THE

EDUCATIONAL RECORD.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN SCHOOL SOCIETY.

TRAINING DEPARTMENT.

Examination for Admission, Christmas, 1870.

THE examination for admission to the Training Colleges of the Society, both at the Borough Road and at Stockwell, is appointed to commence on the morning of Tuesday, December 20th. In making this announcement we take occasion to supply such information as may be useful to those who may desire, or may have resolved, to present themselves as candidates.

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I. Young Persons Eligible. In addition to those pupil-teachers who have completed their term of apprenticeship, the examination is open (subject to the required testimonials) to those not having been pupil-teachers who are eighteen years of age. If successful, and received into the college, they are placed in the same position as those who have served their apprenticeship.

II. Period of Training.-Two years is now absolutely required in every case. A declaration has to be signed by each candidate that, if admitted, he or she will be prepared to remain for two years, and that it is his or her bonâ fide intention to adopt and follow the profession of a teacher in elementary day schools for the children of the working classes.

III. Terms and Conditions of Admission.—The sum of £3 is to be paid upon admission. This payment includes the whole expense to the student for two years (holidays excepted) for board, lodging, instruction, laundry, and medical attendance. The cost of the required books and stationery devolves upon the student. Sound health is so indispensable that every possible precaution will be taken to ascertain that the candidate is free from any predisposition to disease.

IV. Mode of Application.—When it is known that the time of a pupil-teacher expires at Christmas, a circular is sent to inquire whether he or she intends to sit for examination, and to become a

candidate for admission. In all other cases the candidate should write a letter addressed to "The Secretary, British and Foreign School Society, Borough Road, S.E., stating his or her wish, age, and previous employment, and requesting a "form of application." This states the nature of the testimonials required as to moral and religious character, and contains the queries to be answered by the applicant. No guarantee of admission is given until the result of the examination has transpired.

A letter has been received from the Education Department, stating that "it is proposed at Christmas next to give an exercise in writing from dictation, as a test of spelling, to all the candidates for certificates, and for admission to training schools.

"Notice will continue to be taken, according to the present practice, of mistakes in spelling made by candidates in all the papers which they work; but my lords are of opinion that the special exercise which they propose to introduce on this occasion as an experiment is likely to furnish a more satisfactory test than has hitherto been required of the qualifications of the candidates in an important part of their examination. The daily correspondence of this department shows how necessary it is that greater attention should be paid to this subject in the training of teachers."

BOROUGH ROAD.

CERTIFICATES.-The following teachers have announced the receipt of their certificates during the quarter:

Mr. M. Boxall, Twickenham.

:

Mr. M. Parker, Leek.

APPOINTMENTS.-Mr. F. Baker to Weymouth.

The following teachers (formerly students at this College) have been transferred to new schools:

STOCKWELL.

CERTIFICATES.-The following teachers have announced the receipt of their certificates during the quarter :

Miss M. Davy, Warton.

Miss Z. A. Pearson, Heath.

A. England, Spitalfields.

"" M. A. Gale, Andover.

J. Thompson, Lower Rhymney.
E. F. Yarnold, Mentmore.

M. Parry, Carnarvon.

APPOINTMENTS.-Miss E. Humphrey to Windsor.

The following teachers (formerly students at this College) have been transferred to new schools :

THE public examination of the Girls' School took place in thẻ schoolroom adjoining the College on Wednesday evening, September 7th. The room was crowded. Letters were read from Earl Russell and J. Gurney Barclay, Esq., regretting their inability to attend. J. Stiff, Esq., was asked to take the chair. The subjects of examination comprised reading, spelling, grammar, geography, history, mental arithmetic, and domestic economy. At the close of the examination the Secretary read the following report:

"Nearly fifteen months have elapsed since the last gathering of the parents of the children attending the Girls' and Infants' schools at Stockwell, owing to the presence of fever in the College at the annual meeting time in June, and the fear entertained by the Committee of the spread of infection. Fervent gratitude is due to God for so soon removing the evil and preserving the children of the

schools in health.

"The schools continue to flourish under Miss Potter and Miss Ryder. In both departments it is necessary to keep down the attendance, sometimes by refusing to admit some of the applicants. At the Government inspection in November, out of 192 girls who had attended the requisite number of times, 169 were presented for examination, and 166 were able to take home certificates of success. Dr. Morell reports that the school is organized and taught_with great skill and vigour.'

"Two facts may be mentioned as a proof of the value set on the instruction given in the girls' school,-(1), all the parents were willing to increase the original payments when the fee was raised

last November from 3d. to 4d. and 6d.; and (2), the children, when possible, stay in the school for a long time,-e. g., one of the 1st Division completed her ninth year of attendance on the 3rd of June, at the age of seventeen, and has not left yet. The number of children on the books is 281, 241 being in regular attendance during this week.

"The subjects taught are Reading, Writing, Arithmetic (slate and mental), Scripture, Needlework, Cutting out (in paper), Marking, History, Geography, Drawing, and Grammar.

"The prizes for needlework will be given as usual this year through the kindness of the treasurer, whose absence this evening on account of indisposition will be regretted by all. There are also a few extra prizes kindly sent to the secretary by the editor of the British Workman. Two prizes which have been already received deserve special mention. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offered 150 prizes, to be competed for by the pupils of metropolitan schools, one prize to be given to the writer of the best essay in each school. The writers of the best four essays were to receive an additional prize each, graduated as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. The one for this school, and the first of the superior prizes, were awarded to Hannah Leggett.

"The majority of the infants under Miss Ryder's charge were too young to pass an individual examination in November. Of the 89 qualified, 88 were presented, and 67 passed in the three subjects, reading, writing, and arithmetic. Dr. Morell reports that "the school is in excellent order, the methods varied and systematic, the results for the most part very satisfactory." The number of the children on the books is 203, and 170 have been in actual attendance during the last week. The children learn to read, write, and cipher. They have also gallery lessons on the following subjects :-Scripture, natural history, common objects, form, colour, and singing.

"The kinder-garten occupations are carried on one day in the week. In these exercises the little ones take much interest and delight. Some of them become quite ingenious, not unfrequently constructing patterns and designs for themselves. A late scholar has received a certificate from one of the local industrial exhibitions for some specimens of stick work which he placed there.

"As the parents and teachers ought to be willing, hearty, and sympathetic fellow-workers in the education given to the children, an opportunity will be afforded at the close of the examination to any of the parents who may be present and like to avail themselves of it to say what they think of the progress of their little ones."

JOHN COLAM, Esq., Secretary of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said that though he did not come under the category of a parent he desired to address the meeting with reference to the prizes alluded to in the report as given by that society. He thought it his duty to the girls, and to Miss Potter, to say that the competition was very severe, as all the best schools in London competed. He felt that there was another subject taught in the school besides those mentioned by the secretary, and that was humanity.

Mr. GENT, Secretary of the Ragged School Union, stated the pleasure he felt at being present, and hoped to have many other opportunities of attending on similar occasions.

The thanks of the meeting were given to and acknowledged by Mr. Curtis and Mr. Barber, who expressed their satisfaction, and named four girls as deserving of some encouragement for their attention and good

answers.

A vote of thanks to the chairman was also unanimously carried. Mr. Stiff in returning thanks said he was just thinking that if the audience were to be examined as severely as the children had been, they would not have answered as successfully as the children had. He had enjoyed a treat, and certainly would not have been absent for the value of the few prizes which he was going to add to those already promised for needlework. Addressing the children present, he said he wished to congratulate them upon the position they held, and to congratulate their teachers upon the success which has attended their labours. He had been struck with the coincidence between the name of Miss Potter and that of his own profession. Persons observing the workmen in his factory had remarked upon the vast alteration in shape and form which the clay underwent by their manipulations, and he thought how different the capacities, training, and development of the minds of the children were now from what they were when first placed under Miss Potter.

Alluding to the Scripture reading, he said that it is now a question whether the Bible should be introduced into schools or not. When he thought of the knowledge of the broad principles of religion inculcated into the minds of the children by reading the Bible as a school book, he deemed that its exclusion would vitiate the moral atmosphere. The instruction obtained in school ought to be carried through life. Exhorting the children, he said, "Do not let these things depart from your minds and from your practice. When you leave this school, carry them with you through the whole course of your future days, and let them be mingled with your every-day life. I am certain they will add to your own happiness, and very much increase the happiness of others. I hope you will pursue the course commenced here, and grow to be useful and happy women, such as Miss Potter never need be ashamed of, and such as the secretary, treasurer, and committee of this school will always be glad to meet on any future occasion."

A brief prayer offered up by Mr. Bourne brought the meeting to a close, and every one departed apparently well pleased with the evening's proceedings.