The Emergence of Approved Schools

1911   Departmental Committee

This Comittee considered that the main distinction between Reformatory and Industrial Schools was one of age, and advised that in future they should be classified as Senior and Junior Home Office Schools. It recommended that the word "Reformatory" should be abolished, but suggested that youthful offenders should be committed to Senior Schools without suffering the stigma of a conviction.

1924   The Children's Branch

The Children's Branch of the Home Officer replaced the Reformatory and Industrial Department. The words "Reformatory" and "Industrial" began to disappear from the names of schools.

1927   Children and Young Persons Act

This Act gave effect to these recommendations and subsequently led to the establishment of Senior, Intermediate, and Junior Approved Schools.

1944   Education Act

The Approved Schools were now classified as Junior Primary, Junior Secondary, Intermediate and Senior Home Schools.