Epilogue

Summary

When the 1902 Education Act was passed many larger town and city school boards throughout the country were upset and angry. They felt, with some justification, that they had done a good job and achieved a great deal. In so doing many had become powerful organisations who resented an Act that would sweep them into oblivion. In contrast, the small, rural Bedfordshire boards were often beset by apathy by the early 1900s, and had probably achieved as much as they could reasonably be expected to do. In general they faced their demise quietly, holding their final meetings, nominating managers, and settling up accounts.

Of the Bedfordshire five-member boards only that at Potton seems to have made any real protest. As this had been nonconformist dominated throughout its existence, the attitude expressed is hardly surprising. Members ‘viewed with alarm’ the Education Bill, stating that they considered ‘a Board elected locally the proper body for dealing with elementary education’. Later, when asked to nominate managers to serve when the school became a council school, they replied: ‘The parish has for many years chosen the school managers by public ballot and this is satisfactory, so they suggest to the County Council that they order a Poll for this purpose, and as they have worked well together as a Board, they are unable to suggest names,’ (BCRO S.B. 33, May 1902 and August 1903.)

Other boards which expressed opinions were more concerned with the financial implications of the Act. Battlesden and Potsgrove may be taken as a typical example. Members resolved: ‘That the additional aid required under the Education Bill should not be an additional charge upon the Rates but should as far as possible be furnished out of the Imperial Exchequer.’ (BCRO S.B. 4, June 1902.)

Such protests were very slight in comparison with what happened elsewhere and Bedfordshire County Council faced a relatively easy task in establishing its Education Committee. It was a great disappointment when both Bedford and Luton opted out and became Part III Authorities, but such decisions were beyond the Council’s control. When Biggleswade Urban District Council applied for a dispensation to control elementary education in the town a very firm ‘no’ was given.