That reminds me that several years ago I saw a logbook which I'm pretty sure was for Combe school (probably at Oxfordshire Record Office as I cannot think where else it would have been). It is quite rare for logbooks to survive, and they can be full of wonderful insights into social history (children kept off school for potato picking etc.) so if it is at ORO do have a look at it.
Jane
PS: I have just looked at the partial ORO catalogue on the Heritage Search site and see that it lists two logbooks for Combe school, covering 1872 to 1928 (ORO refs S71/1/A1/1 and S71/1/A1/2).
-- Edited by jane on Thursday 29th of April 2010 06:55:56 PM
I have just come across another snippet of information in Jacksons Oxford Journal about my Great grandfather - William Augustus Oliver:
Jacksons Oxford Journal - Saturday October 13 1894
'Augustus Oliver, labourer, Combe was summoned for not sending his child Sidney regularly to school. The case was proved by Mr. C. Robers, School Attendance Officer and defendant - who did not appear - was fined 5s including costs.'
Sidney would have been about 11 then and the oldest son still living at home. He was probably needed to do casual work and help bring in extra money. 5s seems a hefty fine and probably wiped out the extra money he earned.
Sidney went on to join the Metropolitan Police and also had beautiful handwriting.
