Search Wiltshire, Swindon Labour Certificates 1878-1906

Each record includes a transcript of the original record. While details can vary for each record, you can expect to find a combination of the following facts:
<ul>
<li>First name</li>
<li>Last name</li>
<li>Role</li>
<li>Year</li>
<li>Certificate date</li>
<li>Age</li>
<li>Birth year</li>
<li>School</li>
<li>Education level</li>
<li>Abode</li>
<li>Parent name</li>
</ul>

This collection has been brought to you thanks to the Wiltshire Family History Society.
Population increase in Swindon between 1870 and 1901 called for the construction of new schools in order to accommodate the ever increasing number of children. On the formation of the School Board in 1877 there were 1,964 school places in Swindon. When the Board was abolished in 1902 the number of places had increased to 10,045. That perhaps is a measure of the success of the Swindon School Board.

The Swindon School Board was relatively enlightened and set standards for leaving which were higher than in almost any other part of Wiltshire. In 1894 its bye-laws provided that a child could obtain a labour certificate if he was 11 to 13 and had reached Standard VI in all three subjects or was 13 to 14 and had got Standard IV. A 13 to 14 year old could also qualify by making 250 attendances (i.e. half-days) in not more than two schools in each year for five years. Later the qualification by attendance was raised to 300. In 1898 the minimum standard for 11 to 13 year olds was raised to Standard VII and in 1901 this was required of all children up to 14. Thus by 1902 with the government legislation and the local bye-laws children in Swindon had to attend school until the age of 14 but could leave for employment after the age of 12 provided they had obtained Standard VII.

This collection of records can help you discover more about the education that your Swindon ancestor received. The records also contain other useful information such as parents name, their residence at the time and a date of birth, which can help you add more branches to your family tree.