For many families children have returned to school after the long summer break. We thought it an excellent opportunity to display some school related items from the Collections.
On display we have a school exercise book of John G Freeman from 1888 (D/DGs/F91), when he was in the Upper Fifth form, and a copy of his school report from July 1887 (D/DGs/F89).
John was from Southend and attended Dame Alice Owen’s School in Islington. The type of lessons John had is reflected in his exercise book – trigonometry, algebra and composition for example, complete with feedback on his work from the Form Master. References to the neatness of margins might be familiar to teachers and parents alike!
On viewing John’s school reports, it appears he was on the whole a good student and impressed his Form Master.
John later went on to become an electrical engineer, an emerging profession at that time.
So, it appears he travelled daily each way, from Southend to Islington, by train ????? In 1887??? I’m incredulous!!!
He is listed on the 1891 census as a scholar in the house of his aunt and uncle in Wilsden, Middlesex, though, that still might be a significant commute to Islington each day. So it is possible that he was lodging closer to the school during term time.
It looks like the teacher marked in coloured pencil. Was this one of those permanent ink pencils that required a touch of moisture (or a quick lick) to get started?