The early part of the 19th century saw the first large scale provision of accessible elementary education for the children of the less well-off families in Bishops Stortford, with the opening of two schools. The first of these was the National School, initially on South Street and, from 1828 on Apton Road. This was funded by the National Society for Promoting Religious Education, hence the name. This Society promoted schools associated with the local parish church, with a Church of England ethos. This later became St Michael’s School.
This was followed in 1839 by the British School(s) at Northgate End. A plaque in the centre of the front range of the building giving this date and “Schools” (rather than School) can still be seen today.
An engraving shows the building soon after it was opened. It is recognisably the same as what can be seen today, with the same wall facing onto Northgate End, with the same gates, even if the original entrance doors have now been blocked in and replaced with windows.
Funds for the building of it were raised by the local non-conformist community, led by the Rev W. Chaplin, in combination with grants from the British and Foreign Schools Society (hence the name “British School”). This society promoted a syllabus underpinned by Christian values but on a non-denominational basis.
The school was built on a plot of land known as Lime Kiln Meadow, captured in the name Lime Kiln Road given to the new road at the side of the school. It is Tudor in style. The school was provided with separate entrances for Boys and Girls, so presumably they were taught separately, and perhaps this is why the plural “Schools” was used in the name. Children of “any persons of the labouring classes” were given preferential access, whilst children of “tradesmen” paid 6d a week plus the cost of stationery. By 1846, 450 boys and 450 girls had been admitted since the opening of the school.
The premises were subsequently significantly enlarged at the rear, to provide a separate infants classroom, as can be seen from the extra gable ends on the side walls. The school changed its name to Northgate End School in the early 1900’s and moved to its present site on Cricketfield Lane in the 1960’s. The premises were recently refurbished and remain in active use as a Young People’s Centre.
