Domestic science education in England underwent significant changes from the late-19th century through the mid-20th century. Initially introduced as a supplementary subject for girls, it evolved into a specialised field designed to prepare women for household management and professional careers. This shift reflects broader societal changes regarding gender roles, education, and the value of domestic skills in an increasingly modernised world.
The Regent Street Polytechnic Day School for Girls was established in 1888, the school had a student body limited to 160-180 pupils, primarily consisting of girls who were either siblings of boys attending the Polytechnic’s Boys’ School or referrals from Polytechnic members. The curriculum was diverse, including subjects like arithmetic, geography, history, literature, languages (Latin, French, and German), mathematics, chemistry, and callisthenics.
Domestic education was introduced through subjects like domestic kindergarten, domestic economy, dressmaking, garment making, art needlework, and cookery. The school’s fee structure varied based on the student’s age, with younger students paying lower fees than older ones. By 1890, domestic science was becoming more recognised, as evidenced by the publication of student examination results in the Polytechnic Magazine. Notably, Alice Mahala Dore emerged as one of the earliest successful students in Domestic Economy, earning awards in both 1890 and 1891. Despite these advancements, an 1891 article titled The Women’s World emphasised the lack of focus on practical skills in girls’ education. Literary subjects were prioritised, while essential life skills such as housekeeping and domestic economy were often neglected, especially among middle-class girls.
Recognising this gap, the Domestic Economy School was established in 1894 at 15 Langham Street, with a curriculum designed to provide young women with practical skills necessary for running a household. The school offered a range of courses including cookery, dressmaking, needlework, laundry, housework, domestic hygiene, and nursing. The inclusive fee for a term was two and a half guineas, which also covered meals. This initiative was to formally address the need for structured domestic education for women.
The growing importance of domestic science was further demonstrated in 1896 when the Technical Education Board of the London County Council introduced six fully funded, two-year scholarships in the Domestic Economy. These scholarships, aimed at women aged 19-30, were designed to train teachers in vital domestic subjects such as cookery, laundry, needlework, and housewifery at the Battersea Polytechnic Training School. By 1900, thirty-three girls had received awards in Domestic Science, with nearly half achieving first-class distinctions.
World War I had a significant impact on domestic science education, emphasising the importance of household management skills, particularly in areas such as nutrition, food conservation, and domestic efficiency. The war effort highlighted the crucial roles women played in supporting national service, leading to a greater recognition of the value of domestic science training. During this time, many women from the Regent Street Polytechnic contributed to the war effort by assisting those on the front lines through various activities, such as producing garments like mittens, scarves, and sweaters.
By 1929, the Domestic Science Department and the Young Women’s Institute moved to the Great Portland Street Extension (Little Titchfield Street), which later became home to the Law School and the University Archive. The new facilities included a modern School of Cookery, a Dressmaking Room, a Home Management Lecture Room, and even a Model Laundry. Students had access to the latest household appliances, such as electric, gas, and oil-powered cooking facilities, as well as oak-panelled sewing rooms equipped with electric Singer sewing machines.
The Home Management Lecture Room featured demonstrations of various household appliances, including vacuum cleaners, irons, kettles, and gramophones, reflecting the growing influence of technology on domestic life. The Polytechnic also began offering the City and Guilds Institute Teacher’s Certificate in Domestic Science, which would become a key qualification for those seeking careers in domestic science education.
Popular courses included Upholstery and Soft Furnishings, which appealed to brides-to-be and housewives, as well as advanced cookery courses covering continental cooking and icing. Field trips to laundries, factories, and catering establishments were incorporated into the curriculum, enhancing students’ hands-on experience. The department also attracted students from thirty-four different nationalities, many of whom returned to their home countries to become housewives or teachers.
In the academic year 1953-1954, thirty-eight women had earned a City and Guilds Teacher’s Certificate in Domestic Science. During this period, the Department of Domestic Science at the Polytechnic was renowned for its excellence, with many students earning medals in City and Guilds examinations. By 1955, however, the Domestic Science course was phased out at the Polytechnic, though courses in cookery, dressmaking, and needlecraft continued into the early 1960s.
Despite its decline in the mid-20th century, domestic science education played a pivotal role in equipping young women with both household management skills and the qualifications necessary for teaching careers. From its early days at the Day School for Girls to its more structured courses at the Domestic Economy School, it provided women with essential life skills that prepared them for both personal and professional success. While the field may no longer be as prominent today, domestic science remains an important chapter in the history of women’s education in England.
7th March 2025.
