THE

EDUCATIONAL RECORD.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY.

NORMAL COLLEGE.

ONE hundred and twenty-two students are now in residence in the Training Establishment, of whom 64 are male, and 58 are female candidates. All of them, with the exception of 12 young men, who form a second class, were newly admitted at the beginning of the present year, as soon as the result of the examination for Queen's Scholarships was made known.

Schoolmasters have been supplied to schools in the following places :Guernsey; Harpenden; Blackheath; York; Swansea; Baldock; Cley-next-the-Sea, Norfolk; Westminster; Milbourn Port; Cromhall; Daventry; Wolverhampton; King's Court, Earl's Colne; Poplar; Newberry; Hitchin; Orphan Working School, Haverstock Hill; Chard; Rothwell; Weymouth; Holyhead; Hertford; Ackworth; Wednesbury; Lancaster; Scarborough; Cheltenham; Liverpool; Rochdale; Mindleham; Pleasley, near Mansfield; Framilode; Plymouth; Padiham; Pensnet; Thame; Maidenhead; Duffryn; Manchester; Darley, near Ripley; Sabden; Bermondsey; Torquay; Droylsden; Mold; Taunton; Shepton Mallet; Cricklade; Keynsham. Schoolmistresses have been appointed to schools in the following places:-Leicester; Liverpool; Kidderminster; Rochdale; Liskeard; Street, near Glastonbury; Woburn; Taunton; Beccles; Melksham ; Bath; Biggleswade; Hemel Hempstead; South Shields; Windsor ; Kingsbridge; Tenant Street, Birmingham; Steel-house Lane, Birmingham; Frome; Staines; Greenstead, near Colchester ; Darlington; Maesteg; Mold; Folkestone; Manchester; Cheltenham; Biringham, near Croydon; New Quay, Padiham; Wootton-under-Edge; Brimscombe; Orphan Working School, Haverstock Hill: Norwood; Green Street Green, near Farnborough; Brighton; Bromham, near Devizes; Peckham; Small Heath, near Birmingham; Stanstead; Norwich; Orford; Reigate; Rawtenstall; Upminster.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

NORTHERN DISTRICT.-Mr. Davis's duties during the last quarter have led him into several of the Northern and Midland Counties. His engagements in Manchester have been numerous and varied. He has paid thirty-nine visits to thirty-six other towns and villages; inspected sixty-four separate schools, conducted seven public examinations, and addressed seven public meetings.

ROTHERHAM.-A public examination of the Masborough and Rotherham British School (boys and girls) was held in the large room of the Mechanics' Institute, on Thursday evening, December 16th. The chair was taken by George Haywood, Esq., who was supported by the Rev. Isaac Vaughan, and other gentlemen. The examination was conducted by Mr. Davis; and the accurate and intelligent replies of the scholars elicited frequent applause from the crowded audience.

STOCKPORT.--The annual examination of the Stockport British School took place in the Temperance Hall, on Monday evening, December 20th, under the presidency of the Mayor. Although the state of the weather was most unfavourable, the hall was well filled by an attentive audience of parents and friends. With the exception of the Reading (which was taken by Mr. Driver, the master) the examination was conducted by Mr. Davis. The results were, as usual, highly satisfactory, and indicated an amount of intelligence among the scholars rarely to be met with in schools for the children of the working classes. At the close of the examination, an address was delivered by Mr. Davis, and a number of prizes, which had been purchased at the Mayor's expense, distributed to the most deserving scholars.

WAKEFIELD. The annual public examination of the Wakefield Lancasterian School was conducted by Mr. Davis, in the school-room, on Wednesday evening, December 21st. The audience appeared to be much gratified with the orderly behaviour of the children, and the satisfactory manner in which they passed their examination.

LEICESTER. A crowded audience, as usual, assembled in the large Temperance Hall of this town, on the 22nd of December, to witness the public examination of the boys and girls belonging to the British Schools. The Mayor presided, and the examination (which was conducted by Mr. Davis, with the assistance of the Mayor and Mr. Cooper, the master of the Derby British School) was, in all points, eminently successful. The drawings and penmanship were exhibited on the following day, in a room connected with the hall, and attracted a large number of visitors.

MELTON MOWBRAY.-The annual examination of the Melton British School was held on Friday, December 23rd, and attracted a large audience. The Rev. Joseph Twidale conducted the examination in Scripture, and Mr. Davis, assisted by Mr. White, the late master of the school, and now of the Lancaster British School, examined the scholars in the various branches of secular knowledge. The results of the examination indicated much progress, and reflected great credit on Mr. Griffey and Miss Carr, who have been but twelve months the teachers of the schools.

MANCHESTER LANCASTERIAN SCHOOL.-A very interesting examination of the boys belonging to this school took place on Friday evening, January 13th. The large room was crowded with the parents and friends of the boys. Mr. Alderman Neild occupied the chair, and several other members of the Committee were also present. Mr. Davis conducted the examination in grammar and mental arithmetic, and Mr. Richardson, the master, questioned in geography; and the promptitude

and accuracy with which the questions were replied to by the boys, gave general satisfaction, and frequently elicited the applause of the audience. In addition to the usual book prizes, which were distributed at the close of the examination, three valuable desks (the gift of Robert Gladstone, Esq.,) were presented to the three boys who had most distinguished themselves for progress and attention to 'duty.

LEEDS: NEW WORTLEY BRITISH SCHOOL.-A very successful examination of the boys belonging to this school was conducted by Mr. Davis, on Wednesday evening, January 15th. The Mayor of Leeds (Wm. Kelsall, Esq.) presided, and spoke warmly in favour of popular education. At the close of the examination, addresses were delivered by Alderman Kitson, Councillors Woolley and Carter, Mr. Davis, and other gentlemen.

EASTERN COUNTIES.-During the past quarter, Mr. Milne has visited forty-seven towns and villages; inspected fifty-four schools; met six committees for consultation, and conducted public examinations, and addressed public meetings at Pockthorpe (Norwich), Hoddesdon, Nayland, Langham, Little Baddow, and Cley-next-the-Sea.

OPENING OF A NEW SCHOOL AT CLEY.-On Tuesday, the 28th of February, the opening of the New British Schools in this long-neglected village was celebrated by a public tea, followed by a public meeting. The trays were kindly presented by ladies of the neighbourhood, and tickets were so eagerly inquired for, that the whole were sold several days before the opening. The rector of the parish occupied the chair, supported by two neighbouring clergymen, the Lord of the Manor, and the Mayor of Norwich. On the following day, ninety-one children presented themselves for admission, and it is confidently expected that the schools will soon be filled.

WESTERN DISTRICT.-Mr. Baxter's engagements during the past quarter have lain chiefly in and about Birmingham, and the manufacturing districts of Staffordshire and Worcestershire. He has visited about eighty schools, conducted ten public school-examinations, and addressed twenty public meetings.

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BRISTOL FRIENDS' SCHOOL.-The annual public examination took place in December last, and the results showed not only that a good year's work had been done, but also that decided progress had been made. The chair was occupied by Robert Charleton, Esq., and the examination was mainly conducted by the Society's Inspector. After the examination, a very large number of substantial prizes were distributed. The rules of this school are very strict. All boys who are absent eight times during a month are dismissed, and from this cause alone 102 names were last year removed from the books. On the other hand, all boys who are present when the bell rings, morning and afternoon, for a week, are entitled to a ticket, and the holder of twelve such tickets is entitled to a prize at the end of the year. It is very gratifying to find that the claimants of prizes increase in number, year by year.

BRISTOL: MORAVIAN SCHOOL.-The examination of this little school showed results which were as gratifying as they were unexpected, and reflected very high credit upon the skill and industry of the master, especially as he has had fewer advantages than most in the way of professional training. It is much to be desired that a larger room could be procured, which would enable the school to extend its benefits to a large and needy population.

CWMBRAN.-A meeting was held here to take into consideration the steps necessary to erect a new school-room. The meeting consisted chiefly of working men,

employed in works among the Monmouthshire hills. After an address from Mr. Baxter, a subscription was opened. One of the men rose and said, that he and his boys had been talking over the matter among themselves, and that as they were all total abstainers, they thought they could afford to give five pounds toward the new school-house, and he therefore wished to put down his name for that amount. BUTE DOCKS, CARDIFF.-The examination of this school, for the first time in the presence of the parents and the public, took place a little before Christmas last. The proceedings appeared to give very high satisfaction to all present. The progress of the school has been highly encouraging throughout the year of its existence. The examination has already produced good fruits, and as many as 270 children have been in attendance at one time since.

ABERDARE.-A public examination of this school took place early in the year, in the large Temperance Hall, before a very numerous audience, and with very satisfactory results. It is much to be hoped, that the friends of education in this populous and thriving town will be encouraged, by the very marked success of their existing British School, greatly to extend their operations. The field is wide, the materials abundant, and the way clear and easy.

RODBOROUGH.-A meeting of parents and friends of education was held here to welcome the new master, Mr. Todd, and to hear an address from Mr. Baxter. The evening was extremely boisterous, and there was therefore a smaller attendance than was expected, but the engagements passed with much harmony and great good-will toward all efforts likely to further the cause of education in the district. The meeting was also addressed by the Rev. J. Williams, and by the new master.

WESTBURY-ON-TRYM.-The parents of the children attending the school here were invited to take tea together in the school-room, by the supporter of the school, Thomas Pease, Esq. After tea, addresses were delivered by Mr. Pease, and by the Society's Inspector, who were followed by some remarks from some of the fathers present. This little school has made very satisfactory progress during the year, and does credit to the industry of Miss Jones, the mistress.

CHELTENHAM: BAKER-STREET MISSION SCHOOLS.-These schools having been re-modelled, and placed under certificated teachers, a meeting was held to introduce the teachers and to give an impulse to the institution. The weather was singularly unpropitious, and the attendance in consequence somewhat thinner than it would otherwise have been. The platform was well filled, and the meeting was addressed by the Society's Agent, and several other gentlemen. It was a very good and effective meeting, in spite of all drawbacks. The schools are located in a thickly populated district, where earnest work can hardly fail to be followed, in time, by good results. We trust that the teachers and managers will be sustained by this conviction, while first difficulties are being overcome.

WEDNESBURY.-The parents of the boys attending this school met for tea in the school-room to the number of 230. After tea, Mr. Lloyd took the chair, and addressed the meeting, introducing some extracts from Mrs. Bayly's "Ragged Homes," and Mrs. Wightman's "Haste to the Rescue." At the close of his address Mr. Baxter delivered a lecture, which was listened to with much attention. Some remarks from some of the fathers present brought the meeting to a close. The school, under Mr. Job's effective management, has made very satisfactory progress during the year of its existence, and affords great encouragement to persevering effort. Of the meeting, we are informed by a correspondent that it " gave full satisfaction to everyone. All seemed pleased when told that it would be continued annually, and all with whom I have talked confessed that the address faithfully pointed out their short-comings. I feel sure that good results will flow from the gathering, and that the object of the school will be better realised, as will also the duties of the parents."

WEST BROMWICH: SUMMIT WORKS SCHOOL.-An excellent meeting of the parents of the children attending these schools assembled here to listen to an address from the Society's Agent. The audience was more numerous than that of last year, and evidently appreciated the suggestions made during the evening's proceedings. The chair was occupied by Arthur Kenrick, Esq., by whom the meeting was addressed, as also by A. Kenrick, Esq., jun.

WORCESTER.-The annual public examination of the boys' school was conducted by Mr. Baxter, who also addressed the parents present. A considerable number of "certificates" were afterwards awarded to those boys whose attendance had been most punctual and regular during the previous year. Many of the boys had not lost four days by absence during twelve months, and some had not lost one day during the whole year.

WORCESTER: RAILWAY SCHOOL.-The second public examination of this boys' school was conducted in the Natural History Hall, in the presence of the children's parents, and that of others immediately interested in the school. The results showed considerable improvement made during the previous year. The plan of scholars' certificates, awarded for punctual attendance, general good conduct, and attention to duty, is adopted here, and with very happy results.

WOOTTON BASSETT.-A public examination of this most effective school was conducted by Mr. Baxter, in the presence of a crowded audience. The results were the best which have been shown on any similar occasion. The attendance which, five years ago, varied between 30 and 45, has now reached 230, whilst the visits of many of the children were then little else than morning and afternoon calls. In this school also the certificate system is adopted, and with its usual results. Out of the number in attendance, 100 children were entitled to certificates, showing that, besides approved conduct and general diligence, their attendance at school had been at least 192 days during the year. In a communication to the Society's Inspector, the master remarks,-"You have got your ship out at sea; now keep her head to the wind. This remark of yours, made a few years ago, I have acted upon, and have always found your public examinations favourable gales-not squalls-but precious trade-winds. Our certificates, too, have greatly contributed to a healthy state of things. They are to be seen ornamenting the walls of not a few of the houses of this town. We shall get capitation grants for upwards of a hundred children this year, which will be five times the amount we could have got in any year previous to the introduction of the certificates."

Mr. Saunders has continued his visits to the schools in the metropolitan district, and has also taken part in numerous public meetings and examinations.

TESTIMONIAL.

A meeting was held on the evening of Tuesday, March the 20th, at Peckham, for the purpose of presenting a purse of money to Mr. Thomas Weston, on retiring from the mastership of the Lancasterian School-a post which he has filled for forty-seven years. The purse contained the sum of £116, and was presented to Mr. Weston by Thomas Morton, Esq., the Chairman, in the name of the subscribers. Many influential inhabitants of the neighbourhood attended the meeting, and the interest taken in the proceedings by a numerous audience testified to the high regard and affection which are entertained towards Mr. Weston in the neighbourhood. Some of the old scholars also were present, and gave expression to the gratitude with which they looked back to their school-days, and their sense of personal esteem towards their former teacher. Mr. Weston was a pupil of Joseph Lancaster, and organised the Peckham School, under his direction, in the year 1813. We believe that he was the oldest British teacher in England, who had remained in one school throughout his whole professional life. We are glad to know that he retires from his long and useful career in honour and in comfort.