WITH the future of education in the Forest under intense scrutiny, members of the local history society are to take a timely look back at how it all began.

Returning to the days of Queen Victoria, Averil Kear will explore and explain the roots of scholarship and learning in the Forest and how schools rapidly developed throughout the 19th century.

Fittingly, the talk will take place on Saturday at the West Dean Centre, Bream — a building originally constructed as one of two schools in the village.

Mrs Kear, a vice-president of the society, will describe how the roots of learning can be traced back to the missionary work of Anglican ministers. A leading colliery owner later built schools in Cinderford in 1840 and a British School was to follow 11 years later.

An explosion of building took place as a Forest of Dean School Board was formed in 1875. Within three years five more schools had been built — but places were still needed for over 1,000 children.

The fascinating story includes details of the advance of night schools for older children and the eventual provision of secondary schools.

Mrs Kear will tell the story of the establishment of classes to teach mining in the early 1890s and the opening, in 1925, of the Mining School, later to become the Mining and Technical College.

A series of reorganisations followed, bringing education up to the present day and the wait for news on whether or not a new college campus is to feature in Cinderford’s Northern Quarter regeneration project.

The talk starts at 3pm and visitors are welcome.