The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-03-14 00:00:00

DESCRIPTION OF A SCOTCH SCHOOL.

Mr Fearon, who, as an assistant commissioner engaged
In the recent Inquiry into the state of middle-class schools,
visited the Scotch burg (secondary, schools, gives a sketch of
a schoolmaster and school as seen by him at work; it may
be premised that most of the masters in these schools
are graduates of a Scotch university, and the Scotch have
a natural aptitude for teaching :
.

"The school is crowded with 60 or 100 boys and girls,
all nearly of an age, seated in rows at desks or benches,
but all placed in the order of merit, with their keen,
thoughtful faces turned towards the master, watching
his every look and every gesture, in the hope of win.
ning a place in the class and having good news to bring
home to their parents at tea time. The dux is seated
at the head of the class, wearing perhaps a medal; the
object of envy and yet of pride to all his fellows ;
fully COTIFICioIIs both of the glory and the insecurity of
his position; and taught, by the experience of many
falls, the danger of relaxing his efforts for one moment.
In front of this eager animated throng stands the
master, gaunt, muscular, and time-worn, poorly clad
and plain in manner and speech, but with the dignity of
a ruler in his gestures, and the fire of an enthusiast
in his eye, never sitting down, but standing always
, in some commanding position before the class ; full
of movement, vigour, and energy •so thoroughly versed
in this author or his subject that lee seldom requires to
look at the text-book, which is open in his left hand,
while in his right lie holds the chalk or the pointer,
ever ready to illustrate from map or black board, or,
perhaps, flourishes the ancient • taws' with which in
tormer days he used to reduce disorderly new-corners
to discipline and order. The whole scene is one of
vigorous action and masterly force." But outside the
i schools there is a power at work which supplies them
with life and vigour, and this is the extraordinary
interest which the parents take in the progress of their
boys. "What place in the class to-day ?" Mr. Fearon
found to be the first question asked when a boy went
home; and then would follow questions as to what he
had read ; whether such a neighbour's son was above
. or below him, and, if above him, why so; how he
had gained, and why he had lost a place; and did he
think he had a chance of ever being dux—every word
showing the importance which the whole family attach
' to his success. In short, the schools are practically in
the hands of the parents; they pay the full cost of the
teaching, and the system in operation gives them the
power of controlling the instruction, and a strong sense
• of responsibility is thus fostered in their minds. The
. result is that they give their hearts to a task which in
many respects none others can do no welL The Com-
missioners remark that the system is the growth of
nearly three centuries, and it would not be possible to
transplant it exactly as it stands ; but that to catch
something of the same spirit would undoubtedly be
, worth much.