and very suitable building, known by the name of the King's House, situated in the Cathedral-close, has been procured. The elevation of this building is most prepossessing in appearance, and well adapted for the purpose; the principal room for tuition, and the dining-hall, are magnificent rooms, each containing between 900 and 1000 square feet. Of the dormitories I am unable to speak with any certainty, as the plans were not permanently settled upon when I was in Salisbury in May last. The Lord Bishop of the diocese, and those interested in the welfare of the institution, are most desirous that it should be placed upon an efficient system, and that the internal arrangements should be adequate to the wants of the establishment. The architect, Mr. Wyatt, was required to draw plans for 60 females, including all necessary offices, which plans have been submitted to your Lordships. I am able to report most favourably of the general tone and demeanour of the young persons under training in this institution. During the whole of my stay at Salisbury, I was much struck with the quiet, respectful, reverential manner of the students. I saw them frequently, not only in their school-room, but in the cathedral, and during their walks; they seemed to me fully alive to the importance of the office for which they were preparing themselves, and, as a body, to be impressed with a deeply religious, prayerful feeling. From what I gathered, I have reason to believe that the religious training which these young persons receive from their excellent and zealous governess, Mrs. Duncan, is thoroughly practical, and carried out by them into daily life. The amount of general instruction given in the institution, and the standard at present attained by the students, are neither of them equal to that which is ultimately aimed at and expected; but there is much allowance to be made, considering the short and uncertain time during which the young persons remain under training, and the very limited attainments of many of the students when admitted, who in many instances are not more advanced than some of our superior candidates for the office of pupil-teacher, and, in the elementary working of their subjects, are not nearly so well grounded. "As soon as the pupil-teachers become the principal candidates for admission," the Salisbury Board look forward (vide Tenth Report of Salisbury Board,) to a higher standard of attainments being effected. The reading of the candidates for certificate was good, both in prose and verse; they appear to enter into the idea of the author whose work they are reading, and much pains has been taken in teaching them to commit to memory certain portions of standard poetry, and to explain its meaning; this doubtless has been a great help to their understanding what they read, and to their reading with proper emphasis and expression. The subjects upon which the candidates for certificates were examined were the following, viz. :— Scripture history. Liturgy and Church Catechism. Geography. English grammar. Domestic economy. School management. Drawing. History of the English language. [The examination papers of the different training institutions being overlooked by the whole body of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Schools, each taking one or more subjects under his especial examination, I shall briefly give, in general terms, the opinions expressed by the various examiners on the different subjects worked by the candidates, as they stand in the above list.] The replies upon Scripture history might have been given with greater accuracy, and the various incidents recorded in more minute detail. The candidates showed an ease and power of expression in the composition. The Church history does not appear to be a subject in which the candidates have received much regular instruction; whilst the papers upon the Liturgy show that they have been made conversant with the subject, though their replies are imperfectly given. The arithmetic is fairly taught upon the old system. The geography papers have been mostly sensible, though wanting in comprehensiveness. The English grammar papers exhibit a remarkable evenness among the candidates, on a moderate level of attainment and intelligence. The papers upon Natural history are good; though they would be much improved by greater conciseness, and more regard to the meaning of the questions proposed. The general character of the English history is fair; and the ideas are well expressed. One or two of the candidates show a very creditable knowledge of the subject. Domestic economy does not appear to have been sufficiently brought before the candidates. Much improvement might be made, if papers upon this subject were more frequently given to young persons under training. Upon school management some practical knowledge of teaching, fair abilities, and good common sense are shown. In biographical memoirs the narrative is well written, and generally shows good sense; the characters selected are generally those from the elementary books on English history, showing evidently that there has not been access to many books upon the subject. VOL. II. 3 c The papers upon music exhibit a deficiency of knowledge of the subject. The replies to questions upon the English language did not show much extent of information or research. The spelling, penmanship, general neatness, and correctness of expression throughout the various papers, were highly satisfactory. The following is a list of the candidates. 1. Alexander, Aune. 11. Gardener, M. A. 13. Kingston, Fanny. 14. Kibble, Ellen. Of these nine were successful, and were classified in the following order. I append to this Report a time-table of the work done in the institution, varying in the summer and winter half year. I am of opinion that great benefit might be derived by the pupils of all ages, if a regular and systematic plan of class teaching were carried out, upon some given subject, after previous thought and preparation. This might easily be effected by the various students, with the different classes of young persons in the institution, at fixed and stated times; the subject might be given by way of "notes of a lesson," and from those notes the pupil might instruct her class, and thus find expression for her thoughts in words, and be accustomed to hear her own voice in teaching. This plan might equally well be adapted to the advanced students in the practising school. It is of the greatest moment that a teacher should be able to express herself in plain, simple, easy language; and that time will be well spent which gives her any additional help in so doing. The plan proposed by those interested in this institution, to have under the same roof a model school for girls, will simplify this matter very much, and diminish the difficulties which might otherwise be raised." There is a great desire expressed, by various members of this Board of Education, to blend with the intellectual pursuits of the young persons under training a certain amount of industrial labour, and to combine with the present system of needle and domestic work, baking, washing, and other household employment. At this time, as far as needle-work is concerned, all the young persons are taught to cut out, and make their own dresses, &c., and two weeks in the year are set apart. the one in the spring, and the other in the autumn, in which they are exclusively engaged in providing for their own wardrobes. I consider that this proposed additional domestic employment with females would be of the greatest benefit, not only on account of its own intrinsic good, but also for the sake of relaxation from study, which to young girls, fresh from the country, might be most conducive to health. The Salisbury Board themselves feel convinced, from their own limited observation in the present establishment, of the great benefit which might be derived from this change. It appears to me that the health of the students is a subject requiring the greatest attention; and any employment which would be likely to promote their bodily strength and vigour is deserving of the most mature consideration. My own fears were, I regret to say, raised as to the effects, with females especially, of the sudden change from unceasing air and exercise, to which many of the students previous to admission had been accustomed, to the necessary close application to study, which the shortness of their stay in the institution requires at their hands. While upon this subject, I am anxious to record my opinion that great want of kindness is evinced, both to the young persons themselves and to any training institution, by those who recommend candidates whose state of health is not good, and whose general strength is not likely to be equal to the work in which they are engaging, either in the institution or in the duties of a school-teacher afterwards. I fear it has frequently been the case that heavy expense has been entailed on many young persons, and great disappointment incurred by them, solely because the simple truth has not been spoken, when the certificates of health have been brought for signature previous to the admission of the candidate in the first instance. With respect to the library which is attached to this institution, in which a great deficiency did exist, and which to a certain extent continues to exist, the Board of Education appear most ready and anxious to supply the defect, and are prepared to do so as soon as possible. Before concluding my Report, I am desirous to express my most conscientious opinion that the mistress of the institution, Mrs. Duncan, is well fitted for the office which she now holds, and in which she has apparently given such general satisfaction. As great a return as she can well receive, for the sympathy and kindness which she is ever showing to the young persons under her charge, is daily afforded her in seeing them grow up in the fear and nurture of God, and in receiving from them deep respect and affection, mingled with cheerful obedience. Daily, I am assured, do many of these young persons withdraw themselves from their companions at mid-day, entirely of their own accord, for the purpose of closer intercourse with their God, for meditation, and for prayer; and, as far as my observation goes, the general conduct and character of those who have left the institution is such as to afford her much comfort and satisfaction. I trust that I may be allowed to express my thanks to the Lord Bishop of the diocese for his kindness, during my visit as Her Majesty's Inspector; and to the Rev. Precentor Hamilton, who rendered to me every assistance in his power during my visit, and sacrificed his own time and comfort to facilitate my movements, and to give me any additional insight into the working of the institution, and its effect upon the pupils under training. I have the honor to be, &c., E. DOUGLAS TINLING, To the Right Honorable Her Majesty's Inspector of Schools: The Lords of the Committee of Council on Education. |