Victorian Education

My great-great-grandfather George Burgess (1829-1905) wrote in his diary:-

"I went to a Church School - and then a "British School" - and finally left off schooling about age 14, a poor scholar."

I'm not sure of the distinction between a 'Church School' and a 'British School' but George Burgess came from a working class background. His father was a labourer and his mother was a daughter of John Willis, a Farmer, the "Batch", Hanham, Bristol; although his parents owned two houses in Staple Hill, Bristol.

I'm not sure of his definition of 'a poor scholar' but his education couldn't have been that bad in that in that he loved reading and writing and went on to become a prolific writer. He published two books in his profession as a Phrenologist, wrote all his thoughts down in many volumes, wrote poetry and finally wrote his life history in his diary.

George Burgess had four daughters, born between 1871 and 1875 but sadly his wife died in 1878 so he had to bring-up his daughters on his own. At the time they were living in a remote farm house, Latteridge, Iron Acton, Gloucestershire while he worked during the week in the Arcades, Bristol as a Phrenologist; coming home on weekends.

They did have an older half-brother who was supposed to look after them when their father was working; and on a number of occasions he did try to hire a Governess but each time the children frightened her away.

As told by Gertrude Rosa Burgess, one of the daughters:-

"They were supposed to go to a country school, but it was quite a while before the authorities caught up with them because they were so isolated in those days. However, when they did go to school, they had to travel some distance on foot; over fields, down lanes and along country footpaths to get to school."

In the end she had a reasonable education and on leaving school she started work in a Drapery shop in Bristol, and later (before she married) set up her own business as a 'Seamstress'.