There was a tremendous expansion of education in England and Wales during the nineteenth century.

A combination of voluntary effort and government action led to the introduction of a system of elementary education for the working class.

This concise introduction describes the development of Victorian schools, with particular emphasis on the schoolroom itself.

Using contemporary sources, this book explains:
- what went on in the schoolrooms of Victorian England and Wales
- the way lessons were planned and taught
- the equipment and teaching resources that were employed
- the evolving role and status of the teacher