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Welcome to Charming
Welcome to Charming, the year is now 1894. It’s time to join us and immerse yourself in scandal and drama interlaced with magic both light and dark.

Where will you fall?

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Queen Victoria was known for putting jackets and dresses on her pups, causing clothing for dogs to become so popular that fashion houses for just dog clothes started popping up all over Paris. — Fox
It would be easy to assume that Evangeline came to the Lady Morgana only to pick fights. That wasn't true at all. They also had very good biscuits.
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On Education

Victorian education, as with many other things, was dependent upon class — those from wealthier families would see more of it, and higher quality, than those in working class homes. Still, the Forester Act (1870) would ensure that the children of Charming have at least some basic knowledge, allowing them a greater foothold in the future.

~Primary Education

By the 1870s, education was compulsory for children between the ages of five and ten. This could be in the form of an organized school—such as the Irvingly Schoolhouse which services working and middle class children in Hogsmeade and Irvingly—or via a governess or tutor for those families that can afford it. While this access was there, many working class families would be ill-disposed to take it—for the lowest among their class, it was simply more beneficial to send their children to work instead of school. This resulted in the appointment of truancy officers, with mixed results.

These community schools focused largely on reading, writing, and arithmetic, with some basics in other areas thrown in for good measure. Religion often—but not always—came into play, with Church-sponsored schools insisting upon a Christian education.

Those under the tutiledge of a governess would learn whatever their parents wished—in addition to the above, this would almost always include French, history, and geography as well as etiquette. Art and music might be added in depending on the child's talents and the family's preferences. A governess would instruct a young boy until he was old enough for a tutor or to attend Hogwarts, and a young girl until she was ready to come out into society.

In many cases, middle class families who could not afford their own governess would band together with like-minded neighbours to employ a tutor for a small group of local children. They would have the same academic scope as those receiving instruction from a governess, but less one-on-one instruction and without the social learning that the live-in post would provide.

~Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry

At the age of eleven, magical children are invited to attend Hogwarts. While there is a cost associated with this, the fist year is covered for families in need so that almost all children are able to receive a rudimentary magical proficiency. How long a child would remain at Hogwarts—if they attended at all—would depend on the family's financial and social standings, as well as their intended career. The most common years to leave after would be first, fifth (O.W.L.s), and seventh (N.E.W.T.s). Only in extraordinary circumstances would a student leave after their sixth year.

But where to go after Hogwarts?

~Experiential Learning

In lieu of formal schooling, many professions offered on-the-job, experiential learning. Trades of varying types would be a huge participant in this structure, offering apprenticeships and the like. Domestic servants would also start off at the bottom of the ladder, honing their skills in the workplace before moving upwards. Even wealthier individuals might find themselves in such an environment: both the Ministry of Magic and magical hospitals have internship positions for new employees to start out in before working their way up the ladder.

Furthermore, this is the only way that graduates can pursue extended study in the field of interest. Those with a knack for things such as herbology might apprentice under an expert for a number of years to develop a deeper understanding.

~Pendergast's School for Young Roses

We at Pendergast’s School for Young Roses seek to cultivate our young ladies into the gems of society. Our students are taught by experts in the womanly arts; they are given the company and guidance of their most exceptional elders. In every way, a Pendergast Rose is groomed to be a flawless wife, a charitable socialite, and a woman of distinction in our society. — Olivia Pendergast, Founder

Young ladies between 15 and 21 and from well-to-do backgrounds might find themselves at a finishing school such as PSYR, a school opened in Irvingly in 1884 admitting exclusively haldfbloods and purebloods. Such establishments would continue the earlier teachings of a governess, while also moving into the skills she would need to become a society wife.

Currently, the school is located on Minister's Avenue in Hogsmeade's Wellingtonshire neighbourhood and runs from September through mid-July, with a month off for the Christmas holidays.

~Blishwick School of Domestic Magic

Located in Pennyworth, the Blishwick School opened in 1887 and runs various day programmes, both for newcomers to the world of domestic service and for those who have spent decades ‘in the game’, as it were. Founded by Mrs. Hortensia Blishwick, a childless widow with a reputation for diligently training each member of her household herself, the school does intakes in May, September, and January. Its programs are intended to develop the skills of career members of service in a setting better suited to their needs than Hogwarts.

Courses are offered Monday to Thursday, allowing pupils Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to hone their newfound skills in the service of their employer. The school itself is accessible via floo, apparition, or the Knight Bus, and lessons begin promptly at eight o’clock each morning, lasting eight hours with half an hour’s break for a provided luncheon. Tuition is generally sponsored by an individual’s (future) employer. However, those wishing to finance their own such education may do so at no expense by making an Unbreakable Vow of indentured servitude to the school to pay off their instruction after completing their programme. Individuals or organizations wishing to take on such workers are to contact Mrs. Blishwick directly.

At present, the following courses are offered:

Introduction to Domestic Service, Female
2 years; available to pupils aged 11 and older. 7G per annum.
An introduction to the sorts of charms and potions your average female servant will have use of, as well as the details of service etiquette. Graduates will be proficient in most spells necessary in any given household, be familiar with traditional hierarchy, and know their place within the system.
Introduction to Domestic Service, Male
2 years; available to pupils aged 11 and older. 7G per annum.
An introduction to the sorts of charms and potions your average male servant will have use of, as well as the details of service etiquette. Graduates will be proficient in most spells necessary in any given household, be familiar with traditional hierarchy, and know their place within the system.
Certificate of Service
6 months; available to pupils aged 21 and older. 5G for the course.
For those with experience in service with an eye on someday becoming a Housekeeper or Butler. A more rigorous look at service etiquette, as well as practical courses such as mathematics, reading, and writing that will help one to manage a staff
Basic Culinary Magic
6 months; available to pupils aged 16 and older. 5G for the course.
No longer satisfied with traditionally prepared meals? Graduates of the Basic Culinary Magic programme will be able to bring a bit more pizazz to their dishes and will be better versed in the latest culinary trends.
Advanced Culinary Magic
2 years; available to pupils aged 21 and older. 10G per annum.
Intended for those graduates of the Basic-level programme, or those who have spent some time working in kitchens in the past. The programme delivers to participants the skills they need to prepare opulent banquets for affluent households. Graduates would be a desirable asset in any Wellingtonshire or hotel kitchen.
Cosmetic Techniques, Female
2 months; available to pupils aged 16 and older. 4G for the course.
The latest skills in hair, makeup, and fashion to make any lady’s maid an asset to her employer. It is advised that one takes this course every few years to ensure that they stay up-to-date.
Cosmetic Techniques, Male
2 months; available to pupils aged 16 and older. 4G for the course.
The latest skills in hair, makeup, and fashion to make any valet an asset to his employer. It is advised that one takes this course every few years to ensure that they stay up-to-date.
~Underaged Magic

Individuals must be seventeen to use magic outside of school — at least, that was the case until 1887. As of May 3rd of that year, "...those witches and wizards under the age of majority required to use magic in the workplace may receive special licensing to do so. Such a license should be carried on one’s person at all times, and must be obtained in advance from the Department of Magical Education. This license will be issued on a case-by-case basis; the securing of an occupation alone does not guarantee that such permission will be granted. Inquires to be directed to the aforementioned department."

The license allows carriers to perform magic ‘legally in the service of their occupation, as well in their own private residence’. Generally applied, this will allow licensed underaged witches and wizards to use magic in the workplace, at home, and in public where it can reasonably be assumed to be a part of their job, such as in caring for an employer’s children or providing first aid. In order to be granted a license, applicants must prove a second-year level of magical proficiency and possess an approved Request for Easement, filed by their employer. That employer must prove to the Department of Magical Education that use of magic is crucial to the job at hand, and pay the one-galleon examination fee. Individuals who wish to make themselves more hirable may take the exam and pay the cost out of pocket, and will in exchange be given a Guarantee of Licensing. This does not, however, equate to a license itself.

Guarantees of Licensing will be conferred without examination to:

— Hogwarts students who earn at least three O.W.L.s
— Graduates of any two-year programme from the Blishwick School of Domestic Magic

Requests for Easement will be approved without additional review to:

— St Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries
— Hogsmeade Hospital
— Ministry of Magic – Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes
— Ministry of Magic – Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures
— Ministry of Magic – Department of Magical Transportation
— Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
— The Blishwick School of Domestic Magic

Documentation written by Kayte exclusively for Charming.
Many thanks to the following sources:
HP Wiki
Wikipedia
The Charming Community
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