TOTALS-1,504 2,682 1,069 4,524 1,085 723 623 192 279 34 693 351 640 216

31

Can you form any

24

1 29

3

28

2

North-West

611 1,083

457 1,837

331 290 225 217 118 16 336 193 278 129

20

estimate of the number of poor children in this

metropolis, who are without the means of education?—It is almost impossible to answer this question until the inquiries now on foot shall be further advanced; but I have every reason to believe considerably more than 100,000. I beg this to be considered merely as a vague estimate, arising only from the opportunities that I have had of witnessing the want of education. I am confident that one half and upwards of the children of the poor are destitute of the means of education, and that a large proportion of them, through the neglect of society, are actually training in vice.

ren.

"THE Kingsland and Newington schools owe their origin to a few individuals who commenced a Sunday school in the neighbourhood of Kingsland, and afterwards in Stoke Newington, which were held at each place in a small room at a private house. This was for many years the only means of instruction for the children of the poor, in these increasingly populous neighbourhoods. In 1808, by great exertions, a small school-house was erected, and opened as a day-school for 25 boys and 25 girls, besides the school held on the Sunday. In two or three years the poor became more desirous of obtaining education for their children, and application for admission was increased, so as to render it necessary to augment the number of children in the schools, and after that to a still greater number. At length a difficulty was experienced in procuring suitable persons as master and mistress, to instruct upon the old plan of education. This led to an acquaintance with the system of Mr. Lancaster, now the British and Foreign. In 1811, application was made to the Institution in the Borough-road, and a master was supplied for the boys' school, which was immediately filled with boys, as far as was prudent for the health of the childThe girls' school was still continued on the old plan. In this way both schools were continued till the beginning of the last year 1815, at which time the applications for admission were more numerous than there were even children in the schools; but no more could be received, for want of room. The committee therefore determined to make an effort in order to raise money sufficient to build a more commodious room for a boys' school, and to convert the two day-school rooms into a school for girls. This was effected in the summer of last year, and cost but little more than 400l. The schools were opened on the 9th of last October; a mistress was then provided from the Borough Institution for the girls' school; so that now both schools are conducted on the British system, and are open for the children of the poor of all denominations, in Kingsland, Stoke Newington, and the adjacent villages. The boys' school is capable of containing from 200 to 300 boys, and there are 150 in daily attendance; the girls' school contains from 80 to 100, and is quite full. The committee are anxious to effect an enlargement of the girls' school, it being far too small and incommodious, but cannot at present, for want of the means. In the above school-rooms the Sunday school is continued, and more than 200 children are regularly assembled on the Sunday, and are instructed on the same plan as on week days. The annual expenditure on the present scale, including the Sunday as well as the day-schools, is 1537. The children are not clothed in these schools, except some of the girls, and those only in part, and which is done by a private subscription among the ladies and their friends, but quite independent of the fund of the schools. The advantages arising from this institution are already abundantly apparent in this neighbourhood. The facility with which instruction is communicated on the improved system astonishes all who will take the trouble to inspect the schools, and to notice its operations. Its good effects on the children are particularly observable, by its

inuring them to habits of good order and subordination. It is also worthy of remark, that a considerable alteration for the better has taken place among the parents, their general character and conduct being undoubtedly much improved by the orderly habits and good conduct of the children: númbers of the poor are now seen attending their different places of public worship on the Sabbath, when they used to be either in the alehouse, or engaged in other vicious practices. It has been remarked by old inhabitants of Kingsland (and by persons who feel not sufficient interest in the welfare of the poor as to induce them to assist in the removal of that which is in a great measure the cause of their wretchedness) that Kingsland and its vicinity is certainly much improved, as it respects the moral character and condition of the poorer classes of the inhabitants. Another advantage that has resulted from the instruction of the children is, that a desire has been created in the parents to obtain education for themselves. This being made known, an adult school was commenced in the beginning of the last winter, and was held in the boys' school-room, and continued during the four winter months, four evenings in a week, from seven till nine o'clock; in which time 106 men received instruction. They were taught upon the same plan as the boys, and were much more rapid in their progress, both in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Numbers of them, when they first attended, did not know the alphabet; but in the short space of four months could read easy lessons selected from the Scriptures, and could write legibly words of five or six letters. Several instances occurred, of men upwards of 60 years of age attending, and making surprising improvement. Other instances might be mentioned (to shew how desirous they were of obtaining instruction) of men, after finishing their day's work, walking from two to three miles to attend the adult school, and from which no weather, however severe, prevented them. The writer has often witnessed them coming into the school during heavy rain and snow, when nothing but an eager desire to gain instruction could possibly have induced them to leave their dwellings. The British system of education is particularly applicable to the teaching of adult persons, as has been experienced in this neighbourhood. Had it not been for this invaluable plan, 106 poor ignorant men could not possibly have been attended to by the superintendence of only two persons. The average number attending each night was from 50 to 70; consequently it would have taken more persons as teachers than could have been procured, had it been on any other system. The whole expense attending their instruction did not exceed 10l. which was defrayed by a private subscription.

(Signed)

Kingsland, 30th May 1816.

T. TAYLOR, Secretary.

"This report may be submitted to the honourable the Committee of the House of Commons, as a specimen of well conducted schools, and of economy.

The building of the boys' school, which is capable of receiving 250 boys, cost not quite

£.400.