Kelvinside Ladies College

KELVINSIDE LADIES’ COLLEGE, 21, Athole Gardens, Kelvinside.

    For us to attempt, in this brief article, an exhaustive description of the many pleasing features and transcendant excellent advantages which characterize this school would be as idle as it would be foreign to the purpose in hand ; suffice it to say, however, that all that scholastic experience, sanitary science, tutorial talent, and academical efficiency can suggest are here found in active operation and yielding most happy and beneficial results. The school was established for the purpose of providing for the Young Ladies living in Kelvinside and adjoining districts as complete and high-class a course of English education as could possibly be secured, by the appropriation of the best and most salient features of a Continental curriculum, by a wisely arranged and carefully graduated course of study, and by enlisting the sympathy and talent of an eminent staff of teachers. No one at all familiar with the working and present position of the College can hesitate in saying that its original purpose has been most happily and successfully achieved.

    Kelvinside is generally acknowledged to be the most salubrious and fashionable of all Glasgow’s suburbs, and here, occupying one of its finest and most elevated positions, surrounded by the most pleasant and beautiful of its natural associations, this College for Young Ladies stands as a centre of educational light and life and the prolific source of intellectual stimulus and activity. The building itself, which overlooks the extensive pleasure grounds reserved for the use of the families residing in Athole Gardens, is a very commodious and comfortable one and seems splendidly adapted for the efficient carrying on of a large and first-class school. There are several spacious, airy, and well-lit classrooms, furnished on the most approved hygienic principles and liberally supplied with all necessary apparatus and appliance.

    The method of Instruction adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Widmer is, as far as practicable, that followed by the best German Töchterschulen ; and, entrusted to the care of a numerous and thoroughly competent staff of teachers, it has been found to answer admirably. The curriculum, in addition to the ordinary English subjects, includes thorough instruction in conversational French and German, science, needlework, class-singing, musical drill and health exercises ; whilst, amongst the extra subjects, special attention is given to the various branches of music, drawing, painting, calisthenics, dancing, deportment, etc.

    The Principals, having the necessary accommodation, offer to a limited number of young ladies the comforts and refining influences, of their well-regulated home ; and to many a parent it will be a powerful inducement to learn that, in addition to the joys and privileges of home life, conscientious regard will ever be paid to their daughters’ moral and religious education, as well as to the inculcation of refined manners, graceful habits, and lady-like behaviour.

    The neighbouring Botanic Gardens and the West End or Kelvingrove Park, both of which can be reached from the College in a few minutes, offer ample opportunities for healthful recreation and amusement ; and occasional expeditions to interesting localities in the neighbourhood or holiday trips to London or the Continent help to expand the minds and stimulate the mental activities of those lady-students of this Institution that desire to avail themselves of the opportunity under the kindly and able guidance of the Principals.

    Mrs. Widmer is, we understand, at home every Tuesday for the purpose of receiving visitors on matters pertaining to the school, and would, we are sure, be happy to give information as to fees, etc., to any desiring it.

Back to Index of Firms (1891)