The Village Schools 100 Years Ago in 1911

Memories of Upchurch

With 150 boys and girls Holywell thrived as a public elementary village school in 1911. Mr Maltravers served as headmaster and Mrs Maltravers, Mrs Witherden and Mrs Wraight worked as teachers. The Infant’s School was designed to accommodate 140 children but in 1911 it averaged 97. Miss Elizabeth Strachan served as headmistress.

In February the Infant’s School presented singing and dancing for an entry fee of 6d. Headmistress Miss Strachan and local author Alice Chesterton organised the event. The presentation included dancing, singing, recitations and three playlets entitled ‘Alice in Wonderland’, ‘Rooms to Let’ and ‘The Japanese Tea House’. Dorothy Smith, Ethel Dawson and Lily Packer excelled in the cast and the show turned out to be very successful.

Nothing much happened at Holywell during the winter months apart from the replacement of stove fireguards and a heavy snowstorm which caused the children to be sent home for several days in early April. During April the Canterbury Church History Exam took place. Twenty three Holywell pupils were entered and seventeen were successful with Ethel Dawson and Ethel Dray obtaining first class awards. Nine others obtained second class awards. These included Rose Edmonds, Una Jarrett, Joseph Witherden, Bertha Golding, Olive Packer, Annie Clemons, Joyce Witherden and Len Baker.

During the early spring term Holywell pupils voted Rose Edmonds ‘Best Girl’ and Albert Seamer ‘Best Boy.’ Enthroned May Queen Rose Edmonds was crowned and presented with a bunch of flowers at the Infant’s School on May 24th. This was followed by singing and a rendition of nursery rhymes. A month later on June 20th the children were given a one week holiday for the royal coronation. Both schools were decorated with bunting, gaily coloured streamers and the union Jack was flown.

Disruption took place on July 3rd when Mrs Wraight began a period of two months leave and was replaced by Miss Alice Lott on July 14th. However, the school year ended on a happy note with a Diocesan inspection resulting in high praise being given by the inspector Mr G Brocklehurst.

‘…the religious instruction is all that one could desire. This is high praise but it is well deserved.’

In September the accommodation shortage at Holywell became so severe that the new Standard 2 class had to be transferred to the Infant’s School as a temporary measure. In October the HM Sub Inspector addressed the problem and recommended another teacher for the school because of excessively large classes. At this point there were 119 children registered at Holywell.

New cloakrooms and toilets were constructed in August and the playground was asphalted in December. Night school re-opened at Holywell School in October for adults. A variety of subjects were offered like Arithmetic, Drawing, English, Atlas, Church History and Geography. In December several of the night students were presented with prizes. Winners included Cecil Bishop, Albert Bishop, Bert Cox and Percy Packer. On December 20th the schools closed for the Christmas holidays which ended an eventful 1911 at the village schools.


David Wood, who was born and raised in Upchurch, is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village.


David Wood's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David on:  david3702001@yahoo.co.uk  price £12 + p+p £2.


David Wood

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