| Repository | Archives |
| Reference Number | I/CHN |
| Level | Fonds |
| Title | Records of Children's House Nursery School, Bromley-by-Bow |
| Date(s) | 1923-2025 |
| Description | Admission registers of children, 1949-2011.
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CATALOGUE STATUS: The following deposit is currently uncatalogued, however a box list is available in this description:
Accession reference: TH/10675:
Records include illuminated manuscript on parchment featuring the school prayers and the dedication for the stone-laying ceremony which took place on 11 April 1923, headteacher's files on the history of the school, children's display scrapbooks on themes and events 1990s-2020s, printed material and photographs.
This deposit is uncatalogued, however a box list is available in this description. Please contact staff to arrange access to view items by appointment.
Box 1: Black and white photographs, 1920s-1930s (sent from Kingsley Hall)
Boxes 1-2: Unsorted photographs and albums, black and white and colour, 1980s-2000s. Accession restrictions apply.
Box 1: school logo dark blue bag, 2020s
Box 3:
Head Teacher's files (formerly in box files) and presented books:
'Writing': policies and presentation, 2010s
'History of the School': research, correspondence, newspaper cuttings, annual reports, leaflets and postcards, includes Kingsley Hall reports and related items, 1920s-2024 [note this file includes photocopies of 'Mementos of the Early Years' scrapbook see 6]
Books presented by Terence Molloy: 'Eve Garnett' (school's mural artist) by Terence Molloy, signed; and 'The London Child' by Evelyn Sharp
Photocopy 'The Children's House and Kingsley Hall 1939'
Notices and leaflets collected around the building, 2020s-2025
London Borough of Tower Hamlets produced reference items:
'Our Alphabet'
'Foundation Stage, Outdoor Play Guidance' by Early Years Service, March 2004
'Communication Guidance' by Early Years Service
Boxes 4-5 and outsize in 6:
Children's display scrapbooks of events and themes created by children (royal family events, trips, themes), 1990s-2023. This series was kept in the main entrance foyer and ground floor large classroom for reference by children and visitors.
6 (bundle):
Display scrapbooks of events and themes (c3 volumes, outsize)
School extension plans book, 2018
'Mementos of the Early Years' scrapbook compiled for anniversary 1923-1993, largely photocopies of articles and press cuttings.
7:
Stone laying prayers and dedication, for foundation of the school, 11 April 1923. Illuminated manuscript on parchment (1 document) |
| Extent | 3 volumes; 5 boxes, 1 parchment sheet, 1 bundle |
| AdminHistory | Children's House Nursery School, Bruce Road (also Eagling Road), Bromley-by-Bow was founded and purpose-built by Doris and Muriel Lester, social reformers, and opened on 24 October 1923. The Lesters also founded Kingsley Hall (visited by Mahatma Gandhi in 1931). In Children's House, the Lesters wanted to create a school for the children of Bow which was designed specifically for their educational and physical needs, prioritising outdoor activities and opportunities.
The school was part of the inner London education service run by the London County Council (LCC)'s Education Officer until 1965. It was then run by its successor the Inner London Education Authority until ILEA's abolition in 1990 and transfer to Tower Hamlets.
Still housed in the original building, the school's website of 2025 states:
'We are committed to providing the highest standards of care and education for every child through meaningful experiences that build on what children, know, understand and can do. At the heart of our work with children is the close relationships we form with each family. We work in partnership with parents and carers to give children an inspirational start to their school lives.
We aim to foster a lifelong love of learning and build on childrens natural curiosity about the world around them. We want children to make the most of every single day and have the best start in life. We offer places to children aged between two and five years and are an additionally resourced provision for deaf children.'
Explore more about the history: https://www.childrenshouse.towerhamlets.sch.uk/100-years-anniversary.html
See also http://www.muriellester.org/index.htm |
| RelatedMaterial | See also Kingsley Hall related records, 1938-1961, I/MIS/13.
Kingsley Hall archive - Muriel Lester Collection held at the Bishopsgate Institute:
The collection consists of correspondence, diaries and autobiographical notes, scrapbooks, photographs and drafts, produced by Muriel Lester as founder of Kingsley Hall and travelling secretary for the International Fellowship of Reconciliation. The archives also contain books and printed records of the two Kingsley Halls and Children's House, Bow, Doris Lester's personal papers and the files collected by Sydney Russell as Minister Warden of Kingsley Hall, Dagenham.
22 boxes. Formerly held at Kingsley Hall, Parsloes Avenue, Dagenham
See http://www.muriellester.org/index.htm |
| Subject | Primary schools |
| Bow |
| Public education |
| Education |
| Schools |
| ArchNote | Catalogued by Richard Wiltshire, 24 September 2025. |
| Access Status | Closed |
| AccessConditions | Some material within this collection has been closed under the current Data Protection legislation as the records concerned contain the personal data of children. Please check specific items for details and refer any queries to staff. |
| Request | NO - This does not represent a physical document. Please click on the reference number and view list of records to find material available to order at file or item level. |
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