History of the School
Over 140 Years of Educational Success at Underwood
‘The scholars were orderly and sang and exercised nicely. The mechanical work has been well done and this percentage of pass is fifteen higher than last year. The prepared garments in needlework and the specimens worked on the examination day were of good quality.’ So said Her Majesty’s Inspector after his visit to Underwood School in 1887.
Underwood School opened its doors to the children of the village in 1879. The neighbouring schools could no longer cope with the rising number of children in Underwood and due to the generosity of Earl Cowper, a small school was opened by the National Society of April 21st, 1879. Maria Pope was the headmistress and to assist her in the teaching (there were 125 pupils on roll) she had one pupil teacher (Mary Swain) and one monitoress (Mary's sister, Rebecca Swain). The original building had two main rooms, namely the present hall and Class 3’s classroom. It catered initially for children aged three to ten years and was known as the Underwood National Infants School.
Due to increasing numbers, a second building was added in 1884 and became the Underwood National Mixed School under the Headmaster George Stringfellow. The two school remained separate under their respective headteachers until 1912.
A typical list of Infants lessons in 1883-1884
Natural History | Manufacturers | Miscellaneous | Moral |
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The Mole | Hair brush | A penny and what might be done with it | Truthfulness |
The Lobster | Lucifer matches | Articles needed in the kitchen | Cruelty to animals |
The Silkworm | Lead pencil | Human hand | |
The House Spider | Pins | Letter | |
The Rhinoceros | Silk | Butcher’s shop | |
The Giraffe | Candles | Reel of cotton | |
The Ostrich | Flannel | Leather | |
The Lion | Cork | ||
The Beaver | Salt | ||
The Rattle Snake | Coffee |
Religious Instruction at Underwood
Religious Instruction played a very important part in the curriculum at all levels. The Diocesan inspectors investigated the children’s knowledge of the Old Testament, Catechism, Christian Year, etc. The Scripture Report for 1917 given by the Revd. Brearly includes the following observations:
‘There is a pleasant tone in the school and it is apparent that the teachers and scholars enjoy the religious lessons. The only criticisms I should make are:
1. The application of the facts of church doctrine and Bible history is not sufficiently definite. The children are not able to use the facts in their daily lives.
2. The questions of children’s private prayer should receive more attentions. I would suggest that on no account should the children be allowed to represent our Lord either in plasticine or in drawings.'
A copy of the latest inspection by the National Society can be seen in the Key Information section of this website. How are we doing now?
The Headteachers of Underwood School
Infant School |
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Maria Pope | 1879 to 1883 |
Junior School |
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Elizabeth Bull | 1883 to 1891 | George Stringfellow | 1884 to 1905 |
Primary School | ||
E. Beet | 1891 to 1892 | Frederick Lowe | 1905 to 1912 | Frederick Lowe | 1912 to 1917 | |
J. C. Townhill | 1892 to 1897 |
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| Margaret Hewitson | 1917 to 1932 | |
Mary Welbourne | 1897 to 1907 |
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| Mary Allcock | 1932 to 1959 | |
Mary Cook | 1907 to 1911 |
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| John Bower | 1959 to 1967 | |
Frances Dronfield | 1911 to 1912 |
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| Clifford Beard | 1967 to 1972 | |
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| Roger Hull | 1972 to 2003 | |
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| Melanie Tatley | 2003 to 2007 | |
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| Gareth Letton | 2008 to 2011 | |
Michael Wilson | 2011 - | |||||
Ian Baxter | 2021 - present | |||||
Interesting extracts from the school log books
9th May 1879
Attendance poor on account of wet weather this morning – several homesick this week – gave notice to children that a Sunday School would be opened on May 11th in the school. Average for the week 95.
23rd May 1879
Attendance not so good – kept in every day all who came late. Mary Alice Gregory left on account of the school being cold – caned two boys severely and kept them in until 12.45 – one for disobedience to me to and the other for throwing stones at the school door.
7th April 1880
I caned several children for shouting after me in the road last night.
24th November 1880
No fires in school as there is no coal. And the weather is so cold I allowed the children to exercise for the first quarter of an hour and had this time made up in the play hour.
1882
Charlie and Joseph Harris are dangerously ill – their mother says the cause is being in the school with no fires. Rev. Wright has told me that the coal must last a month – there will be no more.
21st November 1884
Sent bills to parents of children who owe school fees.
21st June 1887
A whole holiday was given today to allow the children to attend a tea and sports at Selston, in honour of the Queen’s jubilee.
Jan 1897
School closed for seven weeks – whooping cough.
June 1911
63% of girls have dirty heads (nits).
23rd June 1897
Holiday given. Diamond jubilee of her most gracious Majesty, the Queen Victoria.
10th November 1899
Several scholars applied for their labour certificates having obtained work at the colliery.
23rd January 1901
Order by Vicar to close school on account of the death of Her Majesty, the Queen.
1908
Mary Chambers 11 years secured first prize offered by the Notts Guardian for best written description of ‘How I spent my Christmas Holidays’. Her sister, Jessie Chambers, one of the school staff, secured first prize of £3 for best short ‘Christmas Story’.
13th December 1910
Master again complained of deficient ventilation. The atmosphere is frequently obnoxious.
July 1917
Two balloons passed directly overhead. Children were delighted when occupants waved a flag to them.
25th July 1919
Children (whilst on holiday) celebrated peace. About 350 scholars sat down to tea organised by staff of this school. Children decorated rooms with decorations made in handwork lessons. After tea a grand parade through the village in fancy dress. Every child received a packet of nuts, sweets and a bun.
24th January 1929
Hot drinks commenced.Headmistress excluded a child owing to her filthy condition. Her hair was alive with vermin and bleeding sores, and the stench prevented anyone approaching her willingly. She has become a menace to her class and the school in general.
August 1939
Took gas mask drill in morning. Emergency closure because of receiving of evacuated children. Scattering practice.
1941
Air raid alert. Children sent home except those a distance away. Those who could not get home sheltered in Mr. Wain’s air raid shelter.
1st June 1953
Coronation souvenir New Testaments presented to all children.
October 1958
Head inspection. A1 for first time.
5th July 1965
School closed on account of the 700th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta.
June 1979
School team win the final of the Nottinghamshire Environmental Awareness Quiz.
Did history stop in 1979?
Of course, the school's history does not end in 1979 and the log books are kept up to date. However, information contained in the log books is confidential until thirty years have passed. The school's discipline book contains interesting information about some children who are now parents at the school! Luckily, that book is confidential for 75 years!
There are interesting events in the school's life such as the arrival of the first BBC Micro B Computer in 1981 and the exciting acquistion of a 'photocopying machine' in 1984. Maybe those entries, and others, will be published here in years to come.
The future...
The changes that our little building on the corner of Main Road has witnessed are beyond comprehension. As we look forward, we feel proud of our past and excited about the future.
Here’s to the next 140 years of educational success at Underwood School!
Below you can see photographs from the history of the school. As you will see, we are short of photographs from the 1960s and 1980s.
If you have any photographs that you are willing to share, please contact the school via the office. Many thanks.