NRO X6440 N.C.C. Education Records (part)
School Closure Letters

Grafton Regis Rectory
Northampton
17 April 1933
Dear Mr. Holland
Grafton Regis & Alderton School

With regard to the personal conversation I had with you regarding your views on Miss. E. Smith the Head Mistress getting married, subject to this conversation I informed her that you were not in favour of such a course and the N.E.C do not con (illeg) married Teachers holding such appointments, leading him to support that they (illeg.)
She is now writing to you herself.
In a (illeg). of married Teachers TI thought a note might remind you of our conversation.
Yours Sincerely
R.N. Beasley

The Schoolhouse
Grafton Regis
Northampton
25th. Sept. 1933

To. Mr. Holland
Dear Sir

There are now only eight children attending this school, two of whom come from Alderton. They are both only seven years of age and their parents are now none too easy in their minds about them travelling alone. Last week one was sick and rather than keep Phyllis away also her mother walked the whole way to school with her. It was then she told me both she and Mrs. Short didn't like the children being on the road alone, as they were so young, and did I think the school would close so that they could go to Paulerspury along with the elder ones. I told her I hadn't heard anything to that end, but I do sympathise with them about the children knowing how they feel because I myself worry about their safety.
I should like to know our position, also for my own future: I am hoping to be married early next year, but if the school is on the eve of closing I should stay on until it does, with the hope of retaining the schoolhouse for a time if, on the other hand , there is a question of closure I should have to decide whether or not to apply for another post where there are more children, for a time, Hoping for a reply.
I am
Yours respectfully
E. Smith

26th. September 1933

Miss E. Smith
Grafton Regis
Northampton

Dear Madam
Grafton Regis & Alderton School
In reply to your letter of 25th. Instant, it is open to the Alderton parents to send their younger children to Paulerspury School in preference to Grafton Regis if they consider that it is dangerous for them to walk backwards and forwards alone each day. Parents have the right of choosing the school which their children shall attend and so long as the transfer was made at the beginning of a term and the grounds for it were not capricious, as this, particular reason, would not be, we could not object to their sending the children to Paulerespury.
If these two children were withdrawn from the School the numbers would be reduced to six and the Committee could hardly do otherwise than, consider the desirability of closing it, though it is contrary to their accepted policy to close small schools unless there are very strong reasons for doing so. I understand that you are intending to resign shortly in order to be married. In these circumstances, the Committee would not be likely to take action until your resignation was actually received, and it would then be necessary to consult the Managers and consider any observations they might have to make before the school could actually be closed. I do not think, therefore that there is any need for you to worry about your own position, but if you should care to discus the matter at a personal interview, Mr. Bickbeck will be quite prepared to give you an appointment.
Yours Faithfully
F.S.D.
Secretary


Grafton Regis & Alderton School
Mr. Beasley came in this morning to know what the position was. There are 8 children. The best that can be said is that they will remain for some time, the highest being in Standard III, and there are 5 more children who will be coming in the next three or four years. The older children go to Paulerspury (Alderton) and Yardley Gobion (Grafton). Yardley is just over a mile : Paulerspury is under two. The road from Grafton to Yardley is an A road - Northampton to stony Stratford. The older children could take the younger. Miss smith, the Head Teacher, is understood to be leaving to get married at Easter. I have suggested unofficially to Mr. Beasley that the School will be closed at Easter.


6th. October 1933
Miss E. Smith
Grafton Regis
Northampton
Dear Madam
Grafton Regis & Alderton School
I beg to refer to my letter of 26th. September. Since it was written I have ascertained that there is no early likelihood of the present number in the School being substantially increased. In the circumstances I have no option but officially to request the Managers to agree to the early Closure of the School. The request will be made in a day or two, as it is intended to give them the opportunity of making representations they wish to make in case there is any reason for continuing the School which I have overlooked.
The Correspondent, who has seen me recently told me in confidence that he understood you would be leaving at Easter to be married in any case. If you can confirm this I should be prepared to advise the Education Committee to allow the School to continue until the end of the first term of 1934. Will you kindly let me hear from you in the course of the next day or two. Meanwhile, I will hold up the official letter to the Managers.
Yours Faithfully
D.L.
Secretary for Education


14th. October 1933
Rev. R.N. Beasley
The Rectory
Grafton Regis
Northampton
Dear Sir
Grafton Regis & Alderton School
According to the staffing card for the currant term there are only 8 children in attendance at the School, and although most of them will be remaining for sometime, there appears to be no prospect that this number will increase in the near future. In these circumstances the Managers will hardly be surprised to hear that the closure of the School at an early date will need to be seriously considered by the Education Committee. The expense of maintaining a School for so small a number of children, especially when there are other good Schools within easy reach, can hardly be justified under any circumstances, and less so at a time when economy in public expenditure is being demanded on all sides.
I understand that the Teacher, Miss Smith, is intending to get married at Easter and will be sending in her resignation in any case on 1st January to take effect at the end of March. The closure should take place at the end of a term in order that the children can complete the term's work and begin their next term's work in the new School. If the Committee decide to close at Christmas they would still be obliged to find salaried occupation for some little time for Miss. Smith for it is now too late to give her three months notice to terminate on 31st. December.
It is also desirable that the winter should be practically over before the children travel. It would, therefore, appear that Easter next is the appropriate time for closing.
With regard to the School the children should attend, there are two within easy distance. For the Alderton children Paulerspury School is within two miles and for the Grafton children Yardley Gobion School is just over a mile. I believe the senior children from these two villages are already respectively attending these two Schools, and the younger children would be able to go to them. Having regard to the distance to be travelled, the Committee are not in a position to provide conveyance or to offer any monetary contribution toward the cost of conveyance. They would, however, be prepared to allow bicycles to be purchased under their scheme for the supply of bicycles at a much cheaper rate, quality for quality, than they can be bought in the ordinary way. I enclose a copy of the scheme here within. The proposal to close the School at Easter will be considered by the Committee at their next meeting, namely on Saturday 11th. November. Meanwhile, I hope to hear that in the circumstances the Managers make no objection, and to have their observations generally.
Yours Faithfully
Secretary of Education


16th October
Letter from Rev. R.N. Beasley
Stating: In view of the situation I had before receiving your letter, called a Manager's Meeting for Wednesday October 25th. I shall now be able to lay before them your letter and subsequent to the Meeting you shall hear from me their objections on the situation.
If such a cause is necessary personally I shall feel the loss of the School very deeply and further my relations with the Northampton Education Committee have been so happy I shall be sorry to terminate them.
Yours Faithfully
R.N. Beasley


17th. October 1933
Dear Sir
Grafton Regis & Alderton School
In reply to your letter of the 15th. Instant, you will find below a Return which gives the average number of scholars on the roll of the above school during each year of the 11 years ending 31st. March 1933.
Year
Average No. on roll
1923
17
1924
15
1925
15
1926
14
1927
15
1928
17
1929
17
1930
18
1931
17
1932
14
1933
12

Yours Faithfully
Secretary


29th. October
From Rev. R.N. Beasley
Part of. The Manager's View: The loss of the School is a loss to the Village life, and the hardship entailed on children & parents.
You asked for the observations of the Managers the matter was very carefully discussed from every angle at the end of their careful deliberations the Managers passed the following observations.
That the Managers strongly object to the closure of the School, but if such a closure is enforced they would insist that the children from 5 to 10 years be transported to neighbouring Schools at Public Expense.


Sent to The Secretary Board of Education Whitehall S.W. 1


11th. December 1933
Grafton Regis & Alderton School
Sir
Referring to Mr. Ferris' letter of 7th. December, I have to inform you that the expenditure of the above named School during the last financial year was £177.8.1, and this sum could be taken as indicative of the amount which would be saved annually if the School were closed.
I am, Sir
Your obedient Servant
D.H.


12 December 1933
Letter from Rev. R.N. Beasley
Saying he had received the letter stating the Education Committee had decided to close the School.

29th. December 1933
Dear Madam
Grafton Regis & Alderton School
I am in receipt of your letter of 22nd. December, and note that you propose to terminate your appointment in the above mentioned school with the effect from 31st. March. You should, of course hand in your resignation to the Managers at once if you have not already done so.


30th. January 1934
Board of Education
Whitehall
Part of:
Sir
With reference to Mr. Holland's letter of the 23rd. November (ES10829/33) and the 11th. December 1933 (ES/15063/33), I am directed to state that, after consideration of all the circumstances of the case, the Board of Education hereby determine under Section 19(1) of the Education Act, 1921, that the Grafton Regis and Alderton School is unnecessary.


13th February 1934
Part of a letter sent to Rev. R.N. Beasley
The only assistance I can offer is the Committee's scheme for providing bicycles at a cheap rate which might be of interest to the parents of the older children, of which particulars are enclosed.
The price paid by the Authority for the bicycles is £3.5.0 boys £3.10.0 girls.


February 13th. 1934
Dear Sir
As I have not heard from you, whether our school is definitely closing at Easter, what am I do about this month's requisition? If I am to have a successor I shouldn't care about her coming to an almost empty stock cupboard.
I should also like some information about my super-annuation. After I leave the profession how soon can I draw it out, if necessary and how can I calculate the amount expected? Or what benefit is derived if it is withdrawn?
Yours respectfully
E. Smith


Letter dated 14th. February to Miss Smith saying the School will close at Easter. There will, therefore, be no need for any further requisitions to be made.


Grafton Regis & Alderton School No. 97

25th. April 1934
Sir
With reference to Mr. Sharman's letter of 30th January, I am directed to inform the Board that the last meeting of the above-named school was held on 29th. March and that the children concerned began attendance at other schools as from 9th April.
The Secretary
Board of Education
Whitehall
London S,W,1


Closed April 18th. 1934

11.11.33
Mr. Prothero
Grafton Regis & Alderton School
Present Roll

8 Over 11 - Number remaining 8
Staff H (U)

Counts for 30 CLOSURE
Receiving School(s)

Paulerspury (Alderton) Distance 1¾miles


Yardley Gobion (Grafton ) Distance 1½


1.
 Letter to Managers suggesting closure 14-10-33

2.
 2. Manager's reply (a) refusing 29-10-33
(b)
(c) asking for a conveyance 29-10-33
3.
 Conference with Managers & Parents
4.
 4. Approved by the Committee (a) Elementary Education 11-11-33


(b) General Purposes 2-12 33


(c) Full Education 16-12-33
5.
 Letter(s) to Managers conveying decision re- Notice to Closure (26-2-34)

H.T. has resigned with (a) closure 8-12-33 E.E.S.C. effect at 31-3-34
6.
 Letter(s) to Board of Education asking approval of .


(a) closure 23-11-33

7.
 Board's replies to 6 (a) Agreeing 30-1-34

8.
 Mr. Prothero notified 16-2-34

9.
 Letter to Managers of Receiving School(s) 16-2-34

10.
 Letter(s) to Board notifying date of 6. above



(a) 25-4-

11.
 CLOSURE EASTER 1934 (Head Teacher's Marriage)

12.
 Transfer of stock etc. Mr. Prothero