Stroud Probus

ALAN Callender, one of our own members, was the speaker at the first meeting in October when he gave a presentation entitled 'The role of HM Inspector of Schools from the 19th century to the present day'.

He is a retired school inspector and was able to draw on his own experiences as well as giving some historical facts.

The first school inspectors were appointed in 1842 and this was at a time when most children were taught three core subjects, namely reading, writing and arithmetic, with each pupil required to reach an acceptable standard.

Teachers were paid eight shillings (40p) for every pupil who passed the examination and therefore it was in the teacher's interest to make certain the children did well, as although the sum involved is not great today when this rule was in force it represented a considerable part of their salary.

Alan told members how he became a teacher before being appointed to the Inspectorate and spoke of the work required when making reports on any given school.

He also related some of the funny things pupils say when asked a particular question, and in one particular school a storm was raging outside with flashes of lightning followed some seconds later by a roll of thunder.

The teacher asked one boy what this meant and he replied "It means Miss that my eyes are in front of my ears".

This was an informative and amusing talk and he was thanked by Peter Nairn the president.

Probus meet at the Cotswold Indoor Bowling Centre, Dudbridge, Stroud, at 10.15am on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month and is open to all retired men, ample free parking is available on site.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 28, when Brian Lamberton will be giving a presentation on Antarctica.