York Road Board School, Leeds (1901)

A small battalion of Yorkshire schoolchildren lines up for a playground photograph.

Resembling an animated school photo, this film is a remarkable record of the last days of the old Victorian 'school boards' system, and vividly captures the slightly militaristic atmosphere of early 20th century primary education: backs straight, chins up! The film is in remarkable condition, with every child's face as sharp and bright as it would have appeared to audiences in 1901.

Watch out for the gawping lad on the extreme right of the frame. Notably older than the other children, he may have been employed for the day by Mitchell and Kenyon's cameraman to stand as a marker, helping the teachers to steer their classes to the benefit of the camera.