Offley Training College

Petition – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 17 December 1958.

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Photo of Mr Martin Maddan Mr Martin Maddan , Hitchin 12:00, 17 December 1958

Mr. Speaker, with your permission and that of the House, I wish to present a Petition, signed by past students of Offley Training College, inhabitants of the village of Offley and Friends of Offley Training College and supported by 830 other signatures.

The Minister of Education is contemplating closing Offley, the smallest teachers' training college in the country, in 1961, following the introduction of three-year teachers' training courses. The petitioners pray that the College should not be closed, having particular regard to its ability as a small institution in developing wide and individual gifts among teachers and the unique contribution that it makes to our national education in training of teachers who are specially able to instruct children in country schools.

I should be grateful, Mr. Speaker, if you would instruct the Clerk to read the Petition to the House.

The CLERK OF THE HOUSE read the Petition, which was as follows:To the Honourable Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.The Humble Petition of past students of Offley Training College, the inhabitants of the village of Offley and friends of Offley Training College.Sheweth that the Minister of Education is contemplating closing Offley Training College in July 1961.Wherefore your Petitioners pray that Offley Training College should not be closed, having particular regard to its ability as a small institution in developing varied and individual gifts among teachers and to the unique contribution that it makes to our national education in training teachers who are specially able to instruct children in country schools.And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

To lie upon the Table.