We have recently been given the opportunity to copy a History of Alfred Street School from 1872 to 1974, written by Pamela James as part of her Teacher Training. The photograph above shows some of the teachers c1910. The board school was opened in 1872 in a hall in Rectory Road with Mr. Hustwaite in charge. By 1877 Mr. Walter Wood was headmaster and in 1879 the Boys School was opened in Alfred Street. At this time a lot of the pupils were only doing half-time. Parents had to pay up to 9d per child per week and not all could afford it. It was in 1891 that education became free for all children. Mr. Wood continued as headmaster until October 1904 when, sadly, he died suddenly at the age of 53. He had spent the afternoon in Northampton with his wife and daughter and had returned home on the train. Shortly after leaving the station he became ill. He managed to get to the Co-op store in Queen Street where he rested for a while, then moved further along Rectory Road to the home of Mr. Chamberlain, painter, whose wife was a friend of Mrs. Wood. Dr. Owen was sent for but could do nothing to save him and he died at 7.30 in the evening.
One of the teachers who attended Mr. Wood’s funeral was Mr. Edgar Finlay. Sadly, he also died suddenly in July 1905 at the very young age of 27 years. He was taken ill early one morning and Dr. Baker was called in. He found Mr. Finlay was suffering from colic but that there was also heart disease. Mr. Finlay’s condition worsened and in the absence of Dr. Baker, Dr. Owen attended. Unfortunately Mr. Finlay died just as the doctor arrived.
Dr. Owen
Attendance and punctuality were considered very important and on the 15 February 1916 a Mr. Freeman presented attendance medals on behalf of the managers. There were three white medals for two years perfect attendance, five gilt medals for three years perfect attendance, one bronze medal for four years, and three silver bars for seven years perfect attendance. Quite an achievement.
In September 1925 the Intermediate School opened in Rushden and fifty children aged 13 and over transferred there from Alfred Street.
The official group at the opening of the Intermediate School in September 1915
The Intermediate School badge
In July 1955 parents living on the Tollbar estate hired a bus to take the children to school rather than let them walk through the busy streets. The school was within the official ‘walking distance’ so a bus could not be provided by the education authority. The bus cost 10 guineas a week, working out at half-a-crown per child per week.
In 1962 the log book notes that the children’s bicycles were tested by the police, and this was extended by the children being given instruction on how to cycle safely. If they were successful they were awarded cycling proficiency badges.
A badge from the Northamptonshire Safe Cycling Team
The Alfred Street School recently celebrated the 150th anniversary and to mark this event we have a display of photographs in the Rushden Museum.
Alfred Street School
I suspect they were “gilt” medals rather than “guilt” medals as stated above!
Thanks, you are right. I was beginning to think no-one would spot that deliberate mistake. I can change it now.
Gill