[...] it was proposed that local Committees for Social Education should be formed in the larger towns, which should endeavour to draw into association Professors and Lecturers, members of Settlements, and members of local Charity organisation Societies.

"To make the lectures useful, it would be necessary that in conjunction with them, at Settlements and in the Charity Organisation Committees, positive work should be undertaken under definite guidance, so that the actual difficulties of social and economic questions may be realised in relation to the lives and cirsumstances of those in want or distress. The true bearing of various methods and opinions on the needs and treatment of individuals and families, on the administration of poor relief, and on more general questions, such as labour and the condition of the labouring classes, education, 'housing', and sanitation, would thus be brought to light and emphasized".

A "Special Committee on Social Education" was appointed to promote this extension of the work ... Schools of SOcial Education in connection with the Universities now flourish in Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow and Bristol. At Edinburugh there is a course in Sociology in connection with the School of Cookery, while at Dublin some social work is done by the students of Alexandra College, and there some popular lectures. But in the six first-mentioned towns the school is a definite branch of the University, with Courses varying in length between one and two years, and diplomas and certificates are granted.

In London the Special Committee developed into the "School of Sociology and Social Economics", and became independent of the Charity Organisation Society. ... The Annual Report for 1902-1903 writes:

"The School of Sociology is, of course, independent of the Charity Organisation Society, and publishes a separate report, but as the work is perhaps the most important off-shoot of the Society in recent years, it is necessary to refer to it briefly. During the year several courses of lectures by Professor Geddes and others have been organised. Mr. Urwick has been appointed Lecturer and Tutor of the School, and has arranged definite courses of instruction in different branches of social economy. Classes have been organised with practical work in connection with Charity Organisation Committees and have been well attended. The formation of the School of Sociology has been a definite attempt to induce people 'to think', and not to shrink from applying theory to practical work".

[...] Like all pioneer work it was attended with difficulties, especially in the way of raising funds; and in 1912 it was thought well to place it on a firmer basis by incorporating it with the London School of Economics, which was in possession of large grants from the Government. The fundamental principle of the School, that of combining practical work with the teaching, was safeguarded in the new arrangements, and Professor Urwick was secured in his position as Director.