Memorial CXXIV: The Great Crosby School

Memorials of the Guild of Merchant Taylors of the Fraternity of St. John the Baptist in the City of London. Originally published by Harrison, London, 1875.

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'Memorial CXXIV: The Great Crosby School', in Memorials of the Guild of Merchant Taylors of the Fraternity of St. John the Baptist in the City of London, (London, 1875) pp. 492-510. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/no-series/taylors-guild-london/pp492-510 [accessed 26 April 2024]

In this section

CXXVII. THE SCHOOL AT GREAT CROSBY.

1. The foundation of this School, and the little that is known of the founder and his family, have been already referred to. It may be noticed that Harrison had purchased a plot of land and solicited the cooperation of the worthy Knight and Baronet Sir Richard Molineux, of Sefton Hall, in furtherance of his good work, when his scheme was stopped for a time by his death.

View of school at Great Crosby

2. However, by his Will, dated the 15th day of May 1618, he gave and bequeathed as follows:—

"I give and bequeath unto the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Company or Fraternity of Saint John Baptist, of the Mystery of Merchant Tailors in London, whereof I am a Brother, 30l. to make the said Company a Dinner on the day of my Funeral. Item, I give and bequeath unto the Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the said Company or Fraternity, 500l. in money, to the end and intent that they or their successors, Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the said Company or Fraternity, for the time being, should erect and build up in Great Crosby, in the Parish of Shefton, in the County of Lancaster, where my father was born, within convenient time after my decease, One free Grammar School for the teaching, edu cating, and instructing of children and youth in the grammar and rules of learning, for ever, which shall be called by the name of 'The Merchant Tailors' School founded at the charge of John Harrison.' And I will that the said School shall have continuance for ever of one Master and one Usher, and my will and meaning is that the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the said Fraternity, for the time being and their Successors, shall be Governors of the said Free School for ever, and shall from time to time for ever nominate and appoint one sufficient, discreet, learned man to be Master of the said School, and one other sufficient, discreet, learned man to be Usher of the said School. Item, for the maintenance and continuance of the said School and of the said Master and Usher, and for preferment of other charitable payments hereafter mentioned, I do give, will and demise unto the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and their Successors, for ever, all my messuages, houses, grounds, and tenements situate in Crane Court, in the Parish of Saint Augustine. And all my four houses on the street side which lieth in the Parish of Saint Augustine aforesaid in the street called the Old Change, in the Ward of Farringdon, within the City of London, and all those my two houses lying in Saint Swithin's Lane, near London Stone, with their and every of their appurtenances, and the reversion and reversions thereof. To the end and intent that the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants for the time being, and their Successors for ever, shall with the rents, issues, and profits of the said messuages, houses, and tenements yearly for ever pay unto the Master of the said School for his stipend and wages 30l., and to the Usher of the said School for his stipend and wages 20l. per annum, and that the said Master, Wardens, and Assistants, and their Successors, shall yearly for ever out of the said rents and profits pay to and amongst the poor for the time being dwelling in Lamb Alley aforesaid, by and with the consent of the chiefest of the Parish of St. Augustine aforesaid, 20l. per annum, and that the remainder of the said rents and profits of the said tenements (reserving 5l. per annum for repairing of the said School) shall be bestowed to and amongst the poor Brethren of the said Company, so far as it will extend by 20s. a quarter a piece."

3. After the testator's death in 1619, the Court—having had the Will read, and ascertained that he had left "sufficiently in money and lands for the performance thereof,"—"lovingly and willingly accepted of the said gift, and purpose, God willing, to perform the contents of the said will according to the true meaning thereof." Accordingly, they placed themselves in communication with Sir Richard Molineux, and arranged for the erection of the school under the supervision of John Harrison, the founder's kinsman at Crosby, completing the building and establishing the school at such time and under the circumstances set forth in the Court Minutes which are collected and printed in the Appendix. (fn. 1)

4. The houses devised to the Company then consisted of two tenements in St. Swithin's Lane, and nine tenements in Crane Court, producing a total annual income of 121l. 13s. 4d. The houses in Change Alley having been destroyed by fire and not rebuilt (as I understand) until 1634.

5. In 1666 the Fire of London (fn. 2) destroyed all the houses, and all payments for a time absolutely ceased. Whereupon John Ashworth and Thomas Barker, the Schoolmasters, humbly memorialized the Company in April 1667 for their salaries, but the only reply was "desiring" their patience until the houses be rebuilt." Consequently the Usher left his employment. This state of things continued until by a Decree of the Court of Judicature duly established for the determination of differences touching houses burnt or demolished by such Fire, dated on or about the 19th day of July 1692, it was ordered that the payments to be made by the said Company to the Master and Usher of the said School, and for repairing the said School, should be reduced from the sum of 55l. to the sum of 34l. 9s. 4d. per annum for the term of 60 years, and that the payment to be made for the poor of the said Parish of St. Augustine aforesaid should be reduced from the said sum of 20l. to the sum of 12l. 10s. 8d. for the like term of years.

6. After the expiration of the term of 60 years the full salaries were paid to the Master and Usher, and 20l. (less land tax) to the Poor of St. Augustine's though, in consequence of City improvements, Lamb Alley had been swept away. No payments were however made to the Poor of the Company until 1821, because the surplus rents were needed for and applied to the extinction of a debt incurred in restoring the trust premises.

7. In the year 1825 the annual rental of the houses had considerably increased, and after setting apart the annual sums of 30l. for the said Master, 20l. for the said Usher, 20l. (less land tax) for the Poor of the said Parish of St. Augustine, 5l. for the repairs of the School, and 13s. 4d. for the Clerk of the Company (amounting altogether to the annual sum of 71l.13s. 4d.), there remained an unapplied residue of 388l. 6s. 8d., and in the belief that by the terms of the Will they were bound to apply the whole of such residue amongst poor members of the said Company, the Master and Wardens created 97 pensions of 4l. per annum each, and paid the same as far as they were able to poor Brethren, but being unable to find a sufficient number of recipients amongst the poor Brethren, they bestowed the remaining pensions upon poor Widows of Freemen of the Company.

8. At Christmas, 1847, the rental of the houses increased to 775l. per annum, which, after deducting the sum of 71l. 13s. 4d., left a residue of 703l. 6s. 8d.; and as there were not a sufficient number of poor Brethren to whom to pay in pensions or sums of 20s. a quarter a piece this residue or even the said sum of 420l., the Company applied to the Court of Chancery for a new scheme for the School. At that time (1849) the Company being dissatisfied with had dismissed the Master of the School, and there was not then any Master, Usher, or even Scholar of the School. It was therefore submitted to the Court of Chancery, that it would be greatly for the benefit of the Chapelry and neighbourhood, and assist in fulfilling the substantial intentions of the said John Harrison the Founder of the said School, if the system of education were enlarged and improved, and the School extended, so as to meet the wants of the population of the said Chapelry and neighbourhood, for which purpose the Company proposed a scheme for the future management of the said School, and for the application of the said trust property, which was sanctioned by the Court of Chancery.

9. This scheme contemplated the admission of forty boys on, and sixty boys beyond, the Foundation; the forty being taught free, and the other boys paying 2s. 6d. a quarter to the Masters. The Master's emoluments were raised to 120l., and the Usher's to 80l., with quarterages divided into two-thirds and one-third, and both were to be members of the Established Church.

10. The boys admitted were to be above six and under sixteen years of age, and to be selected for admission and dismissed by the local visitors appointed by the Company. They were to be examined in June and December in each year by Examiners also appointed by the Company.

11. The School worked under this scheme until 1861, when the Company thought fit to limit the boys to seventy, of whom twenty-eight only should be taught free as "Harrison's Scholars," and the others should pay a quarterly sum of 25s. in advance.

12. In the year 1866 the gross yearly income of the trust estate rose to 952l. 10s., and by the renewal of leases gradually increased to the sum of 1,820l. The balance of receipts over expenditure was carefully husbanded by the Company until, in December 1872, the sum of 3,461l. stood to the credit of Harrison's Trust Estate, and application having been made to the Charity Commissioners for liberty to purchase a site of 10 acres of land for new school premises, these premises were conveyed to Trustees for the Company for the total sum of 3,500l.

13. Pending these proceedings, the Endowed Schools Act, (32 and 33 Vict., c. 56) received the sanction of Parliament, and the Company made application to the Commissioners appointed by the Crown to carry out its provisions for a new scheme for the reorganization of the Great Crosby School. Dealing with the income as 1,820l. (with a fixed charge of 20l. 13s. 4d. upon it) the Court of the 26th (upon the Charity Commissioners recommendation of the 18th) January 1871 resolved to devote three-fourths (fn. 3) of the residue to the School and one-fourth to pensions, and to carry out these resolutions and for the conduct of Great Crosby School for the future, the following scheme was finally adopted:—

"Scheme for the management of the foundation established under the will of John Harrison for a school at Great Crosby, in the parish of Shefton, otherwise Sefton, in the county of Lancaster, and for other charitable objects, 6th August 1874.

Part I.—General Scope of Trust.

General object.

"1. The object of this Foundation or Trust shall be—

"(a.) To supply a liberal and practical education for boys and girls by means of Schools at Great Crosby ;

"(b.) To relieve certain poor persons.

And from the date of this Scheme all the particulars which by the Endowed Schools Acts, 1869 and 1873, are capable of being hereby repealed and abrogated, shall, so far as relates to the management of this endowment, be repealed and abrogated.

"Part II.—The School Branch and the Alms Branch.

Governing Body.

"2. The Governing Body of this Foundation shall be the same as hitherto, namely, the Master, Wardens, and Court of Assistants of the Merchant Taylors' Company, hereinafter called 'the Governors.'

Division into School branch and Almsbranch.

3. From the date of this Scheme this Foundation shall consist of two distinct branches, the School branch and the Alms branch.

Provision for the School branch.

"4. From the date of this Scheme the School branch of this Foundation shall be deemed entitled to the land and buildings hitherto occupied under this Trust exclusively for the purposes of the School, and to the piece of land at Great Crosby, lately contracted to be purchased by the Merchant Taylors' Company from Mr. Myers as a site for a School, and to three-fourth parts of the income of the other property belonging to the whole Foundation.

"5. Subject to the appropriation of any property of the Trust for the purposes of School sites and the payment of all costs and expenses of or incident to the provision or adaptation of buildings as hereinafter provided, the part of the endowment hereby apportioned to the School branch shall be applied as nearly as may be, three-fifths to the education of boys, and two-fifths to the education of girls, and there shall be under this Trust a School for boys and a School for girls, as hereinafter provided, to be called 'The Merchant Taylors' Schools of the Foundation of John Harrison.'

Provision for Almsbranch.

"6. From the date of this Scheme the Alms branch of this Foundation shall, subject as aforesaid, be deemed entitled to one-fourth part of the income of the property belonging to the whole Foundation.

Trusts of Almsbranch.

"7. The part of the endowment hereby apportioned to the Alms branch shall be administered on the same Trusts for the benefit of the poor brethren of the Company and other poor persons as hitherto in force for such purposes respectively under a Scheme of the Court of Chancery and the Will of the Founder, or as near thereto as the changes effected by this Scheme will admit.

Money to be raised for purposes of Scheme.

"8. The capital funds required for the purposes of this Scheme shall be raised out of the property or income hereby appropriated to the School branch by mortgage or otherwise, as the Charity Commissioners may approve.

Visitorial jurisdiction transferred to the Crown.

"9. From the date of this Scheme all rights and powers reserved to, belonging to, or claimed by, or capable of being exercised by, any person or persons other than Her Majesty, as Visitor or Visitors of this Trust shall be transferred to Her Majesty, and all such rights and powers, and also any like rights and powers vested in Her Majesty on the 2nd day of August 1869, shall be exercised only through and by the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales.

Jurisdiction of Ordinary abolished.

"10. From the date of this Scheme all jurisdiction of the Ordinary relating to or arising from the licensing of any Teacher under this Trust shall be abolished.

Religious opinions of Governors.

"11. Religious opinions, or attendance or non-attendance at any particular form of religious worship shall not in any way affect the qualification of any person for being a member of the Governing Body or of the Local Committee under this Scheme.

Minutes.

"12. A minute book and proper books of account shall be provided by the Governors and kept in some convenient and secure place of deposit to be provided or appointed by them for that purpose, and minutes of all proceedings of the Governors relating to the School branch shall be entered in such minute book, and duly signed.

Accounts.

"13. Full accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the Trust shall be kept by the Governors, and such accounts shall be stated for each year, and examined and passed annually at the first meeting in the ensuing year, and signed by the Governors then present.

Publication of accounts.

"14. The Governors shall cause sufficient abstracts of the accounts to be published annually in two local newspapers. Such abstracts shall be in accordance with the provisions of the Schedule hereto, unless any form is prescribed by the Charity Commissioners, in which case the form so prescribed shall be followed.

Part III.—The Boys' School and its Management.

Local Committee.

"15. The Governors shall appoint a Local Committee to aid them in the supervision of the School. The Local Committee shall consist of not less than three nor more than five persons living in the parish of Sefton, who shall be appointed to office for three years, and may be reappointed. Their functions, duties, and powers shall be such as may be delegated to them from time to time by the Governors.

Day School.

"16. The School shall be a Day School only.

School buildings.

"17. As soon as practicable after the date of this Scheme, the Governors shall provide on the said piece of land lately contracted to be purchased by the Merchant Taylors' Company, School buildings suitable for not less than 200 scholars, with a residence for the Head Master, and arranged so as to admit of convenient extension. Such buildings shall be according to plans and estimates approved by the Endowed Schools Commissioners, or after their powers have ceased, by the Charity Commissioners. Until such new buildings are completed the Boys' School shall be carried on in the present School buildings. The Governors may make such improvements and alterations as they think desirable in the present School buildings, but having regard to the intended use of these buildings hereafter for a Girls' School. For these purposes they may spend a sufficient sum of money to be raised as herein-before provided, but not exceeding 5,000l., unless with the consent of the Charity Commissioners.

Masters not to be required to be in Holy Orders.

"18. No person shall be disqualified for being a Master in the School by reason only of his not being, or not intending to be, in Holy Orders.

"19. The Head Master shall be a Graduate of some University within the British Empire. The circumstance that he has taken or made, or omitted to take or make, any oath or declaration on obtaining a degree. shall not affect his qualification.

Head Master. Appointment.

"20. The Governors shall appoint the Head Master at some meeting to be called for that purpose, as soon as conveniently may be after the occurrence of a vacancy, or after notice of an intended vacancy. In order to obtain the best candidates. the Governors shall for a sufficient time before making any ap pointment, give public notice of the vacancy, and invite competition by advertisements in newspapers or other methods as they may judge best calculated to secure the object.

Dismissal.

"21. The Governors may dismiss the Head Master without assigning cause, after six calendar months' written notice given to him in pursuance of a resolution passed at two consecutive meetings held at an interval of at least fourteen days and duly convened for that express purpose, such resolution being affirmed at each meeting by not less than two-thirds of the Governors present.

"22. For urgent cause the Governors may by resolution passed at a special meeting duly convened for that express purpose, and affirmed by not less than two-thirds of the whole existing number of Governors, declare that the Head Master ought to be dismissed from his office, and in that case they may appoint another special meeting to be held not less than a week after the former one, and may then, by a similar resolution affirmed by as large a proportion of Governors, wholly and finally dismiss him. And if the Governors assembled at the first of such meetings think fit at once to suspend the Head Master from his office until the next meeting, they may do so by resolution affirmed by as large a proportion of Governors. Full notice and opportunity of defence at both meetings shall be given to the Head Master.

Declaration by Head Master.

"23. Every Head Master previously to entering into office shall be required to sign a declaration, to be entered in the minute book of the Governors in the following form.

"'I, declare that I will always, to the best of my ability, discharge the duties of Head Master of the Merchant Taylors Boys' School of the Foundation of John Harrison during my tenure of the office, and that if I am removed by the Governors, according to the constitution of the said School, I will acquiesce in such removal, and will thereupon relinquish all claim to the mastership and its future emoluments, and will deliver up to the Governors, or as they direct, possession of all their property then in my possession or occupation.

Head Master's official residence.

"24. The Head Master shall dwell in the residence assigned for him. He shall have the occupation and use of such residence and of any other property of the Trust of which he becomes occupant, in respect of his official character and duties, and not as tenant, and shall, if removed from his office, deliver up possession of such residence and other property to the Governors or as they direct. He shall not, except with the permission of the Governors, permit any person to occupy such residence or any part thereof.

Head Master not to have other employment.

"25. The Head Master shall give his personal attention to the duties of the School, and during his tenure of office he shall not accept or hold any benefice having the cure of souls, or any office or appointment which, in the opinion of the Governors, may interfere with the proper performance of his duties as Head Master.

Masters not to receive other than authorised fees.

"26. Neither the Head Master nor any Assistant Master shall receive or demand from any boy in the School, or from any person whomsoever on behalf of any such boy, any gratuity, fee, or payment, except such payments as are prescribed or authorised by this Scheme.

Jurisdiction of Gorernors over School arrangements.

"27. Within the limits fixed by this Scheme the Governors shall prescribe the general subjects of instruction, the relative prominence and value to be assigned to each group of subjects, the division of the year into term and vacation, the payments of scholars, and the number of holidays to be given in the term. They shall take general supervision of the sanitary condition of the School buildings and arrangements. They shall determine what number of Assistant Masters shall be employed. They shall every year assign the amount which they think proper to be paid out of the income of the Trust for the purpose of maintaining Assistant Masters and a proper plant or apparatus for carrying on the instruction given in the School.

Governors to consult the Head Master.

"28. Before making any regulations under the last foregoing clause, the Governors shall consult the Head Master in such a manner as to give him full opportunity for the expression of his views.

Jurisdiction of HeadMaster over School arrangements.

"29. Subject to the rules prescribed by or under the authority of the Scheme the Head Master shall have under his control the choice of books, the methods of teaching, the arrangement of classes and school hours, and generally the whole internal organisation, management, and discipline of the School: Provided that no boy shall be expelled from the School without the opportunity of an appeal to the Governors.

Appointment and dismissal of Assistant Masters, and distribution of fund assigned to Assistant Masters or plant.

"30. The Head Master shall have the sole power of appointing, and, subject to appeal to the Governors, of dismissing all Assistant Masters, and shall determine, subject to the approval of the Governors, in what proportions the sum assigned by the Governors for the maintenance of Assistant Masters and of plant or apparatus shall be divided among the various persons and objects for which it is assigned in the aggregate. And the Governors shall pay the same accordingly, either through the hands of the Head Master or directly, as they think best.

Proposals by Head Master.

"31. The Head Master may from time to time submit proposals to the Governors for making or altering regulations concerning any matter within their province, and the Governors shall consider such proposals and decide upon them.

Income of Head Master.

"32. The Head Master shall receive a fixed stipend of 200l. a-year. He shall also receive head money, calculated on such a scale, uniform or graduated, as may be agreed upon between him and the Governors, being at the rate of not less than 2l. nor more than 4l. yearly for each boy. These payments shall be made terminally or quarterly, as the Governors think fit.

Payments for entrance and tuition.

"33. All boys, except as hereinafter provided, shall pay such entrance and tuition fees as the Governors shall fix from time to time, provided that no such entrance fee shall exceed 1l., and that no such tuition fee shall be less than 6l. or more than 16l. a-year. No difference in respect of these fees shall be made between any scholars on account of place of birth or residence. No extras of any kind shall be allowed without the sanction of the Governors, and written consent on behalf of the scholar concerned.

"34. All payments for entrance or tuition shall be made in advance to the Head Master, or to such other person as the Governors shall from time to time determine, and shall be accounted for by the person receiving them to the Governors, and treated by them as part of the general income of their Trust.

Ages for the School.

"35. No boy shall be admitted into the School unless he has attained the age of 8 years. No boy shall remain in the School after the end of the term in which he attains the age of 17 years.

To whom School is open.

"36. Subject to the provisions established by or under the authority of this Scheme, the School and all advantages of the School shall be open to all boys who are of good character and sufficient health, and who are residing with their parents, guardians, or next friends, or with some person chosen by them and approved by the Governors and the Head Master.

Mode of admission.

"37. Applications for admission to the School shall be made to the Head Master, or to some other person named by the Governors, according to a printed form to be approved of by the Governors, and delivered to all applicants.

Register of applications.

"38. The Head Master, or other person named by the Governors, shall keep a register of applications showing the date at which every application is made for the admission of a boy, the date of his admission, withdrawal, or rejection, the cause of rejection, and the age of the boy at the date of the application. Provided that every person requiring an application to be entered shall pay such fee as the Governors may fix, not exceeding five shillings.

Entrance examination.

"39. Every applicant for admission shall be examined by or under the direction of the Head Master, or by such other person as the Governors shall from to time appoint, who shall appoint convenient times for that purpose, and give reasonable notice to the parents of those whose turn is arriving. No boy shall be admitted to the School except after undergoing such examination and being found fit for admission. Those who are so found fit shall, if there is room for them, be admitted in order according to the dates of their application. If there is not room for all applicants, boys living with their parents, guardians, or next friends in the parish of Sefton shall be preferred. Subject as aforesaid the Governors may direct that the priority of applicants shall be determined by competitive examination.

"40. The examination for admission shall be graduated according to the age of the boy, but it shall never fall below the following standard, that is to say :—Reading monosyllabic narrative, writing text hand, easy sums in the first two rules of arithmetic, with the multiplication table.

Religious exemptions.

"41. The parent or guardian of or person liable to maintain or having the actual custody of any day scholar may claim, by notice in writing addressed to the Head Master, the exemption of such scholar from attending prayer or religious worship, or from any lesson or series of lessons on a religious subject, and such scholar shall be exempted accordingly, and a scholar shall not by reason of any exemption from attending prayer or religious worship, or from any lesson or series of lessons on a religious subject, be deprived of any advantage or emolument in this School or out of this Trust to which he would otherwise have been entitled. If any teacher in the course of other lessons at which any such scholar is in accordance with the ordinary rules of the School present, teaches systematically and persistently any particular religious doctrine, from the teaching of which any exemption has been claimed, as in this clause before provided, the Governors shall, on complaint made in writing to them by the parent, guardian, or person liable to maintain or having the actual custody of such scholar, hear the complainant, and inquire into the circumstances, and if the complaint is judged to be reasonable, make all proper provisions for remedying the matter complained of.

Instruction: Religious.

"42. The Governors and Head Master shall, within their respective Departments, as herein-before defined, and subject to the provisions of this Scheme, make proper regulations for the religious instruction to be given in the School.

"43. No alteration in any regulations made by the Governors respecting the religious instruction to be given in the School shall take effect until the expiration of not less than one year after notice of the making of the alteration is given.

Secular.

"44. The subjects of secular instruction shall be as follows :— Reading, writing, arithmetic, mathematics, geography, history, English grammar, composition and literature, Latin, at least one modern European language other than English, natural science, drawing, and music. The boys shall be instructed in the foregoing subjects according to the classification and arrangements made by the Head Master. Greek may be taught as an extra at an additional fee of not less than 3l. a-year for each boy. But such additional fee shall not be required from any boy whose name was on the roll of the School on the 2nd day of August 1870, unless the Governors shall otherwise direct.

Annual examination.

"45. There shall be at least once in every year an examination of the scholars by an Examiner or Examiners appointed for that purpose by the Governors, and paid by them, but otherwise unconnected with the School. The Examiners shall report to the Governors on the proficiency of the scholars, and on the position of the School as regards instruction and discipline, as shown by the results of the examination. The Governors shall communicate the report to the Head Master.

Head Master's Annual Report.

"46. The Head Master shall make a Report in writing to the Governors, yearly or oftener as the Governors may direct, on the general condition of the School, and on any special occurrences affecting the same. He also may mention the names of any boys who in his judgment are worthy of praise or substantial reward, having regard both to proficiency and conduct.

Free places at the School as Exhibitions.

"47. By way of Exhibitions tenable at the School, the Governors shall grant exemptions from the payment of tuition fees for such periods and on such conditions as they think fit, at the rate of one such Exhibitioner for every 10 boys in average attendance at the School. These Exhibitions shall be called Harrison Scholarships, and shall be given as the reward of merit only. They shall be assigned, in the case of candidates for admission, on the result of the examination for admission, and in the case of boys already attending the School, on the Reports of the Examiners and Head Master, and no such Exhibition shall be granted to any such boy if the Head Master reports that he is rendered undeserving of it by ill-conduct.

Further Exhibitions.

"48. The Governors may also in cases in which they think it expedient, if the state of the Funds admits, grant further Exhibitions tenable at the School, by awarding to Exhibitioners or other deserving scholars on the recommendation of the Head Master gratuities not exceeding in the case of any scholar the amount of 3l. in a-year, towards the cost of books and stationery and other expenses incident to their attendance at the School.

Scholarships tenable elsewhere.

"49. The Governors shall, as soon as circumstances permit, establish Scholarships to be awarded one or more in each year, and called the Great Crosby Scholarships, tenable at other places of education, or for the purpose of fitting the holder for some profession or calling. Each such Scholarship shall be of the yearly value of not less than 40l. or more than 50l., and tenable for three years, and shall be awarded by open competition among the boys who have been educated at the School for such time not less than three years immediately previous to the grant thereof, as the Governors may determine.

Exhibitions not to be perverted from their proper purpose.

"50. The Scholarships and Exhibitions established under this Scheme shall be tenable only for the purposes of education. If the holder dies, his representatives shall be entitled only to the next instalment whenever payable. If the holder is guilty of gross misconduct or idleness, or wilfully ceases to pursue his education, profession, or calling, the Governors may determine the Scholarship or Exhibition.

Part IV.—The Girls' School and its Management.

Local Managers.

"51. To aid them in the supervision of the Girls' School the Governors shall appoint a Local Committee, either being or not being the same persons as the Local Committee of the Boys' School, subject to the like provisions as herein-before contained with regard to the Local Committee for the Boys' School.

School Buildings.

"52. When and so soon as the new buildings herein-before provided for the Boys' School are completed, the Governors shall adapt and use the old School buildings as a School for girls. Until such time they may, if they think fit, make arrangements for procuring temporary accommodation for a School for girls by renting any buildings, or otherwise as they may find practicable.

Day School.

"53. The School shall be a Day School only under a Head Mistress, independent of the Head Master of the Boys' School.

Income of Head Mistress.

"54. The Head Mistress shall receive a fixed stipend of 120l. a-year. She shall also receive head money, after the manner and according to the conditions herein-before prescribed for the Head Master of the Boys' School, provided that such payment shall be at the rate of not less than 2l. and not more than 4l. yearly for each girl.

Payments for entrance and tuition.

"55. Payments for entrance and tuition shall be made by the girls after the manner and according to the conditions herein-before prescribed for the Boys' School, provided that no such entrance fee shall be more than 1l., and that no such tuition fee shall be less than 5l. or more than 10l. a-year.

Limit of age.

"56. If the Governors think fit they may in special cases allow girls to remain in the School after the limit of age prescribed in the case of boys.

Instruction: Secular.

"57. The subjects of secular instruction shall be the same as for the boys, but with domestic economy and needlework in addition. The Governors shall also arrange for a course of physical training for the girls. The girls shall be instructed in the foregoing subjects according to the classification and arrangements made by the Head Mistress.

Exhibitions and Scholarships.

"58. The Governors shall grant Exhibitions and Scholarships for girls after the manner and under the conditions herein-before prescribed for the Boys' School.

Examinations.

"59. In the conduct of all examinations of the girls the Governors shall be careful to provide that too great publicity or mental strain shall be avoided.

Other provisions as prescribed for the Boys' School.

"60. As to every matter relating to the Girls' School of the kind mentioned in this Part of this Scheme, or of the kind mentioned in Part III. of this Scheme as relating to the Boys' School, the Governors and the Head Mistress respectively shall have the same authorities, rights, and duties as are conferred on the Governors and the Head Master by Part III. of this Scheme.

"61. Subject to the special provisions of this Part of this Scheme, the Girls' School shall be governed by the same regulations and provisions as in Part III. of this Scheme are prescribed for the Boys' School, except as regards the provisions of clause 19.

Part V.—Application of Income.

Repairs and Improvements Fund.

"62. The Governors shall, as soon as funds are available for the purpose, place the sum of 2,000l. Consols to a separate account, entitled 'Repairs and Improvements.' The income shall be applied by the Governors in ordinary repairs or improvements of property used for the purposes of the Schools, if wanted, and if not wanted for that purpose shall be accumulated by them to the same account. The Governors shall draw upon the accumulations at their discretion for the purpose of any such repairs or improvements, but shall not encroach upon the capital, except for the purpose of substantial improvements or extraordinary repairs or renewal, and then not without the consent of the Charity Commissioners, and under such conditions of replacing the capital as that Board may think right.

"63. Until the Repairs and Improvements Fund is provided the Governors shall treat the sum of 60l. yearly as applicable to the same purposes as the Repairs and Improvements Fund.

Other Expenses.

Payments for Boys' School.

"64. After defraying the expenses of management and of any ordinary Repairs or improvements which the income of the Repairs and Improvements Fund may be insufficient to answer, and any legal claims on the Governors which may be due, the Governors shall employ three-fifths of the income of the School branch for the benefit of the Boys' School in paying the Head Master as herein-before prescribed, in paying the amount assigned for the Assistant Masters and School plant or apparatus, and paying the Examiner or Examiners, and in providing for such Scholarships, Exhibitions, and Prizes as they may have adjudged.

Pensions.

"65. The Governors may also, if they think fit and the funds suffice for the purpose, agree with the Head Master for the formation of a fund in the nature of a Pension or Superannuation fund, the main principle of such agreement being that the Head Master and the Trust fund shall each contribute annually for a period of 20 years such sums as may be fixed on; that these contributions shall accumulate at compound interest; that in case the Head Master serves his office 20 years he shall on his retirement be entitled to the whole fund; that in case he retires earlier on account of permanent disability from illness he shall also be entitled to the whole fund; that in all other cases he shall, on his ceasing to be Master, be entitled to the amount produced by his own contributions.

Residue.

Unapplied surplus.

"66. If there is any residue of the income herein-before directed to be employed by the Governors for the benefit of the Boys' School, they may so employ it in increasing the stipend of the Head Master, or the funds applicable to the payment of Assistant Masters and School plant or apparatus, in improving the accommodation of the School buildings, in aiding the games of the scholars, or generally in promoting the spirit and efficiency of the School. Whatever they do not think fit to spend in these ways they shall on passing the yearly accounts state as Unapplied surplus, and shall deposit it in a bank; and if the sums so deposited rise to 300l. they shall invest the same in Government Stock to the general credit of the Trust.

Payments for Girls' School.

"67. The other two-fifths of the income of the School branch shall be employed by the Governors for the benefit of the Girls' School in the like manner and with the like powers and discretion as by the three last foregoing clauses is provided with respect to the income employed for the benefit of the Boys' School.

Part VI.–General.

Saving of Interests.

"68. If the Governors dismiss Mr. Wilkinson Ritson, the present Second Master of the School, except for such cause as before the passing of this Scheme would have justified his dismissal, the Governors shall thenceforth pay to him the sum of 85l. yearly for his life.

"69. Nothing in this Scheme shall affect any interest which was on or before the 2nd day of August 1870 legally vested in any scholar on this foundation.

Further endowments.

"70. The Governors may receive any additional donations or endowments for the general purposes of the Schools, or either of them. They may also receive donations or endowments for any special objects directed by the donors, provided that such objects are certified by the Charity Commissioners to be for the general benefit of the Schools or either of them, and not calculated to give privileges to any scholar on any other ground than that of merit, and not otherwise inconsistent with or calculated to impede the due working of the provisions of this Scheme.

Charity Commissioners to decide in doubtful questions.

"71. If any doubt or question arises among the Governors as to the proper construction or application of any of the provisions of this Scheme, of the Governors may apply to the Charity Commissioners for their opinion and advice thereon, which opinion and advice when given shall be binding on the Governors.

Charity Commissioners to make new Schemes.

"72. The Charity Commissioners may from time to time in the exercise of their ordinary jurisdiction frame Schemes for the alteration of any provisions of this Scheme or otherwise for the government or regulation of the Trust, provided that such Schemes be not inconsistent with clause 1 (a) of this Scheme or with anything contained in the Endowed Schools Acts, 1869 and 1873.

Scheme to be printed and sold.

"73. This Scheme shall be printed and a copy given to every person who shall become a member of the Governing Body or the Local Committee, and to every Master or Assistant Master, Mistress, or Teacher, appointed to either School, and copies shall be sold at a reasonable price to all persons who may wish to buy.

Date of Scheme.

"74. The date of this Scheme shall be the day on which Her Majesty by Order in Council declares Her approbation of it.

"Schedule.

"1. The abstract of accounts directed by the Scheme to be published every year shall set out separately the income receivable, the income received, and the expenditure.

"2. The account of income receivable shall show separately the amounts receivable from—

"Houses at rack-rent; Ground rents; Dividends on stocks or other personalty, distinguishing the same; Interest on cash at bankers; Other payments from endowment, fixed or estimated; Arrears due.

"3. The account of income received shall show separately the amounts received from the above-named and other sources, incidental or otherwise, and also the amounts received from entrance fees and from tuition fees for each School for each quarter or term, and the balance in hand at the commencement of the account.

"4. The account of expenditure shall show separately the amounts expended on the management, repairs, rates, taxes, and other matters connected with the property of the Trust as distinguished from the objects thereof, and shall show separately the expenditure on the educational and on the other charitable objects.

"It shall show the educational expenditure for each separate School on—

"Management; Rates and taxes; Repairs of School buildings; Cleaning, &c.; Pensions; Salary and capitation fees of Head Master and Mistress; Payment of Assistant Masters and Teachers; School apparatus, library; Examiners; Exhibitions tenable at School; Exhibitions tenable elsewhere; Prizes.

Footnotes

  • 1. See Appendix O.
  • 2. These statements are taken from Sir George Rose's Report, 28th July 1849, in the Chancery proceedings.
  • 3. The proportion in 1620 was—out of 121l. 13s. 4d. the sum of 55l. was paid to the School, and 46l. 13s. 4d. to pensions.