Ragged Schools

Ragged Schools were charitable educational institutions established in 19th-century England, primarily between the 1840s and 1870s. They aimed to provide free education to impoverished children who were often neglected and excluded from formal schooling. The term "ragged" refers to the worn clothing of these children. Volunteers, including teachers and philanthropists, offered lessons in basic literacy, numeracy, and moral instruction. Ragged Schools played a vital role in addressing social inequality and improving the lives of disadvantaged youth, ultimately contributing to broader educational reforms and the establishment of compulsory schooling laws.