Darenth Schools

Information about the two schools that existed in Darenth in the late nineteenth century can be found in the "School Log Books" at the Centre for Kentish Studies, County Hall Maidstone.
Following is a small part of the log's.

Firstly, the school at Green Street Green known as the "Green Street Green Board School". In 1896, on amalgamation with the Presbyterian School, it becomes "Darenth Board School". In 1903 it becomes "Darenth Council School", & in 1945 "Darenth County Primary School".

Included is information about my ancestral relatives.
Ms.Eleanor Dempsy opened the school on 22/01/1877, there were 29 pupils.
Barry Edwards.

Green Street Green Board SchoolDarenth Presbyterian School
Green Street Green Board School
Date:Comments:
10/03/1885: George Ludlow (c) being very backward & very dull is being taught with the infants.
[George is the son of Mark & Fanny]
16/03/1885: Present today: -Ellen Ludlow, absent last week through illness Sarah E Taylor (Ex.V1.standard) assists with the infant class.
27/07/1885: 54 present, attendance bad through hooping cough.
16/11/1885: George Ludlow (c) absent, ill.
30/11/1885: George Ludlow is still absent through illness. Frequently unable to do his work when at school. Complains of severe pains in his head.
15/01/1886: [Mistress] left school 2.pm. to attend inquest at the "White Hart" public house.
03/03/1886: George Ludlow away suffering from a headache.
05/07/1886: George Ludlow away sick.
William & Ellen Sanders certified teachers of 2nd.class.
22/12/1887: May Treadwell sick with inflammation of the lungs.
05/03/1888: Sarah E Taylor P.T.[pupil teacher] of first year.
09/04/1888: May Dixon Treadwell returned, been absent 16 weeks with bronchitis.
28/05/1888: Adverting to a report which their lordships have received from H M Inspector, I am directed to inform you that S E Taylor has passed well.
25/07/1888: Have cancelled the attendance's of A Martin & E Ludlow, as they left school at 3.45pm.
20/12/1888: Sarah Taylor (P.T) absent this week with an ulcerated face.
21/02/1889: Sarah E Taylor P.T.of third year.
01/04/1889: Admitted Ada Ludlow (age 9 years) & Robert Ludlow (6 years 4 months). Neither have attended any school before. [children of Mark & Fanny].
19/09/1889: George Ludlow is so deficient in intelligence that I find it almost impossible to teach him with Standard III. His sister Ada did not attend until she was 9, on account of weak intellect.
24/10/1889: Ada Ludlow unable to attend. She has a cataract in one eye.
16/12/1889: Received medical card signed by Mr.Lace, surgeon, stating Emily Ludlow is suffering from general debility.
13/01/1890: Sarah E Taylor (P.T) was taken ill in school this morning, & had to return home.
16/01/1890: S E Taylor attended school for a short time.
03/03/1890: S E Taylor P.T. of fourth year.
04/05/1890: Robert Ludlow found to be backward in his work,& defective in intellect.
26/09/1890: S E Taylor is ill with a bad throat.
29/09/1890: S E Taylor resumed her duties today.
20/10/1890: Ada Ludlow returned after 12 months, during which time she had been twice to Maidstone Eye Hospital.
April 1891: H M Inspectors Report: - With respect to S E Taylor, the attention of the board is requested to the enclosed Circular (circular 295). She should be informed that if she passes the "Queens Scholarship Examination" she will be recognised under article 50, but she cannot be recognised under article 52 in consequence of her not having been specially recommended by H M Inspector, on the ground of practical skill. If she is to be retained in this school, my lords should be informed whether it is desired that she should be recognised as a P.T, or provisionally as an assistant teacher. Mr. Sanders certified teacher; Ellen Sanders certified teacher; S E Taylor P.T. 4th.year.
16/04/1891: Dixon Treadwell late.
20/05/1891: Re-admitted May Treadwell.
08/07/1891: S E Taylor will not attend school again this week; she is at Rochester attending the Scholarship examination.
26/10/1891: S E Taylor has passed the Scholarship examination in the second class.
30/11/1891: S E Taylor (Ex.P.T) has been removed to the Gore School until after the Examination, to assist Miss Beany.
22/05/1892: S E Taylor Ex.P.T, from the Gore school is taking charge of the infants for a time.
09/08/1892: Heard that Edith Ludlow had had ringworm on her body so sent her home.
15/01/1894: Leonard Ludlow [son of Mark & Fanny] had one of his fingers cut off during the holiday. Not yet attended school.
05/02/1894: Leonard Ludlow has returned after 10 weeks.
03/04/1894: Miss Taylor Ex.P.T. from the Gore school is at work here until she is in better health, as it is nearer her home.
30/04/1894: Miss Taylor Ex.P.T. has returned to the Gore school.
29/06/1894: Harry Ludlow had taken ill, & sent home.
18/01/1895: Ellen Ludlow marked late
25/06/1895: Re-admitted Suzy Treadwell.
07/08/1895: Ethel Ludlow late marked absent.
06/01/1896: This school called "The Darenth Board School" was opened today.
April 1896: H M Inspectors Report: -S E Taylor Article 50.
01/06/1896: Mary & Sidney Ludlow returned after several months absent. Both have been dangerously ill.
20/07/1896: Nellie Kemsley is promoted to Standard I from infants department.
29/01/1897: Infant Mistress away with a bad cold.
19/03/1897: H M Inspectors Report:-S E Taylor article 50.
21/07/1897: Nellie & George Treadwell late, Marked absent this afternoon.
23/09/1897: Jesse & Wilfred Ludlow late, marked absent this afternoon.
18/04/1898: H M Inspectors Report:-S E Taylor article 50.
13/05/1898: Mary Ludlow appointed monitor.
31/10/1898: Sidney Ludlow returned after 12 weeks. He had scarlatina.
29/11/1898: Mary Ludlow (monitor) suffering from inflammation of the tonsils & throat.
02/12/1898: Mrs.Ludlow (assistant teacher) unable to attend owing to illness.
05/12/1898: Mrs.Ludlow & Miss M Ludlow returned to their duties.
24/01/1899: Mary Ludlow who sat as candidate for pupil teacher at a recent exam, has passed for recognition under article 33 of the code only.
21/03/1899: Edith Ludlow [dau.of Mark & Fanny] away with ulcerated throat.
11/04/1899: H M Inspectors Report:-Sarah E Ludlow article 50.
31/10/1899: Mrs.Ludlow Assistant teacher away with a bad cold.
 
End of Log Book. [Catalogue number at archives is:-C/ES 109/2/1].
[Mrs.S E Ludlow Assistant teacher resigned through illness in 1904].


Darenth Presbyterian School

Also known as the "Gore School". The log book starts in 1875, and ends when the school closed in 1896. In my time at Darenth (1940-54), the old school was being used as a dairy called Weylands. (BME) Size of school room 30' x 20'. The teacher was Catherine Tyer.

Date:Comments:
22/12/1882: Infant prize:- Willie Milliams [son of George Milliams & Charlotte Ludlow]
28/04/1884: George Milliams admitted.
20/06/1885: George Milliams withdrawn.
02/04/1885: William Milliams passed all subjects Standard I.
23/05/1886: Willie Milliams passed all subjects Standard II.
25/03/1887: Willie Milliams passed all subjects Standard III.
14/05/1888: Lottie Ludlow admitted.
03/05/1889: Charlotte Ludlow away from school with measles.
17/03/1890: Emily Ellen Ludlow admitted. (daughter of Elvin John & Ellen Ludlow-White).
11/11/1890: Emily Ludlow absent with ringworm.
16/04/1891: Charlotte Ludlow absent with ringworm, visited by Mr.W J Judge, and received a parcel of books.
23/07/1891: Charlotte Ludlow, prize-winner. Every prize-winner received a book.
01/12/1891: Miss Taylor commenced duties as an assistant mistress.
28/03/1892: Miss Taylor assistant mistress E4.P7.[?]
24/05/1892: Rosa Ware, pupil teacher from Green Street Green to take Miss Taylors place, by order of the Board. Miss Taylor removed to Green Street Green School.
20/06/1892: Charlotte Ludlow prize winner for attendance, 308 out of 416 days. Each prize winner got a book prize.
19/09/1892: Louisa Ludlow admitted. [daughter of Elvin James & Ellen Ludlow-White].
19/09/1892: Miss Taylor returned to this school, Rosa Ware goes back to Green Street Green.
07/02/1893: Miss Taylor absent owing to her mother being very ill.
07/02/1893: Miss Taylor returned to her duties this afternoon.
29/03/1893: Staff for the year 1893:-Sarah E Taylor, Ex.P.T.
15/06/1893: Attendance prizes:-Emily Ludlow 421 of 429 days; Charlotte Ludlow 351 of 429 days. Each prize winner received a book.
04/09/1893: Jesse Ludlow admitted [son of Jesse & Alice Jane].
29/11/1893: Miss Taylor in charge of the school for the rest of the day.
01/12/1893: Mistress left school at 11am.,remained absent until 11/12/1893 through illness. The school left in Miss Taylor's charge.
20/12/1893: Miss Taylor absent through illness.
02/04/1894: Rosa Ware (P.T) at Green Street Green, sent here to help during Miss Taylors continued absence.
16/04/1894: Edward Ludlow admitted infant. [son of Jesse & Alice Jane].
30/04/1894: Miss Taylor returned to her duties after her illness.
April 1894: List of prize winners for the year ending 31/01/1894:-Emily Ludlow; Charlotte Ludlow; Louisa Ludlow. Each receives a book prize.
30/04/1894: Staff for year 1894-5:-Margaret Beany, mistress 2nd.class; Sarah E Taylor Ex. Pupil Teacher.
01/08/1894: Mistress left school in charge of Miss Taylor, assistant for the day.
06/05/1895: May Ludlow admitted infant. [daughter of Elvin James & Ellen Ludlow-White].
11/06/1895: H.M.Inspectors Report:- Mixed school. "It is understood that the school is now inspected for the last time in its present premises. Considering the long absence of a certified teacher, the state of the work, which is generally of fair quality, does credit to the industry of the assistant teacher who has been in charge. Infants class:-Here also the assistant teacher has done the best she could under difficulties which have not been small or few.
11/11/1895: Mistress absent on Friday owing to indisposition. The school left in charge of Miss Taylor (assistant teacher) with the help of Rosa Ware P.T. from Green Street Green.
24/12/1895: Closed for the Christmas holidays. The children will not meet in this school again, but will join the scholars from Green Street Green in the new building on January 6th. 1896.
 
End of Log Book. [Catalogue number at archives is:-C/ES 109/1].
The Catalogue numbers for the minutes books at Green Street Green are:-
C/ES 109/2/2,3 Managers minutes (2 volumes) 1903-1945.
C/ES 109/2/4 Managers minutes (1 File) 1945-1947.