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WHITELANDS TRAINING INSTITUTION.

In my report on Whitelands, I have observed that a very material impulse has been given to the study of domestic economy by the liberality of a lady. The following account has been published in the monthly paper of the National Society:

"During the year 1854 Miss Burdett Coutts paid frequent visits to this institution, and expressed a desire to know to what extent and with what view industrial training was carried on. Having heard several lessons given by the officers and students, Miss Coutts proposed a subject for an essay, and kindly examined the several essays written by the students during the Easter vacation. In the autumn Miss Coutts renewed her visits, and after much personal observation, selected six pupils; one, on account of the excellence of her essay; two, on account of the peculiar aptitude which they displayed in communicating to children the knowledge of common things; two, on account of their special readiness and ability to make themselves generally useful; and one, on account of her skill in needlework. The last five gave lessons to classes of children in the presence of Miss Coutts; and on Friday, December the 8th, Miss Coutts gave a prize to each of the six. These prizes consisted of two volumes illustrative of the Scriptures, three work-boxes, and a pencil-case. Miss Coutts allowed the whole body of the pupils to be present when she gave away her prizes. To those to whom Miss Coutts gave the books, she remarked that the word of God, in addition to its sacred character, was peculiarly instructive as the book which suggested the true motives, and held out the highest encouragement to usefulness, briefly illustrating her remarks by a reference to the story of Joseph. To the

others she remarked that her presents would remind them of the affectionate care with which Mrs. Harries had prepared them for true usefulness; and expressed a hope that what Mrs. Harries had done for them would enable them to mould and form the characters of many others. Miss Coutts also kindly expressed a wish to see the notes of the lessons that her prizeholders might give in the schools which were about to be put under their care. Miss Coutts then made a few remarks to the rest of the pupils, telling them why she had taken an interest in the cause of education, and pointing out to them the advantage and necessity of paying marked attention to the feminine and useful duties of their calling; and with many kind words she said goodbye, promising at no distant time to come amongst them again.

"The chaplain requested permission from Miss Coutts to print the notes of lessons which she had rewarded, with a few preliminary remarks; to which Miss Coutts obligingly acceded, and further replied that she could supply some additional remarks descriptive of her intentions in general, and her opinion of the particular performances which had come under her notice. "Although the essay was too long to be printed, Miss Coutts' remarks upon it are given.

"DEAR SIR,

Holly Lodge, Highgate, 16 December 1854.

"I RETURN the copies of the five lessons, and the papers on domestic and industrial subjects, for which I gave some little prizes; together with remarks suggested on reading and thinking over the lessons, and the plan for somewhat similar lessons next year. As you propose to make a statement to the Council respecting these lessons and prizes, it would perhaps be satisfactory to you to show this letter; and, as my name has been connected with the scheme of giving prizes for instruction on common things, to state that I look upon these lessons as a preparation; but that, before I make any public announcement on the subject, I am desirous to ascertain as far as possible the best manner to promote the religious and moral uses of industrial training.

"My attention had been especially attracted to the subject by the complaint made to me at St. Stephen's, Westminster, that the Government regulations would not at that time allow the pupil-teachers sufficient time to learn needlework, and I was led to consider with what view industrial training was conducted; and I could not but think, that even when its importance was admitted, it was taught more with reference to the discomfort and disadvantage of a want of proper knowledge of these points than from a value of the opportunity afforded of forming the character and habits through such instruction; whereas it produces, in fact, more moral qualities than many other pursuits.

"To be a good needlewoman, mender, and cutter-out of clothes, a good cook, baker, or dairy-maid, requires the exercise of care, cleanliness, forethought, economy, industry, and perseverance; and the same with all similar employments; and, as a very intelligent schoolmistress observed to me, the girl who was a good worker was generally good in all other points, from the habits these pursuits form. And it was much with the view of ascertaining not only whether these things were taught, but how they were taught, that I was first led to think of joining the scheme for promoting the knowledge of common things, and of paying a visit to Whitelands.

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"I think the lessons show that in this institution these subjects have been considered, and that the great end of industrial education, to render both pupil-teachers and children useful and happy in their respective stations, has not been lost sight of; and I hope that the plan I now propose is calculated to carry out this endeavour.

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"To the Rev. Henry Baber,

Chaplain and Secretary of the Whitelands Training Institution, Chelsea.”

Report, for the Year 1854, on the Training Institution of the British and Foreign School Society, in the Borough Road, London; by Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools, J. BowSTEAD, Esq., M.A.

MY LORDS,

January 1855.

UNDER the regulation which directs that the Training Institution of the British and Foreign School Society, in the Borough Road, Southwark, shall be annually visited by one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of British, Wesleyan, and other Denominational Schools, it devolved upon me to inspect that establishment in the course of the past year, and to devote one clear week to seeing its arrangements, observing its ordinary action, and conferring with its managers. The time fixed for this visit, after communication with the secretary, Henry Dunn, Esq., was the week commencing on the 12th of June, and I was engaged accordingly in the discharge of this duty during four days of that week, and one day of the week immediately succeeding.

The institution had been previously visited and reported upon by my colleague, Mr. Morell, in 1853, and more than once by the late Mr. Fletcher at earlier periods. The principles upon which it is founded, the objects proposed to be effected by it, the agencies employed, the accommodation afforded, even the details of the arrangements made for carrying on the work of both its male and female departments, have all been made known through the reports of these gentlemen; and it is not only unnecessary, but would be deemed superfluous, on my part, to do more than note the changes that have occurred, record such results of the year's operations as may serve to determine the progress made, and offer those suggestions which the circumstances of the time and the state of the institution appear to require.

In the male department, the staff of teachers mentioned in Mr. Morell's report continues unchanged, and the analysis of their labours there given is still substantially exact. As yet the students of the certificate class have never remained above twelve months at the institution, and a single year's course of study has been all that it was necessary to provide for. But, under the Minute of 28 June 1854, this state of things is likely to undergo some change, and indeed it is understood that several of the students of 1854 propose to prolong their training to the close of 1855. This will necessitate the immediate adoption of a distinct course of study and instruction for students of the second year, and it may become a question whether the principal and his assistants, who have heretofore laboured with so much success, but have certainly not been

under-worked, will be able to meet this additional call upon their time in a satisfactory manner without further help. It is of the utmost importance, with regard both to the interests of the institution and the soundness of our educational system, that the training of future schoolmasters should be of a thoroughly efficient kind, and the knowledge communicated to them as far as possible removed from crudeness and superficiality; and I am persuaded that the Committee of the British and Foreign School Society are far too sensible of this truth to need any warning against the danger of providing an inadequate tutorial force.

In the staff of the female department some changes have taken place during the past year. The institution has lost the valuable services of Miss Robinson, and her principal duties have devolved upon Miss Scott, a young certificated teacher, who appeared to me to discharge the functions allotted to her with judgment as well as ability. It has also been thought expedient to call in the aid of Mr. Saunders, superintendent of the other department, who has delivered a series of lectures to the female students on the art of teaching, and has undertaken the superintendence of their gallery lessons, given in the presence of the whole class, and afterwards subjected to its critical remarks. I attended these exercises with much interest, and they seemed to me to form a very valuable part of the course of training given. It is indispensable that the theory and practice of teaching should be taught in unison, and I believe that in no other branch of instruction could a masculine mind be brought to bear with so salutary an effect upon a class of future female teachers. The defects which I have observed in girls' schools lead me to consider it very desirable that those who are to have charge of them should be accustomed to treat the various subjects which they handle in that systematic and logical manner which is so much less common with their own sex than with ours; and, accordingly, I have seen this new feature introduced into the plans of the female department with entire satisfaction, and should deeply regret its discontinuance.

Some idea of the amount of work done by both departments, during the year ended April 1854, may be obtained from the following tables :

NORMAL COLLEGE (Young Men).

Number of students who have attended the classes during the year
Entered during the same period

On the list, April 1, 1853

Submitted for examination for certificates of merit (at Easter, 38; and at
Christmas, 34)

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Obtained certificates of merit (at Easter, 31; and at Christmas, 24)
Queen's scholars (at Easter, 10; and at Christmas, 33)
Appointed to schools

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· 170

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Died

Withdrawn as unsuitable, either from ill health, or other causes
On the list, April 1, 1854

FEMALE TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT.

Number of students who have attended the classes during the year
Entered during the same period

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44

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31

23

6

83

1

11

70

On the list, April J, 1853

Submitted for examination for certificates of merit (at Easter, 20; and at
Christmas, 24)

Obtained certificates of merit (at Easter, 14; and at Christmas, 17)
Queen's scholars (at Easter, 5; and at Christmas, 18)

Students re-entering to compelete their course of training

Appointed to schools

Died

Withdrawn from ill health or other causes

On the list, April 1, 1854

The expenses for the same period were as follows:

TRAINING DEPARTMENT.

Board and lodging of teachers, males

Board and lodging of teachers, females

Books, &c., medical attendance, mathematical

lectures in Manchester, &c.

Coals, coke, gas, and water
Furniture

Principal, and assistant tutors

£ s. d.

£ s. d.

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883 14 6

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353 1 10

Girls-Ditto

263 17 2

616 19 0

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This expenditure was partly met in the following manner :

Payments in part of expenses in board and
Lodging-

By teachers in male department
By teachers in female department

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