There was already in existence a very useful “School-Mistresses’ Association,” of which the head-mistresses were all members. But, as including assistant-mistresses, private governesses, and even the “mere amateur,” these meetings were better adapted for the discussion of general educational questions than for the special difficulties of one branch of the profession.
Miss Buss had been one of the most active members of the School-Mistresses’ Association, which had its origin in a suggestion made by Miss Davies, to which reference is made in a letter, dated December, 1865, from Miss Buss to Miss Davies—
“I think your proposal about the meetings admirable. The first meeting with men, Mr. Fitch, or some one, in the chair; the rest modelled on the Kensington Society.[[12]] But where you will get your papers from, is the question! There is so little leisure in a teacher’s life.
“I think it would be useful and pleasant to meet the Assistant-Commissioners, and hear some of their experience. Such a meeting might be annual, and the others quarterly. I mean a mixed meeting of men and women for the annual, because, after the Commission ceases to sit, I suppose the Assistant-Commissioners will disappear.”
[12]. The “Kensington Society,” to which reference is here made, is thus described by Miss Davies—
“The Kensington Society was not exactly an educational union, though it arose out of the agitation for the local examinations. I had, in working for that, made acquaintance, partly by correspondence, with a good many people of kindred interests. It seemed a pity that we should lose sight of each other when that particular bit of work was accomplished; so a little society was formed to meet and read papers from time to time. Mrs. Manning, the step-mother of Miss Adelaide Manning, was president, and as the meetings were often held at her house in Kensington, we took that name. Miss Buss was a member, but did not take an active part. This society lived, I think, for about three years.”
The School-Mistresses’ Association was finally started in April, 1867, with Miss Davies as honorary secretary. Miss Buss became president in the second year.
In an early report, reference is made to a suggestion from Miss Clough, which led to the first action having for its object co-operation among teachers. It was ascertained that—
“While practically school-mistresses were singularly isolated, some teachers having scarcely so much as a speaking acquaintance with any professional associate, such isolation was involuntary, and felt to be a great drawback to usefulness. It was agreed to meet together, at stated times, for the discussion of subjects specially interesting to teachers.”
A Library Committee, with Miss Gertrude King as secretary, undertook the formation of a Teachers’ Library, and of a Registry for Professors. With the exception of the attempt of the Governesses’ Benevolent Institution, this seems to have been the first effort made by any educational body towards duly qualified and certified teaching.