The 1880 Elementary Education Act made it compulsory for 5-10-year-olds to go to school. Despite this, attendance countrywide was very patchy. In the Longnor School log book for 1882-1900, Mr Wood, the School Master, noted his frustration.

There were real issues with the children getting to school in wet weather. Mr Wood wrote:

“A large number of children come from the Lawley and Leebotwood and whenever the mornings are unfavourable between 8 and 9am there is nearly always poor attendance”.

On 8 Feb 1899 he sounded at the end of his tether:

“Of those absent yesterday afternoon, 12 are present this morning: there are however 9 others who were present yesterday, absent this morning. Water being across the road at the Black Pool, several had to turn back home. Those who came through it had their feet very wet, and have had their stockings dried at the classroom fire.”

Colds, ‘red-eye’ (conjunctivitis),  and ‘no shoes’ were other reasons given for absence. Poor Mr Wood was fighting a losing battle. Attendance at Longnor School in 1902 was 48.8%.