Hitchin The British Schools Museum
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The British Schools Museum Photos
About The British Schools Museum
This site of the British Schools Museum in Hitchin reflects one of the best examples of elementary education in Britain from 1810 until 1969. Each building which belong to different historical periods illustrate a moving story about the progressive methods of teaching and of those young pupils who were taught here.
In this first Girls’ and Infants’ School dating to 1857, the centre piece is a one-room museum. Many of the displays recall those early years of education when William Wilshere first introduced the ‘monitorial school’ to Hitchin in 1810. The room has been named ‘The Victorian Life’ which boasts a rich range of exhibits on display such as home furniture, domestic and commercial products, children’s toys and household cleaning utensils.
Other rooms here cater to a small tea-room and a large space often used for temporary exhibitions and meetings.
Most interestingly of all is that the public and school groups are encouraged to take an active role in lessons and relive the Victorian lifestyle, even going as far as dressing up to look the part.
The school yard would have been used by both the girls and infants. In the left corner where a more modern construction stands was once an open-fronted play shed for wet weather.
A boys school was eventually added although this occurred in stages. The path leading up the hill would have once been laid with cobble stones and therefore not suitable for disabled access unlike today.
Followed in chronological order, for example, this building which is the larger of the various classes here was constructed in 1837. This particular one is named The Lancasterian Schoolroom.
It may seem surprising to see such an open space however, since there was a lack of finances pupils had to be taught in large groups.
The semi-circles around the room represent a border where a small group of boys would stand and be taught by another pupil using lesson boards hung on the wall. This pseudo teacher earned the role as a ‘Monitor’ and would have already been tutored by the master. After the lesson each group would return to their respective benches and write on their slates. When the group was ready to be tested by the master a sign-posted stick or flag with the words ‘EX’ meaning to be examined, would be turned towards the master who stood or sat at the top of the room. It was precisely this environment of learning referred to as the ‘Monitorial System’ that Joseph Lancaster pioneered in 1798 in London.
Next door is the Galleried Classroom built in 1853 for 110 boys. There would not have been any desks then so the boys would have either sat on benches or on the floor.
In his role as an Inspector of School and Victorian poet, Matthew Arnold persuaded the Trustees to construct this building.
During World War II this room was also used as a kitchen but fortunately, was completely restored to its original condition as a typical Victorian classroom.
By 1905 the schools had become overcrowded which led to the development of two new classrooms annexed to the side of the Lancasterian Schoolroom. They were eventually knocked into three and are called the Edwardian Classrooms.
The first one provides a good illustration of school life between 1905-1939. The presence of books and more personal space really reveals how the level of education by this stage progressed in leaps and bounds.
The second classroom deals with the period between 1950-1969. Again the standard of reform is evident from the more modern desks, books, coloured posters and teaching apparatus on display.
Towards the entrance once more is the Headmaster’s House. William Fitch was the first and only headmaster to occupy this house. On the other side is the Headmistress’s House presently used as office space. Fitch lived in this house from 1854-1899 and unfortunately, it suffered some damage to it in the intervening years until the Trust purchased it in 1994. It has since been carefully restored though and furnished with donations from many quarters. As such the house represents the final touches to an inspiring and unforgettable tour.
References
Local information pamphlets produced for the British Schools Museum.
External Links
http://www.hitchinbritishschools.org.uk/