CONTENTS. Report by the Rev. John Allen, on Schools inspected in the Counties of Berk- shire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, PAGE. Report on Schools in the Eastern District, by the Rev. F. C. Cook, M.A. 137 Report on the Elementary Schools of the Midland District, by the Rev. Henry Memorials from Diocesan and other Provincial Boards of Education, and other applications for aid towards the apprenticeship of Pupil Teachers; towards their Annual Stipends; and for exhibitions to enable them to complete their education as Schoolmasters in Normal Schools, as well as for assistance towards other Annnal Expenses of Elementary Schools. I. Memorial from the Archdeaconry of Derby. To the Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of Council on Education. The respectful Memorial of the Board of Education for the Archdeaconry of Derby. SHEWETH, THAT your memorialists constitute a district Board of the General Educational Society for the Diocese of Lichfield; that they have an income depending upon annual subscriptions, amounting to about 2307. per annum; that they have received, since the Board was constituted in 1839, donations to the amount of about 30007., including a donation of 10007. from one gentleman towards the erection of a commercial school at Derby. That, besides contributing largely towards building and maintaining a diocesan training school for masters at Lichfield, they have expended upwards of 2000l. on the erection and maintenance of a commercial school at Derby, so that the money received in donations is reduced to about 5007., and the annual cost of these two institutions is at present 1867. out of their income of 2301., as stated above. That under these circumstances their means are very limited for extending education, or improving its character, within the county of Derby. They have, however, taken some measures towards the furtherance of these important objects; and, among others, they have made small grants to young persons above 13 years of age, to be employed as teachers in the schools connected with the Board, hoping thereby to give increased efficiency to the schools, and to commence the training of a valuable body of schoolmasters and schoolmistresses. A That, having a training school for masters, to the support of which nearly half their income is devoted, they find that they have not funds at their disposal to support a training school for female teachers, which is very much needed. Your memorialists, therefore, earnestly pray your lordships to take into consideration, 1. The expediency of giving more effect to the measures already adopted on a very small scale, but with considerable success, for retaining, by small payments, the services of young persons who have been examined and approved as subordinate teachers. 2. The importance of encouraging and supporting good training schools, by sending to them a certain number of young persons who have been employed as above, and have received satisfactory testimonials of character and aptitude for their calling. 3. The best mode of providing, in the several parishes and districts of the country, where schools are required, such a maintenance for well-trained teachers as is due to so important and honourable a calling. WALTER AUG. SHIRLEY, Archdeacon of Derby, President. II. Letter from the Secretary of the London Diocesan Board of MY LORD DUKE, Education. London Diocesan Board of Education, 79, Pall Mall, March 20, 1846. I BEG permission to call your Grace's attention, as President of the Committee of Council on Education, to a subject of paramount importance in promoting elementary instruction in national and other public schools. I mean the raising up and training of a sufficient number of competent teachers. The age of 20 is the earliest at which a person, however well qualified, can be supposed to take charge of a school; and as the period for training in the National Society's, and other institutions, never exceeds three years, 17 is the earliest age for beginning such training. The difficulty of finding proper subjects at that age, (and the difficulty increases with every year beyond it,) is acknowledged by all who have the management of training institutions; for if there be that intelligence and those attainments which are desirable in one who is to be formed for teaching others, the business or profession is already fixed at the age of 17 or of 17 or 18; and the |