History of Grammar Schools in the UK - The Victorian Era
The Victorian Era saw major changes in the system of grammar schools in the UK. These changes reflected a general desire for improvement and both parents’ and authorities’ aspirations to adjust grammar schools to the needs of the time while remaining true to the traditional values and ‘ancient wisdom’. Still based on classical subjects, the curriculum was expanded to include modern subjects including science and started to become more and more similar to modern curriculum.
In addition to the changes in curriculum, the Victorian Era grammar schools in the UK also went through major reorganisation and legislative reforms as stipulated by the Public Schools Act 1868, the Endowed Schools Act 1869 and even earlier, the Grammar Schools Act 1840 which made the above mentioned changes in the curriculum possible. The Public School Act which was passed by the Parliament in 1868 among other things also established the need to improve distribution of the schools in order for them to match the population needs/structure. The Endowed Schools Act that was enacted one year later, on the other hand, pawed the way for the first grammar schools for girls only.
Some of the oldest extant girls’ grammar schools in the UK include:
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North London Collegiate School, Edgware (London Borough of Harrow). Located in Edgware, the Borough of Harrow, the North London Collegiate School was originally headquartered in Camden Town. It was founded in 1850 by Frances Mary Buss (1827-1894), one of the key figures in history of women’s education. She also acted as the school’s Headmistress and besides heading the school that came to be regarded as the model for girls’ education also campaigned for women’s rights.
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Cheltenham Ladies’ College, Cheltenham (Gloucestershire). One of the first independent girls’ schools is also one of the largest boarding and day schools for girls in the UK. Founded in 1853, the Cheltenham Ladies’ College is today attended by more than 800 girls from all over the world.
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King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls, Birmingham. Founded in 1883, the school is located in Kings Heath in the heart of Birmingham but it was originally located in Camp Hill as indicated in its name. It is one of the schools that are run by the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI which also operates the neighbouring King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys.