Education
Before
1870 children did not have to go to school. Children who did usually
went to one of four different kinds of school:
- Sunday Schools
These were the only schools for most children and taught mainly reading,
writing and religion.
- Private Schools
Private schools are sometimes mentioned in the reports of the Charity
Commission and Education Commissioners such as the 'Blue Books'
report for Wales, 1847.
- Schools run
by a voluntary society
The British and Foreign School Society was established in 1808 as
a non-religious organisation . Older pupils were used to teach the
younger ones.
The National Society was established in 1811 to establish and fund
schools for Anglican children.
The Catholic Poor Schools Society was formed in 1847.
- Endowed Schools
People left money in their wills to help fund these schools. They
included schools like Howell's School for girls, Llandaff.
After
1870
In
1870 Forster's Education Act was passed and School Boards were established
in most areas. They were intended to fill the gaps in the existing voluntary
school system. The School Board in Cardiff began in 1875, and Board
Schools rapidly came to dominate elementary education. The first school
opened in Eleanor Street, Butetown in 1878. By 1880 all children had
to go to school until they were 10. Radnor Road School was opened in
1888.
Radnor
Road Board School, 1886
[BC/S1/4967]
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The
first entry in the Radnor Boys' School log book, 1888.
[EC/21/3]
Radnor
Board School, 1903.
[DX489]
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Libraries
In
1860 a voluntary library was set up with a reading room above the entrance
to the Royal Arcade. The library attracted over
95 000 visitors in the first year despite only having 49 volumes. It
was handed over to the Corporation in 1862 and a lending library and
museum were added. The library moved to 79 St Mary Street the following
year and in 1866 Schools of Art and Science were established. In 1879
the Corporation chose a site in Trinity Street to be the home for the
new library building and organised a competition for its design. 127
drawings were submitted but the winning entry was designed by James,
Seward & Thomas.
The
day the building opened in 1882 was declared a public holiday.
By 1887 2000 people attended the library every day and it became clear
an extension was necessary. This was also designed by Seward and Thomas,
and opened in 1896.
The
site of the Old Library, 1870s.
[OS
43:15.7, 1879]
The
Old Library.
[DXGC20/146]
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Competition
designs for the library.
[BC/S1/7678]
Extension
of the Old Library, designed by Seward & Thomas, 1893.
[BC/S1/7678]
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University
The
University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire was opened
in 1883 in the Old Infirmary Buildings, Newport Road. 151 students
enrolled.
|
Site
of the Glamorganshire and Monmouthshire
Infirmary, 1880 and 1901.
[OS
43:15 1st and 2nd editions] |
Chemistry
and Physics block, 1904.
[BC/S1/15469] |
In
1893 the Marquess of Bute offered to sell to the Borough lands in
Cathays Park, and new university buildings began to be erected.
Funds for a new Chemistry and Physics block were donated by Lord
Glanely. |
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Fine
Art, Industrial and Maritime Exhibition, 1896
The
movement to hold an exhibition of arts and industry began with the
Free Library Committee of the Borough of Cardiff. A general commitee
of public figures, businessmen and industrialists was formed who were
keen to promote the local resources and industries of Cardiff. The
Marquess of Bute permitted the use of Cathays Park as the site of
the exhibition. Edwin Seward designed the main exhibition building
which contained exhibits ranging from machinery to fine art.
Floor plan
of the main exhibition building.
[BC/S1/11045]
|
| The
exhibition grounds included a canal and lake for maritime exhibits,
models of a working dairy, a biscuit factory and Shakespeare's house.
The event proved a spectacular extravaganza, with art exhibitions,
concerts, outdoor shows and an exotic Indian bazaar. During the
6 months the exhibition lasted 1 million people visited. |
Plan of the
exhibition grounds, including the panorama.
[BC/S1/11392]
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