The children used a questionnaire to find out from grandparents about going to school in the middle of the 20th century. Here are some of the things they learned.
Most
children walked to school, sometimes as far as three miles.
Many children came to school in bare feet.
Teachers were usually very strict.
Most schools had a boys' playground and a girls' playground.
Sometimes it was against the rules to even look over the wall into the other
playground.
Children did not wear uniforms.
Most classrooms were heated by an open fire.
The children often brought turf or sticks to burn.
The fire did not heat the room very well and children took turns standing near
it.
The most common lunch was brown bread, butter, jam and a bottle of milk.
There were usually no school trips or concerts.
The most common games at break were chasing, marbles, skipping, "conkers"
and "tig".
Playing "Ring-a-ring-rosie"
(Click on image to see a larger version and then click Back to come back here)
Click here to find out about the history of the schools in Rathgarogue from about 1795.
Can you find information about the history of your school?
School