ABSTRACT
With the creation of the Committee of the Council, the government asserted civil as opposed to ecclesiastical authority in education. At first the Committee was controlling the distribution of grants, but it also claimed the right of inspection as a condition of their receipt. The National Society opposed inspection and at first refused grants rather than accept the principle. In July 1840 a Concordat was negotiated between the Church and the government which made important concessions:
That before we recommend to your Majesty any person to be appointed to inspect Schools receiving aid from the public, the promoters of which state themselves to be in connexion with the National Society or the Church of England, we should be authorized to consult the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, each with regard to his own province, and that the Archbishops should be at liberty to suggest to us any person or persons for the office of Inspector, and that without their concurrence we should recommend no person to your Majesty for such appointment.
We further beg leave to recommend to your Majesty that if either of the Archbishops should at any time, with regard to his own province, withdraw his concurrence in our recommendation of such appointment, your Majesty would be graciously pleased to permit us to advise your Majesty to issue an Order in Council, revoking the appointment of the said Inspector, and making an appointment in lieu thereof…
Order in Council Dated August 10th 1840, Recording the Concordat with the Archbishop of Canterbury Concerning the Inspection of Schools.