Dame school

[4] Although sometimes ridiculed, there were many famous alumni, including Samuel Johnson and William Wordsworth for certain, and possibly Charles Dickens.

School dames laboured with small groups of children ages 2-5 wherever a demand existed and their own qualifications were accepted.

For instance, Dame Seamer of Darlington, Durham was recorded as receiving four shillings a year per pupil.[when?

][8] In the mid-17th century, that sum would be roughly four days wages for a skilled tradesman,[9] and a loaf of bread cost approximately sixpence.

[7] Typically, rudimentary arithmetic would also be provided,[3] offering pupils the opportunity to learn the calculation of household accounts.

The 19th century was also marked by educational social reform movements, which greatly impacted dame schools.

Near the middle of the century, private philanthropists established free schools targeted to educate lower-class children.

[15] Some historians have suggested that this is not a complete picture arguing that part of what appealed to families about Dame schools and led to them being criticised by the authorities was that they were run by the working classes for themselves whilst other educational options were guided by middle class officials through the state, charity or the church who wanted to ensure that education did not challenge the strict social structure of Victorian society.

The commission painted a woeful portrait of dame schools, stating that they failed to provide children with an education that would be serviceable to them later in life.

[28] Dame schools fulfilled this requirement when parents were unable to educate their young children in their own home.

For a small fee, women, often housewives or widows, offered to take in children to whom they would teach a little writing, reading, basic prayers and religious beliefs.

These women received "tuition" in coin, home industries, alcohol, baked goods and other valuables.

[29] In addition to primary education, girls in dame schools might also learn sewing, embroidery, and other "graces".

[32] In the 18th and 19th centuries, some dame schools offered boys and girls from wealthy families a "polite education".

The women running these elite dame schools taught "reading, writing, English, French, arithmetic, music and dancing".