1940

[M] Complaints were forwarded by Mr. W.S. Taylor to the managers regarding unnecessary punishment to pupils by Miss Harburn. This was read out to the headmistress who was then warned about any further corporal punishment to the pupils; if it continued they would consider her dismissal. The headmistress expressed her readiness to abide by the terms. [M] Permission was given for a Roman Catholic service to be held in the school on Sunday mornings in the event of the Fauconberg Arms being requisitioned by the Army. [M] Mr Goronwy was being replaced by Miss A.E. Goodwill from 6 Jan 1941. A letter was to be sent to Mr Goronwy thanking him for the valuable service that he had given to the school.

Jan 8

School reopens. 74 children on register, 47 of whom are North Riding pupils, 27 official evacuees.

Jan 17

4 pupils sit school exams. School very cold: 42ºF. Rev G Black in attendance.

Jan 19

School, still cold, down to 38ºF in temperature. Very poor attendance because of the snow. 39 pupils present out of 74 on register. The school is dismissed at 3 p.m. because of the snow.

Jan 23

48 pupils present in class.

Jan 29

Due to the depth of snow Rule 23B applied. 36 pupils present; children all in one room to keep warm.

Jan 31

25 pupils present. 34ºF. The school is dismissed at 2.15 p.m. as only 7 pupils (9.6%) attend in the afternoon.

Feb 1-15

The school register is not marked. Rule 23B applied, average 40 pupils in class.

Feb 15

2 evacuees return to Seaham Harbour.

Mar 15

Exams for Hull Scholarship evacuees held in the school.

Apr 1

School re-opens after Easter holidays. 46 Coxwold children, 24 Hull.

Apr 14

School holidays are curtailed because of the invasion of Holland and Belgium.

June 19

School sports at Easingwold.

June 20

War drill rehearsal - children discharged to their homes; those living at a distance away are placed with friends living in the village.

June 24

Mr Goronwy absent at school; at York hospital for Xrays on an injured wrist.

July 8

Air raid inspection. Children sent home, evacuation drill. The school is then closed. 33 children arrive in the afternoon from St Patrick's School in Middlesbrough.

July 11

School reopens with 100 children present. Visit of 4 nuns from Middlesbrough to see the new evacuees.

July 12

Nurse Richardson visits school. 101 pupils examined and found clean. Mr Goronwy absent on a visit to Hull to register under the Government Conscription Scheme. Teachers: Miss Wylie to take girls for PE, Mr Baker to take boys for PE, Mr Goronwy part 3 and 4 boys for PE, Miss Harrison part 3 and 4 girls PE. Miss McGurch to take the Middlesbrough girls for needlework.

July 17

Six dozen arithmetic books are loaned to Mr Baines at Husthwaite school. Staff duties: Mondays Mr Goronwy, Tuesdays Miss Wylie, Wednesdays Miss McGurk, Thursdays Mr Baker, Fridays Miss Harburn.

July 22

Mr Franklin visits school to see how the evacuees are doing.

July 25

Mr Baker leaves and returns to Middlesbrough.

Sept 16

School reopens. 87 pupils present; from Coxwold 46, Hull 16, Middlesbrough 25.

Dec 26

[M] School managers receive a letter from Miss Harburn giving them notice of her resignation from the school. This is accepted.


1941

Jan 6

Tea towel washing commences, 8 per week. It is cold in school: 45ºF. A new boiler has now been installed.

Jan 7

Miss Goodwill commences teaching. Mr Goronwy returns to Hull.

Jan 15

County minor scholarship exams. 5 pupils sat them.

Jan 20

Roads blocked by snow. 23 children present out of 71 on register. Miss Goodwill not present: snowed in at Flaxton.

Jan 21 to Feb 21

The school register is not marked, Rule 23B applies. Average attendence between 23 and 45 pupils.

Feb 26

Middlesbrough children take their scholarship exams.

Feb 28

Miss Harburn terminates her teaching contract to take up her position as head teacher at Whitwell on the Hill.
[M] A Mrs Hannah Wolfendon has been interviewed for the post of head teacher. The managers having considered that interview, she is appointed as head teacher and is to start her duties on 1-4-1941.

Mar 3

Mr Randle takes up temporary post as Head teacher. David Inman admitted to school. 77 pupils on the school register.

Mar 21 to 24

School concert arranged by Miss Wylie and Miss Goodwill.

Apr 28

Miss Goodwill recalled back to Hull.from April 1st. 3 teachers in school instead of 4. Mr Randle finishes at school as temporary Head teacher. Mrs. Hannah Wolfendon is the new Head teacher.

July 10

Miss Wylie leaves to go to college after 17 years teaching at Coxwold school. She is presented with a handbag and money.

July 24

Holiday for war weapons week and summer holidays.

Oct 11

[M] Miss Annie Wylie sends her resignation as she enters a training college course. This was accepted with deep regret.

[M] Miss Cynthia Slater has been interviewed for that post and accepted. She is to commence teaching on 1-12-1941.

Nov 21

Miss McGurk leaves Coxwold school and transfers to Huby. A teacher shortage - there is now only one teacher for all the school.

Dec 1

Miss Cynthia Slater starts teaching duties at school.

Dec 2

[M] Mr. J.W. Agars made an application for a grant to provide a cinema entertainment for the children. This was agreed.

Dec 23

School party.


1942

Jan 7

School re-opens. A very poor attendance because of snow: 36 pupils present out of 58 on register.

Jan 14

School exams. Only 1 pupil sat, and one was unable to get to school because of snow.

Jan 20

It is still snowing.

Jan 26

30 pupils present.

Feb

All February is snowy, with poor school attendance. The school is cold due to inferior quality of coke. Some roads still impassable due to deep snow.

Feb 26

Nurse Richardson visits school on her regular inpections.

Harry Dodsworth has a cut at the back of his head and a black and bruised face. He says that his father has done it for a punishment.

Feb 23

Miss Wentworth retires.

Mar 17

[M] Miss Slater resigns her post due to her marriage.

Mar 23

15 evacuees come from Middlesbrough with Mr Baker as teacher.

Apr 14

Miss Young begins teaching duties.
[M] Miss Joyce Hebdon has been interviewed for vacant teacher post and appointed.

May 1

Roland Milbourne sits exams for College of Commerce.

May 8

Miss Joyce Thompson begins teaching duties.

May 14

Ascension Day: all children at church service in morning. The rest of the day is a holiday.

May 15

Miss M. A. Young ceases duties at school.

July 19

Roland Milbourne is notified that he has received a scholarship for Hull College of Commerce.

July 20

Improvement could be made on sanitary conditions at the school toilets.

July 26

Dr. McKim immunises the county children.

The Inspector of the Diocese is a Mr. H.W. Smith (nicknamed the kiddy catcher).

Sept 1

The school re-opens. Coxwold children 39; Middlesbrough children 14; Hull children 3.

Nov 11

School inspection - still concern about the sanitary arrangements in the school toilets.

Dec 17

[M] A grant of £10 was requested by the Coxwold branch of the National Fire Service. This was carried unanamously.


1943

Jan

Part 1 exams take place with the Rev. Black supervising.

Jan 6

Snow storms. 26 children in class.

Jan 22

Very wet. 27 children present, 53 on register.

Jan 29

No heating. School visit by Nurse Richardson.

Feb 2

No heat, Very cold. Poor attendance 61%.

Feb 3

Mr Baker absent. Still no heating. Very frosty.

Feb 26

Mrs Thompson absent today. Husband home on leave.

Mar 15

Whooping cough: 37 out of 57 in attendance.

Mar 18

34 present out of 57. Dr Buller Hicks, Medical Officer, closes the school.

Apr 5

School re-opens. 45 present. Mr Baker returns to Teesside.

May 10

Bad snow storms. 32 out of 57 present.

May 11

Dentist visits school. Nurse Richardson inspects children's heads.

June 3

Ascension Day. Service in Church; rest of day a holiday.

June 7

Dental visit, gas and extraction of teeth.

July 25

Visit by Nurse Richardson; suspected impetigo in children.

Oct 1

School closes until 19 October for potato picking.

Nov 17

Mrs Thompson absent. Husband home on leave.

Nov 27

[M] Miss Evelyn Bateson has been interviewed for the vacancy of head teacher, due to the resignation of Mrs Wolfendon, and offered the post.

[M] A grant of £5 is made towards the cost of the village tea party.


1944

Feb 7

11 girls start a 3-week cookery course.

Feb 10

Snow storm; only 26 present. The school is very cold; no coke.

Mar 13

Visit by Dr Buller Hicks trying to trace the outbreak of scarlet fever.

Mar 21

School cold; no coke.

July 15

[M] The managers heard that Miss Bateson had declined to accept the post of head teacher. Correspondence was also read out relating to Mrs. Joyce Thompson's resignation as assistant teacher.

[M] Mrs. Annie Sheppard was interviewed for the vacant head mistress post and was appointed with her duties to start on 1-10-1944.

Aug 11

13 desks, 1 blackboard and 1 easel sent by rail to Middlesbrough.

Oct

Mrs. Annie Sheppard starts duties as Head teacher.

Oct 27

Miss Slater in charge. Head teacher has a cold.

Dec 18

[M] Miss Rita Slater appointed as assistant teacher.
[M] Facilities for a canteen have now been looked into.

1945

Jan 8

Severe snowstorm. 14 children present.

Jan 9

Severe weather continues. School is closed.

Jan 15

School re-opens.

Jan 19

More snow. School closes. Re-opens 26 January, 6 children present.

Feb 2

After snow, floods in district. 8 children arrive.

May 8

Public Holiday - VE Day.

June 15

Dorothy Featherstone accidentally cuts her chest whilst playing in the playground; 3 stitches inserted by Dr McKim.

June 26

Nurse Richardson inspects children; one with dirty hair reported.

June 28

Report by H.W. Smith (we all called him the Kiddie Catcher).

Aug 27

VJ Day - 3 days holiday.

Nov 15

Head visits Ampleforth School re canteen at Coxwold Village Hall. Miss Slater in charge.

Nov 22

School toilets roof damaged. Reported to police.

Nov 29

School canteen opens at Coxwold Village Hall. 36 children, 4 adults and 2 staff.

Nov 29

Mr Daws, Head of Newburgh Priory School, visits Coxwold Church of England School with 8 boys responsible for damage to the toilet roof.


1946

Feb 22

No coke. School closed; reopened 25 February.

Mar 18

[M] Mrs Norah Rymer appointed as caretaker at the school due to Mrs Featherstone moving to Newburgh Mill.

Mar 30

Mrs Featherstone, caretaker, leaves. Mrs. Nora Rymer takes over on 1 April.

June 28

17 children from Oulston are absent due to annual Sunday school trip to Scarborough.

July 9

3 children from Coxwold are absent on Coxwold Church Choir trip.

Sept 9

School re-opens. The holidays have been exceptionally hot.

Oct

The school is closed as usual for the annual potato picking holidays.


1947

Jan 7

Heavy snow. The taxi calls at 2.40 p.m. for the Oulston children. The children for Oldstead and Byland leave on foot.

Jan 27

[M] Local Education Authority development plan was discussed and a general opinion expressed that it would be impossible to raise the necessary sum to retain the present status as a church school.

Feb 4

Blizzards raging; roads impassable. No children arrive from Oulston or outlying farms. Only 21 children present in class. Miss Slater cannot get from Husthwaite. Heavy snowfalls up to Feb 13th; roads still impassable. Very poor attendance.

Feb 25

Inspection by Nurse Richardson: several children with head infections.

Mar 14

Still heavy blizzards raging. Attendance still poor.

Mar 20

The thaw has set in and we have got floods. No meals at the canteen because of the floods. Byland road flooded.

May 14

Nature walk to Newburgh pond.

June 28

17 Children from Oulston are absent due to annual Sunday school trip to Scarborough .

July 9

3 children from Coxwold School are absent due to Coxwold Church choir trip.

July 11

Elizabeth Taylor of Oldstead is awarded a transfer scholarship.

Sept 1

Miss Slater is absent from duty; has been in contact with a case of infantile paralysis.

Sept 3

Dr Buller Hicks attends school: no immunisation until after the infantile paralysis abates.

Sept 9

School reopens after the holidays. It has been exceptionally wet.

Sept 11

Miss Slater resumes duties.

Oct

School is still having its annual potato picking holidays.

Nov 20

School is closed for the day: wedding of H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh.

Dec 6

School trip to York by train. 7 senior children plus Head teacher go on the outing.

1948

Mar 17

School is closed: no coke.

Mar 18

School reopens after delivery of coke: 4 tons 5 cwts.

Mar 19

Two girls, Eileen Houlston and Eileen Sheppard, qualify to take part II examination.

Mar 24

Miss Slater ceases duty as she is shortly to be married.

55 children on school register.

Apr 19

Miss Nicholas starts as new teacher.

Apr 26

School is closed for the day: silver wedding of King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth

June 7

[M] A Miss Minnie Bean from 4 Beaconsfield street, Hartlepool was appointed to the teaching vacancy. She later declined the post as no accommodation was available.

[M] The new L.E.A.development plan was again discussed. The managers decided not to seek the status of a Grant aided school and that the school should become a controlled school on the 16-8-1948.

June 18

Eileen Sheppard breaks her ankle and goes to hospital.

July 2

School trip to Scarborough.

July 7

School is closed due to the Royal Show at York.

July 9

Laurence Smith breaks his finger at school.

Sept 7

Mrs Ryder starts teaching duties at school.

Nov 8

[M] A letter was read out from the L.E.A.informing managers that the school becomes a Controlled school from 16-8-1948 and managers will not be responsible for any of the expenses of maintaining the school after 16-8-1948.

[M] The draft instrument of management for all the primary schools in the North Riding was circulated and all managers should consider it.

[M] York Diocese required the appointment of a Religious Education representative. Mrs. Wombwell should be the representative if Capt. Wombwell, who is the owner of the property, is not eligible as he is also a manager.

Dec 22

The school attends the funeral of Mrs Hohler. Pupils line the route from the lych gate to the church.


1949

Jan 24

Miss Turnbull arrives for duty as temporary assistant.

May 2

Mrs. Beatrice Averill takes over duties from Miss Turnbull.

May 12

Visit by Nurse Richardson: 2 children with infections.

July 5

Scarlet fever and measles infection are reported in the area.

July

School closes for summer holidays.