These are the Archer Attendance Award Medals, awarded to Margaret Archer, a pupil at Spratton CE Primary School between approx. 1907 and 1912. There are four medals, awarded for two, three, four and five years good attendance respectively.
Archer Attendance Medals
By the end of the 19th century legislation had been passed in the country to abolish primary school fees for parents, but in order to receive Grants from the Education Department schools had to demonstrate, not only high standards of education, but also good average attendance records. In November 1906 the schoolmaster Harry Smith complained about “wretched attendances during the last six weeks” and said the school “must look for a greatly decreased Grant as a consequence”.
The authorities came up with the idea of rewarding children with good attendance records with medals and certificates.Margaret Archer, a pupil at the school in the period leading up to the First World War, received three medals, bronze, silver and gold, for her regular attendance for five years.Two sisters, Eleanor and Bertha Taylor, were given Certificates of Honour in 1911 by Northamptonshire County Council for excellent attendance.
The medals were chosen for display in the extended exhibition Beyond the 100 in 2025/26.
Spratton
Contributed by Mrs Enid Jarvis, Spratton Local History Society
©
NMAG
©
NMAG
