Page 15 - All About History - Issue 12-14

Education

4 FAMOUS
How not to be a Victorian teacher
Schools were a strictly Christian environment and teachers were VICTORIAN
expected to stringently uphold these values – if they failed to do so
their job would be at risk. One example of the perils of failing to adhere EDUCATIONAL
to these strict requirements can be seen in the instance of Frederick
Denison Maurice. Born in 1805, Maurice went on to be appointed REFORMERS
professor of English history and literature at the prestigious King’s
College in London.
Despite his popularity among his pupils, his views occasionally LORD SHAFTESBURY
proved to be problematic, particularly those espoused in his published
Theological Essays in 1853, which earned him the ire of the principal 1801-1885, LONDON
at King’s College, as well as a court date. Although he was acquitted of A politician
heterodoxy (holding an opinion contrary to the orthodox position), he who attempted
was sacked nonetheless. to improve
children’s
welfare,
Shaftesbury
set up the
Ragged
Schools Union, which set up more
than 100 public schools for poor
children during the mid-to-late-
19th century.
JOSEPH PAYNE

1808-1876, BURY ST EDMUNDS
The first
professor of
education at
the College of
Preceptors,
Payne was
heavily
involved in
reforming education during the
Maintain discipline Teach the right subjects Victorian era, especially during his
later years.
With many classes possessing large numbers of pupils, Your training will come in particularly handy when
03 upholding strict discipline is vital for keeping order. 04 imparting your knowledge of a wide variety of ROBERT CORBET
Students have to wait for permission to speak and to stand when subject matters. Most prominent will be reading, writing and
speaking. Punishments meted out to unruly pupils include the arithmetic, with the writing being imparted via repeatedly SINGLETON
cane, as well as having to stand in the corner wearing a dunce’s copying out words. Pupils will also be directed to read a story, 1810-1881,
hat, or writing repeated lines for an extended period of time. taking it in turns to read excerpts from it in front of the class. IRELAND
The cofounder
of St Peter’s
College,
Singleton was
renowned for
his strict approach to discipline
in his schools, which frequently
involved corporal punishment.
CHARLES DICKENS

1812-1870, PORTSMOUTH
Although he was not directly
involved in educational reform,
Dickens took an interest in it
in his many famous works of
literature, most notably in 1864’s
Our Mutual Friend.

Uphold Christian values Keep them physically fit
A lot of emphasis is placed on faith in the Victorian A healthy body aids a healthy mind. Victorian PE
05 era. Much of the reading in classes will be from 06 lessons are known as drills, and like many aspects
the Bible, in the process keeping the pupils familiar with of the average school day, involve repetition of certain tasks.
the subject matter. There are various intervals for prayer These can encompass activities like running, stretching, lifting
throughout the school day, with non-Christian pupils directed weights and jumping, are often accompanied by music and
to leave the room in these instances. everyone is expected to join in.

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