St Wilfrid's CE School in Haywards Heath was founded in 1857 (under the headship of Henry Newington) and still has some of its logbooks, several of which I have transcribed. The first starts in May 1863, I hope to post some of the entries from 1864, the first complete year on the anniversary of the day they happened. The first entry was on 11th January 1864, John Bailey was the headmaster. John Bailey was born in 1840 in Long Beddington, Lincolnshire and was headmaster 1859-1865. He married in Cuckfield and had a daughter in Haywards Heath before moving on the Uppper Magna, Shropshire then to Kent. His younger brother was a pupil teacher at St Wilfrid's but left under a cloud after "disgraceful behaviour" taking time off without leave.


DATE DIARY TRANSCRIPTION
11th Jan 1864 School re-opens with 122 children present. School pence amounting to 14s 4d. Twelve new children admitted: all from Mr Catt's school. Richard Botting left and gone to Lindfield British Schools.
12th Jan 1864 Another new scholar admitted, who in answer to questions “How old are you?” and “How long have you been in the last school?” stated that he was nearly 3 years old and had attended the last school about 4 years.
13th Jan 1864 Thomas Lepperd leave to be absent to assist at the Market Dinner. C. Newnham and W. Chatfield punished for fighting at noon. Find that most of the fresh scholars are very ignorant of Arithmetic even of simple addition.
14th Jan 1864 More than 30 late this morning, no doubt caused by the dull, damp morning. 109 present. Here (sic) that Mary Kail has left school.
15th Jan 1864 Punished William Burtenshaw; C. Newnham, Thomas Stoner & others for carrying lighted paper about the school during noon. Returned 3d 0d for regular attendance. Hannah Harmes & Emma Batchelor, two teachers absent the whole week.
18th Jan 1864 Hannah Harmes very ill & unable to attend school. School pence 13s 5d. Punished three boys for stone throwing.
19th Jan 1864 Suspect that Fred Upton is playing truant. Better attendance today 110 present: but many away from Second Class.
20th Jan 1864 Attendance less again today owing to rain. Esther Todman is kept at home in the afternoons because Mrs Best reported her bad conduct to the Rev. R.E. Wyatt.
21st Jan 1864 Lepperd and Rufus punished for fighting. Only 64 present in the morning it being rainy. Cautioned Abigail Martin against continuously talking.
22nd Jan 1864 Very wet today & school thin. Returned 2/0 for regular attendance. William Burtenshaw went home at noon (without leave) with head ache.
25th Jan 1864 Received by School pence 14/0. 107 present. Commenced learning church Catechism in 2nd Class.
26th Jan 1864 Admitted George Burtenshaw aged 2 ½ years. Punished Charles Newnham for fighting with William Coomber.
27th Jan 1864 School attendance less this morning. Charles Newnham absent, supposed to be playing the truant – must make inquiries. Received notice that two boys from the works at the New Church who are in the habit of joining the boys in their games, had been using obscene language in the play ground. Must prevent them coming.
28th Jan 1864 Gave the boys warning against going in the “Girls yard” during play hours. Punished Goldsmith for being so dirty and untidy at school.
29th Jan 1864 Cautioned two boys against going in the girls yard. Proved that the report concerning Charles Newnham was false. (Vide 27th Jan) Returned 2s 6d for regularity.