Teachers

The History

People have been teaching for thousands of years although teachers were recognised as a trade in the UK during medieval times.

Only children of rich people were able to benefit from teachers at public schools or Universities until the start of the 1800's when charitable schools for poor people began to become available.

In 1870 schooling became compulsory  in every Parish.

At this point there was a considerable growth in the number of teachers.

In 1902 schools were made the responsibility of local authorities.

What records can you find?

Until 1902 records of teachers will be found via the school in which they taught.

There would normally be a board of governors who would keep financial and staff records.

From 1902 the records would probably relate to the schools via the Local Authority records.

In both cases these records would be kept by the County Records Offices although some material may appear in local museums or in the schools own archives.

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Origins who are a commercial company offer a searchable database of about 100,000 registered teachers between 1870 and 1970. There is a small fee payable to view the searches.

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A visit to the school may find boards listing headteachers .

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Schools were always of interested to local newspapers so a visit to the local newspaper archive may find  material  relating to teachers.