Dr Lois Loudon Papers

Scope and Content

The collection includes Loudon's research of education, specifically, but not limited too, Methodist and Church of England Church Schools. The collection also includes papers from Louden's professional activities including her work with the Lancaster County Council, and the Methodist Church. There is also material from Louden's personal life. The collection includes reports, correspondence, research notes, general notes, newspaper clippings, photos, floppy discs, CD's, and general documents. The collection includes photocopies of materials held in other Archives, including the National Archives, some of which is from the 19th century.

Administrative / Biographical History

Lois Mary Robertson Loudon, known as Lois Loudon (1938-2015). Dr Lois Loudon was an Educationist, Maths Teacher, Academic, Consultant, Methodist, Historian of Education, and Author who specialised in working with Church of England Schools. Loudon attended the University of Nottingham from 1956 to 1960 where she completed a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics, followed by a Post-Graduate Certification of Education. From 1960 to 1964 Loudon worked as an Assistant Mathematics Teacher for Bilborough Grammar School, Nottingham. From 1964 to 1970 Loudon was the Head of Mathematics at Westwood High School, Leek, Staffordshire. From 1970 to 1974 Loudon completed a PhD in Comparative Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA. From 1974 to 1975 Loudon lectured in the History and Philosophy of Education at Nottingham College of Education. From 1975 to 1990 Loudon worked at St Martin's College of Higher Education, Lancaster as Principal Lecturer in Education, Head of Educational Studies, and Director of College Research. Post 1990, Loudon worked as a Freelance Consultant with the Lancashire LEA Governor Training Team, and carried out occasional commissions for the Church of England Board of Education concerning training for the government, management and administration of schools. Loudon was also the Vice-Chairman on the Board of Directors, of the Lancashire Ambulance Service Trust and a part time Lecturer at Lancaster University Department of Educational Research. In 1992 The National Society together with Culham College Institute and the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education published a practical guide, co-authored by Lois Loudon and David Urwin, called Mission, Management and Appraisal to help governing bodies respond to the new challenges of inspection and the higher expectations of the level of their involvement with and support for their school. The work was well regarded. Additionally, Loudon authored an article entitled Church School Inspection: a guide for schools of the Church of England and the Church in Wales . Lois Loudon also volunteered as an Education Advisor for Blackburn Church of England Diocese, District Education Officer for the North Lancashire District of the Methodist Church, Governor of Ripley St Thomas Church of England High School Lancaster, in addition to various appointments in the Guide Association. Loudon also published widely on Educational and Religious Administration, including a 2011 book entitled Distinctive and Inclusive, The National Society and Church of England Schools 1811-2011 . Lois Loudon died in April 2015.

Arrangement

The collection was received in a variety of boxes, some of which were labelled clearly others not. Individual files and items in many of the boxes did not match their labels, or their surrounding content. Large parts of the collection appeared to be disorganised and entirely random. Many documents had printing on both sides, that were not related. In other words Loudon, or someone else, had often printed content on the other side of a used sheet of paper. Nevertheless, parts of the collection were clearly arranged and this has been preserved where possible. In Series 1, Subseries 1 to 3 represent original box headings, and subseries 5 represents a common topic. The other subseries have been arranged by function, research type, and content. In Series 2, their is a distinction made between Loudon's personal professional documents (such as her C.V.) and her work with the Methodist Church, in addition to her work in Lancaster, and PhD materials. Loudon had a box specifically with materials relating to local schools in Blackburn, this has been retained. Series 3, has no subseries and goes straight to file level.

Access Information

Please consult the Visiting the Library webpage containing access information for external visitors. The archives and special collections are available for consultation by special appointment only. To arrange an appointment please email specialcollections@hope.ac.uk . Allow at least 24 hours notice. Please note that, in line with other archives and special collections, we require personal identification, and may, in some circumstances, ask you to provide references from your research supervisor or other suitable person or body. Please refer to the Access our Collections webpage for detailed information.

The collection is open to any accredited reader. However, to protect confidentiality and in compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018, access to some items containing information relating to living individuals is restricted. The collections are reference only and must be consulted in the Reading Room with the supervision of the Special Collections Librarian. For more information about our collections and archives please visit the Archives & Special Collections webpages.

Acquisition Information

The Culham St. Gabriel Trust.

Other Finding Aids

The archival material is listed (Excel spreadsheet) and is available to download from the Archives & Special Collections Finding Aids webpage.

The book collection can be found on the library catalogue OneSearch. Narrow your search using the advanced search tool by Location: Dr Lois Loudon.

Archivist's Note

Papers arranged and described by Sean Macmillan, July 2017, (Fonds to Subseries Level).

Conditions Governing Use

Photocopies and photographic images can be supplied for private study purposes only, depending on the condition and size of the original documents, as long as it complies with copyright law and Data Protection legislation.

To reproduce an image for publication, either for personal or commercial purposes, requires written consent from the rights holder. Please refer to the Policies and guidance webpage for detailed information on restrictions to access, digital reproduction and image licensing.

Appraisal Information

No items were removed.

Custodial History

The Dr Lois Loudon Papers were donated to Liverpool Hope University by the Culham St. Gabriel Trust. Prior to being in the ownership of the Culham St. Gabriel Trust they were compiled and maintained by Lois Loudon.

Accruals

None expected

Related Material

Lois Loudon monographs in The Sheppard-Worlock Library, Liverpool Hope University (part of Special Collections).

National Society (Church of England) for Promoting Religious Education archive held at Lambeth Palace Library