Record

RepositoryArchives
Reference NumberI/MOR
LevelFonds
TitleRecords of Morpeth School, Bethnal Green
Date(s)1922-1996
DescriptionRecords of Morpeth School: consisting of records created by and about staff and students, administrative records, educational material including examples of students work, school photographs, and material relating to the history of the school.

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Extent19 boxes, 7 volumes and 12 bundles
AdminHistoryMorpeth Street Central School was established in 1910 as a result of the London County Council's (LCC) commitment to the construction of central schools across London, with the aim of serving the most able pupils in London's poorest areas. An entrance exam was set up and the School saw its first intake in 1911, made up of the top 5% of the high ability band in the old Metropolitan Borough of Bethnal Green. In 1927, following recognition of the need to provide more school places for older students, Portman Place Primary School (located opposite Morpeth) was closed, and the two buildings merged to form an enlarged Morpeth Street School.

During the Second World War, bombing destroyed the roof of the School's west wing (1940), and it became impossible to continue to operate on that site. As such, the School relocated to Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, leaving the site to double up as a rest centre for the Air Raid Precaution (ARP) wardens, and as HQ for the anti-aircraft crews who operated in Victoria Park. Following the end of the War, buildings were repaired and the School resumed operation.

The 1960s saw further expansion with the creation of a new north wing, and Morpeth became a flagship for the Wilson government's new comprehensive school model.

As of 2017, Morpeth operates as a co-educational school offered GCSE and A-Level courses for students aged 11-18.
CustodialHistoryThe records of Morpeth School were donated from the school in a number of accessions by Frank Small, Morpeth School Librarian.
RelatedMaterialLocal History Library: holds magazines and newsletters, prospectuses, reports and brochures relating to the school.
A highlight is 'The Mulberry : the annual record of Morpeth Secondary (Central) School', 1954-1967, reference LC12132, with copies in the pamphlet collection.

Frank Small also donated further images, mainly between 1993-1995. These are catalogued in our Image Collection. Mainly relating to the school they include the Student Strike in 1994. Image references:
P05390-P05393, P05569, P08577.
Student Strike - P12110-P12114, P12116-P12122, P12124-P12125, P12128.
P26873-P26874, P26879-P26884, P26889-P26968, P26971-P26981, P26986, P26988-P26993, P26995-P27026, P27028-P27035, P27037-P27045, P27059-P27066, P27068, P33824, P86983
SubjectSecondary schools
Bethnal Green
Education
Schools
AccessConditionsMaterial within this collection has been closed under the current Data Protection legislation as the records concerned contain sensitive personal data. Please check specific item level descriptions for details, and refer any queries to staff.
RequestNO - 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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