By 1852 there were 86 older children and 48 infants. There were five classes and the school was highly regarded. The Library in the school now had a reading-room and 109 volumes of mainly science, history and religious subjects and the Higgins had added a small 'museum of natural objects'. The master at this time, Rev GFW Munby, says in his book 'Former Days at Turvey' that the children learnt that 'Prayer is the simplest form of speech that infant lips can try'. He also tells how they learnt many biblical stories
Night classes were held for farming boys and lacemaking girls in the long winter evening after they had finished their work. The Infant school held a Sewing School on Saturdays to ensure that lace-girls did not miss out on what was then considered essential education.
In 1869 it was first tried to force the lace making children to attend the village schools. Parents were not keen - the children were earning much needed wages at home, besides it also cost the parents to send their girls to school! The schoolmaster tried to chase up the errant children but attendance remained poor. In 1872 the Government Inspector of Factories and Workshops stepped in to lay down the rules of the Workshops Acts. This helped and soon girls started attending. It was short lived however and with in months girls were absent again as parents needed their wages at home. Education finally became compulsory in 1876.
At the time of the 1881 census, the Schoolmaster was 46 yr old Cameron S. Wooton of London. He was assisted in his duties by his 47 year old, Gloucester born wife, Emma.
Miss Margaret A. Parry, aged 33 and from Manchester, was the Mistress of the Infants school.
A 69 year old Turvey lady called Mary Toul or Tone was also listed as a Schoolmistress and Needlewoman but I do not yet know of which school.
In 1864 the master of the National School was William Ward, and the mistress of the Infants was Sarah Ward. The master lived in the little cottage to the left of the school.
'O'er wayward childhood, woulds't thou hold firm rule,
And sun thee in the light of happy faces, -
Love, Hope, and Patience, these must be thy graces;
And in thine own heart let them first keep school.'
Quote from Samuel Taylor Coleridge, hung on the School wall by Rev. GFW Munby, Rector of Turvey in 1853.
Munby goes on to explain how the infants learnt of the 'importance of Temperance principles and the evils to be dreaded from strong drink'. The School buildings were also used for Parish Church Choir practice, Musical Society Concerts, Magic Lantern Lectures, Devotional Gatherings, Missionary Meetings and Sales of Work.
By the 1920's the school children were given a third of a
pint of milk each from Grove Farm. Here is a picture of
the class of 1922. There was no school uniform, parents
would not have beenable to afford one. I think these
children are in their Sunday Best. My nan is in this
picture, does anyone out there know anyone else?
Schools underwent more refom in the later part of the 19th Century.
