Hi

Just wondering if anyone knew of an old school that once stood at the end of West St and at the top of East St, with Diamond St running to the side (to British Rd.) and stood opposite the church next to the Cameron balloons building.

Remnants of the building are still there and the space today is a small car park and has been for as long as I can remember it. I used to walk through it on my way to school (St Mary Redcliffe)

I understand (I remember my Dad telling me) that it was bombed during the war and served as an air raid shelter.

Any info, photos or anyone know what the hell I'm talking about will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Scott
[:)s]

Bedminster Archive Schools database

Mrs Allen's School for Young Ladies, North Street, Bedminster

Day and Boarding School listed 1847

Mrs Baker's School for Young Ladies, 13 Cathay, Bedminster

Listed 1847and 48

Bedminster Bridge Board School

Some members of staff as listed in directories, etc:
Miss Martifee, Mrs Emmett (Mistresses) 1898


Bedminster Down Board School


Some members of staff as listed in directories, etc:
A A Hillier (Master), Miss Rogers (Mistress) 1898


Bedminster High School, Bedford House, Coronation Road

Listed in 1883
Some members of staff as listed in directories, etc:
John Gregory (Principal) 1883


Bedminster National School

'For boys and girls'.

Erected 1837 'partly by aid of the gentry and parisioners in the neighbourhood and partly by a grant from the National School Society and the Lords of HM Treasury'. On a site presented by Sir John Smyth and Col. Gore Langton. Opened January 15th 1838 when over 400 children arrived, anxious to gain admission.

In 1848 there were 450 children on the register and it was reported that out of the 1846 1st class of 36 boys 28 had obtained a permanent and respectable situation. What happened to the other 8 was not stated.

In May 1856 the pupils were examined by the Rev Mr Eland and other clergymen. Scriptures - Nehemiah and Ezra, Catechsm - the creeds, English History from the earliest period to the end of the reign of John, Geography of Great Britain and Ireland, Natural Philosophy - the mechanism of a Watch, tables and mental arithmetic. Several pieces of vocal music were performed. The examiners professed themselves gratified with the result and the company, which was very much larger than usual was also much pleased. The scholars were regaled with tea and the company separated after the National Anthem was sung and three cheers given for the Queen.

On 1st October 1882 a special service was held at St Paul's Bedminster in connection with this school. It was stated that the average attendance was 600.

Demolished 1967.
Some members of staff as listed in directories, etc:
Mr T Betton (Master), Mrs Dunn (Governess) 1861
Mr Forse (Master), Mrs Dunn (Mistress) 1872
Mr Foss (Master), Mrs Dunn (Mistress) 1883 + 1885

In June 1848 at the yearly 'examination' it was reported that 'four lads of decent and reputable parents, Birchall, Morris, Exon and Bishop' qualified as pupil teachers and had been apprenticed to Mr Jenkins the Master the previous September.

Mrs Dunn was originally S Smallcom, youngest daughter of George Smallcom, who married John Dunn at St Philip's church in January 1860 (ceremony performed by the vicar of Bedminster). She had taught at the school before her marriage.

Thomas Reece was charged at Bristol Police Court in January 1852 with breaking 4 panes of glass in the school windows. As a large amount of glass had been broken previously the police were keeping watch and a constable saw Reece 'lift his arm as if in the act of throwing something' and immediately afterwards he heard the crash of falling glass. Reece said he had a stick with which he was about to strike a boy with him but if flew out of his hand and broke the glass for which he was willing to pay. Fined 1/- and costs.

In 1858 J Cox, a boy from the school was made a Queen's Scholar, being entitled to 3 years' education at one of Her Majesty's Training Colleges free of charge.

On 11th and 12th September 1862 the school was closed as Mr Phippen had given the Master, the pupil teachers and choir the treat of going to the Great Ehhibition.

In April 1884 Rose Winter aged 9 of 1 Westbourne Grove, Bedminster fell off a form here and broke her thigh. She was admitted to the General Hospital

British School, Back Lane, Bedminster

For 130 boys and 130 girls in 1848., by 1854 150 boys and 110 girls, by 1861 250 boys and 250 girls.. In 1864 at the inspection by HMI Waddington 98% of the children passed.
Some members of staff as listed in directories, etc:
Mr Kerry (Master), Miss Skinner (Mistress) 1848
Mr J T Turner (Master) 1854
Mr Cook (Master) 1861

In 1872 Richard Nation who had been a pupil teacher at the school gained a Queen's Scholarship 1st class at Borough Road College. He was presented with a writing desk by the teachers and scholars 'as a mark of esteem'. He later also became a Methodist preacher as well as a schoolmaster

In March 1891 William J Bees, formerly scholar and pupil teacher here successfully passed 1st class London University matriculation examination.

W Goulstone's Boarding School for Young Gentlemen, Bedminster House Academy, Bedminster

Described as being 'near Bristol'. Listed 1830 to 1847, latterly address given as North Street. Not listed 1848.
In February 1836 Mr Goustone announced in a newspaper notice that 'in consequence of his present duties being heavier than they can be without adverse effects to his pupils' accomplishments he has received Mr Joseph Castle into the establishment as a partner and the Academy will now be conducted under the firm of Gloustone and Castle'. He gaave grateful acknowledgement to his friends for their liberal patronage.

Merrywood Board School, Bedminster


On Friday 4th March 1899 gave a successful concert at Bedminster Town Hall. Among the entertainments were a maypole and square dance by the infant dept under Miss F Peacock, graceful dances and comic songs from the girls and comic and patriotic action and drill songs from the boys, on which the headmistress Miss Alice Fowler was congratulated and a beautiful tableau vivant arranged by Miss Kate Stiles.

St John's Boys' School, Bedminster

Letter printed in newspaper January 6th 1899.
'A correspondent who signed himself 'a parent' writing a week ago stated that boys of this school were continually detained after the proper hour for closing, in a manner described as illogical, cruel and insanitary. We call upon him to prove his words or withdraw them.
Yours truly
A H F Burden, Vicar of Bedminster
R W Hill, Correspondent with Education Dept.'
In the Drawing examination set by the Science and Art Department of South Kensington on February 18th 1884 for freehand, geometrical and model drawing, 1st Grade there were 157 candidates marked as 'fair', 37 as 'good', who obtained certificates and 37 others rated as 'excellent' who received certificates and prizes. Philip Ball, Louis Boult (also certificate 1st class grade for freehand), Edward T Brown, John Harvey, Edwin Prigg, Arthur Smith, Walter Walters, William Watkins, Henry Crabtree Williams received certificates in 2nd or Higher Grade drawing,
Certificates and prizes awarded to Ernest Case (aged 11), A E Cottle (aged 10), John Doughty, Arthur Tipney and among the pupil teachers Frank Tipney.
Ist grade - John Ker Foss (under 9 years), Ernest Andrews (under 9) awarded prizes and George Bird (under 9) gained 2 prizes.

St Luke's Mission Hall Ragged School, William Street, Whitehouse Street, Bedminster

Also Soup Kitchen.
Some members of staff as listed in directories, etc:
Mrs Richards 1885


St Luke's National School, Weare Street and Mead Street, Bedminster

In 1898 for boys, girls and infants. Also noted that there was a Binding and Printing Nursery in connection with it. Demolished 1972
Some members of staff as listed in directories, etc:
Mr Shears (Master), Mrs Corke and Miss F Johnson (Mistresses) 1885
Mr Tempest (Master), Miss F Johnson and Miss F Morse (Mistresses) 1898

In January 1886 George Furse, a boy who had been engaged to clean the schools was charged at Bristol Police Court with stealing 10s 6d from the drawer of Mr John Shears, the schoolmaster. Mr Shears stated that he had been a very good boy at the school and asked the court to deal leniently with him. He was sentenced to 10 strokes of the birch.

St Paul's Church School, Dean Lane, Bedminster


Some members of staff as listed in directories, etc:
J T Wright (Master), Miss Stevens (Girls' Mistress), Miss Howell (Infants' Mistress) 1898

In May 1899 James Larcombe was summoned on remand to Bristol Police Court for assaulting Josiah Wright, headmaster. It was stated that Wright had struck the son of the defendant who then went to the school and assaulted the headmaster.

Walter Larcombe, aged 8 was the young lad who had been disciplined and he told the court that he had been discharged from hospital only a few days previously. He had gone in because Wright had struck him with a stick before Easter and when he returned after Easter holiday his ears were boxed, which seriously hurt him, leading to his stay in hospital.

Mr Wright said he had hit the boy on the head with a twig, brought into school by another pupil. On the day Larcombe had his ears boxed the assistant master had twice sent him to the headmaster and it was on the third occasion that the boy's ears were boxed.

Mr Wright, who had been headmaster for 26 years, said that the boy was disruptive and kept talking and would not stay still. The judgement was that the summons was dismissed, but Mr Wright was cautioned that if he carried out corporal punishment it should not be on the head.

Amelia Larcombe, Walter's mother claimed that she had never beaten the child in her life. She had seen the stick in question and claimed that it was about 2 feet long.

St Simon's National Schools, Baptist Mills

In 1872 for 250 pupils plus 70 infants, for 202 boys. This year as the population of the area was nearly 5000 new plain brick school rooms were proposed adjoining the churchyard, for 400 children The cost of the site was £465 and the expense of the building was put at £1400. Rev C Wetherby wrote an impassioned latter to the newspaper, seeking funds for this. In 1883 the school was stated to be for 146 boys, 212 girls and 260 infants and in 1898 for 202 boys, 199 girls and 250 infants.

In 1890 the inspector's report noted that a very creditable advance had been made in each group during the year. Discipline was good but arithmetic needed 'to be taught with more intelligence especially in the lower standards where counting on fingers has not been checked and mental arithmetic should improve'. It was reported that the following children were a division lower than Standard I as they did not know their letters when admitted: Louisa Winstone, Flora Peacock, Annie Compton, Daisy Clark, Mary Hathway, Ellen Hickey. Lily Hankin, Florence Cox, Beatrice Moore, Agnes Fryer, Beatrice Moore, Lily Pearce, Mary Allen and Mabel Reed. Mabel Parsons and Jane Hide were admitted on 13th October 1890 who did not know their letter and were placed in the lower division of Standard I.

There seems to have been a measles epidemic in 1891 and the following girls were not at examinations on May 26th because of the disease: Mabel Hobbs, Mabel Baker, May Baker, Nellie Cross, Ella Poole, Annie Annand, Ada Hunt, Eva Boucher and Alberta Pool. Mabel Frieze and Abigail Perrett were ill in bed, Dottie Gurd had ringworm, Alice Hippett was in hospital, Lydia Martin was 'at Reading', Maud Woolner was 'in the country', Sarah Edwards was 'away', Ada Cummings had 'gone to Wesleyan School' and Florence Grosvenor was listed as 'dead'.
Some members of staff as listed in directories, etc:
Miss Summers (Mistress) 1872
J R Showell (Master, Miss Elizabeth Summers (Girls' Mistress) 1879
J R Showell (Master), Miss Elizabeth Summers (Girls' Mistress), Miss Mary Dayer (Assistant Mistress), Mrs G Curthoys (Infants' Mistress), Miss S Collard (Assistant) 1883
Mr Robinson (Master), Mr Darlington (Assistant Master), Miss Burt (Girls' Mistress), Miss Gregory (Assistant Mistress), Miss E Brooke (Infants' Mistress)m Mrs Ellis (Assistant) 1898
Mrs E A Price (Girls Headmistress) Mildred E Hooper, Emily M Wall, Mary G Showell (Girls' assistant mistresses) 1919

On August 31st 1848 James Rogers Biggs, master, died aged 29 years.

Elizabeth Anne Price commenced as Girls' Headmistress on February 1st 1913. She was born December 2nd 1866, certified as teacher in December 1887 and taught at St Luke's C of E Bedminster before taking up the position at St Simon's which she held till August 31st 1927..

Other teachers at the girls' school were:
Annie Rosina Broad (born Jan 19th 1880), scholarship 1898, appointed Jan 1899. Left to be married Mar 31st 1908.
Mildred Emily Hooper (born Nov 12th 1892), trained at Fishponds Diocesan College, received certificate July 1913. Appointed Nov 1st 1913 . Left Jun 22nd 1921

Victoria Road British Schools, Victoria Road, Bedminster

In 1872 for about 300 boys and 190 girls. 350 boys, 322 girls, 298 infants in 1885
Some members of staff as listed in directories, etc:
Mr Channon (Master), Miss Jane Williams (Mistress) 1872
Mr W H Sims (Headmaster), Miss M Philpott (Girls' Mistress), Miss Jotcham (Infants Mistress) 1885