3 1/2 cwts. of jam today for use in the canteen.Mr. Drayton received his “calling up” papers today.

15.9.42 Mr. Drayton joins R.A.F.

15.9.42 Mrs. Brookes is sick & unable to come to school today.



16.9.42 Mrs. Brookes returned today. Mr. Wells has now taken over Mr. Drayton’s class. Science lessons will be given by Mr. Wells whenever an exchange of class teachers is possible.

23.9.42 Mrs. Wright was given leave of absence today to take part in a B.B.C. broadcast to children in S. Africa. Her son is in Africa.

24.9.42 Mrs. Hudson is absent today.

25.9.42 Mrs. Hudson returned this morning. She was bilious yesterday.

2.x.42 The School closed for three weeks. This is the postponed Summer holiday. The children are now free to help in the potato harvest. 250 children have been allocated to farms in the district.

20.x.42 School reopened this morning. 204 children have worked on farms during the holiday period. The potato harvest is not nearly finished yet and there are many calls on the children. Very few exemptions have been used so far so I am able to release children to continue with potato lifting.

27.x.42 49 children released today.

2.xi.42 Over 100 children will be working on farms this week.

9.xi.42 This is the last week children will be allowed to assist with the potato harvest: there are in the region of 140 out this week. Progress in class work has been impossible since we reopened.

11.x1.42 Mr. Wells given leave of absence today to attend an interview at Loughborough College.

13.x1.42 Mr. Elliott H.M.I. visited the school today. Farm work ceases for

all children today. It should now be possible to make definite progress with school work. Our attendance since reopening has been in the region of 70%.

16.x1.42 Three Loughborough students commence Teaching Practice here today. Deer, Swinburne & Kellett. They have been allocated to classes 3 Boys, 2a Boys and 1a Boys.

7.xii.42 Mrs. Brooks has not come to school this morning. Her class has been absorbed into in 1c. & 2b.

8.xii.42 Mrs. Brooks returned. She was sick.



23.xii.42 All the children have had Christmas Parties during the afternoons of this week. We were able to give them all a pre-war feed. School closed today for the Christmas Holidays. 49 children are leaving today on age exemptions. Mrs. Wells terminated her work here today.

Calendar year 1943

11.1.43 The School reopened this morning. Miss. Pacey commenced work here as Science Mistress. A new timetable has been introduced.

20.1.43 Mrs. Brooks had to return home this morning owing to illness.

25.1.43 Mrs. Brookes is suffering from Bronchitis and will not be fit for school for another fortnight at least. Her class will be taken by various members of the Staff as they can b freed.

1.2.43 I was sick today.

4.2.43 Miss. Marry has influenza & will not be able to return this week. Further adjustments in class teaching will be made.

8.2.43 Mrs. Brookes not fit for duty yet. Miss. Barry returned this morning.

15.2.43 Mrs. Brooks returned this morning.

24.2.43 Ministry of Information films were shown to the whole school from 3pm to 4pm.

8.3.43 The School closes Monday and Tuesday for Mid-Term Holiday.


17.3.43 Messrs. Deer, Kellett, and Pollard commence their final Teaching Practice today. Pollard will work with Mrs. Warner; Deer with Mr. Wallace; and Kellett with Mr. Eggington.Miss. Wells of Leicester D.S. College is also taking her final Teaching Practice here.

18.3.43 Mr. Warner is ill and unable to attend School today. The student Pollard will take charge of his Class.

19.3.43 Mr. Warner returned .



25.3.43 Mrs. Brookes is away today because of the illness of her child. Miss. Elderfield is absent – sick.

26.3.43. Brooks & Miss Elderfield have returned to duty.

15.4.43 Mr. Measures entered hospital today. (Ed. different handwriting)

16.4.43 I am instructed from the Office to take charge of school in the absence of Mr. Measures. R. M. Warner.

21.4.43 Miss. Elderfield will be absent today and tomorrow attending “keep fit” course in York.

Miss. Barry away today – attending an interview in Bristol.

22.4.43 School closes today for Easter holiday & re-opens Tuesday May4th – 42 children leave today.

“Wings for Victory week ” Our school raised £2,225.10.2

4.5.43 School reopened today after EasteR Holiday. Mrs. K. Wells commenced duty as temporary teacher today. She will take charge of class 1C Boys. Mr. Wells will be in charge of Class 3 Boys and I have taken over Head-Teacher’s duties.

6.5.43 Miss. Hallas of Leicester D.S. College began Teaching Practice here today. She will attend each Thursday until half-term.

10.5.43 Mrs. Wells is away from school today owing to the illness of her child. Miss M.G. Desborough and Miss. M. Wickendon, students from Leic. D.S. College commenced a fortnight’s Teaching Practice today. They are 1st Year Students & will take general School Subjects only.

12.5.43 Mrs. Brooks had to return home ill this morning.

13.5.43 Mrs. Wells informed me this morning that owing to Domestic difficulties she will be unable to continue as Supply Teacher here. Considerable alterations in new Time-Table will therefore be necessary.Mrs. Brooks has tonsillitis and is likely to be away for a fortnight.

19.5.43 The Director visited the school this afternoon.



21.5.43 Miss. Desborough & Miss. Wickenham, Students from D.S. College Leic. Completed their fortnight’s Teaching Practice here today.

28.5.43 Miss. S. Barry, Domestic Science Mistress, terminates her appointment here today having secured a post under the Bristol Authority.

1.6.43 Mrs. Thomas, Domestic Science Mistress, commenced temporary duty here today.

11.6.43 School closes today for Whitsuntide holiday & re-opens Tuesday 22nd.

22.6.43 School re-opened after Whit Holiday. Mrs. Sabine commenced work as Supply teacher. She will be in charge of Class 1D as Mrs. Brooks is still absent.

24.6.43 Messrs. Barden, Fawcett & Wilks, students from Loughborough College, commenced 3 weeks Teaching Practice here this morning.

25.6.43 Mr. Howrie of Loughborough College visited the school this morning and gave the first of three lectures on Soviet Russia to the two top Classes.

12.7.43 Yearly Exams. Begin today. Two whole days will be taken.

14.7.43 I was absent from school yesterday owing to the serious illness of my Mother.

15.7.43 Loughborough Students Messrs. Barden, Fawcett & Wilkes, completed their Teaching Practice here today.Mrs. Sabine absent p.m. attending interview with her child at Ashby Girls’ Grammar School.

19.7.43 Miss Jean Hewes – 1st Year Student – Avery Hill College – Home address Market Bosworth – commenced a fortnights’ Teaching Practice here today. She will be with Class 1a Girls.

21.7.43 John Hopton, Class 2a Boys, has been sent home this afternoon with an injury to his foot. He fell down the school steps while playing during the dinner hour and is unable to put pressure on the foot. Mr Wallace took him home.



26.7.43 Mrs Thomas, D.S. Mistress is absent today owing to the illness of her child.

27.7.43 Mrs Thomas returned today.

30.7.43 School closes today for Summer holidays – a fortnight. 48 children leave school today. Mrs. Thomas finished work here as temporary D.S. Mistress and Miss J. Hewes completed a fortnights’ Teaching Practice.



Academic year 1943-194416.8.43 School re-opened this morning and 132 new children were

admitted. Mrs Brooks resumed duty and Miss Eileen Harratt, Domestic Science Mistress, joined the staff.

Temporary registers and Time-Table will be used this week while new entrants are being classified.

18.8.43 Mr. Wallace is absent from school today. He has injured his wrist and is attending the Royal Infirmary, Leicester, for an X-ray.

23.8.43 As Mr. Wallace is still absent with a fractured wrist and likely to be away for another fortnight, Mrs. Sabine commenced supply work here this morning. She will take charge of class 1 D and this will necessitate further changes in class teachers and timetable which is still temporary.

27.8.43 Mr. SC Wells finished work here today. He has accepted a permanent post at the college of art and technology, Rugby.

30.8.43 Mr. FHJ Bartlett commenced work as supply teacher this morning. For the time being, he will have charge of Class 3 boys.

1.9.43 I have today resumed work.

8.9.43 90 girls from the three top classes gathered three cwts of blackberries.Six cwts of jam are being made today.

10.9.43 Mrs. Sabine finishes supply duty today.

13.9.43 Mr. Wallace returned this morning.

20.9.43 Mrs. Simpson is away today, she has a sore throat.

21.9.43 28 children on farms this morning.



1943 allocation of staff

3 Boys 43 Mr Warner Sp subj. Hist, Music Gardening

2 Boys 40 Mr Wallace Sp subj. P.T. Geog.2c Boys 32 Mr. Bartlett Sp subj. P.T.1 Boys 40 Mr. Eggington1d mixed 40 Mrs.Brookes3 Girls 43 Miss. Simpson Sp subj. Geog:

Needlework2 Girls 43 Miss. Jenkins Sp subj. Hist:

Needlework2c Girls 30 Mrs. Hudson Sp subj. Music1 Girls 46 Miss. Elderfield Sp subj. P.T & Art.1c mixed 40 Miss. WrightDomestic Science Mistress Miss. E. HarrattHandicraft Mr. Holland (two days only)Science Mistress Miss Pacey. Science

22.9.43 Miss Simpson returned today.

24.9.43 School closes today for three weeks to help with potato harvest.

Duty Rota.First week: JV Measures: FJ Bartlett, Miss Elderfield.Second week: JV Measures: J. Wallace, Mrs. Brooks.Third week: RM Warner: Miss. Simpson.

Mrs. Pacey, Mrs. Harratt, and Miss Jenkins will visit farms and report on the work.

18.10.43 School reopened. 313 children have worked on farms for varying periods during the above closure. I have received calls for 102 children to continue this week. They will go out tomorrow.

The new hut kitchen is being used for the first time today.

19.10.43 143 children have gone out in organised Parties to farms for the remainder of this week. Progress in academic work is impossible.

26.10.43 The school has now practically finished its farm work, and should be able to settle down to its legitimate work. Since September



our children have put in nearly 12,000 hours in the potato fields and have earned over £300.

1.11.43 There is an abnormal amount of sickness in the school: over 90 children are absent.

8.11.43 Three Loughborough students commence a three week period of Teaching Practice.

12.11.43 There are 143 children absent today.

18.11.43 50 children immunised against Diptheria.

19.11.43 Mrs. Brooks absent - bad cold.

22.11.43 Mrs. Brooks returned. During the last 10 days that has been an epidemic of influenza and we have had as many as 200 children absent at one time. A slight improvement shows itself today.

24.11.43 Miss Harratt (DS) is suffering from influenza and will be absent at least a week.

27.11.43 From today the school will open at 9.30 AM. The three periods in the morning will each be reduced by 10 minutes.

6.12.43 Miss Harratt returned today.

7.12.43 Miss Elderfield is sick and unable to come to school.

9.12.43 Miss Elderfield has returned. Terminal examinations begin.

18.12.43 Examinations finished.

22.12.43 School Parties were held on the 20th and 21st in the afternoon. Timetable suspended. The school closes today for the Christmas holidays. There are 44 leavers, and all are placed. Mrs. Wright leaves today. She has been transferred to Ellistown Council Junior school.



Calendar year 1944

10.1.44 School reopened this morning. No successor to Mrs. Wright has been found, so once more the whole time table will have to be revised. For the moment we shall have to suspend the teaching of science as Miss Pacey will have to take charge of Mrs. Wright’s class.

11.1.44 Mrs. Hudson is absent today. I am taking charge of her class.

12.1.44 Mrs. Hudson returned today.

24.1.44 Mr. Royle H.M.I. visited the school.

25.1.44 Mr. Elliott H.M.I. visited the school.

2.2.44 Mr. Royle HMI visited the school today.

7.2.44 Mr. Ivan Georgievsky, a distinguished Russian, visited the school this morning and addressed the children for an hour on “Russia today”.Mr. G. Irons commenced duty here today.

28.2.44 There has been a heavy fall of snow; all the buses were very late, and many children are absent.

29.2.44 Roads are in are very treacherous condition and the school buses were very late. Mr. Irons has not arrived.

2.3.44 Mr. Irons return this morning. He has been suffering from a chill.Dental inspection was completed today. All leavers have been medically examined this week.

9.3.44 Three students Wilkes, Halstead and Rogers begin their final Teaching Practice this morning.

13.3.44 Professor Magnus Irvine M.C., M.A., M.Litt gave the school a most interesting talk on China and Japan this afternoon from 3.00 PM to 4.00 PM.

15.3.44 Miss Powers HMI visited the school today.

17.3.44 Mr. Warner will be in charge of the school whilst I am in London attending a meeting of the general council of the BBC.



6.4.44 School closed today for the Easter holidays. 30 children leave today on age exemption.

18.4.44 The school reopened this morning.

24.4.44 Alderman J.T. Jacques (chairman of Managers) examined Stock and Stores.

6.5.44 “Salute the soldier week”. Our target is £1250.

11.5.44 We have passed our target figure.

12.5.44 Salute the Soldier week: school total is £2344:7:0

26.5.44 The school closes this afternoon for the Whitsuntide holidays.

6.6.44 The school reopened this morning. For June the weather is abnormally cold; the temperature in the classrooms is 46° F.

15.6.44 Mr. Eggington is ill and unable to attend school. His class will be taken by Mr. Irons for general subjects. I shall take more subjects in other classes.

20.6.44 Mrs. Hudson is indisposed and unable to come to school.

21.6.44 Mrs. Hudson returned this morning.

22.6.44 Three students from Loughborough college, McCarthy, Phillips, and Hoyle commenced Teaching Practice this morning. McCarthy is attached to Mr. Warner, Phillips is attached to Mr. Wallace, Hoyle is attached to Mr. Eggington.

27.6.44 Miss Pacey reports that one of her pupils, Freda Roberts, swallowed a needle during the needlework lesson. We have advised the child to see her own Doctor.

29.6.44 Freda Roberts went to Leicester Royal Infirmary for an X ray examination. The pin is moving satisfactorily. She is back in school.

7.7.44 The result of our efforts in connection with the Book Drive is that collection of 10,926 books.

10.7.44 700 more books brought in.



21.7.44 Mr. Kemp and his assistant visited the school to express their thanks for our effort made in the Book Drive.

27.7.44 Four R.E.M.E. Sergeants from Gopsall spent the morning in the school. These men are considering applying for entry to a Teachers’ Training College after the war is over.

28.7.44 A member of our staff - Lieutenant T. Downes has been awarded the M.B.E. military division for very gallant conduct in the Mediterranean.

31.7.44 Examinations finished.

4.8.44 School closes today for the summer holidays. 48 children leave today.



Academic year 1944-1945

4.9.44 The school reopened this morning. 118 new pupils have been admitted. This is the smallest number of entrants into school re-opened in 1925. For the first time we commence our school year with fewer than 400 on the Rolls. There are 383. We are transferring eight children to secondary school under B. of E. Circular 1654.

12.9.44 A 100 girls from the upper part of the school are today gathering blackberries for jam making.

13.9.44 The girls gathered over three cwts of blackberries yesterday. With apples from the school garden we shall make cwts of jam for the school canteen.

15.9.44 Immunisation session at 2.00 PM.

18.9.44 Mr. Irons received his calling up papers this morning. Mr. Bartlett leaves at the end of the month. A complete re-arrangement of work will again be necessary. It seems utterly impossible to work to a prepared timetable for more than a few weeks at a time.

Medical inspection today.

25.9.44 Mr. Elliott and Mr. Mason HMIs visited the school.

26.9.44 The first group of children have been released for farm work (25).

29.9.44 Mr. Irons and Mr. Bartlett terminated their appointments here today. Mr. Irons is joining the Fleet Air Arm and Mr. Bartlett takes a post in Pontefract.

2.10.44 Mrs. Dunnicliffe commenced temporary duty here today. She will take charge of class 1C. This is her first experience of senior children.

50 children are out this week lifting potatoes. Mr. Warner has accompanied them.



9.10.44 Our work on the farms begins in real earnest today. We have sent out this morning 200 children. Three members of staff have accompanied the three & fifty (?Ed.) groups.

13.10.44 The school closes today for a week to free our children for potato lifting.

16.10.44 Pouring with rain: all farm work cancelled.

23.10.44 School reopened. Last week was a week of dreadful weather and our holiday farm work was limited to two days.

13.10.44 All last week, and again all this week 200 children will continue farm work. Schoolwork is absolutely ruined by the continuous farm work. Potato lifting is just dull, cold, and un-interesting drudgery. No educational value attaches to it.

6.11.44 This week we have begun by sending 130 children to farms for potato lifting.

Mrs. Dunnicliffe is unable to come to school for a few days owing to domestic trouble.

8.11.44 Mrs. Dunnicliffe returned this morning.

13.11.44 Three students, Hughes, Thomas, and Woolley commenced three weeks Teaching Practice.

28.11.44 Dr. Wallace gave the first of three lectures on sex hygiene to our top class of girls.

27.11.44 Dr. Wallace’s second lecture 11.00 AM to 12.

1.12.44 Students complete their Teaching Practice.

4.12.44 Left school the noon to attend N.U.T. conference in London which is being held tomorrow. Leave of absence has been granted. Mr. Warner will be left in charge of the school.

18.12.44 We are venturing on the evening Christmas Parties again this year. We have the first year pupils this evening: second year to-morrow and third year on Wednesday, the 28th of December. This arrangement gives us between 120 and 113 children each night.

21.12.44 School closes today for the Christmas holidays. 54 children leave today on age exemption.



Calendar year 1945

8.1.45 School reopened this morning.

10.1.45 Miss Simpson absent today – sick.

12.1.45 Miss Simpson returned this morning.

22.1.45 Mr Eggington was absent today.

23.1.45 Mr Eggington was sick. I am now taking charge of his class.

25.1.45 Mr Eggington returned this morning.

29.1.45 Mr. R. M. Warner is to be seconded from this date to Hinckley Westfield Modern School. He is to take charge of that School until the end of the war. His going will very seriously affect the efficiency of this school as no successor can be appointed. Not only was he First Assistant but he was the specialist in History, Gardening and Music.Once more a new Time Table will be necessary.

29.1.45 The attendance is very low this morning on account of the extremely cold weather. Many children have insufficient clothing and poor footwear.

30.1.45 During the night there was a very heavy fall of snow. This morning there are many deep drifts over the countryside and many children have been unable to get to school. The actual attendance is 168 which is 51%.

12.2.45 Miss Bans of the Council for Animal Welfare lectured to the school today.

13.2.45 Mr. J. H. Butler gave his annual lecture on Food & Drink (Band of Hope Union) to six classes this afternoon.

16.2.45 School closed today for the Mid Term Holiday.


26.2.45 Mr Eggington absent today. His class has been distributed about the school.



27.2.45 Three students commence Teaching Practice today. Hoyle, Dixon & Kitson.



Allocation of staff from Feb 1 st .

3 Boys Miss Simpson English, Geography,Mr Measures Arith, Scrip, Drawing,

Gardening.2 Boys Mr. Wallace2c Mixed Miss Pacey1c Mixed Mrs Dunnicliffe1d Mixed Mrs Brooks3 Girls Miss Simpson3c Mixed Mrs Hudson2 Girls Miss Jenkins1a Mixed Miss Elderfield1b Mixed Mr Eggington

Specialists:

NeedleworkMiss SimpsonP.T. Miss Elderfield and Mr WallaceGardening Mr Measures and Mr WallaceGeography Miss Simpson and Mr WallaceMusic Mrs HudsonD.S. Miss HarrattHandicraft Mr HollandScience Miss Pacey.

5.3.45 Mr Eggington is not yet able to resume work.

7.3.45 Mr Eggington returned this morning.

9.3.45 Mr Mason, H.M.I. & Mr Tricker, H.M.I. visited the School today.

23.3.45 Miss Harratt’s fiancé has come home on leave from the Middle East and she has been given leave of absence for seven days.

26.3.45 Mr Eggington is unable to come to school this morning.

27.3.45 Mr Eggington died yesterday. For two years he fought a gallant battle against physical weakness. His courage was magnificent. We have lost a fine colleague.

10.4.45 Mr. Hutchinson commenced temporary duty with us this morning. Mrs. Hudson is absent: sick.



11.4.45 Mrs. Hudson returned.

Summer TermAllocation of Staff.

Class 3 Boys Mr Wallace3 Girls Miss Simpson2a Boys Mr Hutchinson2a Girls Miss Jenkins2c Mixed Miss Pacey1a Mixed Miss Elderfield1b Mixed Mrs Hudson1c Mixed Mrs Dunnicliffe1d Mixed Mrs BrooksD.S. Mixed Miss HarrattHandicraft Mr Holland

Another Time Table has had to be made again this Term.

I have been asked by the Ministry of Education to serve on the Selection Board for intending teachers in connection with the Emergency Training Scheme. The L.E.A. has sanctioned my acceptance of this invitation.I shall be away on this work on one day each week for some

time.

26.4.45 Two students from Leicester D.S. College commence Teaching Practice here today. Miss Lester & Miss Swain.

27.4.45 Miss Elderfield is unable to come to school today as she has a chill.

30.4.45 Miss Elderfield returned today.

1.5.45 Mr Holland, woodwork instructor, is being transferred to Hinckley after this week, and Mr Elderfield has been sent by the L.E.A. to take over Mr Holland’s work until a permanent appointment can be made.

2.5.45 Hitler is dead! We may now hope for peace in Europe.

8.5.45 End of European War. The Prime Minister today announced the “Cease Fire” in Europe, and declared today and tomorrow national holidays.



The School and grounds are being placed at the disposal of the public. Dances have been arranged in the open yards and in the Assembly Hall and Dining Room.

10.5.45 We are back at school again: we are all tired after two days of rejoicing over our deliverance from the gravest peril in our history. Celebrations have been sober and restrained, indeed quietly dignified. Services of Thanksgiving perhaps best expressed the mood of our area.

Edited extracts in the following months illustrate recovery from the War.

17.5.45 For the last two weeks we have had to alter the Time table for the boys in order to put in more time in the garden. Food production puts a heavy burden on the school and seriously curtails instruction in other more important subjects.

1.6.45 Mr H.E. Harrison has been released from the Army on Medical grounds and resumes his work here today. Rank on release – Lieutenant.

19.7.45 Miss E. Harratt (D.S. has been given leave of absence (without pay) until the end of tem in order to get married. Her fiancé is on “overseas leave.”

18.9.45 Today 100 girls from the school have gone out to gather blackberries. They are doing this to increase the quantity of jam for the canteen. These girls will put in one day less on the farms next week.

20.9.45 Over 6cwts jam has been made and put into Canteen.

24.9.45 School closed today for V.E. day.

25.9.45 150 children have gone out in organised groups to farms to help in potato picking. … one teacher to each group of 50 children.

1.10.45 50 children will be out this week. …

8.10.45 150 children will be out on farms for most of this week.

15.10.45 Miss Jenkins has leave of absence today in order to meet her brother returning from the Far East after 4 years.

26.11.45 Mr J. Fort resumed duty here. He has had nearly five years in the forces. His foreign service has all been in Europe.



27.11.45 Mr Hutchinson was transferred to Hinckley Westfield Modern School today. He has been here for nearly five years: over 3 years as a Birmingham Teacher in charge of Evacuees, and later as a temporary “supply”. …

23.11.45 Mr. F. Drake resumed his work here after five years’ service in the R.A.F. His rank was Flight Lieutenant. His active service has all been in Europe.

30.11.45 Mr. F. Tapp resumed his work here today after five years in the Forces. He reached the rank of Captain. All his service has been in England.

20.12.45 Miss Pacey leaves us today: she has been transferred to Limehurst Girls’ Modern School. She is leaving us because we are overstaffed now the men are back from the Forces. … We have resumed Christmas Parties on our usual Peace time scale. …

13.5.46 Mrs Story (D.S.) has leave of absence from today until 22nd. Inst. Her husband is on leave.

11.9.46 … the school is being cleaned and decorated …

7.10.46 175 children out on farms today lifting potatoes. They are all booked out for the week.

11.10.46 There are calls for 250 children on farms … I have visited a number of farms where Staff have been dissatisfied with working conditions.


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