Mr Gray's Academy London 1842

[Sidneyross]

Seeking information regarding Mr Gray's Academy in London.
My great grandfather born 1830 London was educated at this academy between years 1838 to 1842. He emigrated to Australia in 1858.
I do not believe it to be the Grey Coat school. I say this because I still possess my great grandfathers' school books and a presentation book for merit dated Xmas 1842 with a handwritten inscription stating.

"Mr Grays' Academy
Presented as a reward
of merit
to Master John Simmons
Xmas 1842"

[Ruskie]

Have you located John at the school in the 1841 census?

[Ruskie]

Apparently the school was in Westminster.

[Ruskie]

A rather nice picture here:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/013k9/ 

[Ruskie]

I have had a look for John in the 1841 census but can't easily see him. Do you have him in 1841?

[Milliepede]

Would he have been boarding there or would he have been home with his family in 1841?

Who were his parents - are they about in 1841?

[Sidneyross]

Great work Ruskie.
I love the photo.
I have John Simmons in 1841 census living with parents James and Mary and 5 siblings at Hudson Terrace, St John the Evangelist, Westminster, Middlesex.
James and Mary married at St Mary's Lambeth 01/01/1826.
I am struggling to find any record of James or Mary (nee Wells) predecessors.
I assume Mr Gray's Academy would have been a private school which would charge fees for tuition.
Any ideas on where to direct my research.
Cheers

[Ruskie]

If John lived in Westminster he may not have been a boarder. Unsure if it was a boarding school - perhaps an address search of the 1841 census may tell you. Yes, I would expect it to be a private school which charged fees. It looks very grand in the picture.

For some reason I still can't find John with parents and siblings on the 1841 census. 

[avm228]

The school was still there in 1852, when an advertisement in The Times of 2 June 1852 announced the formation of the "Westminster Parliamentary Society":

A Society has been formed for the discussion of political subjects.  The meetings are held every Wednesday evening.  Applications for further particulars and for terms of admission to be made to the Treasurer at Mr Gray's academy, Great Smith St, Westminster, any Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock.