Day in the life of Gladestry School

1891 In the General report for the year 1892 based on schools awarded Government grants in 1891 there were 52 elementary schools in Radnorshire. One of which was Gladestry school which is listed as follows: Gladestry -National School with accommodation for 87 scholars.

On the 24th March 1891 Certified Teacher, J .Lupton, reported in the School Log Book of Gladestry School: School Examined today by Mr C.R.Cowling

Whilst he was at the school Mr Cowling himself wrote in the log book a list of songs and poetry for examination in 1891-2 and a list of Object Lessons ". . . to be given to the school at least once a week. The names and dates of such lessons to be recorded in the Log Book."

The school's income for the coming year was dependent on the outcome of the report, only if the report were favourable would any Government Grant be made. Mr Cowlings report was received on April 22nd and was on the whole quite favourable but as can be seen the needlework was not up to standard and only a partial grant was made for that subject.

For the coming year Gladestry School was to receive an Annual Grant of £33.13.6d. made up as follows:-

Principal or Main Grant 12/6d. per pupil
Discipline and Organisation 1/6d per pupil
For singing (by ear) 6d per pupil
Giving a total of 14/6d per pupil which based on an average attendance of 45 pupils giving a total of £32.12.6d.

There was also a £ 1.1 s grant for needlework based on the average attendance of girl pupils.
Giving a grand total of £33.13.6d.

In 1891 they received no grant for Singing by Note or Class subjects and from the report we see the needlework was not up to standard so they received nothing for needlework. Had each of these subjects been satisfactory it could have meant another 3/- per child. We can see the importance laid on needlework in preparing the girls for home duties, dress making and domestic service when they left school.

In another document we have a list of the school's income for 1891made up as follows:

School Pence. (Each pupil paid 1d. a week to attend school*) £11.19.4d
Voluntary Rate (On landowners)
£5 Government Grant £33.13.6d.
Church Subscription £8.13.10
Making a total of£58.13.10d for the year.

It is of interest to note that this practise was discontinued from 1st September 1891 as noted in the Log Book that the School Managers decided to accept the Grant offered by the Education Dept.

August 31st. Started school again this morning, but with small attendance. Rev C Grey came in and gave notice that the schooling would now be free to all (from 3-15), the Managers having accepted the fee grant offered by the Education Department.

Only 5 new pupils were admitted to Gladestry School in 1891 of these 4 were 5 years old, or almost 5 and 1 was 7. Some Log Book entries for 1891;

Sadie Cole