ABSTRACT
The greatest change, however, that occurred in the staffing of the schools during the period of 1920s and 1930s, occurred not with the assistant teacher but with the Head. Between 1926 and 1940, every department at every local school came under new guidance. Teachers working in the area at this time unfailingly mention the policy of economy that so dominated their classroom work. Both teachers and past pupils can recall punishments being given for the marking or rough handling of text books. The neighbourhood had its own views about the schools' 'keeping back' of pupils after official school hours had ceased. When ex-pupils were asked to evaluate the success of their own Headteacher, their estimations tended to polarize around three main considerations. These are: first, their ability to discipline and control their pupils; second, their ability to command the respect of the community; and third, their ability to communicate sympathy and concern for the wider needs of their pupils.
