An admission form was filled in when a parent applied for place at Manchester High School.
What to look at in the admission record of Edith Behrens
Christian Name: a Christian name is a forename or first name. In Victorian times, people's first names were called Christian names. This shows that there were almost no people from ethnic minorities in Britain at that time. Some of the pupils at Manchester High School, however, were Jewish. The term "Christian" name was not taken literally and was generally understood to mean a first name.
Profession or Occupation of Parent or Guardian: the parent had to give his "profession or occupation." People's jobs are still sometimes divided in this way. The "professions" are the jobs of people such as lawyers, doctors and teachers. In Victorian times they were thought to be of a higher status than others who had "occupations."
The professions and occupations given are those of fathers. Most of the families of girls who went to Manchester High School would have been quite well - off. Their mothers would not have had jobs because it was not thought respectable for a woman to work in Victorian times.
Pupil's former School if any: some girls had not been to school before but had been educated at home by a governess.
Religious Instruction: a parent signed at the bottom of the page if he wanted his daughter to have religious lessons. Manchester High School was not a school for a particular religion or church but the Christian Bible was taught in religious lessons. Jewish girls only studied the Old Testament.
Tasks
Edith Behrens has been educated at home before she went to Manchester High School. How old was she when she first went to school? Describe the problems which she might have had when she first went to school.
Admission forms were signed by the fathers of the girls who went to Manchester High School and the father's occupations are also given. What does this tell you about the position of women in Victorian times?