I run a small private school in devon. The school caters for boys from 9 to 13 years old, most leave for minor public schools at that age. I am a bachelor and my housekeeper, the groundsman's wife, takes care of my home. My residence is attached to the scool through a hallway. The school was built originally as a large country home in 1823, a hundred years ago.
We have now modernised and have modern facilities, fires in each of the dorms and class rooms, a tennis lawn and a swimming pool for use in summer term.
Boys are well fed with the latest dietary recommendations including fresh fruit daily. Daily excercise keeps them fit and healthy.
There are nearly 50 boys in school now with 8 masters and 2 matrons.
I rarely teach myself so, as my last house boy has now moved into a dorm, I have advertsised recently for another. (The advert has gone astray so I will write it again) Depending on progress the new boy will remain in my house for between one and two years.
The house boys room is downstairs next to my study and seperated from the dorms by the hallway with a door at either end. After prep, at 8.00 pm, I deal with any boys who need to visit the study so my house boy is rarely in the study for his personal prep review until 8.30. Of course he is in pyjamas by then. The last boy to leave the study knocks on his door to let him know when it is time to come to me.
While the shool boys bath weekly the house boy baths before prep daily. It is one of the small matters of personal supervision afforded to the succesfull applicant.
I have found the advertisement now. It reads ''Boy, minimum age 10 years' requiring firm control can be accepted into Headmasters House. Small private school. Close personal supervision of conduct and development, strict discipline applied and quality education assured'' This appeared in the leading national newspaper in June 1923.