In the last post we looked at a couple of famous pupils of the school at the time the Dinnis family would have lived in Middle Street. In this post we shall look at the everyday life of the school. The pictures and information come from the school website, there is much more to see under ‘History’ on the site: www.middlestreet.org
Mr R.B Bessant, Headmaster 1836-1861
Here is a plan of the classroom, from the school website:http://www.middlestreet.org/mshistory/sketchplan.htm
Sketch Plan of the classroom 1850s
http://www.middlestreet.org/mshistory/sketchplan.htm
The Curriculum
In 1851 the school formed ‘classes for Superior Instruction’; while charitable contributions still covered the costs of those ‘unable to provide for themselves’, wealthier parents could purchase more advanced classes for their children. The schemes of work under this development were:
BOY’S SCHOOL
The first class of instruction includes Spelling, Reading from boards, Writing, Arithmetic, Grammar, Outlines of Geography, English History, and Singing. Terms, as at present, Twopence per week.
The second class includes all the subjects fo the first class carried further: also Ancient and Modern History, Sciences, and Useful Arts, Natural History, rudiments of Drawing and Singing by notes. Terms, fourpence a week.
The third class includes all the second class carried still further; also Mental Arithmetic, Book-keeping and Mercantile Correspondence, English Composition, rudiments of Mathematics, Physical and Scriptural Geography, Geometry, Mechanics and Mapping. Terms, sixpence per week.
GIRLS’S SCHOOL
The first class includes Spelling, Reading from boards, Writing on slates, Arithmetic, Outlines of Geography and English History, Plain Needlework and Singing. Terms at present, three-halfpence per week.
The second class includes all the subjects of the first class carried further; also Ancient and Modern History, Mental Arithmetic, Physical and Scriptural Geography, Singing by notes and Knitting. Terms threepence a week.
From the book ‘The Middle Street School, Brighton, 1805-1905’ by Geo. Haffenden p. 83
http://www.middlestreet.org/mshistory/curric1851.htm
Meeting my family 