Blasts from the Past: School Reports

A teacher apparently wrote in one of Albert Einstein’s school reports that he would ‘never amount to anything.’ I am pleased to say that I have not come across any statement as damning as this in any of the reports in the school archive, of which there are quite a few examples, most of them generously donated by former pupils. It would be fair to say, however, that, historically, there didn’t tend to be much in the way of constructive advice either!

The earliest surviving school reports are from 1835. In these, a pupil’s progress is generally surmised with a one-word analysis such as ‘satisfactory’ or ‘laudable’ (sometimes a ‘very satisfactory’ sneaks in). By the 1850s, the reports had been condensed to one line per month (roughly). Gone are the individual subject assessments and, in their place, the following categories: ‘diligence’, ‘progress’, ‘conduct’ and ‘attendance’. They do include some lovely remarks, however, such as ‘All that can be desired’. Jumping forward to the 1920s, fuller reports for each term were now produced, although judgements such as ‘good’, ‘fair’, ‘satisfactory’ and ‘improving’ still abound.

The rest of the reports are from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The format of these remains largely unchanged although Art is now included (Music still does not get a mention unless the pupil takes individual music lessons) and, in the 1970s, the tutor’s remarks appear (the tutor system was not introduced until the early seventies). The entries tend to be longer and reveal a bit more about the achievements and struggles of the individual pupil.  

Some of my favourite comments were written by the Rev Kinghorn, Chaplain and teacher of Divinity at King’s from 1958 to 1977. About one pupil he remarked:  

‘Two essays received out of three set – a generally adequate though incomplete record: he takes a sympathetic interest.’ Of another pupil, the reports range from: ‘Promising ideas: but little imagination’ to ‘Learnt something.’

Of course, as in Einstein’s case, it is important to remember that one assessment is not necessarily a predictor of future success. As I told some pupils recently, in 1942 one of the members of the Junior School first XV team was described by the master-in-charge as: ‘Good on his day. Is however apt to be ‘slow on the ball.’ His passing could be improved, but he is beginning to find openings. Defence good.’ ​The boy was Ricky Bartlett; he would go on to play for Harlequins and the England team, with whom he won the Five Nations in 1957.  

As ever, please do get in touch if you have stories to share or questions to ask: I can be contacted via email at archive@kcs.org.uk.

Lucy Inglis | School Archivist