In this section: Grammar schools > Charity schools > Sunday schools

SUNDAY SCHOOLS

One of the most important educational movements to emerge at the end of the eighteenth century was that led by Rev. Robert Raikes (1735-1811), who in 1780, opened the first Anglican parish Sunday School for neglected poor children. Raikes’ ideas spread across England. Soon, many towns had their own Sunday School where poor children were taught to read and write. Dartford’s first Sunday School appears to have been established by the Methodists.

THE DARTFORD METHODIST SUNDAY SCHOOL

The first Sunday School in Dartford was established in 1789 in a cottage belonging to local a Methodist, Thomas Lear. This venture was so successful that later in the same year the Sunday School had to relocate to the Manor House of Charles, the residence of Peter Brames.