17th September 1926 - Rural Evening Classes

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Rural Evening Classes

The Buntingford Local Education Sub-Committee, of which the Rev. F.R. Williams, Rector of Anstey, is the chairman, have obtained the sanction of the County Council for classes to be held at Buntingford technical Institute during the season 1926-27 in some ten subjects.

The comprise woodwork, educational, handwork, and domestic handicrafts, shorthand, book keeping and office routine, and four new subjects - cookery, needlework, agriculture and horticulture.

There is a greater choice of subjects, and this is certain to prove very advantageous, and there is every promise that the young men and women of this town and district will seize the opportunity offered of making themselves proficient in one or more of the selected subjects.

The committee are doing their utmost to make the classes a success, and are anxious to secure as many students as possible. They hope most of the late students will again attend, and also induce their friends to join the classes.

Particular attention is draw [sic] to the agricultural and horticultural class, which the sub-committee are of opinion is especially likely to attract pupils from the outlying villages.

The time tables will be issued shortly, with the names of the teachers, and it is hoped the classes will be opened and start their activity of usefulness the first week in October.

Full information respecting the various classes can be obtained from Mr E.C. Clarke, the clerk to the sub-committee. The responsible teacher who will advise and supervise the whole of the classes is Mr E.E. Dennis, Head Master of the Buntingford Senior Mixed School.

4th February 1927 - School Attendance

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School Attendance

Mr C. Hummerstone presided at a meeting of the Buntingford Educational Committee, held at the Board Room on Monday morning, January 24th.

The School Attendance Officer reported that the number of children on the books was 702.

A record of irregular attendance was submitted, and in one case instructions given by the Committee for a summons to be applied for.

The remainder of the business was of a formal nature.

10th June 1927 - Education Committee

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Education Committee

School Attendance

Fewer Exemptions from School to be granted

A meeting of the Buntingford Education Committee was held at the Board Room on Tuesday morning. Mr C. Hummerstone occupied the chair and others present being The Rev. F.R. Williams, the Rev. John Cole and Mr E.E. Dennis, with the clerk (Mr E.C. Clarke).

The most important business down for discussion related to exemptions from school in respect of children attaining the age of 14 years. In ordinary cases a child attaining the age of 14 years has to remain at school until the end of the term, but the Committee have power to grant exemptions to such scholars for the remainder of the term where cases of suitable employment has been offered the child.

The County Council have now issued instructions that in cases where exemption is granted the name of the scholar must remain on the register until the end of the term, a procedure which seriously affects the attendance average.

In view of this the Committee at their meeting on Tuesday decided that in future applications for exemption in respect of scholars attaining the age of 14 years during the currency of a term will, in future, only be granted in exceptional cases.

The Committee also decided that where applications for exemption have been made the scholars must continue to attend school until notice has been received to the effect that the applications have been granted.

The meeting expressed thanks to Mr E.E. Dennis for the way in which the evening classes had been conducted during the past session, and the chairman said they viewed with satisfaction the report of the success attained by two students in the shorthand classes, and it was decided to proceed with the arrangements for the classes to be held during the 1927-28 session, which would consist of Junior and Senior Woodwork, Shorthand and Office Routine, Book-keeping and English and Cookery.