Mining in the Victorian Age
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A living history interpreter dressed as a girl working in the Screens building
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
© National Coal Mining Museum for England (Photo: National Coal Mining Museum for England)
Many children in early Victorian England did not go to school and more than half of them grew up unable to even read or write. There was no law until the end of the nineteenth century to insist that children went to school, and since all schooling had to be paid for, many parents could not afford the few pence a week it cost to send them.
Other parents managed to send them to school for a year or two, but as soon as they were big enough to do a job, they were sent out to work instead. Very few working class children ever stayed at school after they were twelve years old.
In 1870 the government finally passed a law stating that all children between the ages of five and thirteen must go to school and their parents must pay a small amount towards the cost.
Other parents managed to send them to school for a year or two, but as soon as they were big enough to do a job, they were sent out to work instead. Very few working class children ever stayed at school after they were twelve years old.
In 1870 the government finally passed a law stating that all children between the ages of five and thirteen must go to school and their parents must pay a small amount towards the cost.