Figure 1.--Here we see a scene at the Wimbledon National School near london about 1875. We can see the school in the background. We believe it originated as the Old Central School (1756), but in the 19th centyry was usually called a national school. We are not sure to what extent in retained its Natiinal School status after the Education Act of 1870. It does appear to have reained the name. Notice all the gurls. The school closed in the early 1960s when its role was taken over by Bishop Gilpin School at a different site (early-1960s). Click on he image to see the rest of students. Click here for a closeup.
The history of the English National Schools as with so much of English education is complicated. Through the 18th century, poor children had very little access to education of any type. There were some charity schools, mostly operated by parishes, but no national effort. For the most part, poor English and Welsh children went uneducated. (This was less true in Scotland.} This in part reflects the character of the Reformation in England. Protestant Europeam countries (Germany, Switerland, and Scandanavia) were leaders in public education. This reflects the imprtance Protestants place on reading the Bible. Royal Lancastrian Society (which became the British and Foreign School Society) was created to promote schools using the Monitorial System developed by Joseph Lancaster (1808). The first National Schools in England and Wales were organized by the National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor on the Principles of the Established Church (1811). At the time, English education was still primarily in the hands of the Church of England. The purpose was to to establish schools similar to the Royal Lancasterian schools using a system develped by Dr. Andrew Bell. Religious instruction, still an important part of the curriculum, was based on the teachings of the Church of England. This was a major difference with non-denominational Christian instruction of the Royal Lancastrian schools. The National Society sought to open a National school in every Church of England (COE) parish of England and Wales. The schools were usually opened next to the parish church and named after the church. [Lawson and Silver] This was at first all done with church funds. Parliament first grants to these church schools (1831). This was England's first tentative step toward free, public education. Annual grants went to the different societies. The great bulk went to larger National Society. The government grants increased over time. Along with the funds came government inspections and increasing regulation. The rigid monitorial system which was at first widely implemented gradually fell out of favor. [Gates] A few of these National Schools buildimgs are still in use. These schools served as the backbone of the Engkish state system when Partliament passed the Education Act (1870). This created the board schools to supplement to expamd the societies Natioinal Schools. The Act provided for state funding for 50 percent of the operational costs of voluntary schools, but phased out capital (building) funding. The National Society responded by raising some £10 million and was able to nearly double the number of its schools to 12,000 (1870-85). The National Society experiebced problems funding to meet their maintenance costs of the expanding system. They also faced competition with the new board schools. As a result, the Natioanl Scocierty began closing schools handed them over to the school boards. Here Partliament respomded with another Education Act provided some relief (1902). The issue was addressed with another Education Act (1944). This is some times known as the Butler Act. The remaininging National Scchools became voluntary aided or voluntary controlled primary schools, funded by the state but still able to promote the teachings of the COE. This was the origin of the many Anglican Schhols operating in England today.
