Two hundred years ago, in 1825, Samual Wilderspin began a mission to set up Infant Schools around the country on behalf of the Infant School Society. 

They shared a growing optimism that early intervention could improve the quality of life and alleviate delinquency among the poorest in society, in the expanding industrial towns and in rural communities too. 

The Society had been established the year before, in 1824, and commissioned Wilderspin to travel the around the country until such time a Model School could be built in London, and to promote infant education in England.

Travelling on foot, by road and sea Wilderspin responded to enquiries and requests to advise and assist clients throughout the British Isles from his base in London. 

Wilderspin’s tours included lectures too.

When the Infant School Society folded in 1828, Wilderspin was forced to rely on his own resources to continue this work independently and promote his own System of Infant Education.  He moved to Cheltenham, and with the help of his wife, daughters and travelling agents, he claims to have helped to set up two thousand schools across Britain and Ireland.

One of the books published by Wilderspin was “Early Discipline”, published in 1832, which chronicled his earlier travels and experiences.

Wilderspin’s travels usually involved brief periods of a few weeks, often with return visits to inspect newly established schools which had adopted his System.  Lengthier residences included Dublin, Liverpool and Barton upon Humber where his Model School and Playground of 1845 has been restored.

The early promise of a Model School by the fledgling Society, Wilderspin guessed, was just “castles in the air”.   Barton, however, delivered what the Infant School Society could not; an opportunity to finally have a Model School to demonstrate a System of infant schooling which he had devised.  This is why the restored School has been described by English Heritage as “one of the most important schools in England”.

This year and next, we will be marking the bicentenary of the establishment of the Infant School Society with an exhibition and special events.