EDUCATION.
After having made inquiries about a great variety of female
occupations, I have come to the conclusion that teaching is still the
most suitable, and, under certain circumstances, the most remunerative,
employment open to women. But an ordinary education no longer
qualifies a woman for the position of governess in any educational
establishment; if she wishes to be tolerably certain of securing an
engagement it is necessary that she should be certificated, or, still
better, have completed her education at Girton, Newnham, or one of the
new halls opened at Oxford, and it is most desirable that she should
pass the new examination of teachers instituted by the Teachers'
Training Syndicate of Cambridge.
TRAINING FOR MIDDLE AND HIGHER CLASS TEACHING.
_The Training College for Teachers in Middle and Higher Schools_ for
girls (temporary address, Skinner Street, Bishopsgate Street) trains
ladies who have completed their school education as teachers in middle
and higher schools for girls for this examination.
The Council have obtained as a Practising School, the Bishopsgate
Middle Class Girls' School. There are two divisions in the college. The
course is of one year for students entering the upper division, and
two years for the lower division. The following are the rules of this
Institution:--
The college year is divided into three terms, each of about thirteen
weeks, beginning respectively in the middle of September and January,
and the beginning of May. The hours of attendance are from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. on every day but Saturday.
Fees, £8 per term, payable in advance.
No residence is provided for the students, but the principal will
be prepared to recommend homes to those students who require them.
Students must be above the age of seventeen for the lower division,
and eighteen for the higher division, at the time of admission, and
must pass an entrance examination, unless they have previously passed
some examination accepted in place of the entrance examination. The
examinations accepted by the Council in the place of the entrance
examination for the upper division are those which the University of
Cambridge requires from candidates for the teachers' examination.
For further particulars respecting scholarships (of which there are
several), &c., apply to the Principal at the College.
_The Teachers' Training Syndicate of Cambridge_ issue the following
scheme:--
I. An Examination in the Theory, History, and Practice of Teaching
will be held at Cambridge, and at other places if so determined by the
Syndicate, in June, for persons who have completed the age of twenty
before June 1st, and certificates will be awarded to those who have
passed the examination satisfactorily.
II. No candidate can be admitted to the examination unless he or she
has either--(1.) Graduated in some university of the United Kingdom;
or (2.) satisfied the examiners in Parts I. and II. of the Previous
Examination; or (3.) obtained a certificate in one of the Higher
Local Examinations of the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge; or
(4.) obtained the certificates of the Oxford and Cambridge Schools
Examination Board in the subjects accepted by the University as
equivalent to Parts I. and II. of the Previous Examination; or (5.)
satisfied the examiners in one of the Senior Local Examinations of the
Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, or Durham, in English, and at least
one language, ancient or modern, and in Euclid and Algebra; or (6.)
passed the examination for matriculation at the University of London.
III. The subjects for examination will be--
(1.) The theory of education.
(_a._) The scientific basis of the art of education; characteristics
of childhood and youth; order of development and laws of growth,
and operation of mental faculties; natural order of the acquisition
of knowledge; development of the will; formation of habits and of
character; sympathy and its effects.
(_b._) Elements of the art of education; training of the senses,
the memory, the imagination, and taste, the powers of judging and
reasoning; training of the desires and of the will; discipline and
authority; emulation, its use and abuse; rewards and punishments.
(2.) The general history of education in Europe since the revival of
learning. A general knowledge will be required of systems of education
which have actually existed, of the work of eminent teachers, and of
the theories of writers on education up to the present time.
(3.) The practice of education. This subject will consist of two
parts:--
(_a._) Method; that is, the order and correlation of studies, oral
teaching and exposition, the right use of text-books and note-books,
the art of examining and questioning, and the best methods of teaching
the various subjects which are included in the curriculum of an
ordinary school.
(_b._) School management. The structure, furniture, and fitting of
school-rooms, books and apparatus, visible and tangible illustrations,
classification, distribution of time, registration of attendance and
progress, hygiene, with special reference to the material arrangements
of the school, and the conditions of healthful study. One paper will
be set on each of these subjects, 1, 2, 3. A fourth paper will be set
containing a small number of questions of an advanced character on each
of the three subjects.
A fee of £2 10s. shall be paid to the Syndicate by each candidate.
IV. The Syndicate will further award certificates of practical
efficiency in teaching to candidates who have already obtained a
certificate of theoretical efficiency and have been engaged in
school-work for a year in some school or schools to be approved of by
the Syndicate. The basis for the certificate of practical efficiency
will be:--
(1.) Examination of the class taught by the candidate;
(2.) An inspection of the class while being taught;
(3.) Questions put to the teacher in private after the inspection;
(4.) A report made by the head masters or mistresses;
(5.) The Syndicate will also be ready to inspect, in the course of the
summer, any college established for the training of teachers other
than elementary, and to award certificates of theoretical knowledge to
such candidates as may deserve them. They will also award certificates
of practical efficiency if they are satisfied with the training in
practical work received by the candidates.
I understand that the Senate of the University of London have also at
present under consideration a scheme for the examination of teachers.
The Home and Colonial School Society, Gray's Inn Road, King's Cross,
London, also gives instruction in the art of teaching. Their terms to
resident students between the ages of 15 and 30 are from £45 to £50 per
annum; to day students £15 per annum, £8 for six months. Teachers are
also trained and prepared for the Cambridge Teachers Examination at the
West-Central Collegiate School, 29, Queen's Square, Bloomsbury, for a
year; the fee is £5 5s., but in the case of any one who could be really
useful in teaching in the school no charge would be made.
_Girton College, Cambridge._--The course for the ordinary degree
certificate occupies about three years, half of each year being spent
in college. For honours the time allowed is somewhat longer. The
academical year is divided into three terms, the charge for board,
lodging, and instruction is £35 per term, paid in advance. This sum
covers the whole of the college charges. Candidates for admission are
required to pass an entrance examination, unless they have previously
passed one of the examinations approved by the college authorities,
and to furnish a satisfactory certificate of character. For students
intending to read for the ordinary degree certificate, October is the
best time for entering. Candidates for honours may with advantage
enter in April, thus gaining an additional term. Except in special
cases students are not received under the age of eighteen.
Entrance examinations are held in London in March and June; a fee of £1
is charged.
There are several scholarships attached to the college, of which full
particulars can be obtained, together with forms of entry, and copies
of the programme and of former entrance examinations, on application
to the Secretary, Miss Kensington, 22, Gloucester Place, Hyde Park,
London, W. The committee wish it to be understood that although
residence for three years is necessary for obtaining a certificate,
students can be received for shorter periods.
Arrangements are made for holding examinations of the students of the
college, and certifying proficiency. A certificate called a degree
certificate is conferred upon any student whose proficiency has been
certified to the satisfaction of the college, according to the standard
of any examinations qualifying for the B.A. degree of the University of
Cambridge, if such student has fulfilled, so far as in the judgment of
the college was practicable, all the conditions imposed for the time
being by the university on candidates for degrees.
A certificate called a college certificate will be conferred upon any
student who shall have passed, to the satisfaction of the college,
examinations similar in subjects and standard to those qualifying
for the B.A. degree of the University of Cambridge, the following
deviations being permitted: The substitution of French and English,
or German and English, for Latin or for Greek; the substitution of
English, French, and German for both Latin and Greek; the omission, in
case of objection, of the theological part of the examination.
_Newnham Hall._--No student is admitted under the age of eighteen.
Students are required to give references satisfactory to the principal,
and no student is permitted to come into residence without the approval
of the principal.
The principal may require any student to withdraw who in her opinion
is not profiting by the course of study at Cambridge. The charges
for board and lodging and tuition are 25 guineas a term, and 15s. a
year is charged for the use of the gymnasium. Unless under special
circumstances, students who intend to pass the Cambridge Higher Local
Examination will be required to pass in English history, English
literature, and arithmetic, before coming into residence. Those who
have taken honours in the Cambridge Senior Local Examination will be
exempt from this rule.
The academic year, from October to June, is divided into three terms,
corresponding to the terms of the Cambridge University.
The public lectures of thirty of the university professors are now open
to women, and the permission to attend the lectures of the professors
of natural science include the privilege of gaining access to some of
the natural science museums and laboratories.
Ladies can be received as out-students of the College; they must
either be women living with their parents at Cambridge, or _bonâ
fide_ students over thirty years of age, or otherwise in exceptional
circumstances. The tuition fee for out-students is 6 guineas a term.
Students of limited means, especially those preparing for the
profession of teaching, may avail themselves of the help granted from
a loan fund towards the payment of their fees for lectures and the
purchase of books.
Those who need this assistance should apply to Mrs. Bateson, Secretary
of the Association for Promoting the Higher Education of Women, St.
John's Lodge, Cambridge. They must give some testimony respecting their
intellectual qualifications.
A certain number of exhibitions of 5 guineas a term are awarded by
the principal to students needing assistance, regard being had to
intellectual qualifications, and a written statement of circumstances
being required. These exhibitions are tenable with scholarships, of
which there are a considerable number. The principal's name and address
is Miss A. J. Clough, Newnham Hall, Cambridge.
The students from Girton and Newnham who have wished to become
governesses have hitherto had no difficulty whatever in obtaining
engagements with good salaries.
_Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford._--The object of the founders of this hall
has been to procure for those desirous of availing themselves of the
Association for Promoting the Higher Education of Women in Oxford the
protection and training of an academical house on the principles of the
Church of England, but with provision for the liberty of members of
other religious bodies.
The charges of the hall will at first amount to £25 per term, or £75
per annum, for each student, exclusive of expenses strictly personal.
There are no entrance fees, but the expenses of the term will be paid
in advance. The committee hope that as the hall grows they may be able
to reduce this charge. Sisters, or other ladies willing to share the
same room, will be allowed a reduction of charge.
Provision will be made in certain cases, by exhibitions or otherwise,
for students whose resources are insufficient for the expenses of the
course.
The terms will correspond generally with those of the university. The
fees for instruction will be paid to the General Association, and are
not included in the charges of the hall. They will probably be about
£15 per annum. Each student will have a room to herself, fitted up
to serve as sitting-room and bed-room. There will also be a common
sitting-room, and meals will be in common in the dining-room. Names
for entrance must be sent to the lady principal, Miss Wordsworth,
Riseholme, Lincoln.
Students are required to give references satisfactory to the lady
principal. In the case of those who have been in any other place of
education, a letter of recommendation from its authorities will be
required. Those applying for admission must satisfy the lady principal
as to their character and attainments.
Students will not be allowed to reside for less than an academical year
without special leave.
_Somerville Hall, Oxford._--An association having been formed in Oxford
for promoting the higher education of women, this hall is established
for the reception of students coming from a distance to attend the
lectures of the association. Care will be taken in the conduct of it
that members of different religious denominations are placed on the
same footing. The life of the students will be modelled on that of an
English family. No student will be admitted under the age of seventeen.
The ordinary charges for board and lodging will be 20 guineas per term,
paid in advance, or 60 guineas for the whole year of three terms; the
terms corresponding generally to those of university residence. The
fees for instruction will probably be about 15 guineas a year.
Particulars concerning exhibitions and scholarships may be learnt
on application to the principal, Miss M. Shaw Lefevre, whose London
address is 41, Seymour Street, W., or to either of the Secretaries--the
Hon. Mrs. Harcourt, Cowley Grange, Oxford; or Mrs. J. H. Ward, 5,
Bradmore Road, Oxford.
KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS.
The demand for trained Kindergarten teachers is at present considerably
in excess of the supply; the average salary is £80 a year. These are
the rules of examination published by the Froebel Society for the
Promotion of the Kindergarten System:--
Examinations of students of the Kindergarten system are held in
London, conducted by examiners appointed by the committee of the
Froebel Society. Those students who satisfy the examiners will receive
first or second class certificates of their qualification to become
Kindergarten teachers. No candidate will be admitted to examination
under the age of eighteen.
The whole examination need not be passed in one year. A candidate may
present herself for any number of the groups, or for all; and when all
have been passed the candidate will receive a first or second class
certificate. All candidates will be expected to produce a certificate
of having passed some recognised public examination in English
subjects, as--Oxford or Cambridge Senior Local, Higher Local; Society
of Arts; First and Second Class, College of Preceptors; Government
Elementary Teachers; &c. In special cases the production of a
certificate may be excused, provided the committee are satisfied that a
candidate has received a good general education. This will not apply to
the younger candidates. The fee for the whole examination will be £1;
for each group, if taken separately, 3s. The fees will be returned if
through unavoidable circumstances the candidate cannot present herself
for examination. Candidates will be expected to produce evidence that
they have not had less than six months' practice in class teaching
of young children, and to satisfy the examiners of their ability to
organise a Kindergarten. Names of candidates must be sent to Mrs. E.
Berry, hon. secretary to the Froebel Society, 27, Upper Bedford Place.
_Kindergarten Training College_, 31, Tavistock Place.--The college
is founded to provide a central place of training for Kindergarten
teachers who intend to qualify for the Froebel Society's certificates.
The college is open to all students above seventeen years of age, who
are otherwise qualified to enter for the Froebel Society's examination.
The course of instruction for regular students includes all the
subjects laid down from time to time in the syllabus of the Froebel
Society's examination, and is divided into a first and second year's
course.
Students must at the end of their first year take such portions of the
Froebel Society's examinations as shall hereafter be indicated by the
Council. At the close of the second year students will be expected to
pass the examination for the full certificate.
All regular students are required to attend the lectures and practical
work of the college throughout their first year of study.
During the second year, attendance at the college in the morning is
not obligatory for students who have qualified as assistant teachers,
provided that the principal be satisfied that they have practice in
teaching under the direction of some persons approved by the council of
the college.
Therefore, all lectures and lessons connected with the second year's
course, other than lessons in the Kindergarten, are given in the
afternoon or evening.
Afternoon or evening lessons and lectures are open to students not
being regular students of the college, on certain conditions hereafter
to be specified, and at a special charge per course. A Kindergarten is
attached to the college.
The college year is divided into three terms, each of about thirteen
weeks. The hours of attendance are from 9.30 A.M. to 4.30 P.M.; and on
Saturdays from 9.30 A.M. to 12.30 P.M.
Fees £20 per year, or £7 per term, payable in advance. No residence is
provided for students, but the Council are prepared to recommend homes
in the neighbourhood of the college.
There is also a Kindergarten College and Practising School at 21,
Stockwell Road, London, belonging to the British and Foreign School
Society. The course of instruction extends over two years, and the
fees are £10 10s. a year, with some trifling extras. Secretary, Mr.
Alfred Bourne, B.A. The Home and Colonial School Society, Gray's Inn
Road, London, also has a Kindergarten Class for private governesses,
school-mistresses, and pupil teachers. They hold examinations and grant
certificates to those who prove their efficiency.
_Education by Correspondence._--For the special benefit of ladies
living in the country who may wish to prepare for the public
examinations, arrangements have been made by several of the lecturers
at Cambridge for giving instruction by correspondence in some of the
subjects of study selected by the University of Cambridge for the
examination of women. Information on this point will be given by Mrs.
Peile, Trumpington, Cambridge. Correspondence classes have also been
organised by Miss Shaw, Poyle Orchard, Burnham, Maidenhead, to whom
application for admission must be made. The classes are conducted
by ladies, who are authorised to receive as pupils those whom the
Cambridge lecturers are unable to accept. Should they find that the
number of these fall short of the number they are able to instruct,
they will receive others, whether in direct preparation for the
examination or not.
The instruction is given by means of:--
I. Papers of questions set from time to time, and the answers looked
over and returned with comments.
II. Solutions of difficulties and general directions as to books.
III. Short essays or _résumés_ written by the pupils, and sent for
correction to the teachers; or, in the language-classes, passages set
for translation.
The papers will, if possible, be returned to the students not later
than a week from their reception, and another set of questions sent at
the same time. The fee is £3 3s. the course for each subject, paid in
advance. The course extends over the three Cambridge terms--_i.e._,
from October 14th to the end of May.
For an account of other educational advantages open to women I refer my
readers to the "List of Colleges, Schools, Lectures, &c.," published by
the Women's Education Union; and the "Educational Year Book," published
by Cassell & Company, Limited.
A great boon to ladies anxious to qualify themselves for governesses,
and who have not the necessary means, is the Teachers' Education Loan
Society, which advances school fees upon certain conditions to persons
over sixteen desirous of improving their education for purposes of
self-maintenance as teachers. Apply for regulations by letter to the
Hon. Secretary, Miss Ewart, 3, Morpeth Terrace, Victoria Street,
London, S.W., before February, May, and November in each year, for the
three terms of Easter, Michaelmas, and Lent following.
SALARIES OF MISTRESSES.
The Rugby Council for Promoting the Education of Women has instituted
a calendar, giving the names and addresses of ladies who have passed
the university examinations, and who desire educational work of any
kind; it also contains full particulars respecting all the university
examinations. Many ladies whose names are entered in this calendar
have succeeded in obtaining good situations through it, with salaries
varying from £50 to £150 a year. A fee of 2s. 6d. is charged, in
addition to an entrance fee of 2s. 6d. to ladies on each situation
obtained through the calendar; its price is 1s. Communications may be
addressed to Mrs. Kitchener, School House, Newcastle, Staffordshire.
Miss Buss, of the North London Collegiate School, has published a list
of girls' schools, with special regard to salaries of head mistresses
(as recommended by the Endowed Schools Commission), which I quote to
show what good incomes are attainable in the profession of teaching.
Applications for engagements as assistant mistresses should in all
cases be made first to the head mistress of the school.
-------------------------+--------------------------------------------
| Head Mistresses' Emoluments.
+---------+---------------+--------+--------
Name of school. | Fixed | Capitation | Minimum| Maximum
| Salary.| Fee. | |
-------------------------+---------+---------------+--------+--------
Ambleside, Westmoreland | £75 | £1 to £3 | £135 | £255
Bedford, Town School | 100 | 10s. to £3 | 200 | 700
Bedford, High School |not fixed| not fixed | |
Bow | 75 | 15s. to | 225 |
Bradford, York | 120 | | |
Bristol, Red Maids |not fixed| not fixed | |
Bristol, Whitson's (two | | | |
schools) | £50 | not fixed | |
Bristol, Colston's School| 50 |15s. to £1 10s.| 200 | 350
Brentwood, Essex | 50 | £1 to £2 | 150 | 250
Burlington, Westminster | 70 |10s. to £1 10s.| |
Burton-on-Trent | 50 | 15s. to | 163 |
Cambridge, Cambridge |not fixed| not fixed | |
Camden School, London | 75 | 15s. to £1 | 375 | 475
Clerkenwell (Brewers' | | | |
Company), London | 100 | £1 to | 400 |
Dolgelly, Wales | 70 |10s. to £1 10s.| 110 | 190
| | | |
Exeter, Maynard's Girls' | | | |
Schools | 100 | £3 to £6 | 400 | 700
Exeter, Episcopal Middle | | not fixed, not| |
School | 50 | less than | |
| | one-third | |
| | tuition fees | |
Great Crosby, Lancaster | 120 | £2 to £4 | 320 | 520
Greycoat, Westminster | 80 |10s. to £1 10s.| 230 | 530
Greys Thurrock, Essex | 50 | £1 to | 125 |
Hatcham, Surrey | 100 | £1 to £2 | 300 | 500
Hoxton | 75 |10s. to £1 10s.| 225 | 525
Ilminster High School, | | | |
Somerset | 100 | £3 to | 400 |
Ilminster Town School | 50 | £1 to | 130 |
Keighley, Yorkshire | 80 | £1 to £2 | |
Kingston, Surrey | 75 | 15s. to |187 10s.|
Loughborough, Burton | | | |
Upper School | 100 | £1 10s. to £3 | 250 | 400
March, Cambridgeshire | 75 | £1 to | 135 |
Newcastle-under-Lyme | 75 | £1 to | 175 |
Newport | 60 | £1 to | 120 |
North London Collegiate | | | |
School | 100 | £2 to £3 | 900 | 1300
Reading, Kendrick | | | |
Schools |not fixed| not fixed | |
Roan Schools, Greenwich | 100 | £1 to £2 | 400 | 700
Stamford, Browne's | | | |
Middle School | 100 | £2 to £4 | 300 | 500
St. Clement Danes, | | | |
London | £100 | £1 to £3 | 250 | 550
St. Helens, Lancaster | 100 | £2 to £4 | |
St. Giles, Cripplegate, | | | |
London | 100 |10s. to £1 10s.| 225 | 475
St. Martin's in the | | | |
Fields, London | 80 |10s. to £1 10s.| 155 | 305
St. Paul's, London | 200 | £3 to £6 | 1100 | 2000
Taunton, Somerset | 40 | £1 to | |
Thetford | 75 | £1 to £3 | 115 | 195
Thornton near Bradford, | | | |
Yorkshire | 40 | 15s. to | 77 10s.|
Totnes, Devon | 50 | £1 10s. to | 170 |
Uffculme |not fixed| not fixed | |
Wakefield, Yorks. | 100 | £1 10s. to £3 | 250 | 400
Wallingford, Berkshire | 75 | 15s. to |112 10s.|
Warwick, Warwickshire | 100 | 15s. to | 160 |
West Ham (Sarah Bonnell) | | | |
Essex | 60 | £1 to £2 | 260 | 460
Westminster, London | 100 | £1 to £2 | 220 | 340
Wyggeston, Leicester | 100 | £1 to £3 | 300 | 700
The Girls' Public Day School Company, in connection with the Women's
Education Union, pay their teachers good salaries. The schools of the
Company at present in operation are the following:--
Bath High School, 5, Portland Place, Bath.
Blackheath High School, Wemyss Road, Blackheath, S.E.
Brighton High School, The Temple, Montpelier Road, Brighton.
Bromley High School, Fern Bank, Elmfield Road, Bromley, Kent.
Clapham High School, The Lawn, Clapham Common, S.W.
Clapham Middle School, Clarence House, Clapham Common.
Croydon High School, Wellesley Road, Croydon.
Dulwich High School, Thurlow Park Road, West Dulwich, S.E.
Gateshead High School, Windmill Hill, Gateshead-on-Tyne.
Hackney High School, 273 and 275, Mare Street, Hackney, E.
Highbury and Islington High School, 6 and 7, Canonbury Place, N.
Ipswich High School, Northgate Street, Ipswich.
Kensington High School, 152 and 154, Cromwell Road, S.W.
Liverpool High School, Prince's Park, Liverpool
Maida Vale High School, Warrington Crescent, W.
Newton Abbot High School, Dovercourt, Forde Park, Newton Abbot.
Norwich High School, Theatre Street, Norwich.
Nottingham High School, Arboretum Street, Nottingham.
Notting Hill and Bayswater High School, Norland Square, Notting Hill, W.
Oxford High School, St. Giles's Road East, Oxford.
Portsmouth High School, Osborne Road, Southsea.
Sheffield High School, Surrey Street, Sheffield.
South Hampstead High School, Maresfield Gardens, Fitzjohn's Avenue, N.W.
Tunbridge Wells High School, Fair Lawn, Mount Sion, Tunbridge Wells.
Weymouth High School, 3, Greenhill, Weymouth.
Wimbledon High School, Wimbledon Hill, Wimbledon.
York High School, Fishergate House, York.
Ladies desirous of becoming head mistresses must send in their
applications to the Secretary of the Company, 21, Queen Anne's Gate,
S.W. Every application must be in writing, and be accompanied by
original testimonials (which will be returned). Candidates, whose age
must be stated, should have had experience in school management, and
must produce testimony to their power of organisation, and ability to
maintain firm but kindly discipline, as well as to their attainments
and capacity as teachers of classes.
Subject to bye-laws, regulations of the Council, and to an annual
examination and inspection of the school by independent examiners, each
head mistress will have the management of the studies and discipline of
the school, and will be consulted in the selection and appointment of
all assistant teachers, whose emoluments will be settled by the Council.
The emoluments of the head mistress will consist in each case of a
fixed stipend of £250 per annum, together with a capitation fee of £1
10s. for every pupil in the school above the number of 100 up to 200,
and of £2 for every pupil above the number of 200 up to 300.
There will be no residences attached to the schools; the head
mistresses will not be allowed to take boarders or instruct private
pupils except with the express permission of the Council, and the
school year will be divided into three terms, each about thirteen weeks
in length, and the engagement of each head mistress will be entered
into subject to its being terminable either by the Council or by her
at the end of a term and after the expiration of one term's previous
notice. It is particularly requested that candidates abstain from
canvassing members of the Council, either directly or indirectly.
Ladies desirous of becoming teachers in the schools of the Company, are
requested to observe the following regulations:--
All appointments of assistant teachers are made by the Council, usually
on the recommendation of the Committee of Education.
Candidates and their testimonials are in the first instance referred
to the head mistress of the school concerned, who examines the
testimonials and makes inquiry as to the qualifications when necessary
at personal interviews. The head mistress then lays the several
testimonials before the Education Committee, with a report upon them.
The Education Committee make such further inquiries and hold such
interviews with any of the candidates as they may deem fit, and then
submit candidates for the approval of the Council. The Council pay
second-class railway fare for those candidates with whom a personal
interview is desired.
All appointments of assistant teachers are made on probation for the
first two terms, that is to say are terminable by the head mistress at
the end of the first or second term without reference to the Council,
and without more than a month's notice.
When the Council have approved an appointment after the probationary
period, an assistant teacher is required to sign an agreement with
the Council, and is removable by the Council after notice of at least
two months, expiring at the end of a school term. The same notice is
required from an assistant teacher. At the end of the probationary
period assistant teachers are placed on the permanent staff at a rate
of salary depending upon their work and qualifications. These salaries
begin at amounts varying from £70 to £135 per annum, and rise annually
for four years by increments varying from £7 to £15. Junior teachers
and paid student teachers are not included in the above. Board and
residence are not provided by the Council.
The qualifications required vary with each special case. A knowledge of
English grammar and literature, arithmetic, and one or more languages
besides English, together with some experience in teaching, are usual
requisites. Ability to assist in the instruction in drawing is also
desirable. Music is always taught by special teachers.
It is a great recommendation if candidates have passed in the Higher
Oxford or Cambridge Examinations, the London University Examinations,
or other examinations of the like kind.
All applications should be made by letter, stating age, qualifications,
and experience, and accompanied by copies of testimonials (not
originals). These documents should be addressed to the head mistress of
the particular school, at the school; or if not for any special school
may be marked "Application for Assistant Teachership," and directed to
the Secretary of the Company, 112, Brompton Road, London, who will send
them to any head mistress needing an assistant.
Applications to teach special subjects, such as music, harmony,
class-singing and pianoforte, drawing, higher Latin, French, or German,
mathematics, any branch of natural science, drill, &c., should be made
in the same manner.
Inquiries as to vacancies are best made of the various head mistresses
early in the months of April, July, and December; they may also be
addressed to the Secretary of the Company.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
Teachers in the elementary schools receive good salaries, have short
hours of work, and are comparatively in an independent position; but I
have no doubt many ladies would find the class of children they would
be required to teach a great trial to them, as the habits and ideas
of children of the lower classes would, in all probability, prove a
considerable shock to the sensibilities of ladies who came in contact
with them for the first time. The elementary schools employ an immense
number of teachers. In the schools under the School Board alone 2,500
certificated female teachers are employed, besides a large number of
pupil-teachers. The teachers under the School Board all receive good
salaries, but as the whole scheme of payment is now under revision,
it is impossible to give exact figures. Pupil-teachers begin at 4s. a
week. There are seven weeks' holiday in the year; the hours of work are
from 9 to 12, and 2 till 4.30. The head mistress is expected to give an
hour's extra instruction to the pupil-teachers.
These are the regulations for admission of teachers to all public
elementary schools--that is to say, all schools in receipt of a grant
from the Education Department, including National, British, Wesleyan,
Roman Catholic, and Board Schools.
The recognised classes of teachers are: Certificated teachers, pupil
teachers, and assistant teachers.
Teachers in order to obtain certificates must be examined, and must
undergo probation by actual service in school.
The examination for certificates is open to:--(_a._) Students who have
resided for at least one year in training colleges under inspection;
or (_b._) candidates who are upwards of twenty-one years of age.
(1.) Completed an engagement as pupil-teacher satisfactorily; or
(2.) obtained a favourable report from an inspector; or (3.) served
as assistants for at least six months in schools under certificated
teachers.
Candidates who at the time of the examination are not teachers of
schools to which annual grants are or may be made, must be recommended
by the authorities of their college, or by the managers of the school
in which they last served.
Candidates for certificates, after successfully passing their
examination, must, as teachers continuously engaged in the same
schools, obtain two favourable reports from an inspector, with an
interval of one year between them; and if the first of these reports
be not preceded by service of three months (at the least) since the
examination a third report, at an interval of one year after the second
report, is issued; if the second (or third) report is favourable a
certificate is issued.
Teachers under probation must satisfy the conditions which require that
schools be kept by certificated teachers.
Pupil-teachers must be not less than fourteen years (completed) at the
date of their engagement.
They are required to pass an easy examination, and produce certificates
of health and character.
At the close of their engagement pupil-teachers are perfectly free
in the choice of employment. If they wish to continue in the work
of education they may become assistants in elementary schools; or
may be examined for admission into a training college; or may be
provisionally certificated for immediate service in charge of small
schools.
_Assistant Teachers._--Pupil-teachers who have completed their
engagements with credit, and passed their examinations satisfactorily,
and candidates not having been pupil-teachers who have passed with
success the examination for entrance into a training college, may serve
as assistants in schools, in place of pupil-teachers, without being
required to be annually examined.
TRAINING COLLEGES.
An examination for Queen's Scholarships is annually held at each
college in summer, and at special local centres, commencing at 10 A.M.
on the first Wednesday after July 2nd.
The candidates are selected and admitted to the examination by the
authorities of each college on their own responsibility, subject to no
other conditions on the part of the Education Department than that the
candidates:--
(_a._) Intend _bonâ fide_ to adopt and follow the profession of a
teacher in elementary schools.
(_b._) If pupil-teachers have successfully completed their engagement,
or will do so before the following examination for admission.
(_c._) Not having been pupil-teachers, will be more than eighteen
years of age on January 1st next following the date of examination.
The successful candidates are arranged in three classes in order of
merit.
A place in the third class qualifies for employment as an assistant
teacher, but not for admission into a training college or for a
provisional certificate.
The authorities of each college settle their own terms for admission.
Candidates are required to pass a medical examination.
The following is a list of training colleges for mistresses. It must be
stated that the entrance fee entitles the student to board, lodging,
washing, and medical attendance for two years, except during the
holidays:--
Name of College. Entrance Fee.
Bishop's Stortford £5.
Brighton £8.
Bristol £8.
Cheltenham £10, first class; £12, second.
Chichester (Bishop Otter's) £20 per annum, quarterly,
in advance.
Darlington (British) £15 15s.
Derby £5 or £10.
Durham £10.
Gray's Inn Rd. (Home & Colonial) £10.
Homerton (Evangelical) £15 15s.
Lincoln None at present.
Liverpool (R. C.) £5.
Norwich £3, first class; £5, second.
Oxford £10 or £20.
Ripon £10.
Salisbury £5, first class; £7, second.
Southlands, Battersea (Wesleyan) £8.
Stockwell (British) £10 10s.
Tottenham £10.
Truro £5.
Wandsworth (R. C.) £2 10s.
Warrington £6.
Whitelands £12 or £15.
All these colleges, with the exceptions specified, are conducted on
Church of England principles.
GOVERNESSES IN PRIVATE FAMILIES.
After having said so much about the necessity of training,
examinations, &c., I think it only fair to make some mention of
governesses in private families for the younger children, under
fourteen. Many parents are wise enough to prefer for these posts a
thoroughly conscientious lady, even if she is not accomplished, to one
who has any number of certificates, unless she combines with them a due
sense of the importance of her task.
Ladies whose circumstances induce them to seek a situation in some one
else's house should, above all things, avoid undue sensitiveness, and
the habit of attributing unkind motives (which probably never exist) to
every little incident which may occur. Of course a governess's life
is not likely to be the happiest one could imagine, but I think it is
usually her own fault if it is not a contented and useful one, and
perhaps this is as much as it is wise for any of us to expect.
The best place for governesses of this class to apply to for situations
is the Governesses' Benevolent Institution, 47, Harley Street,
where no fee is charged. Any governess on procuring and leaving two
satisfactory letters from respectable parties, written in the first
person, signed, sealed, and addressed to the Board, may enter her name,
and such other particulars as she may wish to state, in the books of
registration, kept for that purpose. There is also a book to register
applications for governesses. The Board of Management abstain from
all interference between the parties, and the entries must be made by
parties themselves, ladies in the country acting by a friend. No letter
or testimonial can under any circumstances be returned nor taken from
the office. It is necessary that all letters be written in the first
person. Office hours from 12 to 5.