An Insight into College Life in the 1920s
Life at College in the 1920s
Archives student volunteer Livvie undertakes original research into life at CLC 100 years ago, exploring the memoirs of former pupil Rotha Dalton (CLC 1921–1926).
Through careful reading of her memoirs and thoughtful comparison with life at CLC today, Livvie uncovers striking contrasts and enduring similarities between Rotha’s time at CLC and her own
Rotha’s vivid reflections offer a unique window into the routines, expectations, and traditions that defined College life in the 1920s.
Georgina Robinson, College Archivist
College Archivist Georgina Robinson continued: "We would like to thank Jane Bailey for this kind donation to the College Archives."
Rotha Dalton (1907-1989) attended College from 1921 to 1926 as a pupil in Bunwell. Her memoir was written in the 1980s, over half a century after her time at CLC.
She recalls her experiences, with a stress on discipline, being a ‘lady’, and generally fitting into boarding school life.
Life at College in the 1920s was strict and regimented, its sole purpose was to prepare you to be a polite, educated young lady.
Wherever they walked, whether it was from College to Field or Field to House, the girls would walk ‘sedately in crocodile’.
Their voices echoed through the silent corridor, for there was no other noise. Silence reigned in College, not a word was spoken anywhere.
Rotha Dalton (1907-1989)
During Prayers, it was expected that they would spend the time ‘sitting bolt upright, without a cough or fidget or any behaviour “unbecoming to a lady”’, and of course, there was no talking, ‘not even in a classroom without permission’.
Image: Girls in ‘Lines’ down the Mable Corridor, 1930. Girls were expected to walk in silence around the College in ‘Lines’.
Rotha enjoyed her time at school. Perhaps this was due to the ‘House ladies’ of Bunwell at the time, one of them being Miss Sharpe, who had been a pupil under Miss Beale herself and so understood what it took to be a lady without it impeding student life.
Image: Bunwell House photograph, 1926. Rotha Dalton is sat second row, fifth from right. Miss Sparks is sitting in the centre with her dog, Donald, on her lap.
Amongst all these alien attributes and quirks, life in College 100 years ago was fundamentally very similar to today. There is the same drive for success that we as pupils carry with us every day, and those successes were rewarded.
Rotha mentions that upon reaching the first division (Upper College), mark cards were kept. ‘If we got 10/10, we wrote that in red and it was a great stimulus to see how much red you could get on your card.’
Most importantly, the camaraderie between the girls is just the same. According to Rotha, ‘we had our greatest fun in the ‘dorms’ – it was always the happiest time in spite of extraordinary rules’.
She shares lots of joyful anecdotes of time with her friends outside the classroom, and this is certainly true of CLC pupils today.
From reading her memoirs, it is evident that College life was far different from what we know today, but some things have remained the same, and I’m sure they will continue to in the years to come.
Rotha Dalton’s memoirs are such a wonderful treasure, and it’s been such a privilege to explore her life at CLC. Working in the Archives Department has opened up a whole new world and allowed me to delve into the past lives of former students and Guild members, exploring the rich tapestry of our College history and improving my understanding of my current life at College.
Livvie, SFC1
- For Fearless
- Futures
- Thinking
- Innovation
- Enterprise
- Creativity
- Women
- Questions
- Ideas
- Friendships
- Minds
- Learning