^mosBgi^ Hro supply th-e £d^ca-fcloiaal Needs ofikt County Borough, of WAUUASe.Y. DAY CONTINUATION SCHOOU Sftnxor - l6to iSyrs /• DAY CONTINUATION SCHOOU JuTVior - l4"to l6yrs. \ CENTRAU SCHOOUS H+o iS-t-yrs. Boys JQiRus SCHOOLS t UNIVERSITY HlG^HaR TECHNICAL SCHOOL. (fu\\-tiTn.a) MUNICIPAL SECONDARY SC HOOU S Boys I C(iRLS SENIOR S ECO N DART SCHOOLS iotoi7H8yrs, ScKocl Chramtnar Boys GIRLS ^ SENIOR DEPARTMENTS M-to l4-Yt^s. Boys I G(IRLS ± INFANTS ^c-JUSMiOR DEPARTMEW-rs :li PR6PAR«ro«Y SECONDARY SCHOOU NURSERY SCHOOLS EXISTING EDUCATIONAL PROVISION. (a) Public Elementary. (i.) Non-Provided Schools. Name. St. Paul's St. Mary's Denom. C. of K. >> R.'c. Depts. .. 3 . .. 3 . .. 2 . .. 2 . .. 2 . .. 2 . .. 2 . Accom- modation. . 663 . 743 . 322 . 360 420 . 640 . 167 Number on Registers at end of last School Year. ... 822 ... 637 Magazine Lane .. Egerton Street . . . St. Alban's St. Joseph's SS. Peter & Paul . ... 280 ... 340 ... 348 ... 731 ... 172 Totals .. 3,315 3,330 (11.) Council Schools. Xamc. Depts. Manor Road 2 Somerville 4 Riverside 4 Church Street 3 St. George's Road 3 Poulton 3 Vaughan Road 2 Total Total Council and Non -provided Number on . Registers at Accom- end of last modation. School Year. 1,152 .. 1,195 1,534 .. 1,667 1,338 1,380 1,030 972 1,000 744 1,000 913 700 797 7,754 7,668 11,069 . .. 10,998 Note. — Six of the Council Schools have Manual Instruction Rooms and five in addition have Cookery Rooms, while a house is rented as a Housewifery Centre for Combined Domestic subjects. Three Council Schools have also rooms for Elementary Practical Science. ft)) Higher Elementary, Boys Girls Total Nmnber < ii Registers at Ac.( V. - end of last mcdaiini. Schccl Year 200 205 200 214 400 419 The building known as the Technical School is now used entirely in connection with Vaughan Road and the Higher Blenientfii\ Schools, providing one room for Practical Science, two rooms for Domestic Subjects, and two Manual Instruction Rooms. (c) Public Secondary. Name. Grammar School High School Number on Number of Rolls on School Places 1st Oct., 191 S 400 ... 647 420 ... 560 Total 820 1,20^ The Grammar School is the only School in Wallasey with any Endowment, and that now only consists of the six acres of land surrounding the present school buildings. (d) Evening Continuation Schools.— These are carried on in the Elementary and Secondary School buildings with the addition of classrooms in the School of Art. The Courses of Instruction comprise (1) Preliminary Technical ; (2) Preliminary Commercial ; (3) Higher Commercial ; (4) Mechanical Engineering ; (5) Domestic ; (6) Modem Languages. (e) School of Art. — In an adapted house in the Central Park with (in pre-war days) an attendance of about 100 Students in Day and Evening Classes. (f) Private Schools.— There are 36 Private Schools in Wallasey with about 2,622 children in attendance. The size of the Schools is : — 6 Schools with less than 20 pupils, 16 .. 20-50 pupils. 3 50-75 2 75-100 6 100-150 ] 150-200 2 200-350 36 9 Private Schools have been brought to some considerable extent within the purview of the Education Act, 1918. According to Section 8 (3), if the parents of children attending Private Schools are to be safe from prosecution under the Education Acts, the Schools must be open to inspection either by the I^cal Education Authority or by the Board of Education. The Schools must also keep satisfactory attendance registers. This clause will not affect those private schools which are really efficient, but it will tend to put an end to some which are inefficient, and in particular perhaps to those little private day schools which in the past have proved a source of difficulty to the School Attendance Authority. The Board of Education has already issued a Form to each Private School asking for a short description of the type of education provided (Elementary or Secondary), the number and ages of the pupils, leaving age, etc. This m effect amoimts to the Registration of all Private Schools. The Board of Education may inspect, free of cost, a private school if an application is made to them to do so. This ought to cause all the efficient schools to seek inspection, as those schools which refrain will run the risk of being judged to be inefficient. Another important point will arise in connection with the Day Continuation Schools. Attendance at Private Schools will only fulfil the requirements of the Act allowing attendance at such Schools to count as equivalent to attendance at Continuation Schools, in cases where the School is inspected by the Board of Education or a University. Private Schools may be inspected by any British University, by the lyocal Education Authority, or by the Board of Education, and thus certified as giving suitable and efficient instruc- tion to young persons from 14 to 18 years of age. The Local Education Authority has power to extend to private schools the whole of the advantages of medical inspection and treatment if requested to do so by the management of the school. No specific reference is made to medical inspection of the premises, but this would be extremely desirable as to their sanitary conditions, the proper supply of offices, overcrowding, etc. ADDITIONAL PROVISION. The following statement indicates in general outUne the main additional provision which will be necessary in order that the educa- tional needs as set out in previous paragraphs may be adequately met. Readers are referred to the scheme itself for the full detailed particulars of this additional provision. (a) Nursery Schools. — ^The provision of Nursery Schools is not compulsory, but the Authority is empowered to supply or aid the supply of these Schools, and while there appears to be no necessity fof 10 the inclusion of a general system of such schools in Wallasey, it may be considered desirable to build and equip a Nursery School as an experiment from which conclusions can be drawn as to how far it will be necessary to establish and maintain more of these schools as part of the educational needs of the Borough. (b) Elementary Schools. — At the present time the numbers on the roll of our Elementary Schools are dropping from year to year (see graph on page 29), but this does not mean that the present provision will be found adequate even for the next few years. We must remember that many of the classes are larger than those we shall propose to organise in future. This means that the recognised accom- modation will have to be " written down/' and we must not forget that the Central Halls of many of our Council Schools are being used as classrooms, and that several of the non-provided schools cannot be accepted as meeting modem requirements. On the other hand, Wal- lasey is more favourably situated in one respect than many other Boroughs. The leaving age from the Elementary Schools has been 14 years for all with the exception of a few who have passed out earlier by Labour Certificates. No additional accommodation will therefore be needed to meet the requirements of Section 8 of the Education Act, 1918, which provides that all scholars shall remain at the Elementary School until the end of the term in which they reach the age of 14. The Elementary School population is not likely to increase very materially during the next few years, so that any additional pro- vision would seem to be governed by the following factors : — (i.) Increase due to " writing down " the present recognised accom- modation owing to the adoption of a definite policy in the reduction of the size of classes, (ii.) Increase due to the closing of any non -provided schools, (iii.) Increase due to the non -recognition of classes in Central Halls. While this extra provision is certainly of importance, it is not the most important problem which will face the Authority during the next few years. This undoubtedly will be the provision of various kinds of full-time education up to 16 years of age and the provision of the Day Continuation Schools. (c) Central Schools (formerly Higher Elementary) .—The exist- ing schools for boys and girls are both full and we must recognise that the Act of 1918 has opened up larger possibilities for this type of school. There is no reason now why the scholars should not be admitted at the age of eleven plus and remain until they are sixteen years of age, which would mean an extension of the School Course by two years. Many parents will undoubtedly desire their children to attend a recognised efiicient school until they have reached the age of 16, and so gain exemption from attendance at the Day Continua- tion Schools to be established under the Act. Agahi, many employers 11 will prefer to engage the boy or girl who is free from the necessity of attendance during working hours at Continuation Schools. These considerations point to the necessity for the temporary continuation and development of the existing Central Schools, as well as the erection of new Schools of this type in due course. (d) Secondary Schools. — ^The present accommodation is totally inadequate to meet even the present demands. The Authority has already recognised this, and as soon as the armistice was signed they moved in the matter. We have a school partially erected in Valkyrie Road, where it was intended to provide additional Elementary School accommodation for the centre of the Borough. It was resolved that we should complete this building at the earliest possible moment and use it temporarily for Secondary School accommodation, the Board of Education agreed and the contract has been let. By September, 1920, we hope to be in a position to open the School and so ultimately provide 700 additional Secondary School places. When war broke out we were preparing plans for the erection of two Municipal Secondary Schools, one for 400 boys and another for 400 girls. The scheme had to be dropped, but is now being revived, and this building when completed will allow the above temporary accommodation to reveit to its use for Elementary School places as originall}^ inter ded. The present High School for Girls (even with the extension) is quite full, and the Grammar School is overcrowded. We were just starting an extension to the latter when the war began. It had to be closed down, but we have now renewed the contract and the addi- tional places ought to be ready for September, 1920. When all these proposed buildings are completed and occupied the serious lack of accommodation will be met, at all events for a time, but the Authority is of opinion that further provision will be needed in the way of a School preparatory to the Grammar School and High School. (e) Day Continuation Schools. — ^These form perhaps the most drastic and far-reaching of all the educational proposals of the Act. Day Continuation Schools will have to be established for every boy and girl between the ages of 14 and 16 (and after a lapse of seven years from the appointed day for all young persons between 14 and 18) unless they are exempt by reason of having received efficient full-time instruction up to the age of 16. The proposal is to bridge over the period of adolescence by a new compulsory system of day schools, free to all, in which each boy and girl must spend from 280-320 hours per year or, say, 7 to 8 hours per week for 40 weeks in the year. (f) Higher Technical Education. — ^I'he Day Continuation Schools will ultimately replace the Evening School Technical Instruction now given in the Borough. Facilities will be required for the higher brandies of technology and commerce, but the demand will probably 12 bt too small to warrant the Authority in launching into any ex- pensive scheme for the erection of an elaborately equipped Central Technical School. Students on reaching this stage will wish to specialize, and facilities in most cases can very probably be arranged with the City of liverpool or with Manchester for those particular subjects specially catered for in the Cc liege of Technology, etc. (g) University Education. — ^Wallasey is fortunate in having at its doors one of our best modern Universities, i.e., lyiverpool. So far back as 1899 the Corporation of Wallasey (or the Urban Dis- trict Council, as it was in those days) authorised Scholarships to be awarded connecting our Secondary Schools with the University, and these have been continued to the present time. The Corpora- tion also makes an Annual Grant of £200 to the University. It is recognised that a much wider system of Scholarships with adequate maintenance grants will be required in the future, and as the Author- ity has always been in the van in this respect (it has never hesitated to grant the aid required to enable a candidate capable of profiting by any form of higher education to proceed to the place where such education can be obtained) it will not fail to extend the opportuni- ties which may be necessary to assist deserving students to proceed to the University. (B) STATISTICAL. The number of pupils between 5 and 18 attending School in the area in 1919 were : — (a) Elementary and Central Schools, Boys. Girls. Total. 4-5 years of age - 175 .. 104 ... 279 5-6 „ , > .. 537 . .. 503 ... 1,040 6-7 ... 702 . .. 570 ... 1,272 7-8 ... 652 . .. 597 ... 1,249 8-9 ... 643 . .. 633 ... 1,276 9-10 ... 666 . .. 627 ... 1,293 10-11 ... 663 . .. 692 ... 1,355 11-12 .. 594 .. 589 .. 1,183 12-13 ... 586 . .. 614 ... 1,200 13-14 .. 493 . .. 476 .. 969 14-15 , .. 118 . . 134 .. 252 15-16 35 . 39 74 16-17 1 . 4 5 Totals 5,865 ... 5,582 11,447 (b) Secondary Schools. U r.oys. Girl5. Total. 4-5 yrars of ago 5-6 6-7 7-8 8-9 9-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 Over 18 Totals 9 9 2 .. 17 . 19 6 35 . 41 32 .. .26 . 58 75 .. 42 . . 117 72 .. 67 . . 139 124 .. 73 . . 197 ... ... 94 .. 85 . . 179 100 .. 69 . . 169 82 55 . . 137 51 .. 32 . 83 ^14 .. 24 . 38 4 .. 14 . 18 — 3 . 3 ... ... 656 .. 551 . . 1,207 =s=^ ; ; - fc) Private Schools. Boys. Girls. Total Under 5 years of age 11 14 . 25 5-6 „ „ 89 82 . . 171 6-7 , ^ . .. 145 .. 154 . . 299 7-8 , . . 138 .. 146 . . 284 8-9 , , . 135 .. 122 . . 257 9-10 , , . 110 .. 157 . . 267 10-11 , , . 102 .. 132 . . 234 11-12 , . 88 .. 132 . . 220 12-13 , , . 123 .. 142 . . 265 13-14 , , . 101 .. 122 . . 223 14-15 , . 87 .. 115 . . 202 15-16 , , 54 72 . . 126 16-17 , . 15 ..18 . 33 17-18 , . 2 12 . 14 Over 18 , • • — 2 . 2 Totals 1.200 1,422 2.622 1* (d) Special School. 6-7 years of age 7-8 „ 8-0 9-10 „ 10-11 „ 11-12 „ 12-13 „ 13-14 „ 14-15 „ Totals Boy: 2 2 5 3 3 1 1 2 19 Girls. 2 Total 2 — 2 1 3 5 . 10 5 8 6 . .... 9 6 . 7 5 . 6 1 3 31 50 (e) Continuation Schools. The estimated number of young persons between 14 and 18 years of age resident in the area is : — Boys. Girls. Total. 14-15 years of age ... ... 750 . .. 820 ... 1.570 15-16 „ „ ... 750 . .. 820 ... 1,570 16-17 „ „ ... 750 . .. 820 ... 1,570 17-18 „ ... 750 . .. 820 ... 1,570 Of these young persons over 1,000 are attending full-time instruc- tion in Central, Public, Secondary and Private Schools in the area. 14-15 years of age 15-16 ., 16-17 :, 17-18 „ Boys. 300 . (iirls . 306 142 . . 151 38 . 44 4 . 32 484 533 together with some attending Schools (including Boarding Schools) out of the Borough. (0 ADMINISTRATION. The Education Committee consists of 23 members, ten being members of the Borough Council including persons of experience in Education and persons acquainted with the needs of the various kinds of Schools in the Borough with special regard to the commercia' and industrial needs of the district. In addition, the Mayor and 15 Cluiinnan of the Finance Committee are ex-officio members. 'It also includes eleven co-opted members, of whom two women represent the Secondary Education of Girls, the University of lyiverpool is re- presented, and also the Technical Education of boys and girls. The Committee divides its work among the following Sub- Committees : (1) Elementary Schools ; (2) School Attendance ; (3) Medical Inspection ; (4) Higher Education ; (5) Sites and Buildings; (6) Juvenile Employment ; (7) Governors of Grammar School • (8) Governors of High School. The Minutes of all Sub-Committees require confirmation by the full Education Committee, whose Minutes are in turn confirmed or otherwise by the Council. The Administrative work is carried out under the supervision of the Director of Education, who has also in the past acted as Organis- ing Teacher and Inspector of Schools, but the ever increasing volume of administrative work makes frcquent visits to the Schools now almost impossible. All returns for the Board of Education are checked in the office of the Director. The Head Teachers are required to forward the Summary Registers to the office so that returns may be checked before despatch to the Board. In order to simplify registration as well as checking. Admission, Summary and Class Attendance Registers of a similar type have been adopted throughout all the Schools. The Managers of the Non-provided Schools verify their Registers every quarter and the members of the Education Committee test the Registers in the Council Schools. Without the co-operation of the parents it is absolutely im- possible to get the best results from our Elementary Schools. The larger part of the children's lives is spent at home, and the success of work do;ie in the School can only be proportionate to the sym- pathy and understanding between parent and teacher. No one recognises this more clearly than the Authority, and the Head Teachers have always been supported in their efforts to bring in the parents to see and judge for themselves. Exhibitions of work have been held and open meetings for the parents of the children in the Infants' School are a regular institution. The following proposals are put forward for further develop- ment in this direction. (1) To draw up a Merixorandum based on this Report, in which each parent will be informed in a brief and simple manner of the facilities for education in Wallasey, what are the objects of these facilities, and the need there is for the interest of all parents in the continued education of their children. This statement should be printed and distributed in the Schools to all scholais at about the age of 8 or 9. 16 In the past cards have been printed giving full details as to the best age for transfer to the Secondary Schools. They were hung up in the Schools so that the Scholars could read them, but it is not an uncommon occurrence for parents even now to visit the Direc- tor of Education when they find they have left the transfer too late, and to complain that they " did not know," although the informa- tion was advertised in this way and also in the local press. (2) Parents' evenings must be held in all Schools. They must not simply be held in those Schools where there are teachers of wider outlook than in others. They must become fixed institutions to bring parents and teachers into close contact. There is no difficulty with the best kind of parent, but the crux of the whole matter is how to get at the indifferent parent, who may not be reached by these meetings and who will not trouble to read any memo we may issue. How can we reach him and convince him that education up to 16 or 18 is the best thing for his child, and that he ought to be willing to make some sacrifice for it if necessary. Somehow or other we must get into personal touch with these parents who, unfortunately, only now meet the Head Teachers on occasions of complaint. It seems as if this can only be done by voluntary effort — by a kind of visiting committee. SCHEME. 1.— ELEMENTARY EDUCATION. (1) PROPOSED ORGANISATION OF ElvEMENTARY EDUCA- TION IN THE AREA. a) Provision of Practical Instruction suitable to the ages, abilities and requirements of the Children, and the basis on which the amount of the Provision is determined. Every Elementary School which has been built in Wallasey since 1903 has included a room for Manual Instruction (Woodwork) for boys and, another for Domestic Subjects for girls, and in some cases a room for Practical Science as well, and in any Schools erected in the future provision will be made for all three. In fact, the Author- ity recognise^ that each School ought to have rooms for the practical work for its own boys and girls with specially qualified teachers form- ing an integral part of the School Staff, so that this practical instruc- tion can be linked up with the other work of the School and not considered as an extra or something outside the ordinary School curriculum. In the provisional Code of 1919 the special regulations for these practical subjects have been revised ; no special grants will in future 17 be given, and we are allowed a freer hand in the organisation of Manual Instruction and Domestic Subjects. The pupils need no longer be looked upon as grant earning units, but we can now organise our Classes solely from an educational point of view. None of the Voluntary Schools in WaUasey have facilities on their own premises for teaching either Handicraft or T)omestic Subjects, but the scholars attend at the rooms attached to the Council Schools. In August, 1919, it was decided to appoint additional teachers for Handicraft and to make use of all our eight Manual Instruction Rooms full time, thus providing for 1,600 scholars over 11 years of age out of a total of 1,827 who are qualified by age to receive it. The Authority is fully alive to the importance of seeing that every boy has an opportunity for this work, and with this in view will seek as soon as possible to provide the little extra accommodation and teaching staff required. The aim of this work is not to produce highly skilled craftsmen, but to make the boys think for themselves. As for Domestic Subjects, it has been decided to provide a course of instruction in Cookery, Laundry work and Housewifery for every girl in our Schools between 12 and 14 years of age. There are 1,224 girls over 12 years of age, and the Authority has now pro- vision and teaching staff for taking 1,260 girls, and in addition a Housewifery Centre in a house at the south end of the Borough rented for the purpose, where a special course is provided for sets of 12 girls, attending full time for s^'x weeks, in Combined Domestic Subjects. The house is used as a residence for the staff. The girls do. the work of the house, and there is not so much formal class work. This plan more nearly approximates to the daily routine of a well- ordered home, and thereby its practical value is enhanced. Up to 11 years of age for boys and 12 for girls, the usual pre- limirary forms of educational handwork, e.g., cardboard modelling, paper folding, etc., are provided as part of the ordinary Curriculum of each School. The Authority has recognised the desirability of providing practical instruction in Elementary Science for the boys in the upper standards. In three Schools there are already rooms speciaUy fitted up and set apart for this instruction ; in others it is taken in the ordinary classroom. PROPOSALS. (1) The Local Education Authority will provide the small amount of extra accommodation for Manual Instruction at the earliest oppor- tunity, so that every boy over 11 years of age will receive this prac- tical instruction (just as each girl over 12 is now receiving a course in Cookery and Laundry work) from specially qualified teachers 18 considered as far as possible as part of the School Staff, so that the work may be co-ordinated with the ordinary School Curriculum. (2) The Authority, when the housing difficulty is not so acute, proposes to rent a house at the north end of the Borough and equip it as a Housewifery Centre similar to the one in Littledale Road, Seacomb^ the house to be of the type occupied b}^ the parents of the children who will attend the Course. (3) All new Schools will have rooms specially fitted up for practical science (weighing, measuring, etc.), cookery and manual instruction. In the Voluntary Schools provision will also b2 made for instruction in practical Elementary Science as far as possible by collapsable tables fitted to the walls of the ordinary classrooms. (b) Provision for advanced instruction to be made for older or more intelligent children by means of (i.) Central Schools ; (ii.) other types of provision and the basis on which the supply is deter- mined. As pointed out in the Introduction, all the boys and girls in the Public Elementary Schools of Wallasey have b^en compelled in the past to remair at School, with few exceptions, until they reached 14 years of age. The upper portion of our Schools has therefore not been depleted by Scholars dropping out with " attendance certifi- cates." In almost every case the top standards have each had their separate teacher, the scholars have had practical instruction, and there has not beer that " marking time " generally alleged against Elementary Schools. So far back as 1908 it was recognised that there were a number of parents in Wallasey who desired something further for their child- ren than could be provided in the ordinary Elementary Schools. To such children it was felt that the ordinary Elementary Schools, however well managed and taught, could not offer the kind of systematic and organised instruction on advanced lines by which they would profit. So we estabhshed our Higher Elementary Schools for 200 boys and 200 girls, recruited from the scholars of the Elementary Day Schools, about 70 boys and 70 girls being admitted each year on the result of a competitive examination of those scholars over 12 years of age who desired admission, and whose parents entered into an agreement with the Authority to keep the child at the vSchool until the end (;f the three years' course. The Schools, although situated at the North end, are essentially for the whole area, and admission is in no sense the privilege of residents in any one portion. The course of instruction is of a more advanced type than that given in the contributory Elementary Schools, and includes a foreign language (Spanish for boys and PVench for girls), and much practical work. 19 Although no doubt most of the boys are likel}' to engage in com- mercial pursuits on leaving, no attempt has been madt to turn the School into a Commercial School in any narrow sense by teaching Shorthand, etc. The School has been staffed with highly qualified teachers, many of them University Graduates and specialists in particular subjects. The classes are smaller (viz., about 30 scholars) than those of the ordinary Elementary School. A fee of 6d. per week was charged, with 25% of free places, but the fee was abolished on 1st April, 1919, by the Education Act, 1918, and the School is now free. The School is thoroughly examined by the staff each half year and the results are communicated to the parents. They are re- corded in a School Certificate which finally contains the half yearly reports for the whole three years' course, and concludes with a sum- mary by the Head Master of the boy's conduct and progress. This document has been of great service to the scholars on leav- ing, heads of commercial firms and engineering works have expressed their appreciation of it and declare that it satisfies their own require- ments in furnishing evidence of what the boy has done and can do. No certificate is given to a scholar who fails to complete the whole course. These Schools have been amongst the few in the country which were able to continue and thrive under the somewhat inelastic regulations of Chapter VI. of the former Code. We have been able to retain practically all our scholars for the full three years' course. There is very little leakage indeed among the older scholars. In fact, some years ago it was found that the average school life of our scholars was longer than the average school life of pupils in the Secondary Schools of Lancashire, although a Secondary School life ought to consist of at least four years from the age of 12, as against three years in the Higher Elementary School. The School has more than fulfilled the high expectations that were formed of its success, and the lyocal Authority has been con- gratulated on having brought such fine Schools into being. In the Education Act of 1918 there is no mention of Higher Elementary Schools, and Chapter VI. of the Code has disappeared, so that there are no longer any Schools of this type officially recog- nised. Our Schools have now in fact become Central Schools, carried on under the Elementary School Code, free, receiving pupils from all or any of the Contributory Schools, at an age which will be de- cided by the Local Education Authority for a full-time Course ot- Instruction up to the age of 15 or 16 years, with small classes -in^ with specially qualified teachers. 20 Although these SchoolvS have been estabHshed and carried on successfully for so many years, there are still many supernormal boys and girls who, for some reason or other, have remained in the Elementary vSchool instead of passing on to the Central School. In some cases this may have been due to the want of encourage- ment from their Teachers, who may have beer anxious rot to lose their brightest scholars, being under the mistal^en impression that as good an education can be provided in the ordinary Elemen- tary School as in the Central School. Everyone must remember that the welfare of the children them- selves is the supreme item in any scheme of education. They must be encouraged to go forward to the School from which they can derive the maximum benefit under the scheme of education provided in the area. The method of educating these brighter scholars may be quite unsuited to the remainder of the class, and the consequence is that the whole may suffer, and " in the effort to prevent the more intelli- gent children from marking time the others may be wasting their time." It will therefore be seen not only is it better for the brighter children themselves that they should be transferred to Central Schools, but that their removal is, on the whole, in the interests of the less gifted children, whose education requires special attention as well as that of the brighter ones. It is a pleasure to report that since 1908 very many of our Head Teachers have co-operated loyally with respect to this transfer of scholars to Central Schools, and now that these Schools are officially recognised as an integral part of the national system of education, this co-operation should be readily given by all. Both types of School are necessary, but their functions are quite different and distinct, and scholars remaining at the Central School until 16 will become exempt from attendance at Day Continuation Schools. No boy or girl who has the ability and desire for further educa- tion of any sort must be kept back. At the same time we have to realise that there is quite a considerable proportion of boys and girls who have neither the ability nor the desire lor higher education. These scholars will remain in the Elementary School, and must be developed upon lines that suit them, and at the end of this chapter we set forth proposals for dealing with those children who remain in the top standards of the Elementary Schools after the promotion to the Central and Secondary Schools of those who have the ability for further education. Having already decided to erect Municipal Secondary Schools (see page 11) for 400 boys and 400 girls, we have to answer the question : Is there a need for Central Schools in Wallasey in 21 addition ? After very careful consideration, the Ix)cal Education Authority answers in the affirmative. It recognises that the Act of 1918 opens up larger possibilities for these Schools. In the Elementary Schools (including the Higher Elementary) in Wallasey there are about 1,657 scholars of 12 years of age and upwards who, having reached or passed Standard VI., may be con- sidered bright, intelligent and worthy of consideration for some form of further education. What opportunities of further education are there for these 1,657 scholars at present ? About 400 of them are in the Higher Elementary Schools and the remainder, viz., 1,257, are in the ordinary Elementary Schools in Standards VI. and upwards. Some (but not included in this total) have already passed into the Secondary Schools, a few (about 35 per annum) by the severe test of the Free Place Examination, others by the comparatively easy test of the fee-paying pupils seeking admission into our Secondary Schools. The Act of 1918 does not secure that every place in a Secondary School shall be filled by the child best able to profit by a Secondary School education. As a matter of fact, it is safe to say that in the Secondary Schools there are places filled by pupils who are less worthy (from an educational point of view) of Secondary Education than many children who do not obtain admission. PROPOSAIvS. (1) The continuation of the present Central Schools until the erection of two new Central Schools (see page 38). (2) An Annual Stock-taking, taking the form of an examina- tion for all the children under the care of the Authority in the Elementary Schools about the age of 11, with the object of deter- mining what is the best kind of future education for each individual. Means will be devised for bringing to the notic(5 of parents the educa- tional facilities open to their children, and with the Report of the Head Teacher of the Elementary School before them, parents will be advised to give serious consideration to the future of their boys and girls. (3) A further improvement in the methods of teaching those children of 11-14 years of age and over, who are not considered suit- able for transfer to Secondary or Central Schools and who remain behind in the ordinary Elementary Schools. In this connection it is suggested that the Classes be less than 40 if possible, that the Class Teachers should possess special qualifications in one or more subjects so that some amount of specialisation may be adopted, that 22 there should be practical work of many kinds, that individual work and private study be encouraged, and some means devised so that the School should be open in the evening for home work under proper supervision. As each of these boys and girls will soon pass direct from the Day School into the Day Continuation School, an endeavour should be made to adopt a minimum standard of attainment which each scholar ought to reach on leaving the ordinary Elementary School at 14 years of age. We recognise that the Elementary Schools vary, being largely affected by the home conditions of the children, and this, of course, will have to be taken into account. " The time is obviously ripe for a re-arrangement and extension of the curriculum towards the end of the School Course which will prepare boys and girls for their work in life and enable them to make a rational use of their leisure." (c) Arrangements for observing and dealing with sub-normal (dull or backward) children or abnormal (stammering, short sighted) children. Sub-normal. A " dull or backward " child may be defined as one who is two or three years, but not more, behind his age in intellectual capacity. " The common characteristic of backward children is that their rate of educational progress is much slower than that of the mass of the children in ordinary Schools — about three-quarters of the normal rate. On an average a year behind at five, two years behind at ten, nearly three years behind at fifteen, they pass through only seven classes from five years of age, while the ordinary child passes through ten." The causes of this retardation are many, and may be divided into (a) Mental, and (b) Non-Mental. Of the former we have (i.) weak general debility, often hereditary ; (ii.) weak specific debility, inferiority of memory, attention, etc. ; (iii.) weak general educational ability ; (iv.) specific educational defect. Of the latter we have (i.) Irregular attendance ; (ii.) General physical defect (adenoids, deafness, mal-nutrition, etc.) ; (iii.) Un- favourable home and social surroundings ; (iv.) Employment out of school hours. Professor Luckey of the University of Nebrasks m setting forth the Causes of Backwardness puts at the very top of his list " ignorance and indifference on the part of parents," his opinion being that we can never hope to reduce the number of retarded children until parents are more fully enlightened as to their duties and responsibilities. ^3 r'roni returns made b}" the Head Teachers of our Public Elemen- tary Schools we find there are 534 children reported as " dull or back- ward " according to the quoted definition, and of these 445 are in Senior and 89 in Infants' Schools, The following table shows their ages :- - Boys. Girls. 4-5 years of age &6 „ 6-7 „ 7-8 „ 8-9 „ 9-10 „ 10-11 „ 11-12 „ 12-13 „ 13-14 „ Over 14 3 . 1 18 . 11 13 . 8 37 . .. 25 37 . .. 48 33 . .. 49 29 . .. 43 41 . .. 47 46 . .. 40 1 . 4 258 276 The cases were classified according to the alleged causes for tlui retardation, and in : — 103 cases the cause is given as unfavourable home. 239 ,, ,, ,, irregular attendance. 163 „ ,, ,, some physical defect. 7 ,, ,, ,, excessive employment. 273 „ ,, ,, inferior mental development. Of course to some individuals several of the above causes are assigned. It will be observed that many of these are non-mental causes, which should be preventable or remediable. The individual returns vary considerably, thus : — School A with 394 on roll reports '46 backward. „ B „ 350 „ 16 „ „ C „ 500 „ 18 .. „ D „ 310 „ 60 „ Schools A and B are fairly comparable, as also are C. and D. Again, from a Senior Department with 378 scholars on roll, 47 are reported as backward, whereas of 262 in the Junior and Infants' Department of the same school none are reported as backward. Some time ago the Director of Education conducted an enquir> as to the distribution of educational ability among the scholars in the ordinary Elementary Schools of the Borough on the lines sug- gested by Mr. Burt, the Psychologist to the London County Council, in his book " The Distribution and Relations of Educational Abilities." 24 On an average the normal child advances very nearly one standard in each successive year ; thus the normal ages for the various standards are : — Standard I 7-8 years. II 8-9 „ Ill 9-10 „ IV 10-11 „ V 11-12 „ VI 12-13 „ VII 13-14 „ .The following table was compiled from statistics obtained from the Schools, and you will observe that the normal cases (the highest figures), which are printed in bolder type, run obliquely from comer to comer like a diagonal of black squares across a chess board. Again, if you read the table horizontally, starting in each case at the normal standard, the figures to the left will give the number of retarda- tion cases per year and the numbers to the right the figures for the super-normal. Age. Infts. I. 4-5 405 5-6 1,043 1 6-7 953 261 7-8 178 828 8-9 9 283 9-10 1 52 10-11 8 11-12 2 12-13 1 13-14 14-15 Over 15 ... STANDARDS II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VII. 7 287 811 337 96 20 5 2 31 278 613 307 132 54 13 45 291 508 358 157 56 1 1 30 254 441 295 139 8 42 227 373 285 17 7 1 37 128 287 37 2 18 72 11 2 Total. 405 1,044 1,221 1,324 1,427 1,324 1,216 1,217 1,031 854 74 11 2,584 1,436 1,565 1,428 1,416 1,168 951 492 103 11,148 Thus taking the age 10-11 we find that of the total 1,216 for that age, 508 are in the normal standard (IV.), while 297 are above the normal standard. Again, 307 are one year backward ; 96 two years backward ; and 8 three years backward. Taking the table as a whole, it will be found that there are 780 children, or 7 per cent., who are two years backward, and 171, or 1 -5 per cent., who are three years backward, as compared with the total of 534 in the return of specific cases supplied by the Teachers. There are also about 2,050, or 18 per cent., who are one year behind the normal. 25 It is fair to point out that our percentage of 1 -5 compares very favourably with that of 4 -2 per cent, obtained by Mr. Burt, although, of course, we must recognise our favourable position as a residential district as compared with his returns from a Metropolitan Borough. In the Wallasey Council Schools there are 23 -4 per cent, girls below the level for their age, and 24 -4 per cent, of the boys, a total percentage of 23 -9 as compared with Mr. Burt's London figures of 43 -5 per cent. While in our Non-provided Schools the figures are 26 -6 per cent, of boys and 26 -9 per cent, of girls, a total percentage of 26 -7 as against Mr. Burt's figures of 50 -3 per cent. The following statistics are also interesting : — ChiIvDrkn Backward by 2 Years. Council Schools — Boys . . .^ Girls Non-provided Schools — Boys Girls CHII.DRKN Backward by 3 Years. Coun cil Schools — Boys Girls Non-provided Schools — Boys Girls Some young children of 6, 7 or 8 years of age are admitted into Infants' Schools and are unable to talk freely, to read or to write. This inability may be sometimes due to physical defect, but in many cases the child is of nonnal ability, and has fallen behind owing to neglect or. illness in early years. Our aim is to fit such children as soon as possible to take their place in the ordinary organisation of the School, and for this purpose special arrangements are now made in some of our large Infants' Schools. A Special Class is formed in charge of a skilled teacher. In a small School the backward child receives such special instruction as is possible when the other scholars are working by themselves. In the middle classes of the School, when scholars have reached the age of 11 or 12, some may be found very backward in a single subject, say, arithmetic, but show considerable ability in some other subject. In this case the child is promoted, although he may have to work with a lower class in his backward subjects Again, we have those genuinely unfitted for the ordinary cur- riculum of the class appropriate to their age. They are often condemned to go over the same work year after year, and they get very discouraged as they see their brighter fellows outstripping them. 6-7 per cent. 5-7 >> 9-5 >> 7-4 >> 1-4 per cent, 11 >) 2-8 y> 1-6 >i 26 In large Schools the solution for them appears to be the forma- tion of a separate Class with a special curriculum, with as much manual work as possible. It is worthy of note that diligent efforts have recently been made in America to ascertain the extent and cause of backwardness among acholars, and great activity is now being displayed in en- deavouring to transfonn the backward child, as far as possible, into the normal one. In Boston 21 -6 per cent, of the school children were found a year or more behind the normal grade, and in New York 30 per cent. In Wallasey the percentage is about 25. This does not, of course, mean that all these children are intellectually deficient. It is said that in most cases the child who is a true dullard may be brought almost, if not altogether, to normal intellectual activity provided he is taken in hand at an early age. It is also estimated that not more than 1 or 2 per cent, of these backward children are backward because of incurable defects of the brain. To-day in America in connection with their Universities they are establishing " psychological clinics " to work in conjunction with the ordinary School Clinics. A splendid beginning has thus been made in the war against retardation. We need to realise the importance of dealing with these children in the interests of the community as a whole, for it is from tbeir ranks that the majority of the most undesirable members of society come, and a good return will ensue from any additional expenditure. PROPOSALS. (1) To have all cases two or three years behind their proper school level early reported upon and carefully investigated. There is a need for a more accurate classification of these sub-normal as a preliminary. The teacher and the School Medical Officer must co- operate to ascertain if the cause is mental or non -mental. (2) In the small schools where the cases are few to see that as much individual attention as possible is given. (3) In the larger Schools to form a separate class, with not more than 25 on the register, under a skilled teacher. The work to be graded with much manual work, the object being to promote each scholar to take his proper place in the ordinary standard as soon as possible. The School Medical Officer to be in constant touch with this class and its teacher, and proper records kept. (4) It may sometimes be found that a Department of a School happens at a particular time to have a few cases on its registers. Here a special teacher may be sent to give special attention, say, for six months to these few scholars, who may then be re-drafted into the ordinary classes. 27 (5) Teachers must unceasingly recognise that the backward child requires definite treatment to be devised for him. He must not simply be allowed to put in time. The child suffers if he receives little attention, feels he is not wanted or is a nuisance. (6) All cases must be followed up into the homes to see, if medical treatment has been ordered, that it is being carried out. (7) To impress upon the Central Authority that this whole question urgently requires experimental research as in America. Abnormal — Stammering Children. — From returns it has been ascertained that there are 153 children in the Elementary Schools who suffer from this troublesome affliction. In 1914 the Authority endeavoured to get an expert to give a series of lectures to the teachers, but the proposal did not materialise and nothing was done during the five years of war. These children, of course, shffw no lack of intelligence, although they may possibly be kept back by their inability to compete with others who are more fluent. To many it would seem as if it is in- curable, but most cases are susceptible of 75 per cent, improvement. It is only in recent years that there has been any really sys- tematic attempt by scientifically trained investigators to study the phenomenon of stammering with a view to finding out its true nature and causation. It is said to manifest itself chiefly from 4-11 years of age, and that cases increase in severity between 11 and 14. It is not from physiological inabiUty to speak that a stammerer suffers, but a psychological inabiHty. PROPOSALS. (1) These scholars will be taken for special treatment in classes of about 10-15 for a period of six weeks, and during this time to be detached entirely from attendance at their ordinary schools. (2) The aim must be to restore self-confidence. The child fears that he will not be able to get his words out, and this very fear produces the breakdown when the critical time comes. (3) The class must be under a teacher with unlimited patience and forbearance, who has had some special speech training. The scholars must be taught to breathe the right way, also the main vowel sounds, etc. (4) The class ought, if possible, to be under the supervision of a medical man with special psychological training ; experimental research is urgently needed. (5) Each case ought to be followed up subsequent to attendance at the special class. Short-sighted Children. — ^These are reported regularly to the School Medical Officer by whom they are tested, and provided with suitable spectacles. 28 The Authority has issued an instruction that in every classroom there shall be put up a list of those children who ought to be wearing glasses and cases of neglect or broken glasses are to be reported immediately. (d) Policy as to the Size of Classes. At present it is laid down in Article 14 of the Code that the number of scholars on the register of any class must not exceed 60. The following table shows the average size of the classes in the various Elementary Schools in the Borough : — v'erage Size of Class. 1-30 ... Boys. Girls. Senior Mixed. ... 1 Junior Mixed. Infants. ... 4 . Total. .. 5 31-35 ... — - ... 1 ... - ... 1 . .. 2 36-40 ... ... 3 .. 4 ... 1 ... - ... 2 . .. 10 41-45 ... ... 4 .. 1 ... 2 ... 1 ... 2 . .. 10 46-50 ... ... 1 .. 2 — ... 1 ... 3 . .. 7 51-55 ... ... - .. 1 ... 1 ... - ... 2 . .. 4 56-60 ... ... - .. - ... - ... - ... - . - Total ... .. 8 .. 8 ... 6 ... 2 ... 14 . .. 38 The variation in size is due to several causes (i.) Maximum size allowed by the Code ; (ii.) Size of classroom ; (iii.) Total accommoda- tion of the school. In Schools other than Infants there are to-day : — 42 Classes with less than 35 on the Register. 47 „ 36-40 >> >} 40 „ 41-45 }} >> 36 „ 46-50 )) >> 18 „ 51-55 )> n 15 „ 56-60 >f i> iti Infants' Schools:— 27 Classes with less than 35 oi 1 the Register. 8 „ 36-40 }} »y 6 „ 41-45 }> ft 8 „ 46-50 >> >> 10 „ 51-55 i> >f 16 „ 56-60 i) it In connection with the figures for the Infants' Schools, it is necessary to point out that the numbers were taken at the beginning of a new educational year in August, i.e., after the promotions to the Senior Departments had been made. Many of these classes will increase in size as the year advances, while many of those m the Senior Schools will decrease owing to scholars leaving on reaching the age of 14. •._:• ^t 4- UJ k. ^^ +•0 Is < - ;.• ■:5 I 1 ■ j ; \ ] < > . / ^ i i " ;;::::x> ™^ |( > ^^ t • ,/ V . <. > ^ ^ _ a Z 9 < «. -> 'V ^^ H . ., , . i \ v ■ ' ■^. r'-'-r^^j » 5 i 1 1 .. --. ) . — -- — / [- -1 ■ ^^ 1 ■ Q Z ? o » J 1 i 1 1, i 1 ! — III * U. c • i i \ 1 ..■.Ar™. ^ ^ 1 1 5 < k 1 o o ON .,..„ L_„. "- " > I < r \ I- It s i i 7 n 1 ! \ \ \ 1 1 5 tG — - 1 f 1 r < i 1/ "i \ 1 1 1 i It i > ■ { 1 c r r < -4 =1 '5 Hi 5 S ^ I i > ^ 5 • CO ill I 31 And for determining the choice between men and women for Head Teacherships and Assistantships in departments of various types. The education of children up to about 10 or 11 3^ears of age ought to be so organised that there shall be no sudden changes, but in the past a break in method and discipline has often taken place at 7 years of age when the child is transferred from the Infants' to the Senior School. During the period in the Infants' School, the children are laying the foundation of all their ideas by means of sense impressions obtained from various kinds of activities. Then comes a period of transition leading up to the stage when the child is introduced to systematic school work. As a rule we have not attached sufficient importance to this transition period. In Wallasey we have tried to*5mooth over the change by means of a " floating " staft'. The teacher has accompanied her scholars on their transference from the Infants' to the Senior Department, and has remained with them for a 3^ear and then returned to the Infants' School, while the teacher of the lowest class in the Senior Department has taken the other's place in the Infants' and trans- ferred again in due course. In this way we have tried to obtain a closer assimilation of the methods of the Infants' Schools and the lower classes of the Senior Schools. Up to 11 a boy may, as a rule, be entrusted entirely to the discipline and teaching of women without suffering any serious disadvantage, but after that age we are of the opinion that boys should come largely under the influence of men, and that the senior girls should be brought under the influence of women assistants and a Head Mistress. Again at this stage, there should be a difference in the course of instruction for boys and girls, e.g., in Arithmetic for boys we should bring measurements and calculations into relation with the practical work which will ultimately be done by the pupils in the workshop or office. Differences of sex must also be taken into account in such subjects as physical training, and for physiological reasons a girl at this period ought not to work at the, same pace as a boy. PROPOSALS. The Local Education Authority will organise new Elemen- tary Schools with a Junior Department for all scholars up to 11 years of age, i.e., the age when we consider transfers to Secondary Schools, Central Schools, etc., and which will obviate any break at the age of 7. This Junior Department to be staffed with Female Assistants and a Female Head. 32 We will then organise separate department... for boys and girls from 11-14, staffing the Boys' Departments as far as possible with Male Assistants and a Male Head, and the Girls' Departments with Female Assistants and a Female Head Teacher. (2) PROPOSAIyS FOR ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING A TEACHING SERVICE ADEQUATE IN NUMBER AND SUITABLE IN QUALIFICATIONS FOR CARRYING OUT THE AUTHOrFtY'S policy. (a) Proposed procedure for bringing into operation the Authority's policy :— (i.) As to the size of classes, so far as it affects the total num- ber of teachers ultimately required in the service. The following table shows how the average size of our classes has diminished since 1904 : — Council Schools. N on-Provided Schools. Year. Head Teachers Class Teachers On Roll Av. per Class Teacher Head Teachers Class Teachers On Roll Av. per Class Teacher 1904 13 73 3,790 52 17 92 1 4,840 ! 52 -6 1908 17 123 5,851 47-6 16 86 3,959 46 1913 21 158 7,635 48-3 17 84 3,909 1 46-5 1919 24 187 8,113 43-4 15 79 3,334 1 42 -2 In August, 1919, there was a total of 273 classes in our Elemen- tary Schools, and each class is in charge of a Teacher, and many have their own room. The Head Teachers in the large Schools are not attached to any class, but in a few very small Schools the Head Teacher has charge of a class. In order to reduce each class in each department to at least 40 children in Senior Schools and 48 in Infants' Schools, we should need 25 additional class teachers. This figure has been arrived at after consideration of each department separately. It has not been computed merely by taking the total number of scholars and dividing by the number fixed for each class, nor do we suggest moving the children about from school to school to make the classes up to 40 and 48. Each scholar has been considered as remaining in his present department. In many cases the classes would be much smaller than the 40 and 48 adopced as tl e maximum size. The average number of scholars per teacher worked out for our Elemen- tary Schools as a whole is 37 -5, a number which I think will be found to compare very favourably indeed with that for an}^ other area. 33 This Authority has never since 1903 experienced any trouble whatsoever in obtaining properly quaUfied teachers when necessary, and they do not anticipate any difficulty in the future in obtaininj^: the additional teachers required to carry out their policy in the reduction of the size of classes, as and when they may have to adver- tise for same. (ii.) As to the standard of staffing ultimately to be established for various types of schools in the area. The standard wiU be at least one properly qualified teacher for each class, the Head Teacher being unattached to any particular class, and the Manual Instructors and Domestic Science Teachers in addition to this staff. We will also consider whether the higher standards cannot have more teachers than just one for each class. (iii.) As to the proportion Jn which the total staff ultimately contemplated is to consist of Certificated Teachers, Uncertificated Teachers and Teachers of other grades, distinguishing between men and women. The teaching staff in our Elementary Schools is constituted as follows : — Males. Females. Total. Trained Certificated Teachers 44 ... 128 ... 1 72 Certificated Teachers 5 ... 88 ... 93 Uncertificated Teachers ... • — ... 47 ... 47 Supplementary Teachers — ... 3 ... 3 49 ... 266 ... 315 Of the College Trained Teachers, 6 men and 6 women are Univer- sity Graduates, i.e., 4 per cent, of the total number of Teachers in the Schools. The percentage of Teachers who have become Certificated after passing through a cotyrse of training is 54, which wiU be found high as compared with other Authorities, while 29 per cent, have obtained the Certificate of the Board of Education while in active service in the Schools. The Uncertificated Teachers have passed an Examination which in most cases qualified them for admission to a Traming College, but for various reasons they were unable to take advantage of such a course, and they have not been able to pass the Certificate Examina- tion while serving in the Schools. We have only three Supplementary Teachers who were all in the Service prior to 1903, when we became the x\uthority — no others have been or will be engaged. It can fairly be claimed that our Teaching Staff in quality and quantity is equal to that of most progressive Authorities, and con- 34 sists of a band of hard-working enthusiastic and loyal men and women, but at the same time it is now generally recognised that if we are in the future to obtain the best results from all our efforts after educational reconstruction we shall have to secure a still more highly trained and educated body of teachers, and the large majority of them even for the Elementary Schools ought to be drawn from the Universities. Scales of Salaries have recently been improved very considerably, and the benefits of the new Superannuation Act are substantial, and these ought to encourage such i^eople as are wanted to enter the profession . The Authority contemplate each class ultimately being in charge of a fully qualified Trained Certificated Teacher, Females being employed for Infants, Juniors, and Girls, and Males for Senior Boys. (b) Provision of Teachers (i.) for practical instruction and (ii.) for advanced instruction. For years this Authority has organised classes under the City and Guilds of London Institute to enable persons to qualify as Teachers of Maniial Instruction. In tl: is way we have provided training for men who have ultimately been employed in our Schools, wHch are now almost fully staffed for this particular branch of the curriculum. We must, of course, recognise that something more than this is really necessary ; in fact, we ought in the future to look forward to being able to appoint men who are primarily teachers and who have specialised in Handicraft after completing their two years' course at the ordinary Training College . Artisan instructors o ught to receive a special course of pedagogical training. As for Domestic Science Teachers we have awarded Scholarships to enable girls from the Secondary Schools in the Borough to proceed to the Training College in Colquitt Street, Liverpool, to qualify as Teachers of these special subjects. Three girls are now in training with bursaries granted by this Committee. Previous to proceeding to the Training School, these girls had been in attendance at our Higher Elementary School for Girls, where they had passed an examination qualifying them for admission to the College, and each of them spent a year in an Elementary School as a Probationer getting experience in Class Teaching and in the routine work of an Elementary School. The Authority makes an annual grant of £20 to this particular Training College. For the advanced instruction in Central and other Schools we must depend upon the supply coming from the Universities or from Training Colleges, where the course has been extended for a third year to enable the student to specialise in some particular branch of the curriculum. 35 (d) Extent to which intending Teachers are to be admitted as Student Teachers or Pupil Teachers. In the past few years Wallasey has not produced intending Teachers in numbers sufficient to meet its own requirements, taking this at 6 per cent, of the total number of posts in our Elementary ♦Schools, whereas the output from a residential Borough might have been expected to exceed our own local needs, and thus assist in the provision for the country as a whole. The number for the year 1918-19 was eight, but for the year 1919-20 we have five Student Teachers, two Pupil Teachers, three Bursars, six Probationers : a total of sixteen. These figures include one boy only. The term Probationer is applied to those students who come from the Higher Elementary Schools at about the age of 17 with the necessary qualification to enter a Training College, and who serve in the Elementary Schools in a similar way to the Student Teachers for 12 months and then proceed to the Training College. The Authority recognises that the position of the country in this matter is critical, and they will bring to the notice of parents the ^'mproved prospects now open to teachers and offer every facility for the training of intending teachers (see also page 87) . (e) Arrangements for encouraging Teachers to extend their pro- fessional l^nowledge by granting time off for further study, by formation of Teachers' libraries, etc. In the past the Authority has readily granted leave of absence to teachers for further study. Their places have been kept open for them on return, but the teacher has not been paid during absence. Quite recently we granted a teacher a year's leave of absence to take up a post as repetitrice in the ecole normale at Alen9on — an au pair arrangement. A Teachers' I^ibrary was established some years ago at the Education Office, where it has proved useful, having been fairly well patronised by some Teachers. In addition the Authority has made an annual grant to the Public Libraries Committee to provide books of reference, etc., specially useful to Teachers. (f) Proposals of the Authority as to the remuneration of Teachers. A copy of the Scale of Salaries in force will be filed with this ReiJort and Scheme. 36 (3) PROPOSALS AS TO SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION AND KQUIPIMENT WITH A VIEW TO CARRYING OUT THK AUTHORITY'S POLICY. (a) Proposals for the better utilisation of existing school building by means of the amalgamation of Schools or re-distributio of children, including re-distribution in non-provided School of the same denominational character in the same locality (Section 31, Education Act, 1918). There are no instances in Wallasey in which two or more schools of the same denomination in the same part of the area conld with advantage, either to the children or the Authority, be re-organised by grouping so as to secure a re -distribution of the children accord- ing to age, sex or attainments. (b) Proposals (including proposals of managers of non-provided Schools) for dealing systematically with the provision of the school accommodation required for the carrying out of the Authority's policy. The building in Valkyrie Road planned as an Elementary School for 400 boys, 400 girls and 400 infants, is to be finished at once, but owing to the serious shortage of places for Secondary Education its temporary use for this purpose, when completed, has been sanctioned by the Board of Education. When this School was approved it was intended to close St. Mary's Boys' School, which, as a building, is much behind modern requirements in every way. The Managers had agreed to the closure of their Boys' School and pre- pared (i.e., in pre-war days) a Scheme for remodelling the Girls' and Infants' School building. The Scheme was postponed owing to the War, but the Managers propose to take up the work at the earliest poss'ble moment and ca ry out the alterat^'ons in accordance with the plans already approved by the Authority and the Board. The Authority has already purchased two additional sites (a) Ashville Road, Seacombe, and (b) Coronation Avenue, New Brighton. When they were bought it was expected that we should have to replace very soon St. Paul's, Magazine Lane and Egerton Street Schools. These Schools are undoubtedly out of date for modem requirements, and the Managers have made no proposals to remodel them. We have further to consider the consequence of " writing down" each school when the classes are reduced in size, and the Central Halls no longer used as classrooms, e.g.. Manor Road School. The reduction in accommodation will be from 1,152 to 840, a decrease of 312 places. 37 Somerville School. A few years ago an extension was made to this School by the erection of a two-storey building having accom- modation on each floor for seven classrooms of 50 children each. At present only five classrooms are used on each floor, so that the accommodation is for 250 children on each, a total of 500. Two of the other four rooms intended for classrooms are used as a Manual Room, and the other two as a room for Practical Science, and both are used in connection with the Senior Boys' Department. We discussed the possibility of remodelling the old building at Somer- ville, where each department consists of a very large room undivided by screens in which three or four classes have to be taught at one time, a most undesirable and out-of-date arrangement. In the Boys' Department there are two classrooms for 90 each, again an out-of-date arrangement, and two classrooms for 60 children each, and almost similar sized rooms in the Girls' and Infants' Departments. Assuming that the new portion (as intended) is allocated for Senior Boys and Girls, and the old portion remodelled to provide for Juniors and Infants, together with rooms for practical instruction for the Senior Boys and Girls, we could provide ultimately accom- modation for 1,200 as against 1,534 at present, or a reduction of 334 places. Riverside School. This School was opened in 1900, and consists of four departments. Each consists of a large room divided by a screen, with accommodation for 60 or 70 scholars on either side of the screen, and classrooms in many cases providing places for 60 and in some cases for 80 or 90 children. In a separate block there is a Manual Instruction Room and a room originally built for a Gymnasium, but now used for classroom purposes. Another room originally equipped for Cookery is now used as an ordinary classroom. The building requires to be re-screened, and the new accommodation would be 1,048, or a reduction of 290 places. Church Street. This is our latest Council School, and as a build- ing is very satisfactory in every way. Nearly all the classrooms were built to accommodate 50 scholars at 10 sq. ft. each, which, if reduced, would provide for 40 at 12 sq. ft. each. The recognised accommodation would thus be reduced by 134 places. This School is well equipped for practical instruction. St. George's Road. The classrooms here were built for 50 and 60 scholars. There is no over-crowding ; as a matter of fact, the Infants' School has never been full since it was opened. Poulton School is built on the same plan as St George's Road and with the sani? accommodation, but it is veiy full. To reduce the classes in accordance with our proposal would decrease the recognised acconuuodation of each of these Schools by 272, i.e., a total of 544. as Vaughan Road. This School was opened in 1908, the ground floor for Elementary purposes and the upper floor for Higher Elemen- tary Education. It was so planned as a whole, however, that if neces- sary at any time it could revert to a four-department Elementary School providing accommodation for 1,300 scholars. On the ground floor the classrooms are recognised for 700, which our Scheme would reduce to 608, and the upper floor from 600 to 480. St. Joseph's School. The Mixed Department of this School is overcrowded. The School really requires a new department to be built, so that it may be recognised for Infants, Girls, and Boys. This would not only relieve the pressure in regard to numbers, but would give scope for a proper differentiation in the curriculum for the boys and girls. St. Alban's School is a modern building, but without a Hall or rooms for practical instruction. SS. Peter & Paul's School. A small School at New Brighton which will probably meet requirements for some years. PROPOSAI^. (i.) Additional Schools. (a) Two new Central Schools each for 800 scholars (400 boys and 400 girls), (1) at Coronation Avenue and (2) at Ashville Road, Seacombe, to provide for the 1,626 places to be " written down " in the Council Schools by the adoption of the policy for the reduction in the maximum size, of classes, and also in view of the closing of certain Non -provided Schools. N.B. — ^The places at Vaughan Road now occupied by the Higher Elementary Scholars will then revert to places for Elementary School purposes. (b) Additional department to St. Joseph's Schools. (u.) Replacement of existing buildings. (a) St. Mary's Boys. (b) St. Mary's Girls and Infants. (c) St. Paul's . (d) Magazine I^ane. (e) Egerton Street . (iii.) Additions to existing buildings. In some we require improvements in the artificial lighting, and some heating installations are not adequate. (iv.) Remodelling or improvement of existing buildings. (a) Somerville Council School. (b) Riverside Council School. 39 (v.) Provision or extension of playgrounds. None. (vi.) Provision of special rooms for practical instruction. New Schools will always be provided with accommodation for this. (vii.) Provision of School Gardens. Not considered necessary. (viii.) Provision of School Baths. Not considered necessary. (ix.) Provision of Teachers' houses or hostels. Not necessary. (c) Arrangements for reaching and maintaining a proper standard as regards sufficiency and suitability of School Furniture, Books, Apparatus and Materials? All new Schools when erected are supplied with complete fur- niture which is renewed as occasion demands. The Head Teachers submit monthly requisitions for books, apparatus and materials. Before the war a limit was placed upon the amount that could be spent for each Department. When it is practicable again no doubt some sum will be fixed which will be agreed as adequate for this purpose. (d) Arrangements for providing and maintaining School Libraries or for utilising juvenile sections of public libraries. After the adoption of the Education Act in 1903 and the forma- tion of the Wallasey Education Committee, a Scheme was inaugu- rated for estabHshing School lyibraries in certain of our Council Schools, Boys and Girls Departments. The School lyibraries then established are now practically out of use ; it has not been possible during war time to renew the books and many were about worn out before August, 1914. The time is therefore opportune for reviving the movement and equipping each of our Schools with a collection of suitable books. It is not necessary to urge the desirability and importance of read- ing for the Scholars of our Elementary Schools we all are agreed, and recognise the possibilities of the School lyibrary proving supple- mentary to the class work of the School. PROPOSAI^. (1) That an adequate School Library be formed in every Boys* and Girls' Department of Council and Voluntary Schools. (2) That in this Scheme we should ask the co-operation of the Libraries Committee and the Librarian. (3) That the Public Library should become a sort of Head- quarters and Clearing House. 40 (4) That large Schools should have not fewer than 100 volunaes each and smaller Schools 50 volumes. (5) That the books should not be mterchangeable from School to School ; the scholars change and the books are new to newcomers. (6) That when books are worn out they may be replaced by a similar or different volume. ' (7) That the School Library should be open to scholars of Standard IV. and upwards, that is, children over ten years of age. (8) That a special list of books be compiled and revised from time to time to include not only the favourite classics, but also simply written books bearing upon all manner of subjects : history, poetry, popular science, biography, etc. (9) That from this list the Head Teacher select what he or she thinks most suitable for the library of his or her particular School. (10) That Scholars be encouraged to read for recreation and enjoyment and have freedom of selection. Of course all this will be over and above the Juvenile Section at the Public Library, where they must cater for those who are not in attendance at the Elementary School. The Head Teachers will also be asked to encourage the scholars when they leave the School to pass on and use intelligently the Public Library, and in this connection parties of " leaving " scholars under the charge of a teacher may attend at the Public Library and special tickets could be issued to link up these scholars with the Library. (e) Arrangements for the comfort and well-being of children coming daily from a distance. This heading applies more to coimtry schools than to those in a place like Wallasey where the schools are, with one exception, quite near to the homes of the scholars. The exception is the Higher Elementary or Central School which is situated at the north end of the Borough, but whose scholars come from all parts of the area. In many cases the children bring their dinners with them and rooms in the Technical School close by are used as dining rooms. Pro- vision is also made for heating food which may be brought, making tea, cocoa, etc. (4) SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. Proposed arrangements for- (i.) Ascertaining the number and distribution of children of school age in the area. Early in 1918 the Authority gave instructions for a census of the child jxjpiilation of the Borough to be taken by house to house visitation. 41 The first census has taken nearly two years to complete. We shall go over the ground again, revising and making such alterations as may be necessary. It is estimated that it will take eighteen months to cover the whole area for the second time. We have thus instituted a system which will keep our records as nearly up to date as possible. All the Attendance Officers take part, devoting one day, viz., Thursday, per week to the work. To each man is allotted a dis- trict, and the results are written out on cards, which are filed at the Education Office, so that we have a card catalogue showing the number of children with their ages in each house in the Borough. The returns obtained by the first Census showed : — (a) Number of houses visited 19,368 (b) Number of houses witljput children or with children over 14 years of age only,on'date of visit 9,727 (c) Number of children under five years on date of visit 6, 370 *(d) Number of children over five years not in attendance at any School on date of visit . . . 733 (e) Number of children attending Elementary Schools in Wallasey 11,430 (li.) Securing regular and punctual attendance and ascertaining the cause of absence. The Schools are divided among the six Attendance Officers, no district containing more than about 2,000 scholars. Each Officer visits his Schools on a Monday morning and, with the Head Teacher, takes out a list of the children who are absent. He visits these cases and then returns on Tuesday morning to report the result to the Head Teachers, and takes out a further list, return- ing on Wednesday to report further. On Friday he calls again at the Schools for his dupHcate registers and gets particulars of any cases which require special attention. One cannot help but think that a great deal of this visitation ought not to be necessary. During the last twelve months the Officers had to make 36,310 visits. The Teachers must recognise that the success of the School hinges upon the regular attendance of the children, and many of them take their own definite part in securing it. A great deal of time would be saved if parents would notify the Head Teachers immediately of the reason for absence. Some parents " cannot be bothered " with these notes, but they should be insisted upon by the Teachers who in. this matter will receive the support of the Committee. *Steps were immediately taken to have these childreu admitted into School. 42 In all School Attendance work we have the co-operation and assistance of the School Medical Service, and during the past year or two we have had the support of the Borough bench of Magistrates when we have found it necessary to take a case into Court. A School Attendance Rota Committee meets weekly at the Education Office, and parents are summoned there to explain the reason for irregular attendance. No case is ever taken to the PoUce Court without having previously been considered at the Rota Committee, where the parents are warned of the penalty which will be incurred if there is no improvement in the child's attendance. (5) PROPOSAIvS AS TO SCHOIvARSHIPS AND MAINTENANCE AlvIvOWANCES FOR CHII.DREN IN PUBI^IC EI.EMEN- TARY SCHOOLS OVER 12 YEARS OF AGE. In 1907 the Education (Administrative Provisions) Act gave power to Authorities " to aid by Scholarships the instruction in Public Elementary Schools of scholars from the age of 12," and the Education Act, 1918, now enacts that this power to aid by Scholar- ships includes a power to provide allowances for maintenance. It would appear that the inclusion of a maintenance allowance in a Scholarship awarded by the Authority has in the past been doubtfully legal, all doubt is now removed by this declaration In the past we have had frequent applications from parents for the exemption of their children from attendance at School owing to poverty, and in some cases the request has been granted. Now that no exemptions are to be made before the age of 14, the Authority ma}^ be asked to consider whether maintenance allowances should be made to enable these children to be retained in School until the time when they are legally entitled to be withdrawn. This is a most important and far-reaching clause, and will have to receive the very careful attention of the Committee. (6) PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS FOR DEAIvING WITH CHIIvDREN IN EXCEPTlONAIv CIRCUMSTANCES. (Section 21, Education Act, 1918). A lyocal Education Authority with the approval of the Board of Education may provide board and lodging for Elementary School children, who, owing to the remoteness of their homes, or the con- ditions of living or other exceptional circumstances, are not in a position to receive the full benefit of education as ordinarily pro- vided. For this purpose the Local Education Authority may enter into an agreement with the parent of the child. If possible, and if the parent so requests, a child who is boarded out shall be lodged with a person belonging to the same religious persuasion as the child's parents. 43 As pointed out elsewhere, all our Schools are close to the homes of the children, and therefore this part of the section does not apply to Wallasey, but it gives us power to deal with children who may be hving in conditions which prevent them from receiving the full benefit of the education we provide. (7) PROPOSED PROVISION OF ADMINISTERING THE LAW RELATING TO THE EMPLOYMENT OF SCHOOL CHILDREN. Byelaws regulating employment and Street Trading have already been drafted and submitted to the Home Office for approval. A copy will be filed with this Report. At present it is proposed to have these children supervised by the School Attendance Officers. — The Police have also agreed to co-operate. The Head Teachers have received instructions to report any child who is being employed in such a manner as to render him unfit to obtam the proper benefit from his education, and these cases are brought to the notice of the School Medical Officer, who may prohibit the employment or attach such conditions as he may think fit. The School Attendance Rota Committee will hear and deal with all applications for the employment of children in theatrical or other performances. (8) SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE. Wallasey was one of the first Local Education Authorities to begin medical inspection after the Act of 1907. A School Medical Officer was appointed and the work has increased and progressed in many directions since that date. At the present time the Medical Officer of Health acts as School i\ledical Officer, generally supervising and co-ordinating the work of the other Medical Officers and the School Nurses. The actual inspection is carried out by an Assistant School Medical Officer, a part-time appointment held by a local practitioner. It is recognised that in view of all the problems which will now arise, it will be necessary in the near future to have a full-tuue Assistant School Medical Officer. (9) MEDICAL INSPECTION AND TREATMENT OF CHILDREN EDUCATED IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. (a) Inspection of Children. The Code requires us to satisfy the Board of Education that provision is made in every Elementary School for the Medical In- spection of all children admitted to the School during the year 44 ' (i.e., Entrants), of all children who are between the ages of 8 and 9 years (i.e., intermediates), and of all children between 12 and 13 years of age (called "leavers"). The Authority has since 1908 and during all the years of war inspected all the groups required by the Code. Last year 3,728 children out of a total (on the lists as submitted) of 4,356 were actually inspected, viz., 1,426 entrants, 1,227 inter- mediates, and 1,075 leavers. There were 20 per cent, of the entrants absent from inspection, 10 per cent, of the intermediates and 10 per cent, of the leavers. Parents are requested by post to be present at the inspection, and during the year ending December, 1918, 74 per cent, were actually present when their children were examined. The actual refusals to attend are now very rare, the parents appear to appre- ciate the aims and objects of medical inspection and see that it is not intended to interfere with their rights and privileges. The actual inspection is carried out on the school premises by the Assistant School Medical Officer accompanied by a School Nurse, and a card is filled in for each individual. This card follows the child and contains his complete medical history while in attendance at school. About 20 cases are examined each afternoon, and this enables us just to complete the routine inspection during the year after allowing for some afternoons devoted to Bye Gases. When the scholars of a particular department are being in- spected, all the cases which were found to be suffering from a defect on the previous visit are re-examined, their names being obtained from the " treatment ordered " book. The Doctor also examines any special cases that may be brought forward by the Teachers. PROPOSAL. The leakage in the number of children to be examined should not amount to the percentages indicated above. A child absent from inspection must be followed up and not simply placed on the list for the Doctor's next visit to that particular Department. ^ All absentees should be collected at the Clmic on a particular day or days. (b) Following up. The object is to see that treatment is actually obtained for the defects of which parents have been notified at the routine inspec- tion. In each School we keep a ' treatment ordered " book in which each case requiring treatment is entered up on the date of the exami- nation, the parent, if present, being told about the defect and advised to have it attended to. 4o If the parent is not present, the case is followed up to the home if it is a matter of a small defect, but if it is a case requiring treatment, sa}'. Tonsils or Adenoids, it has not lately been followed up because it has not been possible for them to receive attention at the Local Hospitals. Now it has been decided to treat these cases at the Clinic, every one must be followed up into the home and continuously visited until the treatment ordered has been carried out, either by their own Medical Attendant or at the Clinic. In the past the following up has not been as effective as it would have been had there been facilities for treatment at the School Clinic for enlarged tonsils, adenoids, teeth, etc., but as this is soon to be remedied, every step wiU be taken by kindly and tactful visitation to pursuade parents to adopt the advice given b^^ the School Medical Officer, and in cases of neglected •children to try and increase the idea of parental responsibility. (c) Treatment. (i.) Eyes. The eyesight of every child is tested at the routine inspection, and also any special cases reported by the Teachers. Simple cases of refraction are referred to an optician appointed by the Committee, and he prescribes the necessary spectacles. The other cases are examined by the Assistant School Medical Officer, who issues a prescription for the necessary spectacles. The more difficult cases are referred to an Bye Specialist. A Rota Committee interviews the parents in each case and decides whether the spec- tacles are to be provided free or at a proportion of the cost, or whether the parent is to pay the full amount. PROPOSAlvS. All cases of defective vision should be tested at the School Clinic by a Medical Officer. At the same time the optician should be present to fit the frames, etc., and the Rota Committee should then and there decide as to the payment. Re-tests should also come up at specified periods. (ii.) Teeth. The Authority has appointed a full-time Dentist, and an early start will be made in dental treatment at the Clinic. (iii.) Tonsils and Adenoids. We have found a great difficulty in getting even necessitous cases treated in hospital. The Authority has now engoged a Specialist and an Anaesthetist to treat cases at the School Clinic. (iv.) Minor Ailments. These are treated daily at the Clinic by the School Nurses under the supervision of the School Medical Officers. 46 (v.) Remedial Exercises. A beginning will be made when we have started the work of treating tonsils and adenoids at the Clinic. (vi.) Uncleanliness. At the present time the Schools are divided between the two School Nurses, who periodically visit for cleanliness surveys in each department. Heads, hands, nails, body, teeth, clothing, etc., are all examined and the necessary instructions given. In the case of dirty heads, the Authority has a series of printed cards which are placed in an envelope and sent home with the child, giving full instructions how the hair can be cleaned. If the case is a bad one it is followed up by a visit to the home. In the majority of cases parents give the required attention, and the child soon returns to School. In only a very few cases have we had to call in the N.S.P.C.C. In regard to body uncleanliness, all such children are excluded, and the cases referred to the Sanitary Department that the home and bedding may receive attention. There are not many serious cases of uncleanliness now dis- covered in the Schools. (10) OTHER MEDICAL SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN EDU- CATED IN PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. (a) Medical observation and supervision of employed children. The new employment byelaws prescribe that a child must obtain from the School Medical Officer a Certificate that his employment will not be prejudicial to his health or physical development, and will not render him unfit to obtain the proper benefit from his educa- tion, and the Certificate has to be produced to and endorsed by his employer. All Head Teachers have already received instructions to report any child who is being employed in such a manner as to be pre- judicial to his health or physical development, or to render him unfit to obtain the proper benefit from his education. (b) Dealing in consultation with the Sanitary Authority with in- fectious diseases and other matters of common interest. The School Medical Ofiicer is also the Medical Ofiicer of Health, and there is every co-operation between the two services, e.g., during 1918 no less than 407 cases of suspected infectious disease were notified by the Education Ofiice to the Public Health Department, who in turn notify cases and give instructions for the exclusion ot patients, contacts, etc., from School. (c) Medical investigation as to sub-normal (dull or backward) children, or abnormal (stammering, short-sighted, etc.), child- ren. This has already been fully discussed on page 27 of this Report, 47 (d) Ascertaining what children (whether in attendance at School or not) are blind, deaf, physically defective or epileptic for the purpose of the Special Acts. Such cases are found by the School Attendance Officers in their house-to-house visitation for census purposes, and each is made the subject of a special report by the School Medical Officer and con- sidered by the Medical Inspection Committee. (e) Ascertaining what children are defective within the meaning of the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913, and notifying suitable cases to the Local Control Authority in accordance with the Mental Deficiency (notification of children) Regulations, 1914. Cases are referred by the Teachers, and School Attendance Officers. Each case is specially ^xamined by the School Medical Officer who reports whether the child is fit (i.) for an ordinary public elementary school with or without particular supervision or modi- fication of curriculum, (ii.) for a Special Class for dull or backward children, or (iii.) a Special School — day or residential, (iv.) unsuit- able for a Special School. All uneducable cases are reported to the Committee for the care of the Mentally Defective. (11) SPECIAL SCHOOIvS. Proposals for enabling the following classes of children to obtain suitable education in Certified Schools. (a) Blind children. All cases are sent to the residential school for the BHnd at Wavertree, Liverpool. (b) Deaf children. All cases are sent to the Special School in Oxford Street, Liverpool, either as day pupils or boarders. (c) Physically defective children. The Authority has just taken over as a temporary measure a School in Lucerne Road, hitherto car- ried on voluntarily by the ladies of the Children's Aid Association, but we have also in hand a Scheme for building on Walker's Croft (a site overlooking the Welsh Hills and the Irish Sea), a School for Physical and Mentally Defective Children on the Hues of the Special School at Kettering. The Scheme was initiated in 1914, but was postponed on the outbreak of war. (d) Mentally defective children. The lack of School places any- where in the country for tliis class of child has been a serious handi- cap to our endeavours, 48 (12) PROVISION OF IVlKAivS FOR CHILDREN ATTENDING PUBLIC laEMENTARY vSCHOOLS. In 1908 this Authority estabHshed and equipped a vSchool Canteen, and also arranged for seven dining rooms at various Schools or Centres in the area. The food was cooked at the Canteen and conveyed by cart in " jacketed " tins to the Centres. The children were in charge of the teachers, who vohmteered in this work. The tables were neatly prepared by monitors and covered with linen cloths. The menus were carefully selected in conjunction with the School Medical Officer, and a substantial appetising meal was pro- vided. We had to cater for about 650 children daily, and the cost for food only worked out at l|Vl- P^'^ head. In the subsequent years it was not found necessary to open the Canteen, but a few necessitous cases were dealt with, the School Caretakers cooking and serving the meals to the children. The whole of the equipment has been retained and the Commit- tee can, if the necessity arises, re-open a Canteen at a few days' notice. (13) ORGANISATION OF SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL TRAIN- ING IN CONNECTION WITH PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. (a) Proposed provision for— (i.) Organising Physical Training, including Swimming and Children's Games. The School is immediately concerned with three things (1) intellectual advancement, (2) bodily development, (3) formation of character and all these three sides are closely related. Sys- tematic physical exercises are required for all scholars to further growth and development of the physical frame and muscle, and at present they are based on the Syllabus of Physical Exercises of .graduated difficulty issued by the Board of Education, a revised edition of which is about to be issued. Success in this part of the School Curriculum depends chiefly upon (a) the efficiency of the teachei, and (b) suitable accommoda- tion both in and out of School. Ample space is required indoors, so that the work may be carried on properly during wet and wintry weather, unless there is adequate open shed accommodation. Most of our Council Schools have Central Halls which were built for this purpose, but many of them are filled with desks and used as classrooms, while the older Council Schools, like the Non-provided Schools, have no proper indoor provision at all. The Council Schools have adequate playgrounds providing ample spaces for physical instruction in fine weather, but in some of the Voluntary Schools the^play grounds are small, awkward in shape, and in some cases broken! in surface. 40 Some plaj^grounds are opeji to the road and the lesson has fre- quently to be given before many spectators and sometimes amid remarks from passing critics ; this is a drawback. As to the Teachers, it will be found that the majority have taken a Special Course of Instruction either in the Training Colleges or in lyocal Classes. The Cheshire Count}^ Council, when the Local Education Authority for Higher Education in Wallasey organised Special Courses (Elementary and Advanced), and they were attended by neaily all the Teachers (Heads and Assistants, male and female) in our Schools at that time. We ought to consider whether another Course ought not now to be organised. The best results are at present obtained where the physical exercises are taken by members of the School Staff who have special ability and liking for the work. -This is the practice in some of our Schools. In others all the Teachers take physical instruction, but unless they have all been through a special course of training the results cannot be considered satisfactory. Again we find that some of this instruction to boys is given by women teachers, and while some of them do their work well the same cannot be said of others. We must not lose sight of the fact that good physical develop- ment is conditioned by the children being well fed. The properly trained teacher is constantly on the lookout for the unfit ,whether from mal-nutrition or from other causes, and such children ought to be excluded until the opinion of the School Medical Officer is obtained in each case ; the School Doctor ought to be in the closest touch with the teaching of this subject of the curriculum ; in fact, ought himself to have attended a course in practical gymnastics and remedial exercises. PROPOSAIvS. (1) -The ideal arrangement would be to have a properly trained teacher on the staff of each school or group of schools, not merely a teacher of drill but someone qualified to be responsible for the proper physical education of the children, along with the School Medical Officer, throughout their whole school life. This teacher ought to be in addition to the ordinary school staff. (2) At the present we recognise that this is not practicable so far as male teachers are concerned. There is a serious lack of facilities for the proper training of male instructors. It is necessary to have something more than the man who has simply taken a course in the Army ; although if such a man has received a good general education he would meet the requirements if he could enter a college for an extended course of training (see page 80). 50 (3) Failing tlxe appointment of a teacher on the staff, the next best course would be to appoint two experts, one for the boys and another for the girls, to pay frequent visits to all the Schools in the Borough, and who, without undertaking the actual teaching, would be able to advise, help, and stimulate the class teacher. Of course, this ex])ert would have to work in with the Head Teacher. ^lany lessons at present lack that precision, accurac}^ of movement, keen- ness of attention, quickness of response, witliout which no lesson can be successful, and this supervision would assist in remedying this. (4) To organise another series of classes for the teachers, includ- ing a course in rhythmic movements for the teachers of girls. (5) To consider w^hether a proper costume and sho^s should h^ provided by the parent or the Authority. Organised Games. The importance of these is full}^ recognised, and it is doubtful if there are many places where the system is so well developed as in Wallasey. ]\Iany 3^ears ago the teachers organised the Wallasey Elementary Schools Sports Association and arranged inter-School Matches in Cricket, Football, Hockey, as well as lessons in Swimming. The matches take place on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings, and the teachers willingly take their part in the tuition and supervision. The Education Com- mittee make a grant of £75 per annum towards the purchase of the necessary apparatus. The work of the Association has during the years of war been seriously handicapped owing to the lack of playing fields, as man}^ of the grounds in the Parks are now under cultivation as allotments, and ma}^ continue as such for a few more years. The Parks Committee of the Corporation recognise the need for these playing spaces for the children's games, and reaelily grant. the use of such grounds as they have at their disposal. During the past summer organised games were held during school hours under com- petent supervision and recognised as part of the regular curriculum of the school, and this practice will be continued. Arrangements were also made for teaching Swimming during school hours. We have only the one bath at Riverside, but with the exclusi^^e use of that during School hours we have been able to organise ^instruction for 960 boys and 960 girls, while 540 boys and 600 girls took advantage of the arrangements made. The Authority has supported this effort of the teachers from its incex^tion, and will continue to grant financial assistance and afforel evor}'^ possible opportunity for the extension of the important work of the Association. (ii.) Vacation Schools and Classes. It is submitted that there is no necessity for the organisation of such Schools in a residential Borough like Wallasey, 51 (iii.) Evening Play Centres. In January,. 1917, the Board of Education issued a Memorandum on the provision of Evening Play Centres for cnildren attending Public Elementary Schools, particularly for those whose home conditions are unfavourable to healthy and happy development Public attention had at that time been called to the serious risk of deterioration in conduct and discipline amongst school children owing to circumstances rising out of war, and it was con- sidered that one of the most effective means of counteracting these tendencies was the extension of the system of play centres where children from the Elementary Schools could be amused and profit ably occupied after school hours. This movement was originated many years ago in Eondon by Mrs. Humphrey Ward, and within the last year or two Centres have been estabUshed in the poorer parts of many of our large towns. If well and inteiligently managed, it may be a valuable agency for training the children. There should be a spirit of free play and healthy occupation in the Centre, but of course where large number? are present discipline can never be neglected. The success of a Centre depends largely upon the Superin- tendent. He must take an intelligent interest in the individual child and the encouragement of a corporate spirit The elder children must be led to look after the little ones The Centres are usually open from 5 to 7-30 or 8 o'clock School methods and phrases are avoided as much as possible. The assistant members of the staff must consist of persons in sympathy with the children and able to enter into the spirit of their games and occupations. Paid workers are undoubtedly neces- sary, but no doubt some voluntary workers would come forward. The Board of Education undertake to pay half the approved cost of carrying on such Centres. Wherever these Centres have been in operation it has been found that immense benefits have accrued to the children attending them. The children learn how to spend their .leisure time in various occupations. The Play Centre, in fact, becomes a Club for the young bo 3^ and girl. PROPOSAES. To cf?tablish one or more Play Centres to be conducted in Elemen- tary School buildings, each under the charge of a paid superintendent with assistants, some of whom will be paid, while others may give their services voluntarily. (iv.) Holiday and School Camps. (See page 79). 52 (v.) Playing Fields and School Swimming Baths. Wallase}^ is very well provided with open spaces, public parks and recreation grounds, amounting to a total area of 176 acres. Before the war the playing fields were almost adequate for the organisation of games for the children in the Elementary Schools. Since the outbreak of war parts of the public parks have been turned into allotments, but these will in due course revert to the purpose for which they were originally purchased. The Authority is alive to the importance of providing playing fields for the children in attendance at the Elementary Schools, and in fact quite recentl}^ made application to the Ministry of Health for sanction to the transfer of a large open space from the Parks Committee to the Education Committee, so that it might be used en- tirely for games by the school children, but the application was not entertained. In considering facilities for games in Wallasey it must always be remembered that there is a wide expanse of seashore available for recreation purposes for the children. There are no swimming baths in any of our Elementary Schools. From time to time a proposal has been made for the provision of further swim.ming baths at the New Brighton end of the district, and there is little doubt that such a Scheme will materialise in due course. As already explained, the facilities granted to the School children at the existing Baths are quite sufficient to meet the num- ber of scholars who wish to avail themselves of the opportunity. The Authority does not feel called upon to provide vSwinmiing Baths on the premises of any new Schools. (14) NURSERY SCHOOLS. The Act empowers Authorities (1) to' supply or aid the supply of Nursery Schools for children over two and under five years of age whose attendance at a School is necessary or desirable lor their healthy physical and mental development, and (2) to attend to the health, nourishm.ent and physical welfare of the children attending them. They are thus free to provide or not to provide, to aid or not to aid, and the parents are free to send, or not to send, their children to the Schools when established. The Board of Education ma}^ pay grants in aid, but a non- provided Nursery School to obtain a grant must be open to the inspection of the Authority, who must be represented on the body of Managers. The idea of a Nursery School is largel^^ a new conception and differs from that of the Day Nursery, which is primarily concerned \^ith children whose mothers are at work. 53 The Board's conception of a Nursery School is (a) the close personal care and medical supervision of the individual child, in- volving provision for its comfort, rest and suitable nourishment ; (b) definite training — bodily, mental and social — involving the cultivation of good habits in the widest sense, under the guidance and oversight of a skilled and intelligent teacher, and the orderly association of children of various ages in common games and occu pation. It is thus more than a place for " minding " children. Tlie need of Nursery Schools is greatest in the more congested areas of the large towns. Meals, including a mid-morning lunch and mid day dinner, should, as a rule, be taken at the School, and in some cases, breakfast and tea. The children should spend a definite part of the day in rest and sleep on low stretchers, easily stored away, or on clean mats. They should be taught to -breathe correctly and naturally, and a great deal of time should be spent in the open air. The School must, of course, be under proper medical supervision, and it is ex- pected that these Schools will reduce the large number of prevent able defects now observed in entrants to the Elementary School. Constant supervision ought to lead to the postponement of attacks of measles and whooping cough, and so lessen the mortaHty. Formal work in Reading, Writing and Arithmetic should have no place at all in the Nursery School ; there should be training in speech and language. There would be much hand-work and sense training. Site, Premises and Equipment. The site should be easy of access to the children's homes ; in fact, within convenient walking distance. It ought to have a garden if not adjoining a park, and 12 to 15 sq. ft. of floor space per child with lavatories, bathroom, latrines, cloak- rooms. For some years to come these Schools will be experimental ; therefore at present no large expenditure on specially built premises is desirable. It is estimated that there are about 1,750 children in each year of age between 2 and 5, or a total of 5,250, in Wallasey. It is certainly not necessary to establish Nursery Schools for a very large number- of these children " for their healthy, ph^^sical and mental development." For we must remember that there is an adequate supply of Infants' Schools of the best kind in Wallasey, most of them housed in modern well- ventilated and well-lighted buildings, with every facility for the best training on the most modern methods and liberally staffed with teachers specially trained for this type of School. These Infants' vSchools have been open to young children below the compulsory age of five years, and in January, 11)19, there were on the rolls 279 of these four year old cliildren. 54 Tlie Authority is of the opinion that there is no inniiediate necessity for the inclusion of a general system of Nursery Schools in the Scheme for Education in Wallasey, which is almost entirely a residential Borough, and where the large majority of homes can be considered of the kind which Mr. Fisher referred to when he said " \Vhere the home is good the child should be encouraged to stay with his or her mother." At the same time the Authority will be prepared in due course to arrange and equip a Nursery School for about 40 or 50 selected children from 2 to 5 years of age (whose attendance at such a School is necessary or desirable for their healthy, physical and mental development) on the lines laid down in the Regulations of the Board of Education, as an experiment which could be carefully watched and from which conclusions could be drawn as to how far it would be necessary or desirable to estabhsh and maintain some such Schools as part of the educational system of the Borough. II —CO-ORDINATION OF PUBLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS WITH SCHOOLS FORMING PART OF THE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION. In our Elementary Schools there are about 1,257 boys between the ages of 10 and 12, and 1,281 girls of the same age. In May each year we hold an examination of Scholars between these ages for about 17 Free Places offered at the Wallasey Grammar School, and for about 12 to 16 at the Wallasey High School for Girls, the exact number being determined by taking 12 J per cent, of the total entries for the year in the case of the Grammar School and 10 per cent, in that of the High School. In considering this question it is important to set out Article 20 of the Regulations for Secondary Schools, viz. : — "In all fee-charging Schools free places must be offered at the beginning of each school year to pupils entering from Public Elementary Schools under the conditions laid down. The num- ber to be offered will ordinarily be 25 per cent, of the total number of pupils admitted to the School during the previous year, but this percentage may be reduced or varied by the Board on sufficient grounds in the case of any particular School." The Authority is not aware of the " sufficient grounds " sub- mitted wheji the percentage was re(hict{l in the case of the Grammar School and the High School to 12 o and 10 per cent, respective]}' some years before we became responsible for their maintenance. . For the free places offered in 1911), 107 boys and 92 girls entered* and they no doubt were specially selected . In addition there is a large number of boys and girls in our Elementary Schools who are capable of profiting by Secondary Education, but who would have very little chance of obtaining one of the above free places because the number is so very limited and the competition exceedingly keen, the examination tests being considerably above the standard required at the Secondary Schools for the admission of fee-paying pupils. Candidates from the Roman Catholic Elementary Schools in Wallasey sit for free places at the Secondary Schools in Iviverpooi and Birkenhead belonging to that denomination. The papers are much easier than those which have to be set in our open competition in Wallasey. Many of those who cannot obtain free places in our Secondary Schools enter for the three yeaft' course at the Higher Elementary Schools for boys and girls, and others enter private Schools. In 1919, 147 boys and 170 girls entered for the Admission Examination to the Higher Elementary Schools, where there were vacancies for about 70 of each sex. The Examination for the Free Places at the Secondary Schools has been confined to pupils between the ages of 10 and 12, and has been conducted in two parts. First a written test in Mental Arith- metic, Arithmetic, EngUsh (Dictation and Composition), and General Intelligence for all pupils. On the result of this written test we have selected the first, say, 23 candidates (for about 17 vacancies) and submitted each to a viva-voce test conducted by the Director of Education, the Head of the Secondary School and the Examiner who set and marked the papers in the written test, and who is closely conversant with the curriculum and work of an Elementary School. At the viva-voce test the Examiners have before them the Candidate's School Record, furnished by the Head Teacher of the Elementary School from which he comes. In this way we have selected the exact number of candidates required, and we can testify to the exceeding great care which has been exercised to be fair and just to each boy and girl, but we must also add that it has often been a cause of great regret to have to turn down candidates in every wa}^ fitted for a free place but to whom an award could not be made owing to the serious lack of accommodation . Very soon we shall have Secondary School places available at \^alkyrie Road, and this wilL relieve the situation very materially. PROPOSALS. (I) Tluit an ICxamination be held hi every PUementary vSchool in June each year of all the children of the age of about 11. 56 , (2) The first part of this Examination to consist of a written test in Arithmetic and KngHsh. The same questions to be set in all the Schools, the Examination being supervised by the Head Teacher and Staff, who will also mark the papers. The School Record of each candidate to be taken into account and then a list submitted of all those considered capable of profitmg by some form of further educa- tion. (3) The parents of these scholars then to be interviewed by the Committee, who will explain the facilities offered and also ascertain if any financial difficulties stand in the way of a candidate capable or profiting by such a transfer. (4) These candidates then to go forward to a further written and viva-voce test. (5) The results would be available for filling annually the free places at the Grammar School and High School, and all the places at the Municipal Secondary Schools and Central Schools. The only kind of cases remaining would be the child who de- velops late and for whom some other test would need to be devised, and also that class who show no promise of ability on the bookish side but who show distinct ability on the practical side. Scholar- ships might be offered to these classes of pupil at the age of 13 plus. III.— SECONDARY SCHOOLS. PROPOSED ORGANISATION OF SECONDARY EDUCATION IN THE AREA, INCI.UDING THE PROVISION TO BE MADE IN SCHOOLS NOT PROVIDED BY THE AUTHORITY. As much uncertainty exists as to what a Secondary School exactly is, how the types vary, what are the proper aims of the vary- ing types, and what are their necessary limitations, it seems very desirable before we consider this section of our Scheme under the various heads suggested by the Board, that we should set out from the Board's pubHcations the principles which guide them in the administration of these Schools, and in advising School Authorities who consult them. The following paragraphs are based upon the Board's memoranda. A Secondary School is defined by the Board of Education as a School which provides a progressive course of general education suitable for pupils of an age ranging at least as wide as from 12 to 17, and this definition determines the minimum requirements upon which the Board insist. The Board also set forth the cardinal subjects which must be taught in every Secondary School, viz. :— English lyanguage and Literature, at least one language other than English; Geography, 57 Histoiy, Mathematics, Science and Drawing, the object being to see that provision is made for a good general education for each pupil. This clear definition of the Board's requirements supplies a common nucleus of work for all Secondary Schools, however much they may otherwise differ from one another in the scope and character of their curriculum, and this degree of uniformity is very necessary where we have a continual movement of pupils from one School to another. Secondary Schools differ widely in type. All Schools are not expected to lay the same stress on each of the subjects 'of the cur- riculum, or on each of the groups into which they naturally fall. In some, for example; the linguistic side receives most attention, and others the mathematical and scientific side. While it is in the highest Forms that there is the fullest scope for differentiation, opportunity witl also be found in the main portion of a School for giving a definite bias to the work as a whole. A School will thus be able, while making reasonable adequate pro- vision for all subjects of a curriculum, to secure a relatively higher standard of proficiency in one or more of them. There is also room for the greatest variety both in the order in which the subjects are taken (as in the case of Foreign Languages) and in the treatment of each individual subject. In the case of EnglivSh, for instance, the whole treatment will necessarily be com- pletely different in (i.) a School in which all or nearly all the pupils begin the study of foreign languages at or about the age of 10, and in which the majority of them will proceed to advanced work in Classics or in modem languages, and (ii.) a School in which most of the pupils enter at the age of 12, ignorant of any language, but English, and with a rather imperfect knowledge of that, and leave at or before the age of 16. Not only will the treatment necessarily differ, but the amount of time required will also differ. While the main function of a Secondary School is to suppl}^ a good general education, there are cases in which the Board of Educa- tion will approve within the curriculum a certain limited amoimt of technical work. Such approval will be given when by this means boys and girls are enabled to prolong their general school education while beginning their more technical studies, but work of this kind will be approved only in selected Schools. It must always be strictly Hmited in amount, ahd it should always be confined to the last year or two years of school life. In districts where there are several Schools of a similar type easily accessible, the work of special provision may well be appor- tioned among them, e.g., one School may, inter alia, provide es- pecially for a full course in Modem Languages, while in another more attention may be given to Science and Mathematics. 58 Provision for instruction in I^atin will not necessarih^ be insisted upon, if it can be shown that such provision is available in other accessible Schools charging moderate fees, and if the vSchool applying for exemption definitely disclaims the intention of preparing pupils for University work in literary subjects. One of the most important considerations to be taken into accomit is the age to which Schools normally retain their pupils. In some cases the scheme of work will be planned for those who will continue l^heir education to 18 or even 19, and who will in many cases pass on to University work. In others for those who will finish their School career at 16 or 17 at latest. In all cases there should, however, be facilities for transferring to other Schools, individual pupils who show themselves able to profit by more advanced studies. All these remarks apply equally to Girls' Schools. It is desirable to direct attention to the work of the Junior Forms in a Secondary School. Where practically all the pupils enter from the Elementary School at or about the age of 11 there is no need for the establishment of a fully organised Junior, School, and therefore the whole curriculum and organisation can be so arranged as to carry on the pupils from that stage of attainment which may reasonably be expected of pupils of good ability who come from the Elementary Schools. In all other cases, however, it is very desirable that the more extended course of instruction appropriate to a Secondary School should begin not later than ten, and for this purpose a well-organised Junior School is essential. In 1913 the Board of Education reported that the work done in the Junior Forms of many Schools, especially Boys' Schools, had before that date been seriously unsatisfactory, but that in the last few years there had been a steady and marked improvement. The Board also stated that the Secondary Schools were not sending forward to the Universities and other places of higher education and research a number of properly qualified students adequate to the nation's need, and so in 1917 they issued regulations for what are known as Advanced Courses, and which they regarded as essential as preparation for those proceeding to an Honours University Course, but which they also considered desirable for those large number of pupils who complete their formal education at School, and proceed directly from School to their chosen vocations. They point out that the two years, 16 to 18, are educationally of the highest importance, but in 1918 the Board reported that the vast majority of pupils leave the Secondary School before reaching this stage and without i)roceeding to this advanced work. They pointed out that there were many reasons for this, and among them was lack of inducement due to defects in organisation, in teaching power, and 59 in the course of advanced work provided for older and abler pupils. It is not conteini)lated that an Advanced Course will necessarily be followed by the whole of the pupils who remain at School after reaching the age and standard at which such a Course may be begun. The general principle underlying the Scheme of Advanced Studies is that the two years from 16 to 18 will ordinarily be used to best advantage if the work of the pupils is mainly concentrated on a group of co-ordinated subjects, and so we have Advanced Courses in (i.) Science and Mathematics, (ii.) Classics, and (iii.) Modern Humanistic Studies. Wliere Advanced Courses are established and recognised, the Board gives an additional grant not exceeding £400 per annum. The administration of the Regulations at first created many misunder- standings between the Board and the School Authorities, but these have now to a large extent been cleared up. PRESENT P(3SlTION OF SECONDARY EDUCATION IN WAIvIvASEY. The present Grammar School and High School buildings were erected before Wallasey became a County Borough, but the Cheshire County Council, at that time the Authority, very generously gave a free hand to the local Sub-Committee, which had the control of the work. As a result, we venture to submit that we have two of the finest buildings to be fomid not only in the immediate neighbourhood, but in the north of England. The High School was the first to be opened in September, 1909. It has tennis courts and playgrounds in the rear of the School, and a hocke}" field close at hand in Mount Pleasant Road. The total cost of the site and buildings was £25,578, including an extension erected in 1915-16. The building taken as a whole consists of 16 classrooms and special rooms for Science, Art, Cookery, etc. The Board of Education recognise the accommodation at the rate of four classrooms for 100 scholars, so that the official recognition is 400, with School places for 420, and there are at present on the registers 560 scholars, as shown on page 8. The School possesses a highly qualified staff of University Graduates and others with special qualifications for Junior School and Kindergarten. There are 26 full-time IVIistresses and three part- time, so that the stafiing works out as one full-time mistress for 20 scholars, wliich compares favourably with other Schools conducted by progressive Local Education Authorities. The School to-day is fulfilling the functions of a first and second grade pubUc Secondary School. It is overcrowded, and when other ])ublic secondary acconuuodation for girls is available it ought, b}' a careful process, to be reduced in numbers to its recognised accommodation. 60 The girls may stay on until 18 years of age, and the Leaving Examinations consist of the Matriculation Examination of the Northern Universities and the Higher Certificate Examination of the same body, while scholars can qualify for open and other Scholarships at the old and the modem Universities. Wallasey has provided, in the High School, faciHties for the highest grade education of its girls and there is no educational reason whatever why any j)arents should seek day school accom- modation elsewhere. The following table shows the number and ages of the pupils in October, 1919, and also how the School has increased very consider- ably in the last few years. Out of a total of 560 pupils now on the registers there are no less than 138 under the age of ten, and these are mostly housed and taught in a special building erected as a Kin- dergarten and Junior School. The middle part of the School has grown very rapidly — 68 per cent, of the scholars are between the ages of 10 and 16, and about 7 per cent, over 16. Under 10. 10 and under 12 12 and nnder 16. 16 and imder 18. 18 and over. T(jlal ,ober, 1913 ... . .. 117 56 114 19 — 306 1914 ... . .. 108 59 114 26 — 307 1915 ... . .. 109 65 131 26 — 331 1916 ... . .. 128 74 144 22 2 370 1917 ... . .. 140 111 184 16 3 454 1918 ... . .. 158 129 206 34 2 529 1919 ... . .. 138 140 241 38 3 560 No Advanced Course has yet been recognised at the High School, the difficulty being the numbers of pupils working in any one par- ticular group of subjects. At the present time there are two girls working in the first year for the Higher School Certificate and two in the second year, this corresponding to Advanced Course work. The Grammar School is an old foundation School, dating back to the sixteenth century. I^ike other Schools of this type, it has passed through many vicissitudes, but we need not enter into any details here. A School was built facing Withens Lane and opened in 1876, but about the year 1905 with the large increase in the population about that time the numbers began to grow so rapidly that man> scholars had to be accommodated in " tin tabernacles *' scattered about the school yard. The present School building, on the most modern lines, was designed, erected and opened in January, 1911 at a cost for buildings 61 only of £24,048, and stands surrounded by about six acres of ground, providing a properly laid out cricket field on the west side, and a level well-laid and turfed football pitch on the east. These grounds are b}^ no means sufiicient for organised games for all the scholars. There are few Schools in the neighbourhood, or in the north of England, of the type of our Grammar School which have better facilities at their doors, but 3^et additional provision must be kept in mind. In the present building there are 16 classrooms and fully equipped Science lyaboratories, G3^mnasium, etc., and the extension (which had to be postponed in 1914 owing to the war) has now been begun, and will provide, at a cost of £8,070, four extra classrooms with the necessary staff and cloakrooms, so that finally the School will be officially recognised for 500 boys wifti classroom places for about 540. There are at present 647 scholars on the roll, and the position here is similar to that already indicated in the case of the High School. When there is other Secondary School accommodation available, the Grammar School must be reduced in size, gradually and carefully, so that it may be organised as a first-grade Secondary School, pro- viding first-grade Day School accommodation for the boys of Wal- lasey, more of whom must be encouraged to remain at School until the age of 18. Like all other boys' schools, the Grammar School suffered during the five years of war, eight members of the Staff joined H.M. Forces and two laid down their lives in the service of their country. The withdrawal of the best of the staff and their replacement by teachers of more advanced years, and often of inferior qualifications, was an educational loss to the present generation of boys, even though the masters who remained did their best under very difficult circum- stances. At the commencement of the new School Year in September, 1919, the Staff was strengthened by the appointment of four new teachers, and with the exception of lack of accommodation ever^^thing now is working as in pre-war days. There are 22 Masters, three Mis- tresses, and four part-time Teachers on the Staff, nearly aU Univer- sity Graduates, the number of pupils per full-time member of Staff being about 24. The following table shows how the Grammar School has increased since October. 1913, until there are now 647 pupils in a School recog- nised for 400 places, which the extension will increase to 500. The provision of the Municipal Secondary Schools will enable the Authority to revise the aims and numbers of both the High School and the Grammar School. St Oct. , 1913 ... . Under 10. ^ . 100 10 and mder 1 2 128 12 and imder 16. 232 16 and IS aiu nndcr 1 S. over 7 1 1914 ... . 87 138 250 16 — 1915 ... . 74 151 267 15 — 1916 ... . 79 146 282 9 — 1917 ... . 81 156 300 12 — 1918 ... . 87 182 315 8 — 1919 ... . . 106 196 327 18 — In September, 1919, an Advanced Course was reco 62 Tf tal. 468 491 507 516 549 592 647 nised in Mathematics and Science, ten boys working in the first year of the Course and four in the second year, preparing for the Higher School Certificate Examination. Other Examinations taken are the Senior Oxford and the Matriculation Examination of the Joint Board, and the boys are prepared for open and other Scholarships at the old and the modem Universities. Reference has already been made to the percentage of Free Places awarded at these two vSecondary Schools. During the year 1917-18 there were 895 Secondary Schools in England in receipt of grant on the full scale, but the normal require- ment (25 per cent.) of Free Places was reduced in 108 Schools, of which 58 offered 10 per cent., 37 offered 12 1 per cent., seven offered 15 per cent., and six offered 20 per cent. At the Grammar School and High School the percentages have always been 12 1 per cent, and 10 per cent, respectively. The following table shows the total number of Free Placers in the Schools in October, 1919:— Free Fee-paying Placers. pnpils. Total. Grammar vSchool ... 75 572 647 HighSchool 62 498 560 while at the Grammar School there are 423 boys who at some time during their school careers have been in attendance at an Elemen- tary School and similarly 249 girls at the High School. (a) Statistical Estimate of the Supply of Secondary School Accom- modation required for the area, regard being had to the needs of Children previously educated (i.) in Public Elementary Schools, (ii.) otherwise. In the Elementary Schools of Wallasey at the age of 11 plus we have 1,217 pupils, and of these 264 or 22 per cent, are supernormal, i.e., are above the ordinary standard reckoned according to age. Again there are 441 at this age who are in Standard V. and may be classed as normal. Together we get a total of, say, 700 children in the Elementary Schools who should annually be considered for some form of further education, and from the private schools wc may take, say, 100 pupils at this age who may desire to change to Public Schools. There are thus 800 pupils to be considered per annum. Some will pass to the Grai-flmar School and the High School by payment of fees, say, 65 ; others will be admitted by Free Places, say, 35, a total of 100, and this leaves 700 scholars to be provided for in other Secondary Schools and in Central Schools. The Municipal Secondary Schools, when completed, will take about 140 each year, leaving 560 still to be provided for. The Authority considers that at least two Central Schools will be required, and these would admit per annum about 320 pupils, leaving a balance of 240 per annum, who would probabty remain in their present Schools. Of course we must remember the overcrowding at the Grammar School and the High School. It is therefore clear that there k a necessity for the immediate provision of facilities for various kinu.-:, of further education in Wallasey, and it is proposed that this ought to take the form of Municipal Secoffdary Schools for 400 boys and 400 gills, and two or three Central Schools (whose curriculum will include that usuall}^ provided in Junior Technical and Junior Commercial Schools), each for 400 bo^^s and 400 girls under separate heads, i.e., a total of 1,600 scholars. (b) Preparatory Departments. These already exist at the Grammar School and the High School, but the Authority is of the opinion that a separate School of this type ought to be erected in which pupils could be taken from 6-10 years of age, thus releasing important accommodation in the Grammar School and High School for Secondary purposes proper. (c) Types of Secondary School. We have already two Schools which should be recognised as of first grade, that is taking pupils on to 18 years of age, with Advanced Courses and making provision for the highest kind of work. The Municipal Schools will be differentiated in type, admitting scholars mostl}' from the Elementary Schools at the age of 11 plus, and retain- ing them until the age of 16, the work probably reaching the standard required for the School Certificate. The curriculum will be end on to that of the Blem,entary School and differentiated as indicated in the Board's memoranda. We shall thus have in Wallasey Senior Secondary School of the traditional type offering full-time Courses to the age of 18, and accessible to scholars from the Klementary School of first-rate ability, together with the Municipal Secondary Schools providing full-time education to the age of 16 or 17, with ever)^ facility of access for the boy and girl from the Klementary School of proved capacity. In the Municipal Schools provision will be made for intending teachers for full-time' education up to 16 years of age, followed 64 by two years of part-time education with training as Pupil Teachers, the first four terms of this period being spent at the Secondary School and the other two terms in a Public Elementary School. (d) All types of Schools will work in the closest co-operation, and there will be a ready system of transfer from School to School to meet the needs of th^ pupils. (e) As pointed out in the Introduction, Wallasey is self-con- tained and has no need to co-operate with other Authorities in the provision or maintenance of Secondary Schools. (f) If the proposals indicated above are carried out, it is sub- mitted that we shall have an adequate, appropriate and accessible supply of Secondary Schools for the area. (2) ARRANGEMENTS FOR ADMINISTERING THE SCHOOI.S. (a) There is no doubt that the standard of admission to the Grammar School and the High School is not sufficiently high. In aU probability it will be found that any boy or girl has been admitted, provided there was accommodation, if his parents could pay the fees, and if the child succeeded in doing fairly well at the entrance test. The admission test for free places at these two Schools is much more severe. The Grammar School and High School are both Council Schools, entirely maintained out of public funds, and therefore in this respect no different from the Municipal Schools to be erected. The Authority must see that every boy capable of profiting by some form of further education is not debarred therefrom owing to the inability of his parents to pay the fees, but of course there is no statutory provision for free further education for non-necessitous children. (b) Copies of the Articles of Government for the Grammar School and High School will be filed with this Report. The new Municipal Schools must have a Governing Body, which should be closely con- nected with the Higher Education Sub-Committee. It is submitted that the Higher Education Sub-Committee would make the best Governing Body to control all three Schools, as only in this way will a proi^er system of co-ordination and transfer be secured. (c) There are no non-provided Secondary Schools in Wallasey except the Private Schools which have already been referred to. Ninety-eight boys and 60 girls from Wallasey attend Roman Catholic Secondary Schools in Liverpool and Birkenhead, while 83 other boys and seven other girls attend Secondary Schools in Liverpool and Birkenhead (35 boys at the Liverpool Institute and 34 at Birkenhead School). ji in £! )- -(J O "> O .J CO +; *\^ r3 o u> .»* w 9^ -n ^ Ji O •*^ ^ ^ 0^ 09 Jf :i •V o '*-» V ^ fi s! > .^ t)i ^ c^ t; V jd V) 1; V 52 ^5 < 111 u ■S 8 u J TIP -J- Q^ w re ^^ O o 5 c5 ri .>. ^^ ^ 4 c^ Wl << .5 ^-r^ ' S i. o a ui u. «ir 2 Ui o o "2 o V Afternoon (4 hours)... B ... D ... A ... C ... B If we have to provide for 750 boys we could arrange for 150 to attend each day, i.e., five sets per week. 72 It may be urged that a morning or an afternoon session of four hours is too long. Those who have had experience of carrying on Day Continuation Schools state that the balance of advantage rests with two separate half-days a week, but that four hours of con- tinuous study is too much unless physical training or some such practical subject is introduced by way of relief. If the morning and afternoon session were each reduced to 3|^ hours' duration each section of the pupils would receive seven hours' instruction during the week, and this for 40 weeks in the 3^ear would give us the minimum annual requirement, viz.^ 280 hours. Some may say that a seven-hour day will impose a serious strain upon the students, and that a six-hour should be the maximum. This could be provided as under : — MoN. TuES. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Mornins: A 3 lirs. ...Al-i-hrs. ...B 3 hrs. ...C 3 lirs. ...D3hrs. B l^hrs. Afternoon A 3 hrs. ...B 3 lirs. ...C 3 hrs. ...CHhrs. ...D 3 hrs. D 11 hrs. which would give each section 7| hours per week or 315 hours per year or 42 weeks, but only four sections could be arranged for per week as compared with five under the first proposal. Thus, if we had 750 to provide for per week we should need to make each section approximately 190 scholars. It will thus be seen that any division of the hours of attendance affects the numbers in attendance, and so the amount of accommodation to be provided. Another alternative is to arrange for each group to attend for half a week every fortnight, thus : — A on Monday, Tuesday and half Wednesday. B ,, half Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. ...1st week, 6 hours per day. C on Monday, Tuesday and half Wednesday. D ,, half Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. ...2nd week, 6 hours per day. This would give each 315 hours' instruction per year of 42 weeks, leaving 10 weeks for holidays. (e) Physical Instruction must be part of the curriculum for every scholar. This is specifically required by the Act, from which we may infer that great importance is attached to it. Indoor accom- modation is essential since free standing exercises will not be sufficient for the students concerned. Some apparatus ought to be used, and thus it is of importance that the teachers should be fully trained and qualified, a male instructor for the boys and a female for the girls, who should also supervise the organised games arranged in connection with each School. Outside accommodation would be use- ful for free standing exercises only. Arrangements should be made for the instruction to be taken in suitable costume and shoes, and the time devoted per week to the subject should be about 1| hours, say a lesson of 45 muiutcs on eacli of tvvo half days. (f) The maximum size of class for ordinary subjects will be 30 for practical work 20, and for physical exercises 30. 73 (g) The employer is compelled to allow the young person off from work, not only during the period for which he is required to attend the school, but also for such other specified part of the day, not exceeding two hours, as the Authority may consider necessary, in order to secure that he may be in a fit mental. and bodily con- dition to receive full benefit from attendance at School. Should the pupil be required to attend a full day at a time, clearly it is to his advantage to attend in the area in which he resides. If he is to attend in an afternoon the employer must allow him time off (not exceeding two hours), so that he can come into his own area, attend school, and then proceed to his own home. I can see no reason why a pupil who resides in Wallasey and works in Liverpool should attend any other Day Continuation School than that provided by Wallasey, in conformity with the re- quirement of the Act. (h) The Schools will be supervised by a special Sub-Committee of the Education Committee formed for this particular purpose and the Managers encouraged to visit the Schools as frequently as possible. (i.) Arrangements for securing the co-operation of the University in the provision of lectures and classes will be made after the ex- piration of seven years ; that is when we have to establish classes and courses for young persons between 16 and 18 years of age. Before that time it does not appear to the Authority to be necessary. It should be pointed out, however, that there is a representative of the University of Liverpool on the Education Committee, and that the two bodies are therefore in close touch. (j) The Authority recognises the necessity for strengthening the corporate life of these Schools by using them for recreative and social intercourse, giving the older pupils some share in the manage- ment. The scholars will be encouraged to attend voluntarily in the evenings for the study of subjects outside the ordinary school curriculum, and rooms will be set apart in which they can do home-work under proper supervision. The School ought really to become the Social Club of the scholar, in which dancing, games, singing, reading, acting, debates, lectures, would be provided. If these institutions are to be Schools and not a mere series of Classes, corporate life must be established in this way and by means of organised games. (k) There is already in Wallasey a Juvenile Organisations Com- mittee formed under a Scheme approved by the Home Office, whose duties in this respect have recently been transferred to the Board of Education . Arrangements will be made for linking up the social activities of the Day Continuation Schools with those of the Juvenile 74 Organisations Committee^ — much can be gained by mutual co- operation in the work. The efficiency of the Day Continuation School will be affected by the way in which the leisure hours of the pupils are spent, and the provision of all kinds of recreation is therefore a matter of vital importance to the young person, the employer and the Community. (1) The School Attendance Department will need to be extended and reorganised, so that Officers may be set apart for attending to the special requirements of these Day Continuation Schools by the visitation of parents and, where necessary, employers. Claims made for exemption from attendance will be considered by the Sub-Committee having charge of the Schools. (3) PROPOSAIvS AS TO ACCOMMODATION AND EQUIPMENT. The Authority has already agreed to take over, in view of the establishment of these Day Continuation Schools, the building in Church Street known as the Town Hall, which will be adapted to meet the requirements of the Eirst Year Male Pupils. The rooms now used in the Central Park as Education Offices will be available for Day Continuation School work when the new Town Hall is open and the Director's staff is transferred. They will provide sufficient accommodation for the requirements of the First Year Female Pupils. Further accommodation will have to be sought for the Second Year pupils of both sexes, but the question of permanent accom- modation for these Schools is one which wiU requiie very careful consideration, as it is almost impossible to estimate what the effect of their establishment will be on the raising of the School age. If the pupils remain in large numbers in full-time attendance at the Day School up to 16 years of age, the requirements for Continuation School accommodation will be reduced accordingly. These buildings will have to be properly equipped for the purpose and all the requisite apparatus provided. The classrooms will be furnished with tables and chairs, and everything provided in the early days of the system will be such as will lend themselves to any developments which may be expected to follow at a later period. On this subject of permanent accommodation, reference should be made to the Report upon Continuation School Buildings, drawn up by a Committee of which your Director of Education had the .privilege of being a member, and issued by the Board of Education. (4) TEACHERS. The teaching staff will be arranged on the basis of every teacher being actually engaged in class work for about 24 hours per week for 40 or 42 weeks during the year in accordance with the Schenxe for attendance ultimately adopted. The teachers in these Schools 76 will probably fall into two main groups, viz., (1) Teachers of general subjects, such as English, Mathematics, Science and ; .(2) Specialists in Housecraft, Manual Work, Modem Languages, Physical Exercises. They will be drawn from academic sources and from the ranks of trades and commerce, in all cases the Authority must call for knowledge of the subject to be taught and evidence of capacity to teach it. It is impossible at this stage to set forth any proposals as to the remuneration of teachers, but no doubt ultimately a Scale will be established for the teachers in these Day Continuation Schools just as Scales have already been formulated for Secondary and Elementary School teachers. N.B.— It is announced that the *' appointed day " for Day Continua- tion Schools will be sometin)^^ in the Autumn of 1921. IVa.— TRAINING FOR THE SEA SERVICE. As already stated on page 67, any young person who has satis- factorily completed a Course of training for, and is engaged in, the sea service, in accordance with the provisions of any national scheme Which may be established, is exempt from the obligation to attend Day Continuation Schools. The expression " Sea Service " as defined in the Act of 1918 includes sea fishing service, but excludes training for the Royal Navy. A Committee appointed by Mr. Fisher to prepare a draft of a National Scheme of Training for the Sea Service has just issued its report, and the following is a Summary of the Recommendations which will in due course receive the consideration of the Authority. (1) That a National Corporation should be established, charged with the duty of supervising and administering the scheme of train- ing for the sea service. (2) That training under the scheme should be confined to deck ratings, and to prospective engine-room ratings and stewards who enter the sea service at 16 3^ears of age. (3) That the primary object of the education hi training in- stitutions should be to give a sound general education, concurrently with technical instruction for sea life. (4) That it is an essential factor in a sound scheme of sea train- ing that a sufficient number of sea-going craft should be available in which boys can be exercised at sea during the period of their training. (5) That the work afloat mentioned in the preceding recommen- dation might advantageously be done in vessels provided by the Admiralty, and that the Admiralty should be approached with a view to providing vessels and navigating crews, while the Corpora- 76 tion should contribute towards the cost of running expenses. By this means all the boys trained under the National Scheme would be encouraged to join the Royal Naval Reserve. (6) That the location of new training institutions afloat or ashore should be determined by the circumstances and desires of the locality in which the}^ are placed, but that institutions ashore should have easy access to tidal waters. (7) That new state institutions should be residential institutions with facilities for day boys ; the primary consideration in choosing a site for such institutions being convenient environment for training. (8) That the Corporation should consider the provision of special training of not less than six months for boys who have attended an ordinary school until 15 or 15|, and the payment of maintenance grants to the parents of day boys at training institutions, or of boys at Elementary Schools who have given a guarantee of their intention to enter the Mercantile Marine. (9) That existing institutions of a satisfactory character should be encouraged to continue their work and apply for recognition by the Corporation. (10) That boys from Reformatory Schools be not accepted for admission to training institutions recognised under the scheme. (11) That boys from Industrial Schools, who are desirous of entering, and suitable for, the sea service, should be included within the scope of the scheme, whether they receive their education at Industrial Schools or are transferred to other training institutions, (12) That the co-operation of Local Education Authorities should be secured, and the machinery of the Public Elementary School utilised, for the recruiting of boys for training for the sea service. (13) That the sympathy, and, if possible, the financial assistance, of seamen's orphanages should be obtained. (14) That the co-operation of the shipowners' and officers' and seamen's organisations must be secured. (15) That a boy's admittance to a training institution should be conditional upon his passing an appropriate medical examination, and producing a certificate of good character from the authorities of his previous school. (16) That the boys under training should be apprenticed to persons or bodies appointed by the Corporation up to the time when he is entitled to be rated as an able seaman. (17) That a boy's rate of pay during his first year at sea should be 25 per cent, of an able seaman's wages, and in the second year and until his indentures terminate, 50 jDer cent, of those wages. (18) That separate accommodation on board ship for boys of from 10 to IS years of age is not essential, but lliat special supervision is necessarv. 77 (IJ)) That for boys in the sea fishing service full-time education up to 16 years of age should be provided under the scheme, if, and to the extent to which, the authoritative views of the industry justify this course, and that the detailed application of the principles of the report to the case of such boys should be left to the Corporation in consultation with the industry. (20) That the establishment of a national systern of After -Care is essential, but that the details of such a scheme should be left to the Corporation. (21) That Local Education Authorities should be approached with a view to their giving financial assistance. (22) That the shipowners' contribution should be based on the total cost of the scheme, and should be fixed at 25 per cent, of the capital cost and current expenses of the scheme. The Authority for many years made a grant varying from £50 to £100 per annum to the Lancashire and National Sea Training Homes, a training institution of the type referred to, located in the Borough of Wallasey and recognised as one of the mo^t efficient institutions of its kind in the cnmtry. v.— FURTHER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENTARY TO THAT GIVEN IN ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY AND DAY CONTINUATION SCHOOLS. The Authority submits that with the organisation of Central Schools with an age range of 11-16 years there is no call upon them to establish anything in the nature of a Junior Technical School. Such Schools have been established in some areas ; they are realty preparatory schools leading to certain trades, e.g., engineering and building. The curriculum provides for a continuation of that given in the Elementary School plus practical work, and usually extends for two years, say, from 13i to 15. The Authority prefers the type of School already established, viz., Higher Elementary (now called Central) in which the Course is longer, the curriculum broader, and prepares both for trade and commerce. The boys from the Higher Elementary School have had instruction in practical drawing, woodwork, etc., all as part of their School course, and at the completion of their School course, including this practical training, they have experienced no difficulty in finding positions in good firms. A Preliminary Course has been drafted for pupils who have just left the Elementary Day School and wish to proceed to a Course in Industrial Art at the School of Art. It is submitted that there is no need for the estabHshment in Wallasey of a Technical School or School of Commerce with 78 full-time courses for pupils who have left the Secondary Schools at 16, having reached the standard represented b}^ the School Certificate Examination (see page 11). Senior part-time courses are now held in Wallasey as part of the Evening Class System, and they will be carried on until the Day Continuation Schools are compulsory for students of 16 to 18 years of age. The various courses organised are : — (i.) Mechanical Engineering, 3rd and 4th Years. Building Trade Course. Flour Milling. Commercial Courses, (ii.) Classes in Pure Mathematics, Modem lyanguages. (iii.) Classes in Domestic Subjects and Handicrafts, First Aid, etc. Tutorial Classes for adult students are now being held in Wal- lasey under the supervision of the University of Liverpool in English Literature and Industrial History, and the Authority has made a grant in aid of each Class. Where students wish to attend a special or more advanced course outside the area, arrangements are made either with the other Authority or the student in respect to the extra expense, involved. In order that the public library may be made of great educa- tional use to those attending the Schools and Courses under the Authority, an annual grant has for many years past been made to the Public Library Committee who therewith purchase books for the use of the students. In pre-war days lists were printed and circulated to the students in attendance, and it may bs claimed that there are few places wh?re the work of the Education Committee and the Libraries Committee is better co-ordinated than in Wallasey. The employers in Wallasey and the neighbourhood are very sympathetic in their attitude, and in some cases provide bonuses to students attending regularly and making good progress. The fees are very low, viz., about 5s. per winter session for a Course which extends over three nights per week. The School of Art was established many years ago in a very small way. About the year 1897 it was transferred to a part of its present premises, which have since been altered to meet modem requirements. The School is excellently equipped in every way with Antique Figures, Casts, a School Library, Examples for the teaching of Design, etc. The object of the School is to give, by means of a system of care- fully considered and varied courses of study, having due regard to the bent and capacity of individuals, instruction for Designers, Draughtsmen, Engravers, Painters, Modellers, and other Art workers occupied in manufacturing industries, and for students pre- 19 paring to take up such occupations. Such courses are planned to extend throughout a period of three years, and involve about six hours attendance per week. It is also the object of the vSchool to assist those who desire to make a knowledge of Art a part of their general educa- tion ; and also to give facilities for the training of persons who intend to adopt Art as a profession, i.e., to become Artists, Designers, Sculptors, etc., or to qualify as Art Teachers in Schools of Art, or Secondary Schools, or to include it in their general qualifications as Teachers in Public Elementary or other Schools. The following Courses are taken : — (i.) Lithographers' Course. (ii.) Architects' Pupils and Building Trade Course. (iii.) House Painters' and Decorators' Course. (iv.) Photographers' and Miniature Course. (v.) Special Class for Teachers. No Scale of Salaries has been formulated for those who teach iu these part-time courses. VI.— SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL TRAINING OF PUPILS AND STUDENTS ATTENDING EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OTHER THAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. Under Section 17 of the Education Act, 1918, the Authority is empowered, with the approval of the Board of Education, to make arrangements to supply or maintain or aid the supply or maintenance of :— (a) Holiday or School Camps, especially for young persons attend- ing Continuation Schools ; (b) Centres and equipment for physical training, playing fields (other than the ordinary playgrounds of public Elementary Schools not provided by the lyocal Education Authority), school baths, school swimming baths ; (c) Other facilities for social and physical training in the day or evening. In 1918 a Juvenile Organisations Committee was formed in Wallasey, and the following bodies and organisations are represented, viz. : — Education Committee, Parks Committee, Magistrates, Juvenile Employment Committee, Head Teachers' Association, Elementary Schools* Sports Association, Civic Guild of Help, Trades Council, Scouts, Girl Guides, Cadets, Church Lads' Brigade, Boys' Brigades and Clubs, Girls' Friendly Society, Y.M.C.A., Y.W.C.A., and the various Religious Denominations. 80 It is affiliated with the Central Juvenile Organisations Com- mittee (lately transferred from the Home Office to the Board of Kducation), and has been recognised as the Local Committee foi carrying out approved local recreation schemes, and is working in close touch with the Kducation Committee, whose officers, in fact, act as Hon. Officers of this Committee. The Committee has linked itself up with those of the other Merseyside towns (Liverpool, Birkenhead and Bootle), under the Merseyside Recreation Scheme, the object being to simplify financial administration and the formation of a common fund to which em- ployers can contribute. The Corporation own the following open spaces : — Recreation Parks with an area of 154 acres, including Tennis Courts, Bowling Greens and Children's Playgrounds fitted up with swings and some gymnastic apparatus ; Ornamental Parks and Gardens with an area of 17 acres ; a Golf Course with an area of 36 acres. At the present time portions of some of the parks are used as allotments, and this has to a considerable extent curtailed the spaces for football, cricket and rounders. The Corporation has erected excellent Salt Water Swimming Baths at the Guinea Gap, Seacombe. Bathing Shelters, free and otherwise, are provided on the foreshore at Harrison Drive and other places. There are several swimming clubs in the Borough. The scholars from the Secondary Schools are taught swimming and use the baths for this purpose at set times. The Grammar School has its playing fields and the Girls' High School its Tennis Courts and Hockey Grounds. The foreshore and sandhills afford excellent and healthy places for recreation, scout manoeuvres, organised games, and a Promenade extends for over three miles along the River and Sea Front. A Junior Football League is organised (two divisions) and at present there are 14 clubs attached. The scarcity of pla^dng fields is a great difficulty, and although the Parks Committee of the Cor- poration has assisted the Juvenile Organisations Committee, full value cannot be obtained from the League until the allotments in the Parks are discontinued and the grounds revert to their original use, or other grounds be provided. The following is a list of the principal Institutes, Clubs and Organisations which at present cater for the Juvenile population : — Cadet Corps ; Church Lads' Brigade ; eight Troops of Scouts. The Scouts are organised and assisted by a Local Central Association (on roll, 480). In addition there are about 60 " Wolf Cubs," and several Boys' Brigades and Young Men's Societies attached to the various Churches and Chapels. 81 Girl Guides. — Three troops are in existence, with the Head Mistress of the High School as Local Commissioner. The organisa- tion is on the same lines as the Scouts. The Y.M.C.A. has premises and a bowUng green in Manor Road. The Y.W.C.A. has headquarters, with tennis courts, at Withens- field, Withens Lane, and attached to this there is a Rainbow Club, which has 40 on roll, but is in touch with about 180 girls whose names have been passed on from the Juvenile Bureau at the Education Office. In addition there are a number of Clubs and Societies, e.g., Catholic Girls' Club, Girls' Friendly Society, Girls' Guildry, Girls' Helping League, attached to the various religious bodies. At a recent meeting of representatives of all these organisations there appeared to be need of financial assistance, and also the need of rooms for headquarters. In many cases the Clubs, etc., have to meet in church rooms, etc., which are in great and constant demand for other purposes. The Education Committee has granted the use of two play- grounds to Cadet Corps for drill grounds in the summer months. The New Brighton Cricket Club (Adults) has excellent grounds in Rake Lane, and there is also the Football and Sports Ground at the Tower, New Brighton, where the annual Juvenile Sports were held in July, 1919, and which proved a great success. The Education Committee has sanctioned the use of the Elemen- tary Schools for the organisation of : — (a) Old Scholars' Clubs, to meet once or twice per week, especially for girls, girl guides, etc. ; (b) Junior Scout Troops in connection with each Boys' School ; (c) Use of School playgrounds for purpose of organised games under supervision ; (d) The school hall or classrooms for study, reading and recreation room, and for quiet games under strict supervision and regulations. With a view to creating healthy competition and encouraging Juvenile Sport, Annual Summer Sports, as stated above, were organised at the Tower Athletic Grounds, embracing scholars from the Elementary Schools and young persons from the juvenile organi- sations affiliated. The Committee has recently opened a Mixed Social Institute in Seacombe for recreation and games, which has received the sym- pathetic and financial support of the Corporation and the chief employers. A paid superintendent is in charge, and the enrolment, progress and orderliness have been bej^ond all expectation. The Committee has decided to consider the renting of a holiday camp ground for use by Scouts, Cadets, etc. When the Day Continuation Schools are established the Juvenile Organisations Committee will co-operate with the Education Committee in developing the corporate life of those Schools. In fact, it is recognised that the work now being done will ultimately become the work of the Local Education Authority, and with this in view the Education Committee is affording every facility and is closely co- operating through its members and officials. ' Up to the present the various Schemes have received financial support from the Merseyside Recreation Fund. Plrms contributing through this channel receive the benefit of the ruling of the Board of Inland Revenue, and can count such contributions as working expenses for the purpose of Excess Profits Duty and Income Tax. VII.— ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MEDICAL INSPECTION AND TREATMENT OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS ATTENDING SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND CONTINUATION SCHOOLS. The Authority will extend their School Medical Service (see page 43) in all its branches to the pupils in attendance at these Schools, and where any treatment is given they will charge to the parent of every child such an amount nat exceeding the cost of treatment, as they may determine, unless they are satisfied that thf parent is unable bj^ reason of circumstances to pay the amount. VIII.— ARRANGEMENTS UNDER THE CHOICE OF EMPLOYMENT ACT, 1910. The Scheme for the exercise of powers under this Act was first approved by the Board of Education so far back as January, 1912, under an agreement with the Cheshire County Council, who were at that time the Authority for Higher Education in Wallasey. The object was to give the boys and girls under 17 years of age assistance with respect to the choice of suitable employment, in accordance with the principles set out in the memorandum with regard to co-operation between Labour Exchanges and lyocal Educa- tion Authorities issued by the Boards of Trade and Education in January, 1911. Under the Scheme a Sub-Committee known as the Juvenile Employment Sub-Committee was constituted, consisting of members of the Education Committee, employers, representatives of Trades Unions, Teachers, etc. Arrangements were made to give suitable information and advice with regard to the choice of employment to boys and girls directly or through their parents as they are about to leave School. The work of the Sub-Committee is conducted at the ICducation Office, and an Officer from the Employment Exchange is present along with the Officer appointed by the Education Committee. 83 The Head Teachers of the Schools furnish the Sub-Committee with information on each pupil leaving the School, and with a report as to the character, conduct and capabilities of the pupil, and also with a copy of the pupil's School Medical Report. If a pupil at the time of leaving the Elementary School has not obtained suitable employment, the Head Teacher forwards to the Sub-Committee an application on a form prescribed. The Education Committee from the first resolved that while the}^ were willing to avail themselves of the co-operation of the Employment Exchanges and others interested, they would maintain paramount influence in carrying into effect on their own premises, and with their own staff, the provisions of the Choice of Employment Act, 1910. It is interesting to consider what will be the position of the Juvenile Emplo3^ment Bureau when the Day Continuation Schools come into being. It will be very necessary that there should be very close co- operation between the Head of the Day Continuation School and the Bureau. In fact, the Bureau may really become an adjunct of the Day Continuation School, as the Head Teacher will not only be in touch with employers, but also with the boys and girls who are actually in employment, as well as wdth those who are waiting to be placed, and the advice of the Head of the Continuation School will be very valuable in dealing with these " waiting " cases. A printed report has been issued every year since November, 1913, giving detailed particulars as to the number of boys legis- tered, vacancies notified, placings by the Officers of the Bureau, kind of employment found, the age of applicants, physical condition of applicants, home visits, etc. The Bureau has undoubtedly performed a very useful work in the Borough. IX.— SUPPLY, EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF TEACHERS. P'or some years past the Board of Education has called attention to the serious deficiency in the supply of teachers for Elementary Schools, and in their Report for 1917-18 they state that the position is made still more critical by the passing of the Education Act of 1918. The improvements for which the Act provides cannot be carried out unless a large number of additional teachers can be obtained ; and yet the position with which the country is taced is that there has been for some years past a decrease in the number of candidates entering on the first stages of preparation for the teaching profession. In order to show how urgent the situation 84 is they repeat a table showing the number of persons who received recognition in some capacity as intending teachers (i.e., as Bursars, Pupil Teacliers or Student Teachers) in England and Wales since 1908 :— Number ok Pp:rsons Recognised as Intendixg Tkaciiicrs for tiii' first TIME IN KnGI.AND and WAI.KS. Ki Inland uvaI Ycrr Englr.nd. Wa les. Wales. bt i;^:nn:nt^ Tdrl 1 1st AlTgUht. Boys. Girls. Boys. Cxirls. Beys. Gals. Kuliijits. 19()8 2,433 1 6,338 289 554 2,722 6,892 9,614 19!1 1,204 : 3,873 184 418 1,388 4,291 ryjr.o 1914 1,033 4,484 218 633 1,251 5,117 G,36S 1917 761 1 4.682 168 649 929 5.331 6,2()0 It will be seen that there has been a continuous decline in the number of entrants since 1908. There is so far no sign that this decline is likely to be arrested. The figures for the year beginning 1st August, 1918, are likely to show a falling off of several hundreds as compared with the total for the year beginning 1st August, 1917. This is partly attributable to war conditions, but there can be little doubt that the annual number of candidates admitted has been in recent years and still is,, insufficient even to replace the normal wastage on the total number of teachers employed in Elementary Schools. In a circular issued in 1915 the Board suggested that lyocal Education Authorities in estimating their annual needs should in general aim at obtaining a proportion of intending teachers to teaching posts representing not less than 6 per cent., in order to replace normal wastage, without allowing for growth of population or improvement in staffing. If this basis is adopted for the country as a whole, it would follow that something like 9,000 entrants to the profession ought to be recognised annually in England and Wales to replace the ordinary wastage in the number of posts for Certificated and Uncertificated Teachers on the staffs of Public Elementary Schools, which was in January, 1915, about 150,000. These 9,000 entrants would not have to be supplied entirely by the Bursar and Pupil -Teacher systems, shice there are every year several hundred persons who enter Training Colleges, or become recognised as Cer- tificated or Uncertificated Teachers, without having been either Pupil Teachers or Bursars. But after allowing for this it seems prob- able that in no year since 1908 has the number of entrants been fully sufficient even to meet ordinary wastage. It follows that for the next few years the number of persons enter- ing the profession annually ought to be not less than the normal, but considerably above it ; and if the position is considered as a whole, it becomes evident that a very large increase is necessary. Additional candidates are required to compensate for the deficiency in the supply for several years past, to replace the vacancies caused 85 by the war, and to provide for tl^e various improvements contem- plated by the Education Act of 1918. Among these may be men- tioned the abolition of exemptions from school attendance under 14 years of age ; an increase in the number of children remaining in Elementary Schools after the age of 14 ; reduction in the size of classes in the Elementary Schools, particularly in Central Schools and upper standards ; and the substitution of qualified teachers now temporarily employed. If we take into account the demands that will arise outside the field of the Elementary Schools, and particularly in the new Continuation Schools, the position becomes still more critical. Without going into detailed calculations it is safe to say that on a moderate estimate the number of candidates coming forward for the teaching profession yearly should be at least double what it has been in recent years. In the Board's Report * f two years ago they discussed the causes for the decline in the supply of Teachers, and pointed out that the}^ might be grouped under two heads, according as to whether they related to the ultimate prospects of the teaching profession or to difficulties experienced by candidates during the stage of pre- paration. The causes falling under the first of these two heads are, in their view, by far the more important. They emphasised strongly in recent Reports their belief that the shortage could only be met by a substantial increase in the salaries of adult teachers and by a general improvement in the prospects of the teaching profession. They are now in a position to record several important steps that have been taken in this direction. The question of salaries has been dealt with by the establishment of minimum rates of salaries ; by the appointment of a Departmental Committee to consider the principles which should govern scales of salaries ; and by the issue of Regulations for Substantive Grant for Elementary Education under which the Board contribute three-fifths of the expenditure of Local Education Authorities on the salaries of teachers in Public Elementary Schools, and under which the whole grant is conditional on the establishment of the teaching service on a sound basis through- out the country. Substantial improvements as to pensions and disablement allowances are provided for in the new School Teachers (Superannuation) Act of 1918. They think therefore that while much still remains to be done, the difficulties arising from the poor prospects of the teaching pro- fession are now at least in a fair way to be remedied. The decline in the nuniber of entrants which still persists may be attributed (after making allowance for the temporary attraction of other occu- pations due to war conditions) partly to ignorance on the part of young persons and their parents of the improved prospects open to teachers, and partly to difficulties experienced by the candidates 86 during the stage of preparation. These are matters which ought to receive the careful consideration of the Local Education Authorities at an earl}^ date. The new Education Act for the first time imposes on all Local Education Authorities the duty of considering the ques- tion of the supply and training of teachers within their area. It is laid down by Section 2 (1) of the Act that : " It shall be the duty of a Local Education Authority so to exercise their powers under Part III. of the Education Act, 1902, as ... to make, or otherwise to secure, adequate and suitable arrangements for co-operating with Local Education Authorities for the purposes of Part II. of the Education Act, 1902, in matters of common interest, and par- ticularly in respect of . . . the supply and training of teachers." They hope that steps will be taken throughout the country to carry out this provision as soon as possible. Its effective discharge is a necessary preliminary to making due progress with any of the other reforms for which the Act provides. This is a question which has not received adequate attention from the Authority in the past. We have offered facilities to those who came forward and wished to be trained, but we have not made it part of our duty to go out and encourage the supply to come forth. This, no doubt, has been very largely due to the fact that this Authority has experienced no difficulty whatsoever since 1903 in securing an adequate supply of fully qualified and trained teachers, and this for two reasons : — (1) That its Scale of Salaries has always been good when com- pared with those in other County Boroughs, and (2) That residence in Wallasey has always been attractive to teachers and those students leaving the training colleges. The Authority quite recently established a new Scale of Salaries with a " Carry Over " Scheme, which met with the cordial approval of the teachers. The National Scale will mean that more will have to be paid in this respect in the future, but Wallasey will not hesitate in seeing that its teachers receive such remuneration as will allow them to have the amenities of life to which their work entitles them. Undoubtedly boys and girls have been in some places actively discouraged from becoming teachers, and it is necessary for each Authority in the immediate future to devise some method of organi- sation which will take definite steps to secure an adequate supply of boys and girls. We must arrange to draw the attention of parents to the salaries to be paid and to the pensions ultimately to be ob- tained. Wallasey ought to supply sufficient candidates not only to mee^ its own requirements, but also help to meet the needs of the country as a whole. In this connection the Municipal Secondary Schools will be of great assistance. 8Y ARRANGBMENTvS I'OR THIC RECRUITMENT AND PRE- LIMINARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF IN- TENDING TEACHERS. It has already been pointed out that the change in the extent (i.e., up to 14 years of age) of the obHgation to attend School full time does not affect Wallasey, where 14 has always been the leaving age. The Authority's policy as to the reduction in size of classes would only mean an additional 25 teachers if it were put into effect to-morrow, and the replacement of Supplementary and Uncerti- ficated Teachers by teachers with higher qualifications can only be brought about gradually. To replace the normal wastage in Wallasey requires an annual recruitment of about 18 to 20 young persons intending to become teachers, but as has been saicUalready, a residential area like Wal- lasey ought to contribute very largely to national, as distinct from local, requirements. In the past the majority of our intending teachers have come from the Girls' High School, where they have spent at least four years — from 12 to 16 — in their preliminary education, followed by a 3^ear as a bursar, and then a year as a student teacher. It ought to be explained that a bursar is a young person intend- ing to become a Teacher who has attended a recognised Secondary School for at least three years before reaching the age of 16, and who, if approved by the Board of Education, remains at the ^Secondary vSchool for a further twelve months as a scholar, free from payment of fees, and with a maintenance allowance of £10 or £15. At the end of that time she becomes a student teacher, and is attached to a Pubhc Elementary School, and receives a grant of about £30 per annum. During her year of student teachership she receives training in the art of teaching, etc., under the supervision of the Head Teacher of the School to which she is attached, and at the same time attends the Secondary School (in which she received her preliminary education) for two half days per week to keep up her studies. During this preliminary period she must pass an Examina- tion which will qualify her for entrance to a Training College, which she ought to enter at the expiration of her twelve months' training as a student teacher. The above represents the normal Course for an intending teacher, and the main supply will in the future come in this way through the Grammar School, the High School, and the Municipal vSecondary School. In Wallasey, however, in the past we have received several candidates from the Private Schools, who have come to us- after pass- ing an Examination which qualifies them for entrance to a Training ss College. We have appointed these young people as Probationers for twelve months, and attached them to an Elementary School for preliminary practical instruction before entering the Training College. The Central Schools to be established in Wallasey ought also to provide a good supply of intending teachers, and means will be de- vised for transferring them to the Municipal Secondary Schools at the appropriate age. We propose that a Memorandum shall be drafted and circulated, making known to parents and others the prospects of the teaching profession and the local opportunities for entering it. Also appealing to the teachers to interest themselves in securing a supply of teachers from the most promising pupils in the School, and in this way second the efforts of the Authority. " If the profession itself be careless as to the quality of its recruits, then quality will de- teriorate, and the public, appreciating that deterioration will assess the monetary value of the services rendered accordingly. The Board of Education and the Local Education Authorities have given the necessary preliminary stimulus, teachers themselves must now do their part and lasting good will follow." PROVISION FOR TRAINING OF INTENDING TEACHERS. The Authority has, where necessary, assisted persons intending to be teachers to proceed to a Training College. One case was that of an exceptional intending teacher who had a brilliant career at the Secondary School. It was clearly a necessitous case, and the Autho- rity made a grant for two years, enabhng the candidate to proceed to a Training CoUege. In drafting the details of the Memorandum re- ferred to the Authority will probably make suggestions as to grants for maintenance. The Authority feel that it is not sufficient simply to state facilities will be granted for this training to candidates who may come forward and apply for it, and they will frame definite regu- lations setting forth their proposals for aiding intending teachers when and where it may be necessary. The Authority has made no grant to any Training CoUege in consideration of reservation of places. Intending teachers in Wal- lasey, no doubt guided largely by the advice of the Head Teachers under whom they served as student teachers, have made personally, and not through the Authority, each their own application to the College Authorities, e.g., Liverpool University Training College, Edgehill, Warrington, Bingley, Crewe, etc. This question of the provision and maintenance of Training Colleges for intending teachers is clearly one which ought to be dealt with by the Board of Education, or it calls for the co-operation of Local Education Authorities over a large area, e.g., Lancashire and 89 Cheshire, and no doubt steps will be taken in the near future to con- sider the provision from these points of view. The School of Art provides the necessary training for Art Pupil Teachers and Wallasey has done her share in this respect, some of its students having passed on to the Royal College of Art, London. Reference has been made elsewhere to the training of teachers in Domestic Subjects, Handicraft and Physical Exercises. The Authority is of opinion that the training of teachers for Continuation Schools, and all the other various kinds set out on page 25, paragraph 2 (C) of their Circular 1119, is a question for confer- ence and co-operation between the Central Authority, the Universities and the Authorities covering a wide area, and is prepared to take part in such a movement. PROVISION FOR PERS(3NS ALREADY ENGAGED IN TEACHING. The Authority has in the past organised short courses for Teachers in Physical Exercises, Teaching of Drawing, etc., and is prepared to provide similar full-time or part-time Courses. Arrangements have frequently been made for enabling teachers to visit Schools in other areas for observation, and the Authority has readily granted permission to teachers from other areas to visit their Schools. It ventures to submit that no Schools anywhere have received such numerous visits from various quarters as the Higher Elementary School in Wallasey. The Authority is prepared to consider the question of a loan to Uncertificated Teachers under certain conditions, to enable them to enter a Training College for two years. X.— UNIVERSITY EDUCATION. Reference* has already been made on page 12 to the Annual Grant of £200 paid to the University of Liverpool. No conditions are attached to the grant, e.g., in respect of places reserved for students nominated by the Authority. Research. With a view to promoting the efficiency of teaching and advanced study the Authority is prepared to consider a grant to aid teachers and students to carry on any investigations for the advancement of learning or research in or in connection with an educational institution. XI.— AID TO PUPILS AND STUDENTS. Free Places to Secondary Schools. 12 1 per cent, in the case of the Grammar School and 10 per cent, in the case of the High School. These awards carry remission of fees only, but the Authority has granted free books (which become the pupil's own property) in 90 necessitous cases. The present method of award is :— (a) The first examination is a written test. This examination must be taken by all candidates. Papers are set in Arithmetic and English ; (b) Some of the best candidates in the first examination are required to present themselves at the Grammar School or High School for a further examination . Each candidate is tested in reading and any of the sub- jects generally taught in an Elementary School, i.e., the subjects specified in Article 2 of the Code of Regulations for Public Elementary Schools. This examination is largely, if not altogether, oral. Due allowance is made for age, the object aimed at both tests being to select the most intelligent pupils, and those most likely to benefit by a Secondary School education. Free Places are confined in the first instance to candidates be- tween the ages of ten and twelve on August 1st in the year of their examination. Any places not so filled up are then open to qualified candidates between twelve and thirteen years of age on the 1st August of that year. All candidates must have been for the two years immediately before entering the Secondary School under instruction in a Public Elementary School, and for the last twelve months of this period in a Public Elementary School in the Borough of Wallasey. Successful candidates are admitted to free education at the School, and, subject to their obtaining good reports from the Head Teacher, will continue to receive free education as defined above for so long as they remain in the School. These free places, however, do not carry with them any payments by the Committee in aid of the purchase of books or for travelling expenses, but the Committee will consider any special application for the payment of books, etc., where it can be shown that the circumstances of the parent render this necessary. To pupils who have obtained free places in the Roman Catholic Secondary Schools in lyiverpool and Birkenhead, a sum has been granted to meet travelling expenses. The Authority recognise that the number of free places already available is totally inadequate, but the provision of the Municipal Schools and the Central Schools will meet the situation. Junior Scholarships. Four Junior Scholarships are offered for competition to children who are ineligible to compete for Free Places in a Secondary School. Candidates already in the High School or Grammar School are eligible, also pupils in private schools. Not more than two of these will be available at any one Secondary School in any one year. These vScholarships are open to pupils of either sex between 10 and 12 years of age, on 1st August in the year of application, and whose parents or guardians have been resident in Wallasey for at least twa years. 91 A Schokirsliip is granted in the first instance for one year, but is renewable for a second, third and fourth year. Before the admis- sion of any pupil a declaration is required from the parents or guar- dians of their intention to keep the pupil at School, if required, for a period of at least four years. Each Scholarship covers the ordinary fees charged at the Secondary School attended. A special application for the payment of books or instruments required (where such are not included in the ordinary fees) and where it can be shown that the circumstances of the parent render this necessary, is considered. The Borough Council only continues these payments so long as satisfactory reports are received from the Head Master or Head Mistress of the Secondary School attended, as to the attendance, progress and conduct of the pupil. -». These Scholarships are awarded on the result of an Examination held in July in each year. Papers are set in : — (a) One I/anguage or Elementary Science ; (b) Mathematics ; (c) English (including Geography and History). No candidate is eligible whose parents' joint annual income exceeds £500. Grants in Aid for Advanced Courses are given to pupils who are recommended by the Head of the School as suitable and who other- wise would be unable to remain at School for two more years after passing the First School Examination. University Scholarships. Two Scholarships (one for a boy and one for a girl) of £35 each per annum are offered annually to pupils in the Public and Private Secondary Schools in Wallasey on the result of the Higher Certificate Examination of the Joint Board. If the Senate of the University inform the Authority that other pupils who have entered are deserving of Scholarships the3r have always awarded additional Scholarships. Again, if no male candi- date of sufficient merit turns up, the two Scholarships may be awarded to two female candidates if recommended, and vice versa. It is recognised that the amoimt of the Scholarship may be insuffi- cient in some cases, as after the fees (say £20 or over) are paid there is little left for maintenance, provision of books, travelling expenses. Free Studentships to Evening Schools. In order to bridge over the gap between day and evening in- struction, and to encourage young people to join an Evening School or the School of Art directly on leaving the PubHc Elementary School, and so continue their education without a break, the Com- mittee allows the Head Teachers to nominate for free admission to the Courses any of their pupils who have left the Elementary Day School within the twelve months previous, and who have attended regularly, been in Standard VI. or VII., and are likely to make good students. In every case the Committee requires an undertaking from some responsible person, who is willing to act as guarantor, for the return to the Committee of the value of the fees remitted in the event of the scholar failing to make satisfactory attendance. Transfers. This Authority has already agreed to admit scholar- ship holders transferred from a School outside the area on condition that the other lyocal Education Authority enters into a reciprocal arrangement. PROPOSALS. (1) The Primary School General Examination (referred to on page 21) will be used for awarding all free places in Secondary and Central Schools. The parents to furnish a reasonable guarantee that the scholar shall remain throughout the normal school course at least. (2) The Junior Scholarships now awarded to pupils already in the Grammar School and High School will be continued. (3) Scholarships will be established for boys and girls who wish to become teachers. (4) Scholarships will be established to enable students to pursue their Art studies. (5) Intermediate Scholarships will be established to enable boys and girls who have passed the Matriculation Examination to remain at a Secondary School for a further period of two years to take ad- vanced courses. (6) Scholarships to assist young men and women who have passed through the Secondary School course to pursue their studies at a University or Institution of University rank. (7) Scholarships will be established to assist, where necessary, intending teachers to enter a Training College. (8) P'ull facilities will be provided for the transfer of pupils from one type of School to another. (9) The number of scholarships of each type will be determined by the number of candidates qualified and capable of profiting thereby. (10) Where need exists, maintenance grants will be awarded, increasing in amount as the scholar passes through the School. XII.— EDUCATION FINANCE. Section 44 (1) of the Act of 1918 provides that :— " The Board of Education shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, by regula- tions, provide for the payment to local Education Authorities, out of moneys provided by Parliament, of annual substantive grants in aid of education of such amount and subject to such conditions and limitations as may be prescribed in the regulations, and nothing in any Act of Parliament shall prevent the Board of Education from 93 paying grants to an Authority in respect of any expenditure which the Authority may lawfully incur." And Section 44 (2) provides that " The total sums paid to a Local Education Authority out of moneys provided by Parliament and the local taxation account in aid of elementary education or education other than elementary, as the case may be, shall not be less than one half of the net expenditure of the Authority recognised by the Board of Education as expenditure in aid of which Parliamentary grants should be made to the Authority, and if the total sums payable out of those moneys to an Authority in any year fall short of one half of that expenditure there shall be paid by the Board of Education to that Authority, out of moneys provided by Parliament, a deficiency grant equal to the amount of the deficiency, provided that a deficiency grant shall not be so l^aid as to make good to the Authority any deductions made from a substantive grant. On the 1st April, 1919, the following grants ceased : — Fee Grant, Aid Grant, and all grants payable to I^ocal Education Autho- rities under the Code, including the Special Grants paid for Manual Instruction, Domestic Subjects, etc. The Regulations under which the Supplementary Grant (known as the Fisher Grant) was paid ceased as from the same date, as also did the grants in respect of the special services such as Medical Inspection, Provision of Meals, Special Schools for Blind, Deaf and Defective Children, Evening Play Centres, Physic'al Training. The Board of Education in place of all the above grants now pays to Local Education Authorities a substantive grant in respect of the services of Elementary Education as a whole. This one con- solidated grant is based upon the average attendance, the produce of a rate and the expenditure of that year, according to the following formula : — Thirty-six shillings for each unit of average attendance in Public Elementary Schools maintained by the Authority (not includ- ing any schools for blind, deaf, defective, and epileptic children), with the addition of the following amounts : — (a) Three-fifths of the Authority's expenditure on the salaries of teachers in those Schools ; (b) One-half of the net expenditure on special services ; and (c) One-fifth of the remaining net expenditure on Elementary Education ; less the produce of a sevenpenny rate upon assessable value in the area. This grant is conditional upon the Board being satisfied that the Authority — (i.) has performed its duties under the Education Acts ; (ii.) has complied with the conditions of the Regulations of the Board for Public Elementary Schools, special schools, and other special services ; 94 (iii.) has supplied punctually such information and returns as the Board require. If the Board are not satisfied on any of these matters they may withhold or make a deduction from the grant which is payable by monthly instalments, with a final adjustment after the audited accounts for the year have been examined. For the purposes of this grant "Special Services" consist of the following : — (a) School Medical Service, including Medical Inspec- tion and Medical Treatment of children attending Public Elementary Schools ; (b) Provision of Meals ; (c) Schools for blind, deaf, defective and epileptic children ; (d) Organisation and supervision of physical training in Public Elementary Schools ; (e) Evening Play Centres ; and (f) Nursery Schools. Section 26 abolished all fees or other charges of any kind in Public Elementary Schools, and all are now free. The following statement is taken from the Estimates presented in February, 1919 : — (a) Elementary. For 1919-20 we shall receive a Special Grant estimated at £6,659 from the Board of Education, who are winding up the present system for payment of grants as from the 31st March, 1919, and paying everything due to that date in order that they may then bring into force new regulations consequent upon the passing of the Education Act, 1918. If it had not been for this Special Grant there would have been a deficiency of £4,897 at the end of the year 1918-19, but, of course, we shall not have the advantage of any similar grant next year. The estimated expenditure for the service of Elementary Educa- tion for the year 1919-20 was £82,780, being an increase of £16,197 over the previous year's amount. This is almost entirely due to the increase in salaries and war bonus of the teachers. The amount of the precept, however, showed a decrease of £42 L on the amount asked for the previous year, the reason being that the new grants for Elementary Education calculated according to average attendance, the produce of the rate and the net expenditure for the year, will be larger than before and place the financial rela- tions of the Treasury and of the lyocal Education Authorities upon a more equitable basis. We estimate our grant for Elementary Education for this year to amount to £42,941, being 52 per cent, of the net expenditure, and this is 2 per cent, over the minimum provided for in Section 44 of the Education Act, 1918, quoted above, which states that the total sums paid to a Local Education Authority out of moneys provided by Parliament and the Local Taxation Account in aid of Elementary Education or education other than elementary, as the case may be, shall not be less than half of the net expenditure of the Authority. 95 It has been frequently pointed out that unless additional financial assistance were given by the State, further increase in the proportion of expenditure to be borne by the Rates must inevitably take place. The following table shows that at last the proportion of Elemen- tary Education expenditure in Wallasey borne by the Treasury has commenced to increase, while the proportion borne by the Rate- payers has begun to diminish — a very welcome change. Proportion of Expenses Proportion of Expenses Year. 1916-17 borne by Treasur5\ 40-5 borne by Ratepayers. 59-5 1917-18 39 61 1918-19 41-5 58-5 1919-20 52 48 The precept for the year was £37,667, or a rate of 17 •3d. in the £. (b) Higher Education. In the case of Higher Education, the total ex[3enditure was estimated at £27,034, as compared with £20,560 last year, an in- crease of £6,474, due to the fact that we have to meet a deficiency of £1,357 on last year's expenditure and to increases for the coming year in the salaries and war bonus of the Masters and Mistresses at the Grammar School and High School. The increased rate-aid required amounts to £4,612, making the total demand £8,989, or a rate of 4 •2d. in the £. Unfortunately, the Board of Education have not yet issued any Regulations notifying larger grants on the scholars in these Schools, so that although the rise in the expenditure is very largely due to the increase of teachers' salaries, which the Board have con- stantly recommended, there is no additional increase of grant from the Treasury to assist us in meeting our response to their demands. The result is that the proportion of the total expenditure on Higher Education borne by the Treasury remains, as in the past, considerably lower than the proportion which is provided from local sources (fees and rates) as the following table shows : — Proportion of Expenses Proportion of Expenses Year. borne by Treasury. from local sources. 1917-18 28-2 71 8 1918-19 35-4 64-6 1919-20 29 71 Section 44 of the Education Act, 1918, only provides for a minimum of 50 per cent, of the net expenditure, and this does not assist us in regard to the finances for Higher Education as our Estimated Grants (£7,995) are already in excess of the minimum of 50 per cent. (£7,883) of our net expenditure. Both our large Secondarj^ Schools are full, and as long as the grant remains at the present flat rate we cannot expect any addi- tional revenue from grants, nor can we expect any more income from 96 fees, without an increase in the scale. The result is that all increases in the expenditure must come out of rates. In August, 1918, the President of the Board of Education, in a letter to Sir Henry Hibbert, the Chairman of the Lancashire Educa- tion Committee, recognising that the grants for Secondary Education were not on a satisfactory basis, stated that he hoped in due course to arrange the grants for Higher Education on a better and more com- prehensive system, and we trust that regulations to carry out this promise will be forthcoming at an early date. A Penny Rate in Wallasey produces for Educational purposes about £2,175, and the rates since 1912 have been as follows : — Year ending Elementary Edncation. Hielxr Edncr.lfc i:. 31st March, 1912 Is. Od |d. 1913 Is. OJd |d. 1914 Is. Ofd 3fd. 1915 Is. Id 2fd. 1916 Is. 0|d 3id. 1917 Is. IJd 2d. 1918 Is. 3fd 2Jd. 1919 Is. 5id 2d. 1920 Is. 5id 4d. For many reasons it is impossible at this stage to say what the development of Education as outlined in the previous pages is going to cost ; it will certainly involve a large expenditure of money, but it is expenditure which will be productive and is not only an invest- ment but an insurance. It is not intended to impose the whole of this extra expenditure upon Wallasey at one stroke. This plan will take many years to carry out, and the Committee may be trusted to use great discretion and not make unreasonable demands. We have to ask ourselves not whether we ca-n afford to spend the money, but rather whether we can afford not to spend it, and in this respect the following recent words of the Minister of Education may be quoted : — " The great stabilising element, the great force without chal- lenge or question for future prosperity is the educational system of the country. If that is good, if that is solid, if that is progressive, we can come to no harm, the future is assured, and I say with a solemn sense of conviction and responsibility, no effort, and I would say even no expenditure, is really wasted which has for its result the improve- ment of the education, physical, moral and intellectual, which is given to the young people and children of this country." And again : " Educational expenditure is what I may call long-range expendi- ture, that is to say that the results of educational expenditure are not immediately seen. The seed is sown, but the plant takes long to grow, and short-sighted people all over the world see the expense of the sowing and do not wait to estimate the glor}^ of the harvest." ^6th January, 1920. T. S A M U E L, Director of Education. RETURN CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT ^^^^ TO— ► 202 Main Library Mi.iMi LOAN PERIOD 1 ~ HOME USE 2 : 3 4 5 ( b ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS Renewals and Recharges may be made 4 days prior to the due date. Books may be Renewed by calling 642-3405. DUE AS STAMPED BELOW Jlifi 51989 iTC.CdV£0 P^' MAy 1 / 1989 aRCUUTION 0£F I Pamphlet I Binder I Gaylord Bros. Makers , Stockton, Calif. PAT. JAN. 21. 1908 YC 56138 U.C. BERKELEY LIBRARIES III caeoiisma UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY I I