School Log Book
From Harwell School log-book, kept at Shire Hall, Reading.
In 1895 the schoolmaster of Harwell’s newly amalgamated school reported as follows:
“1895 October 8th. This morning Mrs Fuller and I commenced work in these new buildings. The children of the Wesleyan Day School were transferred to us en bloc, and we admitted about 30 other children, almost all of whom do not know the Alphabet though some are 12 years old. C. Fuller, master.
“1896 May 1st. Over 30 children are away this morning. I find the old custom of children carrying garlands of flowers, and singing from house to house, is still indulged in by the juveniles of this Parish on this day.”
However, by 1902, having survived scarlet fever, with “parents… taking advantage of the scare to keep their children at home for various kinds of work”, and Dr Rice calling regularly, the following report was possible:
“1902 In spite of having been closed for more than three months on account of whooping cough, this school is in a state of thorough efficiency. The order is perfect, the attendance is faultlessly regular, and excellent progress is being made in all subjects of instruction.” From H.M. Inspector’s report.
In 1908 “A healthy spirit of mental activity pervades the school. Mrs Fuller (infants) and the headmaster (C. Fuller) retired.”
School Photos
National School, 1892.
Top row: Lucy Hitchman (teacher), L. Bosher, Edie Waite, Lou Waite, -, – ,Emily Mumford.
Second row: Bob Dandridge, Bob Gardner, – , – , – , – .
Third row: Will Cox, Sarah Cox, -, -, Froud, – , -.
Fourth row: E. Goodwin, Ernie Robust, -, Elizabeth Glanville, F. Gee, Gee, -.
Wesleyan School, 1893.
Top row: (Teacher), Bob Foster, Hall, King, -, -, -, (Teacher).
Second row: Ede Hall, E. Mumford, Keat, E. Day, Rose Goodwin, Nan Tilby.
Third row: Elizabeth Glanville, F. Tilby, B. Keat, ]. Bessant, -, – , -.
Fourth row: -, May King, Kate Froud, Harry Bessant, Snuggs, Frances Tarry.
Harwell Village School, 1897.
Top row: Fred Gee, Buckle, Thorne, Thorne, -, T. Glanville, W. Darby, Mr Fuller (teacher).
Second row: Miss Hatcher (teacher), Alice King, Blissett, E. Harris, Harris, Sally Thorne, Elizabeth Glanville, Mrs Fuller (teacher).
Third row: Kate Froud, L. Gee, E. Blissett, W. Drewett, – ,May Harris, Maud Glanville, Ada Harris.
Fourth row: V. Buckle, Buckle, A. Mulford, Talbot, -, Tom Buckle, Dandridge.
Fifth row: Lizzie Glanville, Rose King, A. Thorne, -, A. Fraud, A. Harris, Scott Buckle, -.
Sixth row: Ted Harris, Harris, -, Bert Gee, Fred Mulford, Harris, Dick King.
Harwell Council School, April 1909
Top row: Guy Tilbey, Billy Brogden, Bob Froud, Laura Powell, Elsie Butler, Ada Jefferies, Walter Dearlove, Hilda (Cissy) Dearlove Teacher: Miss Parrot (later married Bert Townsend) Headmaster: Charlie Fuller
Second row: -, Ivan Thorne, Sam Pryor, Florrie Pryor, Keep Crispin, Bill-, -, Mary Dennis, Kath Jefferies.
Third row: -Dennis, -, -, -, -, ArchieJefferies.
Front row: Jack Dennis, Violet Midwinter, Lizzy Snuggs, Millie Hazel, Lina Dicks, Hilda Cox, Hector Wright.
Wendy Hillier says
This is so in overwhelming; first time that I have seen my Great Grandmothers picture as a young girl. E. Blissett (Ellen) was my great grandmother. Ellen married my Great Grandfather Edward King, then came to Saskatchewan Canada. Thank you for every endeavour for making things like this happen. The picture of her means so much to me. thank you.
R. Meades says
I went to this school in the 1960s. I have vague memories of playing in the snow in the winter, buying jammy dodgers at the tuck shop at playtime, and of being chased around the tables by a fellow student who I’d called “fat”, intent on stabbing me with a pencil (and an inatentive teacher). He did manage to get me and I still have the scar on my lower back all this time later. Oh, happy days!
R. Meades says
I forgot to mention: I also recall our class going to the big white house at the end of the lane (the one with the pillar out front) where the family, who regularly went to Africa, used to show us slide shows of their trips. It was very interesting, but their son who went to our school was, I thought, unnaturally brown and had rather long hair that made him look like a girl. He didn’t really mix with us and stayed aloof. I think they had money or something as their was an aire of superiority about them. Strange how you can detect that, even at so young an age.