Schooldays Remembered

Description

Schooldays Remembered

On the 24″ April, 1882, a tiny school was opened on the Earlsdon estate (population some 750) with a headmaster, an assistant mistress and 73 children. It had opened in response to a directive from the Central Education Committee in London, who felt that if all the children on the estate were to be expected to attend school, then local provision must be made for them. It was too much, they realised to expect the tinies and the frail children to trek into the city to the schools there – there was no public transport to take them and access was not easy, particularly in the winter.

So a small committee of Earlsdon residents got together, headed by Mr James Walker, a watch case manufacturer living in Earlsdon Lane (now Earlsdon Avenue South) and began to make plans. With the help of the British Schools Society a headmaster, Mr Charles Corelli Johnson, aged 21, was appointed and suitable premises were sought. An old ribbon weaving shed, used by the Wesleyan Methodists on Sundays was empty and available on weekdays – it was just what they were looking for.