1894 Jan.1st.
The Managers authorised the purchase of a new Cocoa nut Mat for the School and a new clock to be provided in exchange for the present one, which is unserviceable.
At a Quarterly Meeting of the managers of Grafton Regis & Alderton School, held after due notice, on Monday the 2nd. of April 1894 at the School House in Grafton Regis, at 12 o' clock in the forenoon.
Present Major General G. R. FitzRoy, Messers. John C. Brafield, Henry Linnell and Oliver Manning.
Major General FitzRoy was Elected Chairman.
The Minutes of the previous Meeting were read signed and confirmed.
The School being closed by Order of the Medical Officer the Register cannot be tested.
The Treasurer reported that the Rev. H.E. Barnacle School Rate still in arrears.
It was. Resolved - That the School House be put into habitable repair, Mr. J.C. Brafield and Mr. H. Linnell undertaking to carry out this.
Proposed by Mr. O. Manning and Seconded by Mr. Henry Linnell
Resolved that it being reported that the Rector, had made complaint, to His Grace the Duke of Grafton, that he was prevented holding a Night School, as wished by His Grace, through the conduct of the School Mistress, in Extinguishing the fire, and removing the Lamps.
The Managers have enquired into the Matter and can learn nothing to justify the Rector's statement.
And they are of the Opinion that no genuine effort was ever made by the Rector to establish a Night-School.
The matter has never been brought before the School Managers - had it been - they would have made proper arrangements for both fire and lights - Until now, they not requiring lights have never provide any.
It is the opinion of the Managers that on the occasion alluded to, the Rector expected everything ready to his hand without taking the trouble of making necessary arrangements beforehand.
At the same time the Managers to record their entire satisfaction in the Management of the School by Mrs. Brafield, the School Mistress.
It was further. Resolved that a copy of the above resolution with a letter from the Chairman be sent to the Bishop of the Diocese, requesting him to Enquire into the Matter, a copy also to be sent to the Rector.
1895 February 19th.
It was resolved and carried unanimously that the School room be granted to Mr. Foster Basgis* to deliver a lecture in the Evening of February 28th , or other such evening that he may require if provided that he pay any expenses that may be incurred.
1895 April 2nd.
The Managers recommended that the School remained closed during the presence of measles and that the Medical Officer be written to on the subject.
The Treasurer is authorised to employ Mr. Sturgess of Road to repair the damage done to the roof of the School House by the gale on March 24th. 1895.
1895 23rd. April
Repairs to the roof of the School ordered on 2nd.April have been carried out.
Mr. Manning and J.C. Brafield report that Mrs. Webb & Mrs. Whitlock made complaints about the way Sewing was being taught and gave the names of two others who have fault to find. They had enquired of these two others Mrs. Henson and Mrs. Gascoyne who said they had no fault to find - consequently Mrs. Webb's complaint was groundless.
1895 July 1st.
The Correspondent Mr. J.C. Brafield reports that he has received a grant of £48-13-0 and a Drawing grant of 12/- he also produced the report of the Government School Inspector. He also reported that the Rector the Revd. H.E. Barnacle's School rate remains unpaid both for Grafton Regis & Alderton.
The Managers sanctioned the School Mistress Expending a sum not exceeding 5/- in prizes for Scripture
1895 October 7th.
Attention was drawn to the ventilation of the School Room and the repair of the ceiling, and Mr. J.C. Brafield was asked to confer with Mr. Shakeshaft on the subject, and to carry out the improvements as necessary.
1896 January 6th.
The Rector reported that he had received the Duke of Grafton's annual gift of £10 to the School Fund, and also a notification from the Department that Ice* Grant to the amount of £3-15 has been paid to the London agents of the Bank at which the School accounts are kept.
The Managers unanimously resolved that they were unwilling to establish a president by paying out of the School Funds the amount expended by Mrs. Brafield on a substitute during her illness.
It was resolved that Gertrude Addington be appointed to act as monitress at a salary of 1/- per. Week.
Mr. Oliver Manning proposed & General FitzRoy Seconded that the following ladies be appointed as a committee in accordance with the suggestion in the School Deeds. Mrs. Pryor, Mrs. Manning & Miss Linnell
It is ordered that certain repairs to the desks & scraper should be carried out, by the blacksmith, under the supervision of the Rector.
Permission was granted to use the room in the schoolhouse for a ladies Institute if required.
1896 February 20th.
An application was made by Mrs. Oliver Manning to occupy if necessary the room in the School House from Lady Day next. It was unanimously resolved to grant the application, such tenancy to be terminated by one months notice on either side, and the rent to be at the rate of £4 a year.
1896 July 6th.
It was reported that the Managers, after consultation with Shakeshaft according to the resolution at a meeting held on June 1st. had ordered ventilation to be placed in the ceiling, and that the Desks should be lowered to the height required for infants. This had now been done, and as far as could be then seen, with a satisfactory result.
1897 January 4th.
It was resolved that a letter be written to the Education Department towards the end of the school year, drawing attention to the fact the small average attendance during the latter part of 1896 owing to the outbreak of scarlet fever.
1898 January 3rd.
The treasurer updated that the walls of the school yard had been repaired and he was authorised to pay the Bill for the same.
It was proposed by General F.R. FitzRoy Seconded by Mr. J.C. Brafield & carried unanimously that Gertrude Addington (Monitor) should be paid in future at the rate of 3/- per. week instead of 2/- she having made an application for an increase in salary.
The school well was reported to have been cleaned out, and the Agent of His Grace the Duke of Grafton shared the expense incurred: the School Managers paying one half the cost 15/7d.
July 4th.
It was decided that the repairs to the desks should first be done, so that, is possible the buying of new desks might be deferred for present.
The treasurer updated that the gravelling of the schoolyard would be done, if possible during the Harvest holidays.
A letter was had from the School Mistress applying for an increase in Salary, but owing to the small number of managers present, it was thought advisable to postpone the matter.
1898 August 1st.
A letter from the Head Mistress applying for an increase in salary was read, and after some discussion it was proposed by General F.R. FitzRoy & Seconded by Mr. Pike & unanimously carried that the stipend be raised from £59 per. Year to £65, to date from August 1st. 1998
The question of the Salary of the monitoress was also considered & in the occasion General F.R. FitzRoy, Proposed & Seconded by Mr. H. Brafield, it was raised from 3/- per. Week to £10 a year, such increase to date from July 1st.1898
1899 Friday April 21st.
The Chairman was requested to inform the Mistress that on occasion when the school is temporally closed on account of illness, the managers are of the opinion that it is her duty to acquaint the parents, especially those living at a distance, of the fact.
It was agreed that the new blinds be purchased for the windows that require them, and that sundry small repairs be carried out.
On application of Mrs. Blunt, it was resolved that she be paid at the rate of 1/6 per. week. Such sum to include all cleaning required at the school.
1899 Saturday June 24th.
The Correspondent placed before the managers two letters received from Education Department, with respect to the present teaching staff at the school, and after some discussion it was unanimously decided that in the event of a probationer being found in the village, she be employed at a salary of 2/- per. week, but if not, the grant heretofore claimed under Act.105 be allowed to stand in abeyance, the managers considering the present staff amply sufficient for all ordinary purposes.
1899 Monday October 2nd.
The appointment of Maude Blunt as a probationer at a salary of 2/- per. week was confirmed.
It was resolved to have the school harmonium repaired & also a new desk made for Infant Class.
1900 Monday July 2nd.
An application from the Mistress for an increase of salary was, on the proposition of Mr. Conant seconded by Mr. Fountaine, deferred for a year, but it was resolved that the Superannuation Fee of £2 be paid by the Managers of this year.
The Rector was authorised to purchase a piano for the school at a cost of not more than £20.
The Mistress was authorised to refuse, if necessary admission of infants temporally residing in the Parish.
1900 Monday October 8th.
A Proposition of Mr. J.C. Brafield that ½ dozen new chairs be purchased at a cost of from 2/- to 3/- each for use of the Managers of the school was agreed.
1900 Thursday October 25th.
A special meeting of Managers was held in the School House, on Thursday October 25th. 1900 to consider the question of the removal of three Alderton children from the school to that of Paulers Pury.
The children's father & the Teacher were interviewed by the Managers, with the result that the refusal to re-admit the eldest lad Ernest Jelly was unanimously decided upon, & also that the two younger children were to be sent to this school hereto fore.
1901 January 7th.
It was resolved at the meeting by Mr. H.G. Conant, and seconded by Mr. T.H. Pike that the following increase in the salary of the teacher's be made.
Viz.
a.Maude Blunt from 3/- to 4/- per. week to date from January 1st. 1901
b.Gertrude Addington from £13 to £18 on her attaining the age of eighteen.
It was decided that certain alterations be made to enable the windows to be opened more easily.
1901 Tuesday April 9th.
The accounts for the past year were presented. The recommendation of Gertrude Addington as teacher was announced. The Rector requested to write to the Mistress to the affect that her Salary would be increased from £65 to £70 a year.
1901 Monday September 30th.
Mr. Conant proposed & Mr. Brafield seconded that Maude Blunt should receive a salary of 2/- a week, the extra salary to commence from this quarter, and that considering her extra work the sum of £1 should be given her as a donation from the last quarter.
Mr. Conant suggested that the ventilation of the school should be improved and that 4 of the windows should be made to open at the top.
1902 Monday February 17th.
A discussion took place about the draught under the door & the general repair of the school - Mr. Conant proposed & Mr. Fountaine seconded. That Mr. Shakeshaft be asked to give an estimate for the necessary repairs to the doors & outside fencing & to colour wash the school in the Easter holidays.
Mr. J.C. Brafield presented a summary of accounts showing a balance of £6 in hand.
1902 Monday October 20th.
Mrs. Brafield having applied for a Teachers Desk it was resolved that the matter should stand over for the present.
1903 Tuesday January 7th.
A discussion took place about the use of the Piano and Maude Blunt was called in and informed that the Managers would allow her to use the Piano between the hours of 12 & 2 o'clock but not after the School was closed in the afternoon.
1903 Monday August 3rd.
It was resolved that the new maps should be bought. The Chairman stated that Messers. Law & Harris had inspected the School for the C. Council & had suggested various alterations - including a boys clockroom & a ventilator through the roof.
A resolution was passed that the chairman should write to Messers. Law & Harris & ask them to draw up a design for the boys Cloakroom.
1903 November 26th.
The plans for the new Clockroom drawn up by Messers. Law & Harris were shown & discussed & the matter was to stand over for the present.
A letter from Mrs. Brafield with respect to chimney rent for the School House from the County Council was read & it was resolved to take no action in the matter.
A letter from Maude Blunt was read asking for an increase of Salary and Mr. Fountaine proposed & Mr. Brafield seconded that the Salary of Maude Blunt be raised to £1 a quarter and that the increase should take place from 1 December next.
Mr. Brafield proposed & Mr. Jelley seconded that Mrs. Blunt should receive 6d. a week extra for cleaning from the 1st. of December.
Mr. Brafield stated that he had a balance of £30 in hand on the 1st. of October but that the payment of sundry outstanding bills of Mr. Shakeshaft's Estimate of £22 for repairs would take nearly all the balance.
