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Elementary Education:
1. Working Class Children: The Elementary Education Act of 1870 made elementary education mandatory for children between the ages of 5 and 13, but attendance was not strictly enforced until later in the century. Many working-class children still left school early to work in factories, mines, or as domestic servants.
2. Middle-Class Children: Middle-class families typically sent their children to private elementary schools or dame schools (small private schools run by a woman in her home). These schools provided a broader education than the national schools, including subjects such as history, geography, and foreign languages.
Secondary Education:
1. Boys: Boys from well-to-do families often attended prestigious boarding schools, such as Eton and Harrow. These schools were known for their rigorous academic programs and preparation for university.
2. Girls: Secondary education for girls was less common, but some middle-class families sent their daughters to private girls' schools or finishing schools. These schools focused on practical skills and accomplishments considered suitable for women, such as domestic management, embroidery, and music.
Higher Education:
1. Universities: University education was primarily reserved for men from wealthy families. Oxford and Cambridge were the most prestigious universities, but other universities, such as London University and the University of Durham, were also established during this period.
2. Women: Women were generally excluded from university education until the late 19th century. However, some women's colleges were founded, such as Girton College and Newnham College in Cambridge.
In summary, access to education in Victorian England was largely determined by social class and gender, with the working class and women facing more barriers to education compared to the upper and middle classes.