This is an extract from an intriguing little book filled with elegant handwriting that I was given a few years ago:
'Sept 2nd
By train to Hawes Junction walked to Lunds School Bad attendance at school on account of the backward Haytime
Weather wet'.
It was diligently filled in by the School Attendance Officer (SAO) between 1903 to around 1920. This was a role that developed after the Education Act of 1880 when attendance at school became compulsory. There is no name on the book but the writer was probably a man who lived in Hawes.
He records the weather each day, the schools he visited and how he got there. In his day the train still ran through Upper Wensleydale, and in the first two weeks of the autumn term he visits an astounding 28 schools from Lunds to Newton-le-Willows by using rail, his bicycle and walking. The role must’ve made him extremely fit.
Attendance is recorded as poor, bad, unsatisfactory, moderate, improving, good or well attended. Reasons given for poor attendance include haytime, severe weather, sickness or the Middleham Fair. Many schools he mentions such as Stalling Busk, Aysgarth, Cross Lanes, Widdale, Lunds and Bishopdale have since closed.
Here are some extracts from four weeks in autumn 1903 – interestingly the School Attendance Officer’s punctuation and grammar are questionable!
August 26 1903
Walked from Hawes to Stalling Busk School well attended considering the Hay Harvest not finished. Walked onto Bainbridge and Askrigg. Attendance fair at these Schools. Went from Askrigg to Aysgarth by train walked to Carperby and then onto Aysgarth.
Aysgarth , Cross Lanes and West Burton School closed on this date on account of Choir and Sunday School excursion to Saltburn.
Weather showery.
Aug 27th
Went by train to C Burton walked to Thornton Steward School closed on account of mumps, walked over to Newton le Willows and P Brompton. School closed Holidays, walked to Hunton School well attended went on to East Hauxwell and back to C Burton poor attendance at Schools weather wet
Aug 28
By train to Aysgarth visited Aysgarth and Cross Lanes School and found them well attended then walked up Bishopdale to a very small school 16 on the register, came back to W.Burton School well attended.
Weather wet and windy
Aug 31
By train to Leyburn walked to Bellerby School closed on account of measles 27 cases in the village Called at Leyburn School and then on to Spennithorne Attendance bad at this School Walked to E Witton and Middleham School well attended then on to Wensley and by train to Redmire
Weather fine.
Sept 1st
Walked to Widdale School poor attendance on account of Haytime.
Weather wet
Sept 2nd
By train to Hawes Junction walked to Lunds School Bad attendance at school on account of the backward Haytime
Weather wet
Sept 3
By train to Aysgarth walked to W Witton called at School well attended then walked over the moor to Carlton attendance at this school moderate walked up to Horsehouse School well attended then walked back to Aysgarth Station.
Weather fine
Sept 4
Walked to Hardraw found school badly attended on account of the haytime
Weather fine
Sept 7
Visited cases in Hawes and Gayle in forenoon, went to Askrigg in afternoon Attendance fair
Weather wet
Sept 8
Weather too wet to turn out wrote letters warning parents in Middleham to attend
Sept 9
Cycled to Carperby Aysgarth, C Lanes and West Burton Schools well attended
Weather wet as usual
Sept 10
By train to Leyburn Cycled to Bellerby, Hauxwell, Hunton, P Brompton and Newton le Willows School well attended went on the Thornton Steward School still closed, will open on Monday Went on to C Burton School well attended
Weather fine in forenoon wet in afternoon.
Sept 14
By train to Redmire walked over Middleham moor to Carlton attendance improving at this school came back over Melmerby moor to W Witton this school well attended
Weather fine
Sept 15
Visited Hawes Town School went round the district then on to High Abbotside School
Weather fine
Sept 16th
Went by train to Hawes Junction walked to Lunds School attendance bad on account of Haytime
Weather fine.
Sept 17th
Walked to Widdale School attendance bad on account of Haytime
Weather fine
Huge thanks to our volunteer Sally Stone, former Headteacher at West Burton School, for writing this article.