Mystery of 19th-century Torbay public school solved

Earlier this week, we asked our readers for insights into a black-and-white image of an unknown public school in Torbay, dating back to 1853.

The only real clue to its origins was an inscription at the bottom of the image, appearing to link the school to 19th-century architect Edward Appleton. Mr Appleton designed various buildings across the bay, including the Freemasons' Lodge on Parkhill Road, Torquay.

It turns out you had plenty to say.

We are able to share these photographs with our readers thanks to our new partnership with Torquay Library, which houses an archival collection of local studies material.

The Facebook group Torquay in Pictures quickly identified the building as Abbey Hall on Rock Road in Torquay town centre.

Above: Grade II listed Abbey Hall, 2018. Image: Graham Wheatley

Local historian Kevin Dixon elaborated further, identifying the image as Abbey Hall when it was newly built as the British School.

Kevin said: “It’s the British School built in 1853 by nonconformists for boys and infants. It’s still there in Rock Road near the Old Town Hall.

“Torquay’s British School had its roots in the movement founded by the Quaker Joseph Lancaster (1778-1838), ‘The Poor Child's Friend,’ who revolutionised education, bringing schooling to millions of children.

“He believed that all children have a potential that can be released through education; they should be rewarded and motivated in school, not beaten; school should be free; children should be provided with food in school; teachers should be properly trained, paid, and respected. His school system provided a cheap basic education, known as the Lancasterian System, and in 1808 the Society for Promoting the Lancasterian System for the Education of the Poor was founded. That later became the British and Foreign School Society, establishing non-conformist, or non-denominational, schools independent from the Church of England National Schools. They also provided teacher training. Hence, the British schools, often in the poorer parts of towns.”

Local history expert Graham Wheatley, with whom we are also gratefully partnered, shared further research in the history group Undiscovered Torbay.

Graham explained that while Abbey Hall originally opened as a British school for boys and infants, it was converted into a teacher training school in 1904.

To support the war effort, the Lyndhurst Clothing Factory was established on the top floor after its London factory was bombed in the autumn of 1941.

At the time, the factory’s location appears to have been censored, as it was designated a ‘protected establishment’ and a Designated Clothing Factory for Work of National Importance throughout WWII.

With a staff of 80 employees, the Lyndhurst Wholesale Clothing Factory closed at the end of October 1951 when the lease with J F Rockey Ltd expired.

The building was then used as a synagogue until early 1958, when the local Hebrew congregation vacated the premises, and it was purchased as a centre for disabled persons.

Today, it stands as the Grade II listed Abbey Hall Centre.

Colin Rogers, whose curiosity “got the better” of him, visited the site to inspect its blue plaque.

The plaque reads: "Torquay Boys’ Grammar School traces its origins to The Abbey Hall, which was opened as the Torquay Pupil Teachers’ Centre on 4th September 1904."

Commenting on the historical image, Colin said: “The door at the bottom right of the main facade exists today only as a blocked-up archway. The buildings above and behind in the image confirm the heights of Warren Hill beyond.

“Either the buildings in front, at the beginning of Abbey Road, had not yet been built, or the wide-open space shown is artistic license!”

Others suggested that the image showed Paignton’s Montpelier School, Barcombe Hall.

However, this is impossible, partly because Montpelier School did not open until 1887.

The school closed in 1985 after declining enrolment in the late 1970s.

Is there a historical image that you'd like us to explore? Let us know at torbayweekly@clearskypublishing.co.uk