I was absolutely convinced that I had previously shared with you the tale of the bluecoats following our fascinating walk beside the River Thames, however searching back through my walk posts it seems I was distracted by Captain Kidd, the despicable Judge Jefferys and a super yacht! Still it means I get to tell the tale today.

The school is located on Scandrett Street, just off Wapping High Street, in east London and was founded in the late 17th century by St John’s Church. London clergy and layman at the time were actively encouraging parishes to provide education for paupers and orphans, you can read more about some of the societies here.

Before you get too impressed by the fact both boys and girls were admitted to this one; the children were segregated, there were always fewer places for girls and the teaching was quite different. Teaching for boys focused on religious reading and writing, and also practical skills to enable them to seek apprenticeships. Girls, on the other hand, received far less academic teaching as the emphasis for them was on sewing and spinning, and being trained for domestic service.

The statutes highlight how as with many charity schools there was a uniform for both boys and girls attending the school, a way of distinguishing them from their peers. I haven’t been able to find out when the school closed, but as these London Picture Archive photographs show it was derelict for at least 30 years in the 20th century. These days it looks rather splendid, as thankfully it was saved rather than knocked down. There was a complete refurbishment in the late 1990s, and the building was transformed into two homes. One – not the one with the golden retriever looking out – is currently for sale. They are looking for offers in excess of £2.5 million for three bedrooms of which two are in the basement and there’s no toilet on ground floor or 1st floor. You have to go to basement or second floor for that. You’d think for £2.5 million you would get more! Check out the brochure.

150 thoughts

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  8. I went to such a school – also in London. By the time I got there, it was a girls’ grammar school, now a comprehensive, but the uniform is still grey: Grey Coat Hospital. A great post sharing a history that echoes that of my alma mater

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      1. Not really. 1698 we were founded. Sadly, many of my school friends are no more – in fact the first casualty in my class was well under 20, and we seemed to go on from there .

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      1. Work hours have finally started to reduce which is allowing me to be more active with your fantastic challenge; I’m certainly learning a lot more about composition & enjoying every minute of it 😃

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  17. Does look so fancy though. The East End is definitely the place to be these days ..gone are the days when it wasn’t the thing to live there.

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