Regina,
Hi, I’m in a similar situation, Gt Grandfather originally born Hoxton, London ending up in Macclesfield Industrial School. Recently found out that both he and his mother were abandoned by the father and looking at recently added workhouse records, both bounced in and out of various workhouses. I’ve looked for a link at the Chester Register office, but there aren’t any detail admission records. Tried Hackney archives for a link between the two establishments, but nothing. I’ve been to the school, unfortunately a bit grim looking, it’s now a collection of run down offices units. My Gt Grandfather basically left and walked over the road to the Cheshire Regiment, a quick means of escape and a way to see the world (Boar War and WWI France). Did you manage to get a link between London & Macclesfield?