So much to be positive about in our schools

This is a bit of a warning shot for those regulars of this blog: I'm a Governor at Hampstead School and it's a great school - this warning is that over the next few weeks I'm going to cover some of the great work that the school does...

I've been to music concerts, art festivals, sixth form open evenings and the atmosphere in the school is so strong and positive.

The most striking thing is the building itself. It's on Westbere Road, West Hampstead, and is right on the Camden Barnet border at the most northerly point of the Borough.

Built that the end of the 19th century it was from 1898 to 1960 the home of Haberdashers' Aske's School before they moved. It seems that the school moved in 1898 but didn't vacate it's former site in Hoxton until 1902.

http://474towin.blogspot.com/2008/03/haberdasher-askes-foundation-plaque.html

http://474towin.blogspot.com/2008/02/memories-from-second-world-war.html

From 1961 the school became the comprehensive that is now Hampstead School. The school is just amazing has such vibrancy and range both in subjects and pupils.

So it's watch this space for more coverage of some of these events...

http://474towin.blogspot.com/2008/08/coursework-towards-good-grades.html

Haberdasher Aske's foundation plaque...

In the educational and plaque theme here is one of the most impressive and elaborate that I have come across in the local area...

It's on Hampstead School on Westbere Road and is the original foundation stone from the school at Hoxton, east London:

SERVE AND OBEY is the motto

HABERDASHER ASKE'S BOYS SCHOOL
ON THE FOUNDATION OF
ROBERT ASKE. AD MDCXCII

REMOVED FROM HOXTON
AND ERECTED HERE MCMII

So founded 1692 and the plaque (and the school) moved in 1902
http://www.habsboys.org.uk/
http://www.oldhabs.com/

I think it's slightly curious it wasn't moved when the school moved out in the 1960's.

http://474towin.blogspot.com/2008/02/memories-from-second-world-war.html

Memories from the Second World War

I carry my camera with me almost all the time now with hope of catching sight of just slightly unusual things: this is one of the better ones.

Just inside the main block of Hampstead School, Westbere Road, is this plaque rembering the second world war.

"THIS WING WAS DESTROYED
BY ENEMY ACTION
7TH OCTOBER 1940

REBUILT 1948"

It would seem that this part of London received pretty heavy bombing during the war - thought to be because of the high number of railway lines and junctions - and this plaque is one of the remnants of that history. I have passed this quite a few times (as a Governor at the School) but not paid too much attention to it really.

I think I'm right in saying that this was when the School was still occupied by Haberdasher Askes http://www.oldhabs.com/. I don't think they moved out until 1961.

Anyone out there have any memories of this night of bombing?