For the Benefit of the Children: the Battle for a Board School in Keynsham 1870 - 1893

Keynsham in the late nineteenth century seemed just the place for a free non-denominational Board School under Forster’s 1870 Education Act. But Vicar Gray campaigned successfully against this, and at the same time expanded the Parochial Schools which continued to provide all the primary schooling for the children of the poor in Keynsham until 1954.

Here is a fascinating account of the clash of personalities, principles, prejudices and propaganda which brought this about.

About the Author

Elizabeth White read history at Bedford College, London, and did her PGCE at Cambridge. Her teaching career brought her to Keynsham,  where she retired, and completed an MA in Local and Regional History at Bath Spa University. She was a passionate local historian and was involved in ALHA, mostly as Chairman or Vice-Chairman or Secretary from the 1980s.