Certificate, school certificate

School certificate awarded by the London School Board to Alfred Greenwood for passing his reading, writing and arithmetic exams to the second standard. Alfred was a pupil at Crawford Street School in Lambeth. The certificate, designed by Marcus Ward and Company, is printed with a lavishly decorated border with images and symbols depicting education in an almost spiritual way. The presentation of such certificates was intended to encourage attendance and instil in pupils the importance of study and hard work.

From 1882, there were seven standard examinations in elementary education. A child of seven passing into junior school began in standard one, and moved up each year on passing an examination.