Adult and/or Evening Education
Sunday Schools in the early 19th century were not just for children but provided an opportunity for older people to learn to read and write on the day off.
At a time when formal education for many people ended at age 13 we have some evidence for voluntary attendance at evening classes.
This article appeared in the 1906 Stowmarket Weekly Post, these evening classes were probably being held in the Stowmarket National school but it is interesting the subjects being offered. art, science, woodwork and shorthand (for male and females). Some classes were for teachers to pass their certificate examinations. The article concludes by saying ‘the manual instruction class is not yet open.
The Stowmarket Weekly Post on 18th April 1907 reported on prizes that were awarded to scholars who had attended the Stowupland evening school.
Prizes were awarded by The East Suffolk Education Committee for Freehand and model drawing and gardening.
On 1st April 1909 the Stowmarket Weekly Post carried a report about a tea for a prize giving for the teachers and ‘lads’ who had attended evening classes organised by Mr Petley. It seems no girls attended evening classes, but whether they were excluded or not interested is not presently known. Around 2o lads had attended and they had started a football club ‘to keep together during the summer months’.
We have some evidence for other evening classes were held in the village from at least the 1890s.
This advert in the East Anglian Daily Times of November 4th 1896 suggests that lectures were being given on various technical topics.
This one was held in the village school and given by a qualified veterinary surgeon on a subject that would have been of interest to members of a farming community.
1893 a social tea was provided for The Technical Continuation Classes that had been held at Stowupland Board School {Bury and Norwich Post: 28 March 1893}
See also the URC Church hall and also WEA lectures on Local History.
Or read about Stowupland High School.
