MADAM,
With so much current discussion over examination results it is worth looking at the results of the Deanery Exams in 1846. At that time girls were taught by a headmistress on the upper floor of the Priory and the boys on the ground floor by a headmaster.
At Overmonnow the girls did better even in cyphering (arithmetic) though no one there could write, while at The Kymin, taught by a single mistress with a mixed class, the girls again did better in all subjects.
Monmouth Priory results show boys (67) gaining 31.2% in reading; girls (39) 53.8; in writing, 29.8%; girls 51.3%; catechism, 58.2%; girls 58.9%, and cyphering, 53.7%; girls, 7.7%.
At Overmonnow boys (30) gained 6.6% in reading, girls 17.2%,40% in catechism, girls, 54.7% and 3.3% in cyphering, girls 14.1%.
Kymin results were - boys (18)) 53.4% in reading; girls (11) 63.3%; writing, 35.6%; girls, 72.7%, catechism, 78.6%; girls, 90%, and cyphering, 42.8%; girls, 63.6%.
There has also been much talk of the size of classes but in the same 1846 examination Skenfrith became easily the best school in the district, There, Ann Mullins taught 103 children during the week and 154 on Sunday, reading, writing, arithmetic, history, geography, singing and needlework. She received an admirable report which added that her success was due to "the constant supervision of the incumbent."
Keith Kissack,
Monmouth.