January 1
Nearly all the girls were absent this morning, it being the custom to beg New Year's gifts. Only 69 present.

11 January.
The children have had drill in school this week)

17 January.
The children have again been drilled in school this week on account of the weather. They seem to take very great interest in the exercises.

4 February
During the present cold weather let the children play games or read periodicals in school during the playtime under the Master's supervision.

22 February.
The Inspector's Report for the year ending December 31 1894 was received this morning. It is as follows.

Beal Board School (Yorks)

Mixed School The school continues to improve and much of the instruction is very fair. Attention should be given to Mental Arithmetic, to the Grammar of the lower standards and to neatness in the paper work. The Grammar of the Fifth and the Recitation generally deserve praise.
Infant's Class The infants are quiet and orderly and are fairly taught. Mental Arithmetic, Word-Building and Object Teaching are the weakest subjects. Needlework is satisfactory.

A. Heron has passed fairly but should attend to Spelling and Method.
G. W. Hall is recognised under Art. 33 of the Code.
M. E. Wright is continued under Art. 68.

Staff
A. J. Page, Cert. Master (First Division).
M. E. Wright, Assist. Mistress (Art 68).
Arthur Heron, P.T. (Second Year).
G. W. Hall, (Art.33) Candidate.

1 March.
Punished Rowland Poskitt and Henry Clayton for telling untruths.

20 March.
George Hall seems to improve his work in school.

2 May.
Half-holiday this afternoon as a school concert is to be given.

24 May.
The Rev. Mr. Perkins, British and Foreign Bible Society, addressed the children this morning during the time for the scripture lesson.

16 August.
The school was not swept this morning when the children took their places. The Master reported the state of the school to the Rev. E. B. Birks, Chairman of the Board at his weekly visit.

23 August.
No school was held this afternoon as the children had their annual treat.

28 August.
The school was again unswept this morning. The Master had to sweep it himself before the children could come in.

4 September.
The Master was absent from school this morning by permission of the Board. Mrs. Page took charge of the school.

30 September.
The school was not swept this morning.

4 October.
A new school-cleaner has been appointed and the school has been much cleaner this week.

3 November.
Mrs. Wright has had to go to Scarboro this morning as her daughter who is there is dangerously ill.

2 December.
The Drawing Report was received today. The school has again been awarded the "Excellent" grant. Herbert Walker, the only Standard 4 boy, has been awarded a card of merit.

20 December.
School closed today for the Christmas holiday.

30 December.
School opened again today. Heavy fall of rain, poor attenda

1896 1896 1896 1896 1896

January 8
Standards 3, 2 and 1 have commenced drawing on squared slates as a varied occupation. This is preparatory to drawing and colouring on paper.

January 17
A. Heron gave an oral lesson on "The Cat" today before the Master. His knowledge of the subject was good but the lesson was given too hurriedly. Many of the questions were too wide and many more were too leading in character. These defects were pointed out by the Master after the lesson.

January 20
Standards 1, 2 and 3 commenced cutting out on strips of used writing paper as a preliminary to cutting out and super mounting as a varied occupation. The children were then encouraged to make geometrical shapes by arranging their strips on the desk after cutting them out.

January 24
Standards 1,2 and 3 have had two or three lessons in drawing on slates as a suitable occupation. After drawing they have shaded the enclosed spaces with their pencils. Already some children have turned out some really creditable exercises
Heron wonderfully improves in maintaining good discipline in his class (St.1).
Hall does not teach with sufficient energy but seems to have good ideas of how a subject should be taught.

January 25
HM Inspector's Report for the year ended December 31 1895 has been received. The following is a summary of it.

Mixed School The school reflects credit on Mr. Page.
Infants' School The Infants are fairly taught.

M. E. Wright is continued under Art. 68 of the Code.
A. Heron Mathematics, Handwriting, Grammar and method.

Staff
A. J. Page Certif. Master.
M. E. Wright Assist. Mistress (Art. 68).
A. C. Heron P.T. Third Year.
G. W. Hall Candidate.

January 27
The children in Standards 2 and 3 have commenced colouring by crayon. They seem to take great interest in the work. The chief argument against it is seems to be the large amount of apparatus which is required to be given out. Some of the time of the lesson is necessarily occupied in this. Some of the things are given out before school but it is impossible to do so with all of them as they would only be in the way during other lessons.

January 31
The Master has examined the Infants in arithmetic. Mrs. Wright has many difficulties in connection with her work. The chief drawback in the Infants' Class is that during the first three months of the year there are only about 20 children in attendance while during the remaining months fresh children who then attain school age begin to come to school so that towards the end of the year the numbers are over 40. Mrs. Wright has therefore to teach half of her children in 9 or 6 or 3 months what really should take 12 months. The difficulties last year were very great and very trying.

The children seem to take great interest in the drawing and colour work. The attendance has gone up wonderfully since this work started and there is not much doubt as to its being the cause of the increased attendance. The suitable occupations are, however, very trying to the teachers and tax their energies to the utmost.

Several of the children have, on he recommendation of the Master, commenced taking in the "Scholar's Own."

February 28
Standard 1 have commenced cutting out. They have not got in a nice way of using the scissors yet though they have been constantly drilled in holding them.

March 13
The History in the Upper Standards has now been completed to the end of the reign of Edward the Sixth. Standard 4 are rather weak in this subject. Probably the period is a little too difficult for them as yet.

March 25
The drainage of the playground needs attention. The school should be more thoroughly dusted.
F. B. Lott. H.M.I.

May 7
Cusack's Copy Books have been introduced. The children received their first lesson today.

August 24
The Master punished John Beaumont, George Papworth and Arthur Peel for bad behaviour.

September 10
Standards 2 and 3 have commenced more advanced work in varied occupations during the present week. The crayon colouring work is now done very well. Standard 3 have taken up curved line patterns worked with the aid of compasses both in crayon work and super mounting and do not appear to have found it difficult.

November 2
The Master punished J. Shaw and Albert Allison for playing truant.

November 9
A. Peel was punished for leaving school on Thursday without permission.

December 8
Charlotte Covey, Maud Depledge and Arthur Wilkes were served with notices to attend school when they were nearly 6 years old. On receiving the notices the parents promptly got doctor's certificates excusing them from attendance, though Depledge and Wilkes are apparently in the best of health. This seems to be a method which many parents have lately adopted in order to keep their children at home longer.

December 15
Drawing report received today. The school has once again been awarded "Excellent". George Hall has passed hie elementary freehand and Herbert Lister has been given a card of merit.

December 23
School closed for the Xmas Holidays which will terminate on January 4 1897.
The Board have decided to pay the fee of ten shillings to the N. U. Examining Board in order that G. Hall may be examined every quarter.

1897 1897 1897 1897 1897

4 January.
C. A. Heron commenced duties as an Assistant Master.

8 January.
Examination for Labour Certificates held today.
Jarvis Emmerson left school this morning without permission. He was punished this afternoon by the Master and at once became abusive and impudent whereupon the Master punished him again. Emmerson took a slate in his hand to throw it at the Master and attempted to kick him.

12 January.
The four children examined for Labour Certificates have all passed.

18 January.
The school has been cleaned much better lately.

22 January.
The following is a summary of H.M. Inspector's Report for the year ended December 31 1896.

Mixed School Mr. Page works diligently and energetically and aims at developing the intelligence of the children. Much credit is due to him for the degree of efficiency attained. The Pupil Teachers do not show much aptitude for their work.
Infants' Class The Infants are kindly managed. Their instruction is on the whole fairly efficient. The higher grant for singing is recommended with some hesitation. Mrs. E Wright is continued under Article 68.

Staff
A. J. Page Certif. Master.
M. E. Wright Assist. Mistress (Art.68).
C. A. Heron P. T.( Fourth Year).
G. W. Hall P. T. (Second Year).

15 March.
Susan Marshall and Elsie Copley were punished for taking beads out of the infant's cupboard and for telling untruths about the matter.

7 April.
Standards 1, 2 and 3 were examined in Scripture this morning during the time set apart for Scripture by Mr. Birks.
The children were photographed this morning.

28 April.
Notice has been received from he Education department that A. Heron has failed to pass the Scholarship Examination.

10 May.
Herbert Lister commenced duties as a candidate in the room of A. Heron resigned.

14 May.
The writing, which throughout the school has been done mainly in larger hand during the year, has been gradually reduced to small hand with the exception of Standard 2. There is no doubt that the considerable improvement in the character of the writing repays the time and trouble spent on it.

3 June.
Herbert Lister has been reported to the Board as being capable of understanding the duties of a Pupil Teacher.

2 September.
Miss Birks gave the children a lecture on "Jerusalem and the Jews" during the time set aside for Religious Instruction. The lecture was simply given and was greatly appreciated by the children and teachers.

9 September.
Mrs. Wright has had very hard work with the Infants for some time, the average being nearly always over 40. Nearly a dozen are babies who want special support. Whenever possible the First Division is taken with Standard 1 and are nearly always so taken for Mental Arithmetic.

24 September.
The proportion of dull children is larger in this class (Standard 3) than in any other.

27 September.
The holiday proposed to be given today was postponed owing to alterations in connection with an excursion previously arranged.

8 October.
There is no questioning the decided improvement in the Infant's room. It is most marked and is undoubtedly owing to the fact that the First Division have been grouped for instruction with Standard 1 as far as possible, thus leaving Mrs. Wright time and opportunity to attend to the Second Division. Then again, the Master has been able to take nearly all the object lessons in the two upper divisions while Mrs. Page has kindly assisted with the singing. The division of labour has acted most beneficially on the character of the work though the work in the standards has been more exacting.

4 November.
As the school is wanted for a County Council enquiry this afternoon's session will not be held.

10 December.
Drawing report received today. The "excellent" mark has again been awarded. G. Hall has obtained a Second Class in Model Drawing.

14 December.
Two girls, Edith and Mary Eccles have just been admitted, Edith being 10 years of age and Mary 8. Neither of them knows a letter of the alphabet.

23 December.
The school closed for the Xmas Holiday.

1898 1898 1898 1898 1898

11 January.
Miss A. Jackson of the National Schools, Knottingley has been appointed Assist. Mistress (Art. 68). Her duties commence on Feb. 7.

18 January.
The card and prize scheme has been started for the purpose of improving the attendance.

25 January.
Particular attention is being paid to the writing throughout the school. As the children understand the principles of the newly adopted system much better now than a few months since the writing as a whole is gradually becoming more uniform.

H. M. Inspector's report on the work of the school ending Dec. 31 1897 has just been received. The following is a verbatim copy of the same.

Mixed School Very great credit is due to the Head Master for the degree of efficiency attained and for intelligent work in spite of difficulties. The assistance of a well qualified teacher who could teach the first and second standards and also teach needlework is much to be desired.
Infants' Class There has been some improvement, M. E. Wright is continued under Art. 68 of the Code.
Staff A. J. Page (Certif. Master).
M. E. Wright (Assist. Mistress (A 68).
G. W. Hall (P.T. Second Year).
H. Lister (Candidate for P.'ship).

The total earned is one hundred and four pounds two shillings and six pence.

3 February.
Herbert Lister has terminated his services as monitor today.

7 February.
Miss Jackson (Art. 68) commenced duties this morning.

28 February.
Four children of the name of Beard have recently been admitted. None of them can count and the two elder aged 7 and 8 years respectively can only spell easy words. One of the four cannot talk though over four years of age.

17 March.
The work is progressing steadily and with the exception of a few new children in St. 1 is very even throughout the school.

9 May.
A through examination of the work of the whole school has just been made. Notwithstanding the large number of infants (over 50) in Mrs. Wright's charge, the improvement in the reading of the infants is distinctly encouraging and speaks of patient and persevering work.

16 May.
Several cases of mumps have been reported as having broken out. No children are admitted who are suffering from this complaint.

9 June.
Half holiday this afternoon as the school is required for a County Council inquiry.

17 June.
Miss Jackson sees to have worked hard with Standards 1 and 2 and is doing successfully.

22 August.
The school was opened again today, 116 present. Only two boys were absent from school on account of the corn harvest. A warning has been sent to both the employers and the parents of the employees. It is gratifying to find that so few children absent themselves from school for the purpose of being employed. Four years since almost the whole of the elder children were frequently employed during school hours but now it is the exception rather than the rule to find a scholar so employed. The children now enjoy attending school and never think of leaving till the age of 13 is reached. Formerly it was the custom to leave at 11 years of age.

2 September.
Standards 5 and 6 have commenced a course on book-keeping. Lessons in this subject will be given on Friday morning.

14 September.
Some time since the children in Standards 5 and 6 took part in a competitive examination held by the Pontefract R.S.P.C.A. The result which is to hand this morning shows that Roland Poskitt, Sarah Baxter, Harriet Swift and Florence Lee have been awarded prizes.

28 October.
The attendance is again very high. This is partly owing to the ticket system and the competition for the attendance banner.

12 December.
Notwithstanding miserable weather the attendance keeps up well. The children have been paying great attention to point that require practice in football and are improving wonderfully.

22 December.
For the first time in the history of the school some of the children have made every possible attendance throughout the year. The children in question are -
Lilian Brears, Standard 6, Beal.
Annie Green, Standard 1, Kellington.
Clara Foster, Infant, Beal.
Alice Coney, Infant, Kellington.
These will in accordance with a resolution passed by the Board at the beginning of the year, receive prizes.
The school closed today for the Xmas Holiday.

1899 1899 1899 1899 1899

2 January.
The school opened today when there was a good attendance.
The elder scholars and some of the ex-scholars were invited to a reunion on Dec. 26. About 40 were present and spent a most enjoyable evening.
The Rev. E.B.Birks was present at the opening of the school and after wishing all a happy New Year spoke words of advice and encouragement to the children exhorting all to be honest and diligent in their new work.

12 January.
Owing to the change of Standards the children are really unsettled and discipline is somewhat more bad than usual. Frequent drilling and singing between the lessons is however gradually effecting an improvement.

20 January.
The following is a summary of H.M. Inspector's report on the work of the school for the year ended December 31 1898.

Mixed School - Much praise is due to Mr. Page for the intelligent and efficient conduct of the school.
Infants' Class - Further improvement has been effected in the methods of instruction under Mr.Page's supervision.
The Staff should be at once strengthened so as to meet the requirements of Article 73 of the Code which are
not at present satisfied, (Article 108).
E. J. Jackson is recognised under Article 68 of the Code and Mrs. Wright is continued under that Article
Staff - A. J. Page Certif. Master.
M. E. Wright Article 68.
E. J. Jackson Article 68.
The total grant earned is one hundred and fifteen pounds nineteen shillings and three pence.

6 February.
The Board unanimously congratulated the teachers on the results of the last year's work at their meeting on Friday night.

3 March.
Half holiday this afternoon as the school is being prepared for a children's concert.
A most successful concert was held this evening, the room being crowded with parents and friends of the children. In the absence of the Chairman the Vice-Chairman Mr. W. H. Poskitt distributed the attendance prizes.

4 March.
At the invitation of the members of the Board, the children partook of an excellent meal this afternoon and the concert was repeated in the evening for their entertainment.

16 March.
Standard 6 girls have commenced brushwork. This subject is taken while the boys take mensuration.

10 April.
Catherine Barker has been admitted this morning. She is eight years of age bur can scarcely read at all.

11 April.
An error has been made in the marking of Standard 1 register, the columns for next week being filled instead of those for the present week.

12 April.
Alfred Ridge, Sub Inspector, visited school.

25 April.
This school will be closed tomorrow as a combined missionary meeting is to be held in the room. Notice has been sent to the H. M. Inspector.

17 May.
The reading of Standard 2 which was tested by the Master this afternoon is very good indeed only one child, Lucy Beard, being at all backward.
Edith Eccles and Mary Davidson have been promoted to Standard three. These two girls were both over ten years of age till they came into this district. They have had everything to learn but their progress has been so rapid that it has been found possible to promote them after five months' work in Standard two.

30 May.
The school will be closed tomorrow by order of the Board in order that the children may have the customary holiday for successful work as shown by the report for last year. A day's holiday is still owing to the children but it was thought advisable not to give the whole holiday at one time.

5 June.
Four seats have just been placed in the playground.
The children are being instructed and practised in several new games among which are lawn tennis, croquet, skittles, quoits and others.

21 June.
The children take great interest in the new playground games. Some of them (the boys especially) are becoming very skillful in the use of the different apparatus belonging to the games. and as a consequence the playground is now becoming one of the most interesting features of school life.

29 June.
Notwithstanding that Geography and Grammar are not taken as class subjects some good work has been done by the upper standards who now parse easy simple sentences and have a fair knowledge of the Physical Geography of England and of the position of the most important countries of the world.

5 July.
The school is closed today, the room being required as a Parliamentary by-election polling booth.

21 August.
The school was opened again this morning with an excellent attendance, 132 being present.
Miss Thompson (Art. 68) commenced duties this morning.

1 September.
Miss Thompson has been taking a class in the Infants' room since she commenced duties with the exception that she has given lessons occasionally to Standard 3. It is the Infants' room where help is so badly needed.

8 September.
Only two children have been absent during harvest operations. The improvement in agricultural machinery has almost done away with child labour during this season.

29 September.
The third quarter of the school year terminated today. Fifty-one children out of one hundred and forty seven on the books have made every attendance.

9 October.
A medicine chest has just been added to the school apparatus, a long felt want being thus supplied.

13 October.
Miss Thompson appears to be doing good work in the Infants' room.
The asphalting of the playground is now completed.

24 October.
The whole of the infant children take great interest in the reading lessons in connection with which Miss Thompson has done good work in introducing to some extent the phonetical system. This is in an experimental stage as yet but the work that has been done up to now is undoubtedly telling. The most pleasing feature now is that the babies get much more attention than could possibly be given them before and they are all brighter for it.
Now the cold weather is coming on the playground games purchased in the summer are of little use and it is a matter of some anxiety as to how the children are to profitably occupy themselves in the playground.

1 December.
Emily Lister and Sarah Baxter have been informed of the result of the recent labour examination.

22 December.
The school closed today for the Christmas Holidays.