We have several journals in the archives for various pupils from the 1900s and 1910s. The journal donated most recently belonged to Victor Thomas Cole who was in form IIIA in the Summer Term of 1911.
The school journal was issued termly and provides a daily log of all learning undertaken during a child’s time at Alleyn’s. Each week the pupil recorded his daily lessons, his weekly marks and his weekly place in the form. The book was signed by his Form Master and parents.
The first pages of Victor's book detail his text books and School equipment. We can see he was studying Ulysses and Euclid, Victorian history, Geography, Chemistry, Mapping, English Language, French, Arithmetic, Algebra, and the Bible. He had equipment comprising 2 pencils, 2 pens, a rubber, 2 set squares, a pair of compasses and a metric ruler, which looks quite limited when compared to today’s pupils.
The rest of the book comprises pages showing his daily studies and his weekly marks. We can see that in the week ending 2nd June 1911 Victor had come 14th out of 28th, having acquired only 2 bad marks out of a total of 191. The book also shows how the whole School had a week’s holiday to mark the Coronation of King George V.
These books not only show life in the School in this period but also provide further details of individuals who fought in World War One. Victor left School in 1913 and joined the 7th Battalion West Kent Regiment as a Signaller. He survived the war and is remembered on our WW1 website
1 / 3
Junior School Open Day
The next Alleyn's Junior School Open Event is from 1.30pm to 3pm on Wednesday 22 May 2024. There will be a Head's Talk at 1.40pm after which you will be offered a tour of the school with a pupil. There is no need to book a place at this Open Event - everyone is welcome.
Last updated on 20 05 24 at 09:12
.jpg)
