§ MR. LAWRENCE (Liverpool, Abercromby):To ask the Secretary to the Board of Education whether he is aware that last year a science inspector of the Board was sent to inspect the art instruction at the Kendal Grammar School, then under the charge of the headmaster of the Kendal School of Arts; that this science inspector visited the school when no art instruction was being given and in the absence of the headmaster aforesaid, and that in consequence of an adverse report of the science inspector the headmaster was dismissed from his appointment at the 157 grammar school; and, if so, whether the Board of Education is taking steps to ensure the inspection of art instruction by persons with art qualifications so as to prevent the recurrence of similar treatment.
(Answered by Sir William Anson.) The district inspector, in reporting on the whole work of Kendal Grammar School for session 1902–3, criticised the drawing work adversely. This criticism was based very largely on the work actually done by the boys during the session. Representations were made to the Board regarding this part of the inspector's report, and with a view to assisting the governors to put the course in drawing on a sound basis, an inspector who, before becoming an officer of the Board, had had considerable experience as master in an important school of art, visited the school. His report, copies of which were sent to the county education committee and to the governors of the school, corroborated in all important particulars the report made in the first instance. As regards the last portion of the Question, the Board have for some time past, within the means at their disposal, taken steps to secure that the inspection of art instruction shall be conducted by inspectors having special qualifications.