Elementary Education Act 1870

Introduced by W.E. Forster, the Vice-President of the Committee on Education, on 17 February 1870. Following extensive debates and a number of significant changes, the Bill passed the House of Commons on 22 July and quickly passed the House of Lords. It received royal approval in less than three weeks. The Bill aimed to ensure that there were enough primary schools in England and Wales. The details in the Act were supposed to explain the way it was going to be achieved.

Source: Hugh, Owen. The Elementary Education Act, 1870 (33 and 34 Vict., c. 75) with introduction, notes, and index ... and an appendix, etc.. . London: Knight, 1872, pp. 1-39.