Griffiths, Medina

Item

Griffiths, Medina

Identifier

PAR86

Type

person

Name

Griffiths, Medina

Birth and death

1840-

Description

Medina Griffiths (1840–1927) was an outstanding and progressive educator who served as the first headmistress of the Salt Girls' High School in Saltaire. Appointed in 1876, she was known for her 'outstanding character and ability' and her commitment to providing girls with an education equal to that of boys.

Early Life and Background

Born in Wales in 1840, Medina was the daughter of a Congregational minister. Before moving to Saltaire, she taught at a school near Cardiff.

Leadership at Salt Girls' High School

Medina Griffiths led the school during its formative years:
- Establishment: The girls' school opened in 1876, initially sharing a building on Victoria Road with the Factory School before the younger children moved to a new site on Albert Road in 1878.
- Broad Curriculum: She introduced a wide range of subjects, including Latin, Greek, French, mathematics, drama, art, and music.
- University Aspirations: She actively encouraged her students to remain in education and pursue university degrees, which many did.
- Succession: She remained headmistress until 1886, when she was succeeded by Harriet Byles, who had previously taught under her.

Educational Philosophy and Teaching Style

Griffiths was considered an inspirational and enlightened teacher with several unique approaches to education and discipline:
- Equality for Girls: She famously stated, 'I would have girls placed on an equality with boys so far as educational advantages are concerned…I would have girls stand in the foremost rank'.
- Holistic Learning: She believed lessons in 'patience, unselfishness, self-control and attention to detail' could be learned as effectively through well-directed plays as through traditional schoolwork.
- Approach to Discipline: She set a rule that girls should have no more than one hour of homework per day, believing that five hours of work during the school day was sufficient.
- Student Relationships: She was known to be witty and musical, often reading to students during mealtimes. On her birthdays, she entertained students at her home, where each girl brought a gift of toys or clothing to be donated to charity.

The Saltaire Collection preserves records of her tenure, including school certificates bearing her signature and that of Titus Salt Junior.

Subject

Teacher

Associated person or organisation