University and Educational Intelligence

Abstract

A DEPUTATION from the Association of Head Masters of Higher-Grade and Organised Science Schools was received on Thursday last, by Mr. Acland, at the offices of the Science and Art Department; Major-General Sir John Donnelly being present at the interview. The deputation was the outcome of a very large and representative meeting of the association, held at Derby, to consider the new rules for organised science schools lately issued by the Department. The importance of the new regulations lies in the fact that under them a system of secondary schools will be inaugurated and carried on under the control of, and supported to a great extent by, the Science and Art Department. The organised science schools at present in existence include nearly all the more important higher-grade schools, the day schools of technical institutions, and a considerable number of grammar schools. The principal changes proposed in the new rules are the partial substitution of inspection for examination, the introduction of special courses of instruction for women students, the inclusion of a fair proportion of literary work in the curriculum, and the addition to it of practical work in physics and biology. A long discussion, lasting over two hours, took place, at the end of which Mr. Acland stated that he hoped to be able to meet the wishes of the deputation with regard to many of the points raised, and promised, at the end of a week or ten days, to make a definite statement of the alterations the Department would be prepared to make.