The Sun.
London, England, 1848-11-02 00:00:00

E

DIOCESAN TRAINING SCHOOLS.
MEETING AT WARWICK. •' '
A public meeting was held at the Court-house, War-
wick on Tuesday evening, with the view of raising
funds towards the erection of training schools for the
diocese of Worcester. Tho Lord Bishop presided,
and was supported by noblemen and gentlemen of influ-
ence. A numerous attendance remained throughout the
proceedings, which were rather prolix. Perhaps it is
not inaccurate to say that nearly one-half the audience
were clergymen, and the remaining portion was com-
posed chi( fly of ladies.
The chair was occupied temporarily by the Earl of
1,,,, Denbigh until the arrival of the Bishop, who had been
prevented from being present at the hour appointed.
. Viscount LIFFORD, in a few remarks, moved the first
resolution, to the effect that the circumstances and exi-
, geneies of the country call for increased efforts on the
~ part of the friends of national education.
1.76 This resolution was seconded by the Venerable Arch-
. deacon SPOONER.
C. B. ADDERLEY, Esq., M.P., proposed the second
resolution, to the effect that educational efforts should
be directed mainly to raising the character and qualifi-
cations of our parochial schoolmasters, and that this end
would bo best attained by means of training insti-
tutions such as that proposed by the present meeting.
In prefacing the resolution, Mr. Adderley remarked
that it was a great point gained to have arrived at una-
nimity as to the means by which the great object contem-
_ plated by the previous resolution might be carried out.
The object need never been discussed again. Training
'l. schools were decided on as being the most efficient
_ means for raising the standard and qualifications of our
parochial teachers, and it therefore only remained to use
the best means for putting the institution into opera-
tion. To this opinion the Worcester side of the diocese
had testified its adherence by large contributions, and
now it only rested with the Warwick district of the
see to give a similar mark of their approval.
- He might mention that it was proposed to
erect the training school in the neighbourhood of
- Birmingham, and it would be open to students from any
). part of the country, with preference to those of the
diocese. A certain number of students would be edu-
cated there, at an expense of Bs. per week, for forty-
seven weeks annually, making allowance for vacations;
and the length of the course would be fouryears, the object
being to provide a superior class of schoolmasters, not
only for the diocese, but for the whole kingdom.
The Rev. J. SANDFORD, Vicar of Dunchurch, seconded
; Mr. Adderley's motion.
The next resolution was moved in a speech of great
length by the Right Honourable Lord LYTTELTON.
The resolution ran as follows :—" That the re-
cent minutes of the Committee of the Privy Council
on Education afford facilities for raising the attain-
ments and condition of the schoolmaster, of which
this diocese may advantageously avail itself." In the
- course of his remarks on this motion, his Lordship ob-
served that the want of training schools existed in an
9 equal degree three or four years ago, but there was not
the general recognition of that want which had since
arisen. Last year the number of pupil teachers in
. training in the schools throughout England were about
. 1,000, now they were about 1,800, or nearly double.
• —(Hear, hear.) Now the principle being admitted,
' and it had been by this and previous meetings,
'l„i that training schools are the most efficient means
1 of carrying out the objects in view for raising
A the grade of education, he would state that the first
' estimated expense of the proposed Worcester Diocesan
• Training School was about 4,0001., but it had since been
Os. necessary, from various causes, considerably to increase
s that sum. In its aid 5,4241. had already been actually
: raised in this diocese, and the National Society had
% added a donation of 800/., notwithstanding the condi-
' tion—far from flourishing—in which its funds at present
are. A total sum of 6,200/. has thus been already raised
by voluntary subscription in aid of the institution, and
about 2,000 L more was still required. The archi-
tects had given the committee to understand that
N the two schools for the accommodation of 60 pupils
might be erected for 8,000/., exclusive of a chapel, and
of a site for the buildings.
At this point of the proceedings the Bishop entered
the room, and the Rev. Eardley Wilmot, Vicar of Kenil-
worth, addressing the chair, craved to be heard.
, The Rev. GENTLEMAN requested the Committee
to state vvbether they intended to adopt the standard of
qualification that had been put forward by the Govern-
ment, as he for one felt that that standard was far too
high for the wants of rural and agricultural parishes,
and precluded many men of diligence and piety from
acting as teachers.
Several reverend gentlemen also addressed the chair,
and expressed apprehension that the Council of Educa-
tion exercised an amount of control over the school
which might be dangerous to the interests of the
Church.
Lord LTTTELTON replied at much length, contradicting
the impression as quite unfounded. His Lordship pointed
out that the Government claimed the right of inspection
only, and that the visitorial power ON _r the school was
left with the Bishop of the diocese, which ought to be
sufficient to satisfy Rev. Gentlemen that the interests of
the Church would be attended to. The maximum
standard to be adopted in the institution, so far
as the provisional committee might say, would, in
all likelihood, be equal to the Government qualifications,
inasmuch as the Government aid was offered to the pu-
pils as a reward for attaining that standard ; those who
did not arrive at that standard might be serviceable in
schools of less requirements.
After some discussion on the subject, C. 11. Brace-
bridge, Esq., of Atherstone Hall, moved that the
school for the education of tho middle classes of the
diocese, which is included in the proposed institution
at Birmingham, affords a strong additional plea for its
support.
Seconded by the Rev. G. L. COOKE, of Cabbingt on.
This, as well as the previous resolutions, was unani-
mously carried.
A. committee was appointed to carry the objects of
the meting into effect, and, after a vote of thanks to the
Bishop for his conduct in the chair (moved by the Hon.
W. R. LEIGH, and seconded by the Rev. Dr. MARSH,
Canon of Worcester), the meeting adjourned after a sit-
ting of four hours.