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Hertfordshire / Re: Royal Caledonian School Bushey
« on: Tuesday 20 December 16 10:24 GMT (UK) »
I was there 1972 - 1976. I believe before the 1947 education act, children were taught on the premises. Girls were trained to go into service and boys were taught a trade such as cobblering (?).
Boys and girls had no contact with each other, and I have heard of cases where adults have found that they were there at the same time as siblings, but didn't know at the time. It wasn't quite that bad during my time. If you find an old photo of the building, there are several on the internet the girls were housed at the left had end and the boys at the right. The centre was the Hall of Clans, post war with the dining room and kitchens behind. There was a gymnasium of sorts attached to the rear between the boys end and kitchen. a nursery at the corresponding point at the girls end. When I started there in 1972, the children were split between sons and daughters of servicemen and charity cases - usually from Glasgow for some reason. The girls had to learn Highland Dancing and the boys were taught to play the pipes, and if not good enough could learn the drums. There were several 'engagements' throughout the year when the dancers and band would perform as part of fund raising campaigns for wealthy scots in London. The school was closed by Social Services in 1996 because it failed to adequately deal with abuse.
Boys and girls had no contact with each other, and I have heard of cases where adults have found that they were there at the same time as siblings, but didn't know at the time. It wasn't quite that bad during my time. If you find an old photo of the building, there are several on the internet the girls were housed at the left had end and the boys at the right. The centre was the Hall of Clans, post war with the dining room and kitchens behind. There was a gymnasium of sorts attached to the rear between the boys end and kitchen. a nursery at the corresponding point at the girls end. When I started there in 1972, the children were split between sons and daughters of servicemen and charity cases - usually from Glasgow for some reason. The girls had to learn Highland Dancing and the boys were taught to play the pipes, and if not good enough could learn the drums. There were several 'engagements' throughout the year when the dancers and band would perform as part of fund raising campaigns for wealthy scots in London. The school was closed by Social Services in 1996 because it failed to adequately deal with abuse.