Report by Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools, the Rev. HENRY MOSELEY, M.A., F.R.S., on the Chester Diocesan Training School, for the training of Schoolmasters. Visited in October

1848.

MY LORDS,

In presenting to your Lordships my fourth Report on this Institution, I am glad to be able to say that the buildings, which were in progress when I first visited it, may now be considered to be completed. The chapel, in the erection of which the students have themselves laboured, and which is a very appropriate and beautiful structure, is now in daily use. I know of no other means by which the friends of the Institution could more effectually have promoted its interests than by their munificent contributions to this building.

The number of students resident at the time of my inspection (October, 1848) was 32. Their ages varied from 17 to 29; the average age being 23 years. Besides these students seven schoolmasters, educated here, attended my examination as candidates for certificates.

The following table contains a statement of the number of certificates granted :

I have to bear the same testimony as heretofore to the excellent discipline of the Institution; to the great order which pervades it; and to the judicious arrangements made in respect to the industrial training of the students. The industry,

cheerfulness and activity, with which these labours are pursued in the intervals of study, is most pleasing to contemplate. I know no other training school which, in respect to these things, appears to me superior to this; and I attach to them, in a moral point of view, the first importance. Nor do I know any other in which the buildings appear to me better adapted to the use of a training school, or in which those minor arrangements on which the domestic comfort of the inmates, and the good order of the household depend, are more carefully observed.

As the result of this care to provide for the good discipline

and material welfare of the Institution, I find here a body of men remarkable for their orderly conduct; and, as compared with the same class of persons elsewhere, for their healthful appearance. The greater number of them seem indeed to be men capable of great physical exertion, and enured to labour. The idea of uniting with qualities like these, sound attainments in knowledge, skill in teaching, and the exercise of a well-trained and vigorous understanding, is the idea of this Institution. I wish I could record the impression that this idea was as fully realized on the one side as on the other.

The following table contains a statement of the number of students, and the number per cent., to whose papers different degrees of merit were assigned, on a careful examination,by my colleagues and myself. It may be compared with similar tables given in this volume, in respect to other training schools.

1

Number per Cent. of the Candidates for Certificates, whose Exercises were classed severally as follows.

It appears from this table that more than half the candidates for certificates spell imperfectly and compose inaccurately, as many are but imperfectly instructed in English grammar, and more than that proportion have but a very insufficient knowledge of geography.

In Scriptural knowledge, in English history, and in arithmetic, they have done well; and the notes they have written of a lesson such as they would give in an elementary school, show that a good deal of attention has been given to their systematic instruction in this subject.

I cannot, however, express a favourable opinion of the lessons I heard them deliver in the model school.

In recording these facts, I cannot but advert to the smallness of the staff of the officers of the Institution as compared with others, where the course of instruction is more successful. Experience has, I think, shown that the function of a training school is one of no common difficulty, that great teaching power must be brought to bear on it to secure even an ordinary measure of success; and that the different departments of knowledge taught in it, ought to be assigned to different teachers, each devoted specially to the study of a distinct class of subjects. It is necessary to have examined different training schools to know to what an extent the attainments of the students of these Institutions are dependent upon the knowledge, skill, and labour bestowed upon their instruction.

I am aware that the funds of Diocesan training schools do not generally, or, perhaps, in any case, admit of the appointment of such a staff of officers as shall render that division of labour in teaching practicable, on the importance of which I have insisted; and as a larger proportion of the pupil teachers whose apprenticeships are about to expire will be trained in these Institutions, I have thought it worthy of consideration, whether by contributions made directly for that object from the funds at your lordships' disposal, the interests of education would not be very effectually promoted.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

To the Right Honorable the Lords of the
Committee of Council on Education.

HENRY MOSELEY.

Report on the Durham Diocesan Training School, by Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools, the Rev. J. J. BLANDFORD, B.A.

MY LORDS,

April, 1849.

IN accordance with instructions received from your Secretary, I visited the Durham Diocesan Training School, on the 15th of January 1849, for the purpose of examining the students and the masters who had been trained therein, for their certificates of merit.

Before reporting to your Lordships the result of this examination, it will be expedient to give a brief account of the institution itself, which was established in 1841, but has only been placed upon its present basis since 1847.

The building, which is of stone, in the Elizabethan style, is well situated on elevated ground overlooking the river Wear, on the outskirts of the town, and contains comfortable accommodation for twenty students. The premises, including a garden which is cultivated by the pupils, occupy an acre of ground; in addition to which there is a field, conveniently situated, that can be rendered available for industrial purposes, if thought desirable. The field slopes towards the south down to the river, and forms the southern boundary of the area on which the building stands.

On the ground-floor there is a large and lofty school-room, 412 feet by 18 feet; a dining-hall, and another room which is used exclusively for morning and evening prayer; there is also a committee-room, and apartments for the vice-principal (the principal does not reside in the institution); and at the end of the ground-floor are the kitchens. The upper storey contains lodging rooms for the vice-principal, the students, and the

servants.

The number of students now in residence is seventeen.

The establishment consists of three female servants; the students taking it in turns to assist in various household duties connected with the institution.

The building appeared to be insufficiently warmed, and in one place it is not free from damp. A stove in the passage on the ground-floor would be an improvement, as the hot air from it would not only ascend by the staircase to the rooms in the upper part of the building, but also by means of the gratings or ventilators in the passage along the upper storey. Everything was clean and neat; and the dietary wholesome, and on a liberal scale.

The object of the institution is to train schoolmasters for the counties of Durham and Northumberland. It is governed by a committee which consists of the Bishop of Durham, the Dean and Chapter, the Archdeacons of Durham, Northumberland,

and Lindisfarne, and two deputies, one of whom at least shall be a layman, appointed by the subscribers in each of the following deaneries, viz., Stockton, Darlington, Easington, Chester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Morpeth, Corbridge (including Hexhamshire); and in the Archdeaconry of Lindisfarne. The management of the training school is vested in a sub-committee of not less than five, nor more than eleven named by the committee. Present Sub-Committee of Management.

The Dean of Durham; the Archdeacon of Durham; Rev. Professor Jenkyns ; W. L. Wharton, Esq.; Anthony Wilkinson, Esq.; Rev. James Raine; J.F. Elliot, Esq.; Secretary-Rev. J. D. Eade.

Officers of the Institution.

Chairman of Sub-Committee of Management-The Dean of Durham; Principal-Rev. J. Cundill, M. A.; Vice-Principal-Rev. T. P. Sproule; Treasurer-J. F. Elliot, Esq.; Secretary-R. J. D. Eade; Mathematical Master-Mr. Finley; Master of Model School-Mr. George Goundry; Singing-master-Mr. Freemantle.

Candidates being of the age of sixteen years and upwards, and members and communicants of the Church of England, are admitted at Michaelmas, Whitsuntide, and Christmas, on the production of certificates of character, signed by the clergyman of their respective parishes, of baptism, and of health, after passing the admission examination. This examination embraces reading, writing, spelling, grammar, scripture history, general religious knowledge, the catechism, and arithmetic as far as simple proportion.

The payment required from the pupils is at the rate of 141. per annum, payable in advance at the commencement of each term. This includes board, lodging, the use of books, stationery, and washing. Certain repayments are made to those who, having resided a year with good conduct, pass the annual examination with credit.

Instruction is given in the following subjects:

I. Divinity, including Scripture History, Evidences, Exposition of Scripture, the Church Catechism, Liturgy, the Thirty-nine Articles, Ecclesiastical History, Ancient and Modern History.

II. Geography, and use of the Globes.

III. Grammar, and English Composition.

IV. Mathematics, including Arithmetic and Book-keep ing, Mensuration, Algebra, Euclid, Trigonometry, Mechanics, and Popular Astronomy.

V. Vocal Music.

VI. Agricultural Chemistry.

The pupils also attend the model school at stated times during the week. On Sundays they attend in rotation the

services at the Cathedral. Those not at the Cathedral are engaged at the Sunday-school connected with the model school, and accompany the children to church.