Frances Bardsley

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Frances Bardsley was the pioneering headmistress who was responsible for setting up what is now known as The Frances Bardsley School for Girls, in Romford, Essex, England. Bardsley believed in free education for all, and set up a girls' school on the outskirts of Romford. As the school grew in size, it was transferred to its current site in Brentwood Road, Romford. The school split into two factions during the years of Grammar School and Secondary Modern School education, but the two schools (Romford County High Grammar School for Girls and Heath Park Secondary Modern School for Girls) merged to form a Comprehensive School in 1972.

Many names for the new school were debated amongst a board of pupils and staff. Options included "The Brentwood Road School" (to reflect its location) and "Romford County Heath School" (a splicing of the two schools names) but eventually it was decided to name the school after its pioneering creator.

There is a full article on the school Bardsley created entitled The Frances Bardsley School for Girls.