British and Foreign School Society

[2] Joseph Lancaster's School in Borough Road, Southwark, London, established in 1798, was an important development in the provision of universal free education for children.

The Society for Promoting the Lancasterian System for the Education of the Poor was formed in 1808 to continue Lancaster's lead.

[4] As its teacher training colleges have closed and the Society has gathered more capital, it has used its funds to provide grants for educational projects around the world.

[5] The Society's Archive Centre is situated close to Brunel University's Uxbridge campus.

This holds school and college records, together with artefacts and curriculum materials with relevance to modern education.

The Hitchin British Schools Trust runs the museum for public visitors and for classes of visiting children to sample education in the 19th century.