The History of the Lambeth Ragged Schools

Beaconsfield is based in the southern (girls) wing of the former Lambeth Ragged School. Built 1849-1851 by Henry Beaufoy, in memory of his late wife, Eliza Beaufoy, the building was originally three times the size and cost £10,000, with a further £4,000 laid down for maintenance. [1] The following text, written in 1851, gives a description of the building and how it was used:

‘It is of oblong construction, in the Doric style of architecture, with a noble façade and portico. Its centre is elevated, and on either side are extensive wings – the one on the right being appropriated to the use of the boys; and that on the left to the girls. The centre part of the building consists of two lofty storeys; the principal entrance is approached by a flight of steps, and the whole of the exterior is surrounded with substantial iron railings. The rooms in the wings are spacious, well ventilated, and are at night brilliantly illuminated with gas, and warmed throughout by hot water pipes. The other rooms, of which there are four up-stairs [sic] as well as on the basement storey, are of smaller dimensions, and some of them are fitted up with galleries for the reception and training of infants and the more juvenile portion of the scholars; while the others are designed for the accommodation and instruction of the senior scholars, a girls’ sewing class, and a committee room. The entire building, including the out-offices and lavatories, with a large play-ground for each school, and covered play-ground underneath, of the same extent as each school-room, occupies an area of more than 6,000 feet; and will altogether accommodate nearly one thousand children.’ [2]

The school was one of nearly 200 Ragged Schools (so called because of the ‘ragged’ appearance of the poor vagrant children that attended them) that sprang up around the country at the time, [3] although most were housed in much more makeshift surroundings. [4] The schools gave basic lessons and taught the bible, all free of charge, which helped poor children find work or emigrate.5

It is not clear who was the architect of the building. The remains of Beaufoy’s correspondence from the period include a letter to Sir William Tite, a respected architect of the day, [6] regarding the suitability of the site. However, there are many more letters between Beaufoy and William Rogers. Rogers, who built the nearby Lambeth All Saints Church (now demolished), [7] is the only architect represented in the correspondence as working with Beaufoy on the development of the building. However, while we can be certain that Rogers acted as surveyor, [8] there is nothing in the correspondence which explicitly confirms his role as architect.

The original plot was owned by South-Western Railway and had previously housed dust yards. Built in a recognised slum and industrial area, [9] the building on Doughty Street (now Newport Street) must have been impressive within its surroundings.

The building and land remained the property of the trustees until 1872 when the day school was transferred to the School Board for London, which used the building until 1880. [10] After a number of Education Acts were passed in the latter part of the century (notably the ‘Forster’s Act’ in 1870 and the Elementary Education Act of 1891), the position of Ragged Schools began to change as free education became more formally available. [11] In 1903 the decision was made to sell the site back to the Railway [12] and in 1904 most of the school was knocked down when the railway was widened. [13] Network Rail still own the freehold for the site.

The Lambeth Ragged School of Doughty Street (now Newport Street), Lambeth Walk.
Engraving from the Illustrated London News, 8 March 1851.
Source: landmark.lambeth.gov.uk