Sir Frederick (Fred) Clarke (2 August 1880 – 6 January 1952) was an English educationist who was Director of the Institute of Education in the University of London between 1936 and 1945.
During the 1930s and 1940s, he was also a strong advocate for educational reform in England and Wales. Clarke was fully involved in the public educational debate at the time and a member of a private group of leading educational thinkers known as 'The Moot'. He is known particularly for his book Education and Social Change: an English interpretation from 1940. Other books include the collection of essays Essays in the Politics of Education (1923) and Freedom in the Educative Society (1948).
Contents
Early life
Sir Fred Clarke was born on 2 August 1880 at High Cogges, Witney, Oxfordshire, his parents were Mr. & Mrs William Clarke. He moved with his family to Oxford where he attended St. Ebbe's Anglican Boys' School which was a monitorial school and where he was selected to be one of the pupil-teachers (1894-1899).
Sir Fred Clarke obtained a first-class in the Queen's Scholarship which entitled him to subsidised attendance at the Oxford University Day Training Teaching College at St. Catherine's Society for poor scholars who provisioned their own lodgings. In order to obtain a degree he also studied history in addition to his studies for a Teaching Certificate and hence graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with first-class honours for his four-year degree course (1899-1903).
Personal life
Sir Fred Clark married Edith Annie Gilliams in 1907. He had two daughters: Anna Clarke and Claudia Clarke.
Career
The major highlights of Fred Clarke's career as an educationist were: -
Senior Master of Method at York Diocesan Training College, 1903-1906
Professor of Education at Hartley University College, Southampton, 1906-1911
Professor of Education at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, from 1911 to 1918
Dean of Faculty of Education, at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, 1918-1929
Professor of Education at McGill University, Montreal in Canada from 1929 to 1934
World Tour of Western Canada, Australia and New Zealand sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation 1935
Adviser to Overseas Students at the Institute of Education in the University of London 1935
Third Director of the Institute of Education in the University of London between 1936 and 1945 when retired
In retirement, reverted to being Adviser to Overseas Students at the Institute of Education in the University of London
Public service
Committee evidence
Clarke contributed to the Spens Report (1938) with a memorandum on influences affecting secondary curricula in the dominions where he expounded his understanding based both on his time as professor of education in both Canada & South Africa, his world tour of 1935 and time advising overseas students. Clarke also gave evidence to the Norwood committee.
McNair committee
Prior to the Education Act of 1944 (known as the Butler Act), when the Board of Education was still in operation, Clarke served on the McNair committee under the chairmanship of Sir Arnold McNair to consider the supply, recruitment and training of teachers and youth leaders. Controversially, the committee split on the key recommendations regarding the ideal organisation for training teachers, whereby Clarke and half the committee supported Universities providing teacher training whereas the chair and the other half of the committee supported a continued role for teacher training colleges. Clarke's argument for universities hinged on the synergy between university research into pedagogy and the training of teachers so research was improved and teacher training was always abreast of the latest ideas. The counter argument for training colleges, especially those attached to schools was that training was more practical and hands-on.
Central advisory council for education (England)
After the Education Act of 1944 brought the Ministry of Education into force, Fred Clarke was appointed as the first chairman of the Central Advisory Council for Education (England), where he played a role guiding post-war education policy for the new Ministry. During his tenure, two inquiries were carried out and with the resulting reports known as the Clarke Reports: -
School and Life (1947)
Out of School (1948)
The Clarke Report 1948 (Out of School) recommended an expansion of municipal facilities for children which most people today have enjoyed during their childhood, including: - libraries encouraging children by stocking children's books and later innovations like reading corners, playgrounds with equipment such as slides, swings and roundabouts, public swimming pools and sports playing fields.
Other public service roles
Clarke also undertook numerous advisory and committee roles with, for example the National Union of Teachers, the British Council and the establishment of the National Foundation for Educational Research.