Building    From 1849  To 1933

Central London District Schools

Categories: Education

There are several different names which all apply to the same institution.

The Central London School District was formed in 1849, when the school district's board acquired a privately owned building in Norwood, which was used as a pauper school. In 1854 it was decided to transfer to a site on Cuckoo Hill in Hanwell, and the first pupils were admitted here at the end of 1856. The Central London District Poor Law School was created by the City of London and the East London and St. Saviour Workhouse Unions in 1857.

A total of 1,200 children could be accommodated on the site. It was also known as the Cuckoo Schools, after the name of the farm on which it was built. It was partly destroyed by bomb damage during WW2, and in 1945, the remaining buildings became the Hanwell Community Centre.

Charlie Chaplin and his half-brother Sydney were pupils. 

Since Johnson's school, 'Central London School for Orphans and Destitute Children', is described as being in Hanwell, we think it must be this one.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Central London District Schools

Commemorated ati

Charlie Chaplin - Hanwell

The plaque is propped up behind the reception desk at Hanwell Community Centre

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Janet Johnson

Janet Johnson (1858 - 1955) pioneer welfare worker. Lived at 39 Redcross Way....

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This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
Central London District Schools

Creations i

Central London District Schools Water Fountain

The (non-working) water fountain is located in a small garden next to the Han...

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Other Subjects

Anne Winifrede O'Reilly

Anne Winifrede O'Reilly

Schoolteacher. Headteacher at Peckham Emergency Central School, 1940 - 46, and the first head at Walworth's first comprehensive school, 1947 - 55, when she retired.   Founding member of the All En...

Person, Education, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
William Edward Forster

William Edward Forster

Born Dorset. Member of Parliament for Bradford, 1861- 1886, where there is another statue of him. Educational reformer. Died at 80 Eccleston Square.

Person, Education, Industry, Philanthropy, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Margaret Walker

Margaret Walker

Acting school director. She worked with Joan Littlewood in the Theatre Workshop at the Theatre Royal, Stratford East, which inspired her to found the East 15 Acting School in Loughton, Essex.

Person, Education, Theatre

1 memorial
Samuel Phelps

Samuel Phelps

Actor/manager, born in Devonport.  In his early working life he worked on the York theatre circuit and acted in numerous tragic roles. In 1837 played Shylock at the Haymarket. He then had a short r...

Person, Education, Music / songs, Theatre

2 memorials
Charterhouse School

Charterhouse School

Founded by Thomas Sutton in 1611, the year of his death. An ex-Carthusian priory near Smithfield was used for the school - thus pupils are known as Carthusians. Sutton was buried in the chapel. Th...

Building, Education

1 memorial