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Societies

The information in this section is an edited version taken from Llanelli - Birth of a Town a CdRom by William and Benita Rees

The National Society

The National Society is the shortened form of The National Society for promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church throughout England and Wales. It was founded in October 1811 as a Voluntary Educational Society and placed great emphasis on religious education in their schools. The Society insisted ‘that children are instructed in the Litany and Catechism of the Established Church and constantly attend Divine Service in their Parish Church’.

The Society required regular reports on every school’s educational progress and the general state of its buildings. Books used in National Schools had to be ordered from the SPCK (Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge) catalogue.

The Society made substantial financial grants to the schools over and above, government and diocesan grants.

1811 For some years after its formation in 1811 the National Society expected all schools which received financial support from it to adopt Dr Bell’s monitorial method of teaching.

Dr Andrew Bell (1753-1832), was an Anglican priest and missionary teacher in India, who was compelled to appoint senior pupils to help in his classes because there was a shortage of suitable teachers. Dr Bell’s teaching methods proved very successful and he became very well known. When he returned to this country his method of using senior pupils as ‘Monitors’ was adopted by the National Society.

English was the only language used in National schools during most of the 1800s and all pupils of National Society Schools, including Nonconformists children, were expected to attend church services every Sunday.

1833 In August 1833 the Government became involved for the first time in education when it agreed to give grants to organisations concerned with building schools for poor children.

1839  From 1839 the Government grant was only given after a successful inspection of a school and the grants could only be paid to National or Church Schools through the National Society. The Society provided advice and plans for new school buildings and always maintained a close working relationship with all parish and diocesan authorities. The Society was able to establish schools in almost every village and town in England and Wales.