Kent Education Committee.
CANTERBURY DISTRICT COMMITTEE.
\ H. Stevens b.sc. (vict.)
DISTRICT SECRETARY AND
technical Advisor.
Local Education Office-.
1 STOUR STREET
CANTERBURY.
(EAST KENT?.
14th July 1924.
Conference with the Managers of Bridge and Biahopgbouirne G.E.Schools.
Present;- Rt.Hon.Lord Sackville (Chairman); Mr.B.H.Holland C.B. Hr.?.Best, Rev.Canon Crosse and Col. Hon.M.G.Talhot E.B. (Members of the Canterbury District Education Committee); Rev. Canon W.H.Ashton Gwatkin, Mr.^.K.Anderson, Lt.Col.M.G.Bell and Mrs.J .L.3.Tattersail (Managers of Bishopsbourne G.E. School); Rev.H.Knight, Mr.R.Friend and Mr.CiWills (Managers of Bridge O.E.School); also Mr.C.Harrison (Assistant Director of Education) and Hr.R.H.Stevens (District Secretary).
A message regretting inability to be present was received from Mrs.3.M.Money (Bridge.)
The Chairman stated that in the Committee’s judgement a more economical and efficient working would be better obtained by some kind of amalgamation of the two schools under consideration. The Committee suggested that a re-organisation should be effected for the transfer of older children from Bishopsbourne to the school at Bridge. He considered that on attaining the age of 11 years this transfer should be made. He proceeded to explain that Bishopsbourne is at present a two-teacher school and that the Committee's proposals if adopted would make it a one-teacher ’school for-infsnts and juniors 11
Mr. G E Anderson raised the question of the extent of the economy which. would be effected and it was stated that the proposed arrangement at 3ishopsboume would be met by the appointment of an uncertificsted  Headmistress whose salary at maximum would be about £150 per annum less than that of a certificated mistress. The Supplementary Mistress would also be transferred elsewhere and her salary,about £75 per annum,•would be saved.
The Rev.H Knight presented the views of the Bridge Managers and stated that had the 3ishopsbourne School been closed the Bridge Managers would have pressed for a share of the expenses connected with their school in view of accommadating children from Bishopsboume-. .He considered that even with the present proposal some share of the expenses -of "Bridge ought to be-’borne by the Bishopsbourne Parish. They also suggested that some representation of Biahopabourne on the mamagement might be an advantage.
Col. Bell remarked that the Bishopshourne Managers were not prepared under any circumstances to close their School. He thought that they would not press an objection to the removal the older children on the’ lines explained but he doubted whether it was entirely wise to bring about a change the present juncture. He stated that the district might be considsrablv altered in the near future in view of the possible industrial and other ' developments and thought that in any case the re-organisation should be regarded as temporary. He thought '..that the estimated saving in expenditure would increase the 'desirability of the proposals.
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Several representatives asked questions to which answers were given and the meeting finally agreed ' in the best interests of economy and efficiency to transfer the older children from Bishopsbourne 0.it. School to Bridge G.E.School leaving Bishopsbourne as a- C..E. School open for infants and juniors. It”is understood that the existence of Bishop3bourne School is not so bo allowed to be imperilled by these changes and also that if the Bridge C.E.School becomes overcrowded some or all of the Bishopsbourne children may roturn to their own Parish school. The proposal is to be open to such revision as may be found necessary and the K.E.C. represents rives undertook to submit the proposals formally to each body of Managers for their forms. 1 acceptance.