Fairburn School

The present school was built in 1881-2 and occupied in November 1982. Previous to this education had been given in the old school near Cut Lane; this later became a Sunday school, Village Institute or "Stute" and later a private dwelling.
There were only two rooms in the 1882 school - the 'big' room and the room with lecture-room type platforms at one end. Heating was provided by one fireplace in the 'big' room and one in two corners of the other.
In 1885 a porch was added and in 1894 another room for infants with the end towards the Great North Road. The platforms in the original school were also removed.

A School House, for the Headmaster, was built in 1897 and extended in 1924. Further improvements took place in 1927 when the room at the southern end of the school was added, plus a new cloakroom, corridor, staffroom and an extra playground with school garden. The big room was divided with a glass screen, so making space for five teachers.

The playgrounds were 'boys' and 'girls', but in 1960 the dividing walls were removed.

In 1969 new toilets were built to save the pupils from going across the yard and some of the old outdoor lavatories were knocked down. The rest survived until 1976, when the Parent-Teacher Association provided funds for them to be removed. Other alterations of note were the wiring of the school for electricity in 1934. Previously oil lamps had been used.

In 1963 the senior pupils left to go to Pontefract School and the name became Fairburn County Primary School.

Staffing
There were constant complaints of overcrowding and understaffing. Pupil teachers were employed in schools: at Fairburn in 1888 it was reported that a pupil teacher was suggested, but it was 1899 before this was implemented. In 1891 there is a record of 63 children being taught in a classroom built for 29 pupils. The Headmaster's children! In 1890 the following entry was made in the school logbook: "Eldest daughter took charge of mother's class. Mother called away because her mother was dying."
Holidays

Some of the more interesting closures of the school are worth noting: "Days holiday for Brotherton Feast"
Holidays for religious occasions and church or chapel outings.

1904 "School closed for insufficient lamps"
Although there were complaints about radiators not working properly in 1913, the school appears to have continued, but in 1947 "School closed for boiler repairs" is logged.
Half-day holidays for Shrove Tuesday were usual.
In 1939 "Children sent home because of air raid warning"
May 1945 was VE day and a holiday was given for this occasion.
The school has been used for General Elections and closed for these. 1969 "School closed for teachers' strike".
Royal Occasions
During the early history of the school, there was a holiday each year for the Queen's birthday (Victoria)
1887 "One day's holiday for Queen's Jubilee"
June 1902 "One week's holiday for Coronation"
1935 "Holiday for King George V and Queen Mary's Jubilee" 1935 Wedding of Duke of Gloucester - one day's holiday
1937 One day for the Coronation of King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth 1948 Silver wedding of King George V1 and Queen Elizabeth - one day 1949 One day for "The birth of the Prince" (Charles)
Attendance
This seems to have been a problem, particularly in the early days. The causes of poor attendance were illnesses and epidemics: 1888 "School closed for three weeks because of Scarlet Fever" 1896 "School closed for 8 weeks because of measles"
1920 "School closed for 2 weeks for measles and whooping cough" Bad weather:
Flooding between Fairburn and Newton caused a considerable drop in attendance figures.
Other reasons:
1882 "Poor attendance because children under age are at work" This was in spite of the 1880 Education Act.
There are records of children absent for "picking cowslips","picking peas", "picking potatoes", "spring cleaning"
Individual children were absent for "no boots" or "no shoes"
This gave rise to the West Riding County Council "Hinchcliffe Fund", when shoes were sent to school for distribution to deserving cases. In January 1929 twelve pairs of footwear were sent to school for distribution. There were also several more occasions of a similar nature,
Health

School closures for illnesses and epidemics have already been recorded. In 1915 the District Nurse began calling at the school and medical inspections were started. By 1918 there were regular visits and inspections.
In 1922 children (with parents' permission) had their teeth attended to at a centre in Brotherton. Later the Dental Officer used to visit the school and carry out treatment.
1936 Immunisation for diptheria
1954 Polio vaccinations carried out
1956 BCG vaccinations for tuberculosis commenced.
Milk and School Meals

Children from Newton and Burton Salmon were expected to bring their own lunches and eat them at school. In 1945 the school meals service was instituted and meals were provided from the canteen at Brotherton. These were for children in Fairburn as well as those from Newton. In 1929 free school milk was provided for recommended pupils. This was in the form of dried milk which had to be made up, and a biscuit. Often there was cod liver oil to accompany this. In 1930 fresh milk was made available to all pupils, together with a biscuit. This was provided in 1 pint bottles and was free to recommended pupils and cost ld to the rest.
There is a record of children being fed "by voluntary subscription"

Curriculum
Slates were originally used as a means of writing, using a slate pencil. These were replaced by chalk and individual blackboards, later paper and pencil, paper and steel pens, when ink had to be distributed and poured into individual inkwells. Fortunately,
came the ballpoint pen and many other means of writing and drawing. The curriculum developed gradually as the years went by.
"Child broke slate" was recorded. What a crime this was:
1882 "Several boys caned for neglecting home lessons"
1893 Religious knowledge examination
1896 Object lessons, recitation, songs, history and geography taught 1902 Drawing and drill added
1919 Football introduced into the school
1924 "Children visited Alexandra Theatre, Pontefract to see 'Midsummer Night's Dream'"
1925 "A football team was formed and played a team at Pontefract" (The result was not recorded)
1927 County Librarian visited the school
1929 Gardening was introduced. A record of implements arriving at school for this purpose, was kept. 1932 "Vegetable and flower seeds and manure delivered"
1932 "Netball rings and posts delivered" 1933 "Needlework stock provided"
1940 "Swimming lessons commenced at Pontefract Baths"
1945"Talks on road dangers"
1945 Film strip projector received at school 1952 Safety first quizzes in school
1954 Senior boys went to Garforth for woodwork, senior girls for
housecraft
1961 Cycling proficiency tests held