Blewcoat School, May 2008 |
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| Type | 1709 poor school |
|---|---|
| Proprietor | National Trust |
| Managed by | English Heritage |
| Main feature | Gift shop |
| Other features | Information point |
| Public access | Yes |
| Museum | No |
| Region | Greater London |
| Address | Caxton Street, Westminster |
| Postcode | SW1 |
| Refreshments | No |
| Parking | Paid, on street |
| Shop | Yes |
| Website | NT Blewcoat School |
| Established | c.1688 |
|---|---|
| Closed | 1926 |
| Type | Charity school |
| Founders | 35 inhabitants of the Parish of St. Margaret West[1] |
| Location | Caxton Street Westminster England |
| Students | ca. 50 (ca. 1700)[1] |
| Gender | 1688-1714 boys 1714-ca. 1876 boys and girls ca. 1876 onwards boys |
Blewcoat School, located in Caxton Street, Westminster, London, England, was built in 1709 as a school for the poor. It was used as a school until 1926. In 1954, it was purchased by the National Trust who use it as a gift shop and information centre.
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The shop is open all year from 10am to 5:30pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The shop is open from 6th November to 18th December from 10am to 4pm on Saturday only.
The school was founded in Duck Lane in about 1688 by voluntary subscription as a charity school for the education of poor boys to teach them reading, writing, religion, and trades. It moved to purpose-built premises in Caxton Street. From 1714 to about 1876, it also admitted girls. In 1899, it was agreed that the school should move to a site that had been owned by the Christ Church National Schools Trust, and the Caxton Street site was then used for an elementary school.[1] The school closed in 1926.[2]
During World War II, the building was used by the American services as a store. Afterwards, the Girl Guides used it as a youth club. When the National Trust bought it in 1954, it was used as their membership and head office. Later, it was converted into a gift shop.[2][3]