Llawryglyn Board School 5
The struggle for attendance

 

The enthusiasm of a new Master
In 1875 the new Master, James Evans, came to Llawryglyn and set about building on the work of his predecessor with enthusiasm and diligence. Very early in his stewardship of the school he met with those factors which affected attendance at every other rural school, as shown by the School Log Book.
Llawryglyn School
Log Book
entry from school log book

  

Besides the need to exploit any possibilities for bringing in another income (potato picking, hay-making etc.) local families clung hard to any community activity going on the valley. This entry reads:-
"This week cannot be reckoned as one of satisfactory progress. Had to give a Half Holiday yesterday owing to a Festival (Club) in the village in consequence of which the attendance has been very irregular throughout the week. P.T [Pupil Teacher] attentive to duties."
Mr Evans personally visited the homes of his pupils in his attempts to establish a more regular attendance. Despite his commitment to the education of his charges, absences for agricultural purposes were to be a problem for many years to come.

Sickness and disease
Also a problem in rural areas at this time were regular bouts of illness. Measles, influenza, scarlet fever and whooping cough were a serious threat in poorer households where the diet was limited and there were no antibiotics and village schools were regularly closed to combat the spread of disease during these outbreaks.

 

entry from school log book

 

The above entry records an outbreak of this kind in 1876 and reads:-
"Closed school until week next Monday as many of the scholars are in the Measles and others planting potatoes."
A more dangerous outbreak is recorded in 1882 in the entry below when the school was closed down.

 Powys County
Archives
M/E/PS/40/L/1

   

 

The entry reads:-
"Was ordered today (by Dr Hone) to close the School for a fortnight on account of typhoid and scarlet fever being prevalent in the neighbourhood. He promised me a certificate tomorrow certifying the same. The Pupil Teacher [John Rees] has been attacked with both fevers, and is dangerously ill."
The Pupil Teacher, John Rees, eventually recovered and returned to duties after two months. Illness was to be a continuing problem for years to come, an outbreak of measles closing the school for six weeks in 1903.

There are 9 pages on the Llawryglyn School. Use the box links below to view the other pages.