| Warter...living in an estate village |
SchoolUnit 4: The Village School
Poor attendance was a constant problem for the master. Occasionally it could not be helped, due to sickness and bad weather:
23 October 1894 Mrs Cookson called my attention to the excessive number of absentees from the Infant Room, which upon enquiry, was found to be the result of whooping cough.
31 Dec 1894 The attendance has been very poor today, in consequence of the excessive stormy weather. Snow 4ft deep.
2 January 1895 The children from a distance are quite unable to reach school.
4 November 1895 Many of the children are still away with 'colds'. Replies to enquiries show that parents are afraid of Diptheria which has been very bad at the eastern end of the village.
29 June 1900 There are several cases of Scarlatina and Scarlet Fever in the parish.
1 January 1901 School re-opened after being closed 8 weeks on account of prevalence of Scarlet Fever and Measles.
Many older children were frequently absent 'working in the fields' with their parents' permission:
1 July 1894 The attendance very poor. Weather bad. Sent to make enquiries about absentees; most of the replies were 'singling turnips'.
10 June 1895 Today many of the older children are away pulling 'ketlocks'. I, some days ago, sent out a circular calling the attention of parents to the 'Act for the regulation of the employment of children in labour', but it seems to have had no effect.
27 August 1895 I find that many of the children are working in the harvest fields.
23 June 1898 This morning there were 46 scholars present in the upper room, and 22 absent, nearly all of the latter being on the farms 'Ketlocking'.
Then there were the absences for the various village events which always appear to have been held on a weekday. For some a holiday was given.
1 August 1893 Holiday all day on account of the Flower Show.
8 August 1893 Today many of the children are away on account of a Trip [Wesleyan Methodist Chapel Sunday School] to Bridlington of which the majority of the parents seem to have availed themselves. Otherwise the work has been as usual.
9 August 1893 Holiday all day on account of the Choir Trip.
7 November 1894 Several children away on account of 'Clothing and Coal Club'.
18 June 1896 Preparations for the feast are being made in Mr Otley's field.
19 June 1896 This being 'Warter Feast Day' the children had their usual holiday.
16 June 1898 In the afternoon the attendance was very poor, many of the children, with their parents' consent being in the 'Feast Field' watching the preparations for to-morrow.
