***
individual English schools -- Cormont Road School
Individual English Schools -- Cormont Road/Kennington School
Figure 1.--Here we see a classroom at the Cormont Road School in London. We have been unable to find much information about the school except that is was located on Cormont Road, a kind of half circular road runnng around the Myatts Fields Green Area in Kennington/Camberwell, London. We thought it might be a small day prep school, largely based on how the boys are dressed and the small size of the school, but a former teacher reader assures us that it was a local-authority (state) primary school. We still see some Eton collars. There are only 13 boys in the school. The rather serious teacher is at the back. Notice all the stuff on the wall this is a little unsuual for the time. The photograph is undated, but the dealer suggested the 1920s which is clearly wrong. It would have been the 1900s or early 1910s. The Portrait of King Edward VII surely means the 1900s decade. Cormont Road was a great place for the school. It was next to a huge green area where the boys could do sports or other outdoors activities in the middle of London. We are not sure what the '12' placard the boy is holding means. Perhaps is was to help ientify the class when the photrapher delivered the prints.
Here we see a classroom at the Cormont Road School in London. We have been unable to find much information about the school except that is was located on Cormont Road a kind of half circular road runnng around the Myatts Fields green area in Kennington/Camberwell, London. Cormont Road was a great place for the school. The school was located next to a huge green area where the boys could do sports or other outdoors activities in the middle of London.The school was remamed the Kennington School in Cormont Road. The dealer thought this was a 1920s school portrait. that is clearly wrong. It is often difficult to differentiate images that date to the 1900s and 10s. In this case it is fairly easy because of the portrait of King Edward VII. He died in 1910 so the portrait was almost certainly taken in thev 1900s decade. We might have though there would have been more Eton collars in the 1900s, but several boys wore them. We thought at first that this might be a small day prep school, largely based on how the boys are dressed and the small size of the class. There are only 13 boys in the class. State schools almost always had larger classes.
A former teacher assures us that it was a state primary and we are inclined to agree. He writes, "Having taught at what became Kennington School in Cormont Road, I was intrigued by the photo on your site relating to school uniforms. A couple of thoughts which may be of help. Maybe my error but Kennington School would originally have been built as a 'triple decker ' - an all age school at the time of its build, so for 5 to 14 year olds. Primary pupils ground floor older girls middle floor, older boys up top usually. The marked expansion of education provision across England came from 1872 Act [HBC thought it was the 1870 Act] (and subsequent Acts) with London County Council being in the vanguard of building many schools over about 30 years (1880s - 1910s). Apparently built by direct labour forces of sometimes 200+, these splendid buildings were often completed in 4 months. I believe that the school was always a local authority school and probably not a prep school, unless it bacme on very briefly in WW I; however I can find little evidence of that. The picture is fascinating for its construction and reference points. I am an administrator for a couple of websites relating to Kennington School; this is mostly used by ex students from 1970s and 80s. Sadly now the building is in a poor state as no renovation work has been undertaken to preseve it; a grade 2 listed building it has been empty since 2012." 【Betterton】 The boys look to be about 12 years old making this probably the next to highest form (grade) in the school. The rather serious teacher is at the back. Notice all the stuff on the wall this is a little unsuual for the time. We are not sure what the '12' placard the boy at the front is holding means. Perhaps is was to help ientify the class when the photographer delivered the prints.
Sources
Betterton, Hugh. E-mail message (March 29 and April 27, 2024).
