| Description | The origins of Clark Street Adult School were in a school established in 1867, in Icknield Street by Abraham Knowles, Samuel Collins, Mr Adams and Mr Jones. Knowles had met William White, the prominent leader and advocate of the adult school movement, and was influenced by his ideas on adult education. This class eventually became three separate Adult Schools: Nelson Street, Icknield Street and Clark Street.
The Icknield Street class soon outgrew its accommodation and transferred to a school room on Graham Street. A branch school was opened in St. Vincent Street and this too soon outgrew its accommodation. Abraham Knowles then obtained rooms in Clark Street and the branch class transferred there, starting with 80 members. This was the beginnings of Clark Street Adult School, and was later known as the Senior Class (Division A). A Junior Section (Division B) of Clark Street was started in 1878, in the same premises but in a separate room, and a Women's School was opened in 1876.
Clark Street School opened a number of branch schools. These were 'The Colony' (Division C) which opened in Osler Street in 1889, Bishopsgate Street School (Division D), known as the Beehive which opened in 1901, Freeth Street branch (Division E) which opened in 1902 and Sherborne Street School which opened in 1905.
Histories of these schools can be found in MS 703/3/8/2/1 "History of Clark Street Adult School and Branches, 1875-1930" by H.J. Lewis.
See MS 703/3/3 for further details and records of the Beehive Centre, Bishopsgate Street.
See MS 703/3/18 for further details and records of Nelson Street Adult School. |