In early Victorian England, most poorer children never went to school at all and grew up unable to read or write. Since schooling had to be paid for then, many parents decided they could not afford the few pennies a week it cost. 

Instead, children were sent out to work at a young age to earn money for their families.Their earnings were an important part of the family income and if they went to school, their families would lose this money.

1842 Commissioners' Findings on School Instruction for a Mining Community

Many of these children found their only chance to learn anything was at a Church or Chapel Sunday School. Lessons concentrated on the 'three Rs' (reading, writing and arithmetic) and scripture. Children learnt by copying and chanting things over and over again until they were word perfect.

1842 Commissioners' Findings on Schooling for Mining Children

Children learned to write on slates because paper was very expensive. They scratched letters on them using sharpened pieces of slate. Older children learned to use pen and ink by writing in copybooks.

1842 Commisioners' Findings on Schooling for Mining Children

Schooling did not become compulsory for children aged five to ten until 1880. In 1889, the school leaving age was raised to twelve, and in 1891, the school's fee was abolished and schools became free.

Glossary

Abolish - to put an end to something, perhaps by a new law

Compulsory - when something is required by law or an authority

Concentrated - focus on one thing

Income - money received, usually in return for work

Scripture - writing from the Bible

Slate - a small square made of slate, used to write on with chalk, then wiped clean

Activity Ideas

Use this resource to help you answer the questions below:

1. How many children altogether attend the three Sunday schools in Silkstone?
2. Compare this figure with how many children attended the Day and Evening school. Why do you think so few children attended the Day and Evening school compared with all of the Sunday Schools?
3. Look at the different subjects taught at school. How does this compare to what you learn at school?
4. Work out how many days a year you spend in school. How does this compare with the number of days the children in Silkstone spent at Sunday School every year?
5. What does this information tell you about how mining families in Silkstone viewed education?

Look at the Commissioners Findings for Schooling:
J C Symons Esq interviewed a number of children from Silkstone on 18 March 1840.  Use their interview answers to help you answer the following questions:

1. What type of school did these children attend?
2. Which of the children would rather go to school than work in the pit?
3. Do you think these children had a good education? Explain your view.
4. Do you think that the children missed out on anything by not being able to read and write very well?