ABSTRACT
In 1939, the broad basis of the State educational system was still that provided by the Education Acts of 1870 and 1902, though, in detail, the situation was one of considerable diversity and confusion. Many State- educated children were still attending elementary schools catering for all ages from 5 to 14. A minority went, as scholarship holders or as fee payers, to the secondary schools, which, after the Fisher Act of 1918, rapidly developed Sixth Form work and sent some of their ablest pupils to the Universities.
