Britain lagged behind America and Germany in the development of a state school system. The country, however had a well-established private school system, confusingly called 'public' schools. Various other types of school existed like dame schools or ragged schools. Churches supported some schools. Many of the public schools had histories dating back centuries, some to the Tudor era. These schools, however, were only for the well-off sector of scociety which could afford the school fees. There was resistance among the land-holding aristocracy to a free state school system referred to as public schools in other countries. Industrialists were more supportive. Democratic reforms created increasing support in Parliamebt for a free national public school. Some minor commitment were made as the century profressed, but it was not until the late-19th century that a firm national commitmnt was made (1870). The public schools provided secondary education. The state system was primariy a primary system for all children. Grammar schools offered secondary education for more modest people, but were not free. The state schools did not have uniforms. The public schools did have uniforms, often quite elaborate iniforms although many looked like the suits that were commonly worn. The grammar schools tended to follow the education program of the secondary schools as well as uniform trends.

Figure 2.--English boys in the late 1890s wore suits to school with a variety of trousers. They wore mostly knickers and knee pants. At state schools this was not a requirement as there were no set uniforms, it was just the style for boys.

Private Schools

England had a well-established private school system, confusingly called public schools. Many of these schools had histories dating back centuries, some to the Tudor era. Theywere, howevr, designed to educate the country's well to do or comfortble sector of society. They served England's needs ubtil the 19th century. With the industrial revolution and the massive expansion of the Empire many more educated people were needed. As a result, many new public schools were opened in the late-19th century. They were needed to provide technical skills for industry and beauracrats to staff the expanding British Empire. The same dynamic expanded the founding of many new gra,mmar schools. The new public schools almost invairably incorporated the ethos amd program of the estalished chools, including the videa of a standard uniform in their program. Another part of the reforms implemented at mid-century was to separate or take special steps to protect the younger boys. Until the 19th century the public schools took in boys of a wide age range including many pre-teens. These schools could be very rough places nd few had progams in place to protect the younger boys. As a result, at mid-century we begin to se preparatory schools appearing in the late-19th century which were designed to accomodate the special needs of the yonger boys. Uniform requirements were more relaxked at these new schools, but they gradually adopted uniform requirrements as well.

State Schools

England began to develop a pubically financed state school system. The English effort to found a national system of state schools lagged behind several countries on the continent. Countries like Prussia at an early stage saw an educated population as important in building a strong state. Various other types of school existed like dame schools or ragged schools. Churches supported some schools. Important elemenent in England were concerned about the social impact of educating the working class. There was resistance among the land-holding aristocracy to a free state school system referred to as public schools in other countries. Industrialists were more supportive. Democratic reforms created increasing support in Parliamebt for a free national public school. Some minor commitment were made as the century profressed, but it was not until the late-19th century that a firm national commitmnt was made (1870). Despite the misgivings, there was a great expansion of schools for the average English boy during the late 19th century. A wide variety of schools were opened, including ragged schools, board schools, national schools and several others. Only after 1870 did educational reforms beginn creating a national system of state schools out of the variety of schools that had been created. For the first time school attendance was made compulsory. Uniforms were not required at state elementary schools. Except for the youngest boys, however, suits with Eton collars were the most common outfit. State financed secondary schools did not exist throughout the 19th century. There were also still substantial differences in various areas of England. We have a fascinationf view at a village school in Corwall from a painting by Elizabeth Forbes--"School is out".

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Created: 8:10 AM 5/12/2017
Last updated: 8:28 AM 5/12/2017