School History 1922
Archbishop Holgate's Coat of Arms
By the time the children and Staff were back at work after their Christmas holiday, the Governors were discussing the tricky matter of a cup or shield for the Holgate House of the school, and also their adoption and use of the Holgate Grammar School's Coat of Arms. Apparently, an application for funds had been made to the Trustees of Barnsley's Holgate Foundation, and not surprisingly, a negative response had been received. The Trustees 'regretfully' blamed the Charity Commissioners for not allowing the funds of the charity to be used for Hemsworth's purposes, and stated that although they had no objection to Hemsworth's use of the Coat of Arms, this must not be taken as authority to use it, as this would probably rest with the Governors of the Grammar School at Barnsley. Further enquiries were decided upon, and meantime one of the rooms at the school was to be named "Holgate".
Gardener and Maintenance Costs
Appointment of a Gardener
In January 1922 Mr. Matterson of Kinsley was appointed gardener/groundsman at a weekly wage of £2-10s.
Maintenance Costs of the School 1921-22
The approved estimate of running costs for the school for the year ending July 1922 was £3,883 which worked out at over £30 per head of the pupils attending the school, after allowing for the fees paid.
More Pupils
At the beginning of the first term of 1922, ten more pupils had passed their entrance examination, and five had failed. One of the Governors, Mrs. Salisbury was quite concerned that disappointed parents may approach the Headmaster, and that to protect both the head and themselves, they should make it clear that they had every confidence in the headmaster. The Clerk stated that the examination papers were kept for the Government inspector to see, and it was thought in any case that any disappointed parents would be well advised to confer with the headmaster on the matter. Once again there was a difference in attitude between the male and female members of the Governing body.
Headmaster's Residence and Requisitions
One can only guess where the headmaster lived before his house was built. Perhaps in future years, a look at the Hemsworth and district census of 1921 would enlighten us. At this early stage, the chairman of the Governors, Mr. Price, was still enquiring of the Higher Education Committee to instruct the County Association to create plans for a suitable residence, and discussing a suitable site for the building. Naturally enough, Mr. Jenkinson was hoping for a successful outcome.
Among the first items requested by the Headmaster for the school were a Union Jack; a First-Aid outfit and a Fire Blanket. Interestingly, the Headmaster and Staff were conceded the privilege of using the large field attached to the school as a golf course.
The Headmaster's Opinions
Now that the school was under way, the organisation of the four Forms became clearer. French lessons had been started by all the forms except form 1. Latin lessons had begun in the 2 upper forms. This would suggest that the initial intake was of various ages, and not just 10 or 11 year olds. Mr. Jenkinson commented that he had been surprised at the general ignorance of English Grammar, and also of History. The level of historical knowledge had been so low that it had been necessary to treat it as practically a new subject. He was, however, impressed with the general attitude of the girls and boys.
"...they are easily amenable to discipline; they are interested in their work and other pursuits, and are imbued with the right kind of spirit".
Mr. Jenkinson also clearly enjoyed an excellent relationship with the Board of Governors in these early days, thanking them for their increasing energy and interest in the school, which was admirable, and for their tolerant attitude and unvarying courtesy towards him. They were all looking forward to a time when the school would be regarded as one of the best in the West Riding.
A February Meeting
In the February of 1922 the Governors decided to adopt the white rose as the emblem of the school (perhaps as a result of the lack of progress about the requested coat of arms from Barnsley?) and plans had appeared for the building of the Headmaster's house which the Governors decided to recommend to the County Authority for approval, with the suggestion that a reasonable rent should be fixed. A sum of £1,530 was allocated for the erection of the house.
The Board of Education had now formally notified the Governors that the school had been placed on the Grant List, and that the inclusive fee of £6-6s (or 6 guineas) per student per year had now been approved. The original 1921 fees of two guineas per student per year had been somewhat inflated!
Soon after this, tenders were received for the grazing of the playing fields, and a small committee was formed to consider these. Also, an Art class was being discussed, with the Education Department making arrangements for the equipment.
A Silver Cup
In March 1922 Councillor Talbot presented a silver cup to be awarded to the House which was named after him. He hoped that the cup would be an incentive to the children to give of their best in their studies and games.
A Profit
In the Spring of 1922 there was a report that a profit of £5 had been made on the supply of dinners at the school, and that this was being used to buy seeds for the garden and periodicals. It was felt that no profit should accumulate from the provision of dinners, and that the price should be reduced to the lowest possible amount. Meanwhile, a Mr. J. Longbottom of Hemsworth was engaged to clean and paint the Fives Court.
Consternation!
Into this world of small profits on the dinners, Art classes, grazing on the playing field and the presentation of a silver cup came a bombshell from the Higher Education Sub-Committee of the West Riding County Council. The Fees were being increased! Alderman Price was beside himself with indignation and concern, as were the other Governors of the school. Nine guineas per year was the new rate - up from 6 guineas, payable from September 1922, and the fear was that many children would be removed from the school because their parents' incomes were insufficient to cover the increase. It was felt that the raising of the fees was a breach of honour with those parents who had signed an agreement to keep their children at the school until they were 16. Once again, Ald. Price aired his views that if the Authority wanted to economise, it should cease subsidising the young infants who were allowed to attend secondary schools throughout the West Riding, and not penalise the children of the working man.
Despite the fears of a mass exit of children, the Headmaster anticipated having 140 students in school at the beginning of the next school year; however, the Governors decided it would be wise to amend their application for an increase in the Staff from two down to one.
1922-23 Terms and Holidays
September 20th - December 21st; January 16th - April 13th; May 8th - July 27th.
Easter Vacation - March 20th - April 2nd; Whitsun break - May 21st and 22nd;
Half-term holidays on Monday, November 6th and Monday, February 26th.