2.2 Classrooms
There is only one classroom although it is large. It is both very long and wide, and it is a cold room, which is dimly lit. The great room is shared by four different classes, consisting of thirty-five or so girls in total. Each class has one table with benches surrounding hem for the girls to sit on. The room is divided so that each class has one quarter, although equipment needed by one class may be kept in a different quarter of the great room.
2.3 Dormitories
Again, there is only one dormitory for all of the eighty or so girls to share. There was long rows of uncomfortable beds with quilts on them. The arrangement for each night was two girls to a bed, so any small colds, viruses or even diseases may be spread very easily. Some of the older girls if they are lucky got one bed to herself, but only if she is amongst the biggest of all the girls. But now there are some beds to spare as some girls left in the most unpleasant and unfortunate circumstances that could ever be imagined.
There were found cracks and crevices in the windows, so that in the winter cold draughts were able to get in and make the big dormitory very cold.
The teachers however have rooms of their own. In them, there are comfortable beds, a coffee table in each with chairs around it, and a very warm fireplace.
2.4 Washing Facilities
The wash basins were in the middle of dormitory and it was quite hard to get the use of them every morning, as there is very few basins. The arrangement here was one basin to six girls. But now it is only two-three girls to a basin.
In addition, because of the cracks and crevices allowing the cold to get in, in the winter the water in the ewers and basins froze so that no girls could wash and they remained dirty.
2.5 Dining Facilities
There is one refectory, which is another of Lowood’s large rooms. It is quite low ceiled room you would think for a refectory, but in a way, it is good, as it is one of the warmer rooms’s of the school. It is a gloomy looking room though partly because of the two long and large tables which is a very old. It is a dull browny-black in colour.
2.6 Healthcare Facilities
There is a very small seminary which looks like it could accommodate two people at the maximum. There is only one nurse who seems like she does not have many qualifications.
In the May of one year, there was an outbreak of the Typhus disease where forty-four girls were struck down. As the seminary was only capable to accommodate two girls, the schoolroom and dormitory were transformed into seminaries. Because of the lack of qualified nurses and facilities, all forty-four girls died.
However, one girl, not out of that forty-four, died of the rare disease, Consumption, otherwise recognised as TB or Tuberculosis. It is not known how she picked it up, but it can be guessed by the standard of the dormitories, with no heating in them and cracks and crevices in the windows making it cold to be inside of. Another suggestion is when walking in LoWood, the forest-dell was the cradle of fog and the disease may have been carried around in the fog. This may also be a suggestion to how the first person to receive Typhus fever got it.
3 Schooling
3.1 Subjects Studied
There is a wide range of subjects taught at the school. They are taught to the best of the teachers’ abilities, which is in almost all cases quite a high level of understanding. Some teachers may not be good at teaching in a certain area as they specialise at teaching in another area (mainly in the crafts). It is hard for them to give the girls the best education, as there is only four teachers, but the majority finish school with a high level of knowledge and will do in their future. The main method of teaching that they use here is to get the girls to read text books and memorise everything that is in the books so that they can recite it to any one who asks. For the crafts, it is just a case of learning the basics, and then practising and practising until perfect.
The subjects taught are as follows: -
- Grammar and Writing (English)
- Arithmetic (Maths)
- French
- History
- Geography
- Music
- Drawing (Art)
- Sewing- Speciality- Canvas and Muslin
3.2 Discipline
There is a very high level of discipline taught at Lowood. Most of the teachers are very strict, and girls are sometimes punished wrongly. For example, if a girl dropped a book by mistake she would be punished and this should help her not to make the same mistake again.
No girls are allowed to have curls in their hair as Mr.Brockelhurst thinks it is wrong for girls to have curls in their, even if they are natural.
Methods of punishment: -
- Made to fetch a bundle sticks/twigs. Then, beaten in the back of the neck with them.
- Made to sit in a high stool in the corner of the room and left isolated for the rest of the day. No one should talk to you, or even give a glance.
3.3 Play, Welfare and Well-being
The girls get only an hour of playtime in the evening, where they get a mug of coffee and a half slice of bread.
That is the only bit of free time that the girls get.
4 Miscellaneous
4.1 Food and Meals
Very small potions are served, and the water used to prepare the food is brackish, feted and therefore a very poor quality.
The meals: -
-
Breakfast- Porridge (Often burnt)
-
Lunch- Bread and Cheese
-
Dinner- Meat (Strange shreds of rusty meat usually) and Vegetables (Potatoes etc.)
-
Playtime Snack- Bread (half a slice of brown) and Coffee (half a mug)
-
Supper- Oaten Cake (Oat Cake)
The only time this routine ever changes is on Sundays, where the girls eat dinner at Brockelbridge Church. In addition, on Sundays double portions of all meals were given to the girls.
4.2 Uniform and Clothing
Long Holland pinafores are worn with brown frocks when inside the school building. When going outside, either to the garden or to the church etc. a straw bonnet is put on and a grey cloak made of frieze. On the foot, shoes are worn, often with holes in them.
In winter, these clothes are insufficient to protect the girls from the severe cold. They have only shoes, in which the snow gets into and melts. They also have no gloves or mitts so the girls’ hands freeze. This gives the girls chilblains.
4.3 Staff
Miss. Temple- Teacher
Miss. Scatcherd- Teacher
Miss. Miller- Teacher
Miss. Smith- Teacher
Mrs. Harden- Housekeeper
Barbara- Servant
Mr. Brockelhurst- Treasurer of the school. Also son Naomi Brockelhurst, who rebuilt Lowood Institution.
4.4 Daily Routine
05:00- Wake up, wash and get ready
06:30- Prayer
07:30- Breakfast
08:30- Study
12:00- Lunch
12:30- Study
16:00- Dinner
16:30- Study
17:30- Playtime and coffee + bread
18:30- Supper
19:00- Prayer
20:30- Get ready for bed
21:00- Lights Out
4.5 Sundays
On Sundays, there is no work done, but the girls walk two miles from the school to Brockelbridge Church and spend a lot f the day there. They have dinner there, but not breakfast or lunch. It takes the girls approximately three hours to walk there in the winter as they do not have boots and there feet get very cold, also as they do not have enough layers of clothing on. It sometimes takes longer than three hours if it is very cold and the conditions are bad.
5 Conclusion
5.1 Good Elements of Lowood School
- There is a wide variety of subjects studied, which is vital for a decent education.
- The academic level of teaching achieved is very high.
- Very good discipline taught to the girls.
- Taught about God and made to pray every day.
5.2 Bad Elements of Lowood School
- Not very good facilities: Only one classroom, standard of the dormitory and washing facilities, amount of beds and wash basins, not enough food for girls to become strong and healthy, healthcare and sickroom, the standard of clothing and the amount of clothing for example in winter.
- Nowhere near enough playtime for a little child, as little girls need time to build up their imaginations and have some time when they are not working.
- As there is only one classroom, girls from one group can easily be distracted by girls from another group. For example, if one group is reading out aloud, and another group is doing silent reading, the second group will get distracted by the loud reading of the first group.
6 Recommendations
Although there is so many faults of Lowood School, it has great potential to be one of the leading institutions for orphans in the country. Most of the faults are minor and are ones which can be put right with a little bit of effort. There are so many good things about the school that it is not worth giving up on it and should be kept open, however if the standards do not change, it shall have to be shut down.
I think the main thing holding back the school is that there is a lack of money. It seems that there is only a fee to pay for the food, water and electricity. If a reasonable donation was given to the school, I am sure the school would benefit.
A few suggestions if money was given to the school: -
- Walls could separate the classroom, and each class has its own supply of equipment.
Final Statement
I will give the school six months to improve the facilities, and to do every one of my suggestions, if it is to remain open.
I shall return on the week beginning 8 October for another inspection and that inspection shall decide on the shutting down of the school. I will also be coming in for sneak inspections to see if you are spending the money donated to you wisely.