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THE LATEST PROGRAMME |
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Jonathan Freedland looks for the past behind the present. Each week, The Long View, recorded on location throughout the British Isles, takes an issue from the current affairs agenda and finds a parallel in our past.
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Pupils striking for peace in 2003 and the school stikre in 1911 in London.
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Head Teacher's Account
"In the course of the morning of September the 5th, about 11.30, I was informed that a number of Bigyn Boys were marching and singing through Murray Street. Though hardly fit to leave my room, I determined to go to school in the afternoon. On inquiring into the cause of the absence of some of the scholars in the morning, I learnt that half a dozen boys did not return to school from play on Monday afternoon. I suppose they took advantage of my absence.
These boys came to school as usual on Tuesday morning, and it appears they were not reprimanded or punished in any way for their misbehaviour on the previous afternoon. Some of the boys naturally took advantage of this leniency and, during play on Tuesday morning, 32 out of the 327 boys present left the field adjoining the school which is used as a recreation ground for the Upper Boys. They were away from school from 11 to 2.15. With the exception of 2, all returned in the afternoon and were punished for absenting themselves in the morning. The above is a true account of what has been boomed in the "Press" as a "Schools Strike at Llanelly".
GJ Harries, Head Teacher - Log Book of Bigyn Boys' School, 7 September 1911
Play and Punishment at Llanelly - Editorial from the Local Press
Peaceful Persuasion Prevails
"The strike epidemic has infected the rising generation at Llanelly and in order to be the "fashion" the schoolboys have decided upon a "down tools" policy. The origin of the strike took place at Bigyn School when the scholars in sympathy with one of their colleagues, who was punished for an offence, deserted their class-rooms and paraded the streets to the accompaniment of singing. Later in the day, however, the boys returned. The strike fever on Wednesday entered Lakefield School and Copperworks School when the scholars in the boys' departments showed an inclination to "strike". Various reasons are assigned for the novel policy adopted by the children, some stating that they are subjected to too much punishment. Others disagree with the recent decision of the Education Committee in fixing the morning school hours at 9.15 to 12.15."
"Instead of nine to twelve, as hitherto. They declare that the old arrangement gave them more play time during the dinner interval. On Wednesday afternoon a large crowd of schoolboys congregated outside Lakefield School and declined to enter at the stipulated time. Soon afterwards Mr Joseph Roberts, ex-chairman of the education committee, appeared on the scene and had a friendly conversation with the boys, and, by means of "peaceful persuasion" prevailed upon them to enter the school. There is also a great deal of discontent in Park-street and Old-road Schools. One of the scholars at the former school in an interview stated that "too much punishment was going on at Park-street. The Old-road boys are also unfairly treated, and they want us to join them."
The South Wales Press - September 6th 1911
Contagious Rebellion - Three Schools Affected
"The mania for strike seems to be spreading. On Tuesday, in the absence of the headmaster owing to indisposition, an assistant who took charge in his absence had occasion to chastise one of the boys. No sooner had he done so that all the boys in the class rebelled. "Let's go on strike" suggested the ringleader and the idea appealed so forcibly to the lads in his class and to a number in other classes that they agreed upon such a course without loss of time. They rushed out of school and marched through some of the principal streets, cheering and singing popular songs. After the town had been paraded, one of the boys ascended the railings of Park Church and spoke in flowery language to his fellow strikers. At the conclusion of the speech a vote was taken."
"The strike among the school boys has proved very contagious. On Tuesday afternoon, a number of boys from another school refused to return to their classrooms. This morning still more startling developments ensued. Boys from two additional local schools caught the spirt of rebellion and decided to strike. They formed themselves in marching order and visited other schools, endeavouring to get the boys out. In one case after some brave remarks on the appearance of the master, whose school was being picketed, they hastily dispersed when his cane came to view. It will thus be seen that the recent riotous conduct of older people is having a most unwholesome effect upon the children and the sooner it is stamped out the better."
Report from the Local Press.
The Educational Times - 1911 - The Editor
"The cause…is easy to find. Men tired of work…strike. "Striking" conversations are meanwhile carried on in their homes to the detriment of all else. Naturally, children are possessed of powers of imitation, waiting only to be called into play…Hence "strikes", being the fashion with adults, become likewise that of juveniles. The daily press has done much to spread the epidemic; for instead ov paying little heed to the pranks of the scholars in one or two towns, has published full details….and a real game of 'Follow my Leader' has been the result."
The Times - 15th of September 1911
"The Schoolboys' "Strike" - Charges of Theft at West Hartlepool
Although the schoolboys' "strike" has apparently come to an end in London, demonstrations and disturbances continued yesterday in many towns in the provinces, as will as in Aberdeen, Paisley and Dublin. "
"At West Hartlepool about 100 boys at a council school 'came out' A storage room at the back of an hotel was looted and some bottles of stout and whisky and boxes of cigars were removed by the "strikers" some of whom were arrested and will be charged this morning…The boys are also stated to have thrown stones at the windows of houses occupied by the teachers."
"At Newcastle-on-Tyne yesterday afternoon the bigger boys at Sandyford-road Council School "struck" demanding the abolition of home work. The head master refusing to consider the application, the boys held meetings outside the school and on the town moor."
"At Middlesborough a procession of young "strikers" was dispersed by the police, who seized the placards they were carrying. Over 100 boys marched from school to school trying to bring others out and stones were thrown into one of the playgrounds where lads were drilling."
"Parties of boys armed with sticks and stones smashed a number of windows in the Northwood Grove and Central Schools at Hanley and, as well as many windows in the the streets. Similar proceedings took place at some schools in Cobridge, but the agitators were dispersed by the police."
"At the Stoke-on-Trent Watch Committee yesterday the Chief Constable reported that several probationers who were to have been present for formal appointment as constables were unable to attend owing to the trouble with the children, in consequence of which he had had to have officers on duty at the schools (Laughter). Mr Byrd, a Socialist, suggested that they should apply to the military to deal with the "strikers" (Laughter). "
"At Burton-on-Trent yesterday morning, about 20 strikers marched in procession through the streets. Overnight there was something of a free fight between the boys who had arranged to come out in the morning and those who objected.
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"At Portsmouth about 150 boys and girls from two council schools paraded the streets and went round to other schools seeking for recruits."
Further Reading
The origins and significance of the school strikes in south Wales, 1911, R. Grigg, The Local Historian, vol.33 no.3 (August 2003).
When the Kids were united, D. Partridge, BBC History Magazine, September 2003, pp.24-26.
Protest by Pupils, R. Adams, (Falmer Press, 1991)
Hooligans or Rebels?, S. Humphries (Oxford, 1981)
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