Yardley Gobion Infant School was built in 1874 by the Duke of Grafton on the site of his old malting barn, hence the entry road being called the maltings.

Schools had been in existence in many places, including a Sunday school in Yardley Gobion prior to 1874 but they were for the few, not for the masses.

In 1862 grants were given in relation to individual results in examinations – payment by results. This was not finally abolished until 1904.

An Education Act of 1870 did not introduce either direct compulsory education or free education but it took a distinct step forward in each direction by enabling school boards to frame bylaws rendering attendance compulsory and also to pay school fees in cases of poverty.

Although generally education was still voluntary and fee paying, the Act of 1876 was designed to improve school attendance making it a duty of every parent to see that his child received efficient instruction in reading, writing and arithmetic. This had a marked effect on school attendance. Parents were growing accustomed
to sending their children to school.

The Act of brought about universal compulsory education.

Free education was established by 1891, a government grant was given in lieu of fees.

Although a new mistress arrived on 12th March 1877 she was unable to make any records until 27th April due to the absence of a Log book. (School fees were raised on April 9th, the amount was not quoted.) At least one and sometimes three school managers visited the school each week. It is obvious from the earlier entries of admissions that some parents were not taking education seriously as many children were starting and then being re-admitted some weeks later and this was often repeated on a number of occasions.

The Potterspury Workhouse (Situated in Yardley Gobion)

The Union children had a schoolmistress from 1842 but there were constant changes of mistresses. The Union had a schoolroom built in 1872 with a mistress for the children living in the workhouse. Later it was decided that keeping the Workhouse children shut away from life outside was not a good thing so they then began to go to the village school, a doorway was made in the Workhouse wall to allow these children to enter the school playground directly. (This was later bricked up when the Workhouse closed.) There was much coming and going of some of these children, being re-admitted on numerous occasions.

1877

Aug 24 School opened after summer vacation, numbers very low on consequence of the children being in the fields gleaning.

Nov 9th Fred and Mary Swaine left school on Friday last having gone into the workhouse.

Nov 26th Attendance during the past week very low owing to it being the village feast during the week.

Nov 30th A Bell fixed for the use of the school being the gift of the Rev. Crawley.

April 22nd School opened at 9.45 instead of 9.10. Mrs. Lambert not having the room ready swept and dusted.

Aug 2nd Numbers not so high as usual owing to the fair at Stony Stratford.

1882

Aug 4th School Treat was given as usual by H. J. Weston Esq. Three prizes were given for regular attendance the successful children were Ellen Swain, Harry Lambert and Kate Holloway.

New room separate from the other room was added in 1883. Older girls accepted, boys still go to Potterspury.

1884

June 27th Having tried by lesson punishment to make the elder girls more careful with their ink and it not having the desired effect have adopted the fine of a halfpenny in each case where any ink is spilt, find this answers a little better, has the approval of H Weston Esq. (School Manager)

July 4th Having had complaints from some of the parents concerning the boys, have forbidden them using the offices set apart for them in each yard and also to use the same playground as the girls. For the future the old playground and offices are to be used for the recreation of the girls and the new playground for the boys. Anyone breaking this rule to be punished.

1885

Sept 25th A meeting was held in the school room on the 24th Inst. when it was decided to allow the boys who had passed standard 2 to remain until March at which time they are to be drafted to Potterspury Boy’s School. This resolution was passed to avoid the long walk for the boys during the winter months

July 5th Register marked each morning a little earlier than specified by Time Table to enable children who carry food to their parents in the Hayfield to leave a little earlier.

Oct 13th Punished two of the Union boys for leaving the School playground during recreation time without permission. Readmitted the Evans family from Union.

Nov 12th The Matron at the Union being ill granted Miss Wright a holiday from her duties at school. Clara Berrill sixth standard girl in charge. No needlework in the afternoon.

1887

Feb 9th Holiday given in Afternoon. Children to attend a conjuring entertainment at Potterspury.

April 19th Admitted two girls, one over 7 and the other considerably over 6 years of age but found it necessary to class with smaller infants as neither of them had attended school before. The former however got promoted to 2nd class in the afternoon.

May 5th Found on entering School this morning that a robbery been committed. The box containing a large number of finished garments ready for the coming Exam in July were missing as well as knitted stockings cuffs and mittens. The drawers were out and books taken out and strewn in various places. Scissors, gong, Bible and other articles were taken. The cupboard was also opened. Rev. R. E. Crawley was communicated with at once, also the Police. Mr H. J. Weston has just called and looked at the destruction and said windows better be closed every evening.

May 6th Having ascertained all knitting of the St. IV & V except in one case & needlework of St. V & III have been taken, that new ones should be commenced and be completed as far as possible.

May 10th Continued needlework all afternoon and detained girls for extra half hour.

May 20th Helen Louisa Smith will not be able to attend school for some time as the Doctor orders her to be in the fresh air as much as possible and not bother with lessons.

June 22nd Re-opened School after Jubilee Holiday of two days. Numbers low in the morning. Sent after absentees and six more came. Mrs Fitzroy called to say that the small children would be also provided with medals. (It looks as if the older children were given medals to celebrate the ‘Queen’s Jubilee’)

Sept 7th There being a Flower Show at Wakefield only forty children were present, a holiday was accordingly given.

Sept 26th Admitted the Cox family from Union. Punished Ernest Cross severely for fighting at entering time.

Oct 10th Numbers very low partly owing to the un-favourable weather. Marked register at 9.30 to enable children to leave earlier to go into Stratford to see a Circus procession. Holiday given in the afternoon.

Nov 7th Admitted the Evans family from Union.

Nov 29th The Evans & Cox’s having left the Union for only a short period, their names will not be removed from the Register.

Feb 27th Received a doctor’s certificate respecting the child Helen Smith, who is still under Doctor’s care and not able to attend School.

May 16th Children taken to Church at 10.50 it being Holy Thursday. Miss Saunderson visited and gave the children biscuits. Mr. Palmer visited and left money to be distributed among the children. They sang one verse of the national Anthem.

July 6th The Register was marked in the morning immediately after Prayers. Ordinary Lessons were then commenced. At 11.30 the children were grouped and Photographed, the Rev. Armstrong being present.

1888

Nov 22nd After marking the Register the children were taken to the bottom of the School Yard to witness the Funeral cortege of the Late Manager, H. J. Weston Esq.

1889

Jan 24th Punished Ernest Cross one of the Union boys for burning a duster on the 23rd.

Feb 11th Opened school but owing to the very rough weather was obliged to close again. Communicated with Rev. R. E. Crawley and Rev. R. Armstrong.

March 6th Children taken to Church at 11 a.m. it being Ash Wednesday.

May 13th Obliged to give a Holiday in consequence of children going round the village with May garlands. (This was organized by the children themselves.)

1890

Feb 10th Attendance even worse than last week so many of the children suffering from influenza.

Oct 3rd Part of the inspector’s report. ‘The Infant Class is chiefly in charge of a young monitoress, who does her best but is quite incompetent to teach 50 infants’ (Probably Eleanor Pratt as she resigned 19th Dec.)

1891

June 1st The monitoress (Kate Holloway) being ill is absent from School. Standard I have been sent to the Infant Room in charge of Miss Tench until she is able to return to her duties.

June 11th Mr Bird Attendance officer called for names of absentees.

A holiday given as the infant children had their annual treat at Mrs Fitzroy’s.

Oct 20th Mr Chettle, Rev Armstromg & Mr J Smith visited to enquire into the cause of the Girls’ school playground being flooded with water. Mr Richardson to receive orders to drain it properly. This has been a very seriously wet week, but it has not affected our average attendance.

Oct 28th Rev. Armstrong, Mr J Smith & Mr Arthur Smith visited to inspect the drainage of the Girls’ & infants’ Playground – A new drain has been laid outside the Mixed school room.

1892

January – In consequence of a severe outbreak of measles the school was not re-opened after the Xmas Holiday but remained closed another three weeks, making a total of five weeks.

Feb 9th Register closed at a quarter to ten to enable girls (about 30) to fetch the Soup from Mrs Fitzroy’s for their respective families.

Feb 12th Lizzie Read (Union) a 3rd Standard girl has left school to enter one of the houses belonging to the ‘Girls Friendly Society’. She is to be trained her for domestic service.

April 11th Mrs Fitzroy visited – She would very much like to send some of our Needlework, Knitting and Kindergarten work to the exhibition at Towcester which will be held April 26th.

April 26th I was agreeably surprised to find that although there were only 4 prizes for the children’s class, and there were many entries, Yardley Gobion had secured two prizes and 1 highly commended – The Prizes were as follows:-
Ada Kightly 1st Prize 7/-, Ethel Webb Extra Prize for Knitting 2/-, Lilian Smith Highly commended.

May 12th Holiday for May Day. The children and school children of Yardley promenaded the village in a body. Liberal donations were forthcoming and a tea was provided. In the afternoon the children visited Wakefield and were kindly received by His Grace the Duke of Grafton and the upper servants. His Grace gave £1 towards the ‘May Day Fund’ and the servants more than ten shillings. The band gave their services gratis and a very enjoyable day was spent. (I believe this was the first May Festival organized by Mrs Fitzroy BP )

The songs sung were:-

Joan to the Maypole.
The Flower Bells.
The Maypole.
Neath the morn.

June 30th Mixed school. The room has been enlarged and considerably improved.

Oct 7th Many of the children are required for picking up potatoes, the attendance has fallen off a little in consequence.

Oct 21st The grandson of our respected manager Mr J P Smith who for the past fortnight had been suffering from brain fever and died on the 14th was buried this afternoon. The children combined together to purchase a
wreath as a memento of their love and sorrow. The wreath took the form of a Harp with a broken string.

1893

Feb 3rd The children were invited to an Entertainment given at Potters Pury by His Grace the Duke of Grafton consisting of a ‘Punch and Judy’ show this afternoon. Half holiday given.

May 10th On reaching the Exhibition yesterday afternoon we found that our school had again been successful.

1st Prize Needlework Ethel Webb
1st Prize Knitting Amy Wilson
2nd Prize Knitting Sarah Atkins
3rd Prize Knitting Ethel Webb
Highly commended Daisy Tench
Highly commended Florence Smith
Highly commended Carrie Kirk
Highly commended Nellie Masom
Highly commended Amy Wilson
Highly commended Lucy Gray

Nov 8th I received a note this morning from Mrs Warren, stating that her son “James was caned for arithmetic yesterday, and was afraid to come to school in consequence. As it was an untruth I requested Miss Tench (In whose care the boy is) to go at once and inform the mother that she had been wrongly informed. The boy appears to have been telling falsehoods for sometime past in order that he might be excused from school.

Dec 22nd Mr Smith (Manager) presented each child with an orange on leaving school at 12 o clock today.

1894

Feb 8th Willie Sturgess too late for his attendance mark. He was insolent and impudent to Mistress. It will be necessary to transfer him to Potters Pury boy’s School, if he does not behave himself better.

June 1st Arthur and Alwyn Johnson have been playing truant today.

June 22nd A case of Scarlet Fever has broken out in the village.

June 26th Dr Maguire called and reported 2 cases of fever.

July 2nd School closed on account of fever.

Sept 17th School reopen this morning having been closed 11 weeks.

1895

Jan 2nd Charlie Johnson played truant Tuesday morning and all day Wednesday. Upon being punished he ran out of the school and was brought back by his brother, but ran off again. He reappeared this afternoon and received two strokes and a caution as to his future behaviour.

Jan 29th Frances Bliss, who since last April has suffered from a spinal complaint died this morning. The children belonging to her class have visited her frequently during her illness.

April 10th Owing to the irregularity and necessity of the school closing for 11 weeks last summer, it has been deemed advisable to curtail the Easter holidays, therefore the children will receive only one days holiday viz Easter Monday.

Sept 25th Harry Smith readmitted today. He has been attending Potters Pury Boy’s School but his mother wishes him to attend our school until danger of infection from fever is over. Several children from the infant school are suffering from ‘Hooping cough’ and are unable to attend school.

Sept 27th A very small number of children present, several have gone with their parents to purchase winter clothing, with their Clothing Club Tickets.

1896

Oct 26th Florence Smith commenced duties today as a Monitor with the view of sitting in April as a Probationer or as a Candidate. (Art. 35)

Nov 20th Mrs Fitzroy and her sister the Honourable Mrs Forbes visited this afternoon.

Dec 11th Attendance Prizes given out by Mrs Fitzroy this afternoon. Mr. J. P. Smith, Mr. Albert Masom and Miss Weston were present. About 40 children received Prizes (Books)

1897

Jan 18th Ada Kightly Monitor asked permission to stay away from School this afternoon in order that she might visit her brother who is very ill.

Jan 26th Through the kindness of His Grace the Duke of Grafton the School children were invited to a Magic Lantern Entertainment at Potters Pury School commencing at 3.30 in the afternoon. Half holiday given by the Managers so that children might attend.

March 1st Transferred 8 Boys to Potters Pury Boy’s School. Thos.. Busbridge retained at our School until his foot is better.

March 15th Our esteemed and respected Vicar the Rev. R.E.Crawley died on Sunday morning March 14th at about 4 o’clock. His weekly visits have been much missed by Mistress and children during his long illness.

June 23rd Yesterday being the day appointed for the Celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee the School children had a days Holiday. Tea was provided at 4 o’clock today for the Teachers and children finishing up with games and sports in Mr Smith’s field.

April 26th Ada Kightly received permission to absent herself from school this afternoon in order to procure mourning for her brother who died recently.

Aug 2nd Half Holiday for following reasons:-

(1) Bank Holiday

(2) The proximity of Volunteer Camp on Wakefield Lawn.

(3) Public Tea at Congregational Chapel.

(4) Stratford Fair.

Aug 5th The corn has ripened so rapidly that Harvest operations have commenced and we close School at noon today (Thursday)

1898

Jan 3rd F. M. Flemming commenced duties at the school as Head Mistress. Found the Children in behaviour like savagers.

Feb 9th Owing to the Meet of Hounds being held on the Village green the children were allowed to have their playtime earlier than usual in order that they might see it.

Feb 18th Took the following boy’s names off Register today so that they might begin to attend Potterspury school on Monday morning next.

(1) William Yates (2) Albert Pratt (3) John Saunders (4) James Warren

(5) William Smith (6) William Glenn.

Oct 26th Alice Atkins absent without leave this day for the purpose of blackberrying. Sarah Ann Evans absent without leave also, excuse not up in time to get ready.

Nov 1st Daisy Church entered on duty as monitor in place of Ada Kightly has passed Standard VII in the Potterspury Girl’s School.

Nov 30th Had to speak to several children about sliding on the ice after School bell had rung.

1899
May 8th Alice Johnson died last night from Diptheria making the 3rd fatal case in same family.

1900

Oct 1st This day, I, Sarah A Green Certified Teacher took (temporary ?) Charge of the school. An assistant friend of mine is helping me at present. Mr Elliott ‘The Organising Master ‘ visited the School on Monday, also the Rev. Mr Plank (Vicar) and Rev. Mr Johnson (Curate).

1901

Jan 30th The Rev. W Plant visited the school this afternoon and arranged for children to attend memorial Service of Her late Majesty Queen Victoria at Potters Pury Church Sat. Feb.2nd.

March 18th Miss Church (Infant teacher) returned to School today. Classes in usual order again. Attendance much better. Aid Grant received from C.G.Associates of Voluntary schools Peterborough Diocese £8 for increasing Salary of Head Teacher.

Sept 20th A very wet and stormy afternoon – Many of the little ones absent in consequence.

Nov 26th A Holiday given yesterday afternoon also this afternoon, for the Village Feast.

Nov 29th Meeting of Managers in schoolroom at 5.30 p.m.. Present :- His Grace the Duke of Grafton – Rev. W. Plant – Rev. G. A. Lloyd – J. Chettle – H. W. Paterson – H. Weston – A Smith Esq..

Dec 4th We have today received a valuable and handsome piano, the gift of His Grace the Duke of Grafton who has most generously presented it to our School.

2 Needlework Hampers

1 Door Mat – 1 Box Pens – 1 Box Chalk

1 Ream Foolscap Paper

½ Ream Blotting Paper

1 Pkt Drawing cards standards 1 & 2 & 3 (each)

1 Drawing Chart

1 Doz Drawing Slates

3 Doz Rulers – 4 Doz Lead Pencils

2 Pen Racks

Set Safety Arithmetic Cards for Standards II, IV ,V, VI (each)

1 Doz Dr Black’s Entertaining Readers – Primers

1 Doz Dr Black’s Entertaining Readers – Standard I

1 ½ Doz Dr Black’s Entertaining Readers – Standard II

1 Doz Dr Black’s Entertaining Readers – Standard III

1 Doz Dr Black’s Entertaining Readers – Standard IV

1 Box Balls (Infant Dept.)

1 Box Sticks for Stick Saying

1 Box Paper for Paper Folding

Compiled by Brenda Pittam
2005