It is a great recommendation if candidates have passed in the Higher Oxford or Cambridge Examinations, the London University Examinations, or other examinations of the like kind.
All applications should be made by letter, stating age, qualifications, and experience, and accompanied by copies of testimonials (not originals). These documents should be addressed to the head mistress of the particular school, at the school; or if not for any special school may be marked "Application for Assistant Teachership," and directed to the Secretary of the Company, 112, Brompton Road, London, who will send them to any head mistress needing an assistant.
Applications to teach special subjects, such as music, harmony, class-singing and pianoforte, drawing, higher Latin, French, or German, mathematics, any branch of natural science, drill, &c., should be made in the same manner.
Inquiries as to vacancies are best made of the various head mistresses early in the months of April, July, and December; they may also be addressed to the Secretary of the Company.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS.
Teachers in the elementary schools receive good salaries, have short hours of work, and are comparatively in an independent position; but I have no doubt many ladies would find the class of children they would be required to teach a great trial to them, as the habits and ideas of children of the lower classes would, in all probability, prove a considerable shock to the sensibilities of ladies who came in contact with them for the first time. The elementary schools employ an immense number of teachers. In the schools under the School Board alone 2,500 certificated female teachers are employed, besides a large number of pupil-teachers. The teachers under the School Board all receive good salaries, but as the whole scheme of payment is now under revision, it is impossible to give exact figures. Pupil-teachers begin at 4s. a week. There are seven weeks' holiday in the year; the hours of work are from 9 to 12, and 2 till 4.30. The head mistress is expected to give an hour's extra instruction to the pupil-teachers.
These are the regulations for admission of teachers to all public elementary schools—that is to say, all schools in receipt of a grant from the Education Department, including National, British, Wesleyan, Roman Catholic, and Board Schools.
The recognised classes of teachers are: Certificated teachers, pupil teachers, and assistant teachers.
Teachers in order to obtain certificates must be examined, and must undergo probation by actual service in school.
The examination for certificates is open to:—(a.) Students who have resided for at least one year in training colleges under inspection; or (b.) candidates who are upwards of twenty-one years of age. (1.) Completed an engagement as pupil-teacher satisfactorily; or (2.) obtained a favourable report from an inspector; or (3.) served as assistants for at least six months in schools under certificated teachers.