In localities throughout the country there was generally an acceleration in the provision of elementary education between 1818 and 1833. This was still an uncontrolled movement, depending often solely on local initiative or the lack of it. The National Society in particular was thriving and by 1830 there were in the region of 3,500 parish schools linked to it. Most important was the change that was taking place in educated opinion. Lord Melbourne, who reputedly said he did not believe in education, and the Rev Stephen Cassan who wrote that ‘The people at large … have no business with minds,’ were coming to represent the minority. Even Cassan accepted the need for church schools, although it was on the dubious grounds that if the anglican church did not educate the poor the nonconformists would. A majority came to favour voluntary schools, teaching elementary subjects and religion, which would be assisted by governmental grants but not controlled by the government.

Against this background two important events happened in 1833. The first was the agreement of the government to pay £20,000 a year for grants to help with the building of schools. The second was an Address of the House of Commons to the King, which led to Home Secretary Melbourne sending out questionnaires to the Overseers of the Poor in all parishes asking about the existence of day and Sunday schools. The information which the replies contained was abstracted and made available in printed form, giving a comprehensive picture of what existed in each parish. In contrast to the 1818 returns, opinions of working class attitudes to education were not sought in 1833.

County of Bedford

ABSTRACT OF EDUCATION RETURNS: 1833 PP 1835XLI

The Parishes are placed in Alphabetical order throughout the County (except those included in the Borough of Bedford): the Chapelries and other Hamlets and Tythings are entered under the Name of their respective Parishes.

AMPTHILL Parish (Population in 1831 – 1,688)

Eight Infant Schools, at which are about 95 children, of both sexes, educated at the expense of their parents.