Catalogue description Treasury and Committee of the Privy Council on Education: Building Grant Applications

Applications relating to elementary schools are in neither alphabetical nor chronological order within volumes; an index in piece 141 where the applications are listed alphabetically under the title of schools or proposed schools provides a key to the relevant volume and page thereof.

The allocation of building grants was extended in 1843 to include teachers' houses, desks and apparatus. No provision was made in the Elementary Education Act, 1870 for the continuation of grants to voluntary bodies for the erection and/or improvement of school buildings and applications subsequent to 31 December 1870 were not accepted by the Education Department.

The majority of applications were submitted in accordance with the Committee of Council on Education minute of 24 September 1839 which called for applications to be made in the form of a memorial. Subsequently circular No 1 (November 1839) set out a questionnaire known as "Form A". Information was sought concerning existing local school provision and population of the school district, detailed measurements of the proposed building, and the estimated cost of the project.

The promoters or school managers were required to reveal their financial status and provide an estimate of annual subscriptions, a schedule of contributions by proprietors, residents, or employers of labour; and where applicable, details of tenure.