The religious beliefs held by Nonconformists meant that they put a high
premium on reading and writing. It was very important to them to be able to read the Bible, so they made sure that their children had the best education that could be provided. Fortunately, the Baptists not only kept very detailed records, but many of them have survived.
The Baxter Gate Boys Sunday School records from 1826 to 1828 include descriptions of the
standards that they set for themselves:
9th Division : Boys unable to tell all their letters, to be taught their
letters
8th Division : Boys able to read the alphabet in any way, to be taught to
read words of 2 letters
7th Division : Boys can read words of 2 letters, to be taught to read words
of 3 letters
6th Division : Boys able to read words of 3 letters, to be taught to read
words of 4 or more letters
5th Division : Boys able to read any words of 1 syllable, to be taught to
read words of 2 syllables
4th Division : Boys able to read 2 syllables, to be taught to read 3
syllables
3rd Division : Boys able to read words of 3 syllables, to be taught to read
words of 4 or more syllables
2nd Division : Boys able to read words of 4 syllables or above, and have to
be taught to read the New Testament easily, fluently and correctly
1st Division : The boys are able to read the New Testament easily, fluently
and correctly
Source: Leicestershire & Rutland Record Office ref. N/B/207A/75
Transcribed & contributed by: Mike Gould, Leicestershire
(Researching: QUAIL, QUAYLE & variations)
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