History Extra Podcast: Victorian Schools – Everything You Wanted to Know
Release Date: November 17, 2024
Host: Spencer Mizzen
Guest: Professor Rosalind Crone, Open University

Introduction

In the episode titled "Victorian Schools: Everything You Wanted to Know," the History Extra podcast delves into the transformative era of Victorian education in Britain. Hosted by Spencer Mizzen and featuring historian Professor Rosalind Crone, the discussion explores the evolution of Britain's educational system during Queen Victoria's reign, examining the challenges, reforms, and lasting impacts of this pivotal period.

Education in Victorian Britain

Spencer Mizzen introduces the topic by highlighting the 19th-century revolution in Britain's education system, marked by the rollout of compulsory mass education and a significant increase in literacy rates. He poses critical questions about the nature of Victorian schooling, including the severity of discipline, prevalence of truancy, and the formal training of teachers.

The State of Education at the Dawn of Victoria's Reign

Rosalind Crone provides a comprehensive overview of British education when Queen Victoria ascended the throne. She explains the diversity in educational experiences based on class, gender, age, and geography.

Rosalind Crone [02:04]: "By the time Queen Victoria came to the throne, full-time formal schooling was pretty much the norm for males born into the upper and middle classes."

Crone contrasts English and Scottish education systems, noting that while England had a plethora of private and public schools catering to the elite, Scotland emphasized a more egalitarian approach with parish and burgh schools. However, class segregation persisted despite these intentions.

Expansion and Reform: 1837 to 1901

Jumping forward to the latter part of the Victorian era, Crone outlines the significant milestones that transformed education from non-compulsory to universal and state-funded.

Early Efforts and the Religious Problem

Initially, attempts to legislate universal education were thwarted by disagreements over religious instruction. The government circumvented this by funding existing religious school societies:

Crone [09:32]: "In August 1833, they proposed a grant in aid of the erection of schoolhouses by the National Society and the British and Foreign Society... this marks the first state funding for elementary education outside of prisons in England and Wales."

Establishment of Oversight Bodies

In 1839, the government established the Committee of the Privy Council on Education and an Education Inspectorate, laying the groundwork for modern educational oversight akin to today’s Department of Education and Ofsted.

Pupil-Teacher Training Scheme of 1846

One of the most notable reforms was the 1846 Pupil-Teacher Training Scheme, which:

• Allowed promising students to become apprentice teachers
• Provided salaries and training opportunities
• Elevated the status of teaching by introducing certifications and pensions

Crone [15:48]: "The 1846 scheme was incredibly successful, issuing many certificates and raising the status of elementary school teaching."

The 1870 Education Act and Beyond

The 1870 Education Act, championed by William Forster, was a watershed moment that introduced universal elementary schooling in England and Wales. This act, supplemented by the 1880 Education Act, established compulsory attendance and reduced reliance on private working-class schools.

Crone [17:37]: "The 1870 and 1880 Education Acts... really started to kill off alternatives for working-class education, particularly private adventure schools or dame schools."

Discipline and Punishment in Victorian Schools

Addressing questions from listeners, Crone discusses the prevalence and nature of corporal punishment:

Crone [31:14]: "Schools were places where discipline was taught... Corporal punishment included the cane on the back of the hand or the bottom for boys, the legs for girls, or a ruler."

However, she notes a shift in attitudes during the Victorian era, with increasing debates over the efficacy and morality of such punishments. Educational theorists began advocating for affection and relationship-building over physical discipline.

Curriculum and Educational Content

The curriculum in Victorian schools varied significantly based on class and gender:

• Public Elementary Schools: Focused on reading, writing, and religious instruction. Arithmetic was often secondary.

  Crone [38:12]: "Reading was considered essential because it gave children the ability to read the Bible."

• Post-1862 Reforms: Introduction of examination standards emphasized the basics—reading, writing, arithmetic—while reducing religious content. This standardized the curriculum but also limited its breadth.

• Physical Education: Although not formally part of the curriculum, sports and physical activities like gymnastics and drill were incorporated to promote discipline and channel children's energies.

Societal Impact and Resistance

Crone explores the societal reactions to compulsory education, including resistance from working-class families who depended on child labor:

Crone [25:44]: "There was definitely opposition... Attendance at school increased, but even at the end of the century, a sizable percentage of children were still not attending regularly."

She explains that fines for truancy were largely ineffective, as families prioritized income over education and often ignored penalties.

Legacy of Victorian Education

The Victorian education reforms had profound and lasting impacts on British society:

• Modernization: Transitioned Britain from an agricultural society to an urban, industrial powerhouse with a literate workforce.

• Social Stability: Education acted as a tool for social control, reducing class tensions and crime rates.

• Educational Infrastructure: Many Victorian school buildings still stand today, testament to the era's extensive investment in education.

• Mixed Economy of Education: The coexistence of private and state-funded schools, along with homeschooling, traces back to Victorian policies.

• Inspection Systems: The establishment of school inspections continues today in the form of Ofsted.

• Faith Schools: The integration of faith-based schools within the public system originates from the compromises of the 1870 Education Act.

Conclusion

Professor Rosalind Crone underscores the enduring influence of Victorian educational reforms on contemporary British society. From infrastructure to the mixed economy of education and ongoing challenges like truancy, the foundations laid during Queen Victoria's reign continue to shape how education is perceived and implemented today.

Crone [45:55]: "We're still employing Victorian solutions to the problem of truancy in the form of punishments, like fines and eventual imprisonment on default."

The episode concludes by acknowledging how Victorian education not only equipped individuals with essential skills but also played a crucial role in modernizing Britain and fostering social cohesion.

Notable Quotes:

• Crone [09:32]: "This grant did nothing to address areas of educational destitution... Attempts to address this through legislation on universal schooling just continued to be blocked."

• Crone [17:45]: "The 1870 combined with 1880... really started to kill off alternatives for working-class education."

• Crone [24:00]: "Education was seen as a useful tool for inculcating morality and discipline to create a disciplined workforce."

• Crone [31:14]: "The Victorians were hot on discipline... They insisted on regularity of attendance, punctuality, clean clothes."

• Crone [38:12]: "Reading was considered essential because it gave children the ability to read the Bible."

This detailed exploration of Victorian schooling offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of how educational reforms during the 19th century laid the groundwork for modern British education, highlighting both the strides made and the challenges that persisted.