The Old School Teachers & Assistants

Teachers at the Old (National) School

This is a list of teachers who taught at the old Church of England (National) School. In 1987 Rolf Vernon a local historian living in Coddington wrote "Coddington School in the Victorian age", based on the school logbook. jost of the information comes from this book. See this article about the development of the School.

1827	John Wilkinson could have been the first paid teacher.
1841.	John Squires is named in census, possibly teaching in his own home. Hannah Hage was listed as a School mistress but we don't know where she was teaching.
1846	National School built as a Church of England School.
1852	Edwin Unwin and wife Mary were the first known teachers in the National School.
1857	John Roberts was Headmaster and his wife Sarah, Sewing Mistress.
1872	After the Education Act, on April 1^st The school came under Government regulation and inspection. John Pilgrim joined school as assistant master. 1871 census gives Betsy Shepherd as sewing mistress and Thomas Roberts as a pupil teacher.
1878	Mrs Sarah Roberts became ill in 1876 and in September 1878 has to resign. Mrs Else proved an unsuitable replacement so Mrs Mary Walster, John Robert's daughter was appointed.
1880	Attendance at school now required by law.
1881	John Roberts Principal and Mrs Walster Sewing mistress. Sarah Roberts dies. Mrs Colbie took temporary charge of sewing. School Governors :- Mr Thorpe, Mr Lee, Mr Mitchell, Mr Ross and Rev. J.M. Dolphin. SOME TEACHERS - see list (insert link) These included: JOHN ROBERTS SCHOOLMASTER 1861 census SARAH ROBERT SCHOOLMISTRES
1882	June 23 rd Managers appoint Mr Joseph Chauntry Hunt (aged 23) of Newark as Headmaster on a salary of £75 per annum. Emily Henton as Sewing mistress salary £5 per annum.
1884	Joseph C .Hunt Principal. Jane Johnson, Sewing mistress.
1885	John Roberts dies and is buried in Coddington Churchyard. (Check - alternate date July 1888).
1886/7	Joseph C. Hunt Principal. Mrs Lockton of Newark the Sewing mistress - Miss Hunt provided cover before she started.
1887	Harvest Holidays were started 5 th August to 5 th Sept during which time an extra classroom was added. 14ft long, 12ft wide and 10ft high. Average attendance at that time was 51 children. The sewing mistress was Elizabeth Miller.
1888/9	Joseph C. Hunt, Elizabeth Miller assistant and sewing teacher resigned in July and was replaced by Emma L. Smithson aged 21. Margaret Smithson was a monitor.
1890	Schooling became free to parents.
1891 1893/4	Around June the school was photographed by Mr Woodrow of Nottingham Ruth Jackson joined the school followed in 1895 by Harriet Booth Monitor (on Probation). A report by Mr J .H .Davies inspector, criticised school building. A new classroom 39 x 18ft was built and the facilities and equipment improved.
1895	The Wesleyan School finally closed
1896/7	Joseph C Hunt now assisted by Kate Abson.
1897/8	Mr Hunt and Miss Abson were joined by Harriet Farmer and Harriet Booth both being monitors.
1900	Scarlet fever closed the school for 2 weeks. On the 19 th August Kate Abson left to marry Edward Brownlow and in her place was appointed Mrs Eva Draper. Elizabeth Gomer joined as monitor.
1906	Miss Harriet Farmer had charge of the school between February and March as Mr Hunt was ill, with nervous depression.
1912	Joseph Chauntry Hunt the headmaster, Mrs Florrie Harbie was the infants mistress.
1925	Joseph C. Hunt Retired. Mr John Fordham became Headmaster.
1938	Joseph C. Hunt dies, and is buried in Coddington Churchyard.
1950	Miss Gomer, who had been teaching the 7-10 age group, retires.
1964	John Fordham still headmaster when the new school opened.