Education Meeting: A meeting was held in the Assembly Rooms on Tuesday, to consider the new Education Act. E. Gulson, Esq., who presided, pointed out that the two parishes of East and West Teignmouth pointed out they only had one school, and whether one school would be sufficient for the two parishes for the future, it would not be for them to decide. He certainly considered additional accommodation necessary. The Rev. A. Lawson stated that the school accommodation in East and West Teignmouth would provide for 390 children. The Athenaeum School, which was termed a private adventure, was sufficient for 147 children, the Roman Catholic School 80, Mr. Pinsent’s school 56, and the school under the patron’ of Mrs. Wrey 30, making in all 703; but to provide for one-sixth of the population there would be a deficiency school accommodation for 300 children. From Mr. Howard who inspected their schools last week, he might be right or wrong, he learned that the school accommodation at the Athenaeum and Mr. Pinsent’s would never pass the requirements of the Education Department. Taking into consideration the number of poor in West Teignmouth, he thought accommodation would be required for one-fifth rather than one-sixth, and if that were so they would have to provide for 500 instead of 300. Some discussion arose as to the working of the Act, some gentlemen being in favour of the voluntary system, and others of a rate. The Rev. A. Lawson then moved, “That in the opinion of this meeting the present and prospective educational wants as regards elementary education in East and West Teignmouth, be continued under the voluntary system.” This was seconded by Mr. Jordan who showed that if the voluntary system failed, they could come to a rate. He considered the voluntary system had very great advantages over the compulsory system. The Rev. J. Davis (Baptist) moved an amendment, that a committee be appointed to confer on the subject, and to report to the vestries of the parishes. The Rev. J. Bramley (Wesleyan) seconded this. Captain Marshall suggested the meeting should be adjourned for a week, in order that the population might thoroughly understand the subject. Eventually the Rev. A. Lawson withdrew his motion, that of the Rev. J. Davis being adopted, with the alteration that the committee shall report at an adjourned meeting to be held next Monday evening at 7.30, when the Rev. A. Lawson will again move his resolution. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting.
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Referenced
GRO0509 Teignmouth: John Pinsent: 1799 – 1878