@GcL I had the great fortune to, later in life, be a student teacher at my own grammar school. They confirmed for me a recollection that I'd always wondered about: yes, they gave me the work for the week on Mondays and, yes, just sent me to the library for free reading most Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Might not have been the best for my socialization, but I sure read a lot!