Elementary Education Act 1870

Introduced by W.E. Forster, the Vice-President of the Committee on Education, on 17 February 1870. Following extensive debates and a number of significant changes, the Bill passed the House of Commons on 22 July and quickly passed the House of Lords. It received royal approval in less than three weeks. The Bill aimed to ensure that there were enough primary schools in England and Wales. The details in the Act were supposed to explain the way it was going to be achieved.

Background to the Act

The industrial revolution and the 1867 Reform Act underscored the importance of providing education to working-class men. This time period is also characterised by a notable movement that advocated legalisation of trade unions, intertwined with a parallel effort of promoting compulsory and secular education. This educational initiative was supported by different groups such as mine workers, trade unions and some industrialists. Therefore, in 1869 the National Educational League was established to unite the groups listed above in their initiative of a free, compulsory and secular education. This movement received a lot of support from different sectors of society, encompassing those who stressed the importance of compulsory education for their children: "the first and most important thing they [a conference of miners' delegates] have declared is, that they must have compulsory education for their children" (Lawson and Silver 1973:352).

The possible implementation of mandatory public education financed and controlled by the state generated a number of discussion concerning possible conflicts with the church, the practicality of introducing of compulsory education and the possibility of financing them with charitable funds.

Content of the Elementary Education Act 1870

Elementary Education Act was finally introduced in 1870 and according to Lawson and Silver, was considered a successful compromise in English nineteenth-century history, provided that it facilitated both free and compulsory education. Moreover, it did not replace voluntary schools, it complemented them (Lawson and Silver 314).

The 1870 Elementary Educational Act aimed to guarantee elementary education for all children aged 5 to 13 through the creation of school boards to supervise and enhance the existing school infrastructure. Moreover, the Act required sufficient school places for all children, however, it did not guarantee universal free education, except when it was confirmed that the family could not afford to pay for school (Gillard).

The Elementary Education Act consists of two parts. The first part addresses a number of important aspects, including the provision of schools and the procedures involved to their establishment. This encompasses detailed information concerning school boards and attendance policies, ensuring a comprehensive for the effective functioning of elementary education. In contrast, the second part of the Act provides information on parliamentary grants, covering all necessary details on funding and financial support for elementary school initiatives.

Sources:

“Elementary Educational Act 1970.” Education in the UK, www.education-uk.org/documents/acts/1870-elementary-education-act.html. Accessed 19 Dec. 2023.

Gillard, Derek. Education in the UK: A History, 2018. www.education-uk.org/history

Hugh, Owen. The Elementary Education Act, 1870 (33 and 34 Vict., c. 75) with introduction, notes, and index ... and an appendix, etc.. . London: Knight, 1872, pp. 1-39.

Lawson, John and Silver, Harold. A Social History of Education in England. London: Methuen, 1973.