St. James' School, Dudley

The school was designed by William Bourne, who also designed the nearby church of St James around the same time (the parish of St James was created in 1844). The design of the school was intended to reflect its support from the church. The school cost just under £500 with the majority of the funds being raised by public subscription. The teachers were judged on results and records show that pupils were just taught arithmetic, reading and writing in the weeks before the exams. The teachers were paid £60 or £30 depending on whether they were male or female; female teachers were preferred as they were cheaper. In 1868 the mistress of the school was made redundant when the school management…