Compared to schools now, children had a very hard time in Victorian schools. The only heating in winter was from small fireplaces or stoves. A Log Book entry from Bwlchycibau School school in 1881 said "Several of the children are kept home because there is no fire in school". And this was in November !
An entry from this school in early March, 1892 reads "Though good fires are kept burning, the school is very cold and the children, many of whom suffer from chilblains, are unable to withstand the cold".
The fires usually just heated one end of the classroom, which was bad luck for the children at the back !
This is from the same school diary in January 1895...

There were still problems with the winter weather and the cold schoolroom at the end of that same January...

"The cold seems to take all the life out of the children this morning, and I have to keep placing them in turns by the fire".
It's a life of luxury in school nowadays ! Just ask teacher !

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