Figure 1.-- Most of the new primary schools authorized by the Education Act of 1870s were single gender schools. This CDV show a girls's class, we think in the 1880s. There was no information on the card. It looks like a state primary to us because of the building. This is a good example of how difficult it is to identify boys and girls in old photogrpahs. A reader writes, "I think there are about 4 boys in the photograph. The child all in white could be a boy but would it be a girl as white for a boy does not seem right." The certainly look like boys, but I think that were few exceptions to these single gender rule. Notice they are not dressed like boys. I think this is just an example they younger boys and girls often look very similar.
Major steps were taken in girls education during the 1880s. This inclue both the statesystem and the private system for the well-to-do. Another major step in educating girls was the Education Act of 1880. The 1870 Act with government funding available ws the fundmental step in establihing the free state stsyem. The 1880 Act tooki the importnt step of making education compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 and 10 years . Most of thrs new schools were single gender schools. Although small village schools were commonly mixed. Though the requiremnt to seend children to school was first ignored by many poorer parents who needed the pennies eraned by their children. But this was primarily the boys whom worked outiude the home. The Act guarnateed all children, including tgher girls, girls an education in law, if not in fact. And truant officers were appointed to ensure compliance, even calling on the parents st home. After a few years attendance was fairly well established, alythough truant officers were needed into the 20th century St. Andreww's was followed by another girls' public school, Roedean (1885). In many cases these new privaste schools were founded by wealthy women who believed passionatetly in educating girls. And you have headmoistrisses who saw their job as real mission, not only for women's rights, but for instilling a sence of social resopnsibility that was not always present in the boys' public schools.
