SIR WALTER SAINT JOHN'S SCHOOLS TRUST, BATTERSEA

Identity Statement

Reference code(s)	: GB 0074 ACC/2321
Held at	: London Metropolitan Archives   Click here to find out how to view this collection at https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/lma ›
Full title	: SIR WALTER SAINT JOHN'S SCHOOLS TRUST, BATTERSEA
Date(s)	: 1700-1977
Level of description	: Collection
Extent	: 10.68 linear metres
Name of creator(s)	: Sir Walter Saint John's Schools Trust Battersea Free School Battersea Grammar School William Blake School | Battersea Sir Walter Saint John's School | Battersea

Context

Administrative/Biographical history:

The Trust was established by Sir Walter St John (1622-1708) in 1700 and made provision for education of boys in Battersea by the Vicar of Battersea. This was known as Battersea Free School. In 1817 a National School was superimposed on the school by the Vicar. By 1853 there was concern over the use of Trust funds for education, and a new scheme was established following a case in Chancery. This scheme separated the National School from Sir Walter St John's School.

In 1873 a new scheme for the Trust made provision for a new school to be established at St John's Hill, later moving to Streatham, known as Battersea Grammar School. The old upper school for Sir Walter St John's School became known as a 'middle class school' or 'middle school' (not to be confused with current usage) under the headmastership of William Taylor. The Taylor family provided three headmasters for this school. A third elementary or lower school, existed between 1875 and 1880.

In 1902 Sir Walter St John's School became a Secondary School under the Education Act of that year. It had already built up a strong reputation in the sciences.

During the Second World War, the school was evacuated to Godalming, and in the post-war period the school was brought more closely into line with the administration of the London County Council Education Officer's Department as a voluntary controlled school (1951). It retained its distinctive status, benefitting from various investments, scholarship and memorial funds, enjoying its fine set of buildings (some of which were designed by W. Butterfield in 1859) and having an active Old Boys Association. Reorganisation of schools in the 1960s and 1970s by the ILEA meant the advent of comprehensive education and merger with neighbouring schools.

Content

Scope and content/abstract:

Records of the Sir Walter Saint John's Schools Trust. The records reflect the above history and activities of the Trust which was responsible for the running of both Sir Walter St John's School in Battersea High Street and Battersea Grammar School in Abbotswood Road, Streatham. In this collection, the bulk of the material refers to Sir Walter St John's School, although any Trust records may refer to either school. Those records relating solely to Battersea Grammar School are listed separately towards the end of the list. Highlights include a set of Trust minutes from 1827-1974, Admission registers from 1872-1946, the original Foundation Deed of 1700, and the school magazine from 1892-1978.

List of records:

Trust Property;
Trust Schemes;
Trust Administration;
Trust Correspondence;
Trust Accounts;
Trust Financial Administration;
Trust History;
Sir Walter St John's School: Pupils;
Sir Walter St John's School: Curriculum;
Sir Walter St John's School: Exam Results;
Sir Walter St John's School: Special Events;
Sir Walter St John's School: Former Pupils;
Sir Walter St John's School: Staff;
Sir Walter St John's School: Headmasters' Reports;
Sir Walter St John's School: Buildings;
Sir Walter St John's School: Printed Material;
Sir Walter St John's School: Photographs;
Sir Walter St John's School: Illustrations;
Sir Walter St John's School: Artefacts;
Sir Walter St John's School Old Boys Association;
Sir Walter St John's School Parents Association;
Battersea Grammar School;
William Blake School;
St John Family.

Access & Use

Language/scripts of material:
English

System of arrangement:

ACC/2321-1: Trust Records;
ACC/2321-2: Sir Walter Saint John's School;
ACC/2321-3: Battersea Grammar School;
ACC/2321-4: William Blake School;
ACC/2321-5: Saint John Family Records.

Conditions governing access:

These records are available for public inspection, although records containing personal information may be subject to access restrictions.

Conditions governing reproduction:

Copyright to these records rests with the depositor.

Finding aids:

Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm

Archival Information

Archival history:

Immediate source of acquisition:

This collection incorporates three accessions deposited in 1986, 1987 and 1988.

Allied Materials

Related material:

The collection should be consulted in conjunction with the Smallwood Papers relating to Sir Walter St John's School, Battersea (ref ACC/2181).

Publication note:

Description Notes

Archivist's note:

Rules or conventions:
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.

Date(s) of descriptions:
June to August 2010.