SKETCH PLAN OF THE CLASSROOM (1850s)

This book illustration is very poor quality, but if you move the mouse over the text - a clearer version will pop-up.
For a brief explanation of the purpose of the semi-circles in the aisles on either side of the desks (and how the monitor system allowed one teacher to control so many children) click here. For a more detailed explanation of how the 'Lancastrian' system of education functioned including the complete text of Lancaster's 1810 booklet on his system of education click here

The Sales Table
"Quaking time came at 9.50, when materials were sold at the Master's table up to 10 a.m., after which if any scholar was short of anything wanted for his use, he got one, two, three or four cuts on the hand with a heavy strap that the Master carried in the tail pocket of his coat."  

The Garden of Marigolds & Bees
"In the yard of the School there was a bed of marigolds, which was, of course 'taboo'. Yet there were always bees on the marigolds, and, with a 'fearful joy', we caught these and took them in School to help the buzz and hum of the work. The marigolds were, of course, yellow, and very often the indignant bee prisoner made his captor, or some other boy, yell 'Oh'! And equally, of course, the yeller got the strap along with his other pain."

"In Union Street Chapel, on Sundays, dear Mr. Goulty must have wondered where all the bees came from which buzzed about his grand old head while he was preaching; but nearly every boy had a clean handkerchief, and in it a clean, lusty bee which hied him straight for the window behind the pulpit as soon as he was freed."

                     The Middle Street School, Brighton, 1805-1905 by Geo. Haffenden   pp 93-94

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