ABSTRACT

Not until the 1780s did the idea that working–class children should have an education receive serious consideration. Charity schools existed before this time, but in insignificant numbers. The Sunday School Movement that gathered momentum at this time was a first brave attempt to teach basic reading and writing to large numbers of children. Day school education was the logical development and in 1808 the British and Foreign School Society was established, followed by the National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church in 1811. These two religious societies were to dominate the field of education for the poor until 1870 and the coming of the Education Act.