Friday 3rd August, 2007
Pupil teacher
In 1868 Henry Brown, aged 13, became a pupil teacher at Lamberhead Green Atherton Wesleyan Methodist School at Orrell. He lived nearby in Norley Cottages, Norley Road, Pemberton.
As a P.T. he was given extra lessons by the head teacher - usually in the mornings or after school had finished. During normal hours he taught the younger children and performed other duties such as ringing the school bell.
During the frequent school inspections, Henry was assessed by external examiners who decided whether he had attained a high enough standard to continue his studies. He was paid the sum of 2s (10p) a day while he trained - not a great deal of money.
At the age of about 18, Henry could have applied for entrance to a teacher training college. His most likely location of study would have been Westminster College - a Methodist institution founded in 1851 in central London, but which is now situated in Oxford. Here, after three years of further study, it was possible to become a "certificated teacher".
Henry, however, showed little aptitude for his chosen profession.
Life as pupil teacher
He made an inauspicious beginning to his teaching career.
His first mention in the school log book is when he was cautioned on 20th August, 1868 "about his habit of beating children". Several similar entries followed.
Despite the best efforts of his young, charismatic head teacher, William Lord, Henry did not apply himself willingly to his tasks. He frequently came late for his early morning training lessons. Sometimes he failed to turn up.
The inspection report of 26th November, 1868, stated that both pupil teachers needed to improve. It made a special mention of Henry, as his spelling and grammar were "very unsatisfactory".
Soon after this after Henry gave notice.
However, this was later withdrawn, possibly as a result of parental pressure. His attitude, however, did not improve. He was frequently late or failed to turn up for his lessons: he neglected to prepare his lessons properly: he seemed incapable of learning and sometimes actually refused to fulfill his duties.
The inspectors, also, were not impressed, stating on 10th January, 1871:
"He (Henry Brown) should be warned that my lords will not fail to require a marked improvement at his next examination."
His head teacher made this statement on 8th February, 1871:
"Hen. Brown continues to annoy me by his slow sleeping way of doing his lessons and everything else - one of the great drawbacks to this school is a want of P.T.s. We are glad to get any kind to satisfy art. 52 R.C."
The inspection report of 24th October, 1871, stated that Henry must improve by the next inspection or "he will not be recognized towards the teaching staff under Article 32 c".
End of teaching career
Henry's teaching career ended when the kindly William Lord left the school and was succeeded by John Hoyle.
On 11th March, 1872, Mr. Hoyle sent for Henry's father and advised him to find other employment for his son. Henry, however, continued in his present occupation with no change of attitude until on 19th June he was suspended for telling the other pupil teacher that he should not come into school in the afternoon.
On the following day Henry asked for a testimonial, which was promptly given and he left teaching after five years as an unsuccessful pupil teacher.
After School
Henry's father was in the mining industry. In 1861 he was an "inspector of coal mines", but by 1871 he had risen to be an "underlooker" - an important job in the mines.
Henry decided to take up his father's profession and by 1881 had also become an "underlooker in a coal mine". By 1891 he had risen to be a "coal mine manager".
The unsuccessful pupil teacher had turned his life around and become an important figure in the mining industry.