| The Blewcoat | |
|---|---|
 Blewcoat School, May 2008 | |
| General information | |
| Type | School |
| Location | City of Westminster London, SW1 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51°29′54.3″N 0°8′9.9″W / 51.498417°N 0.136083°W / 51.498417; -0.136083 |
| Current tenants | Ian Stuart |
| Construction started | 1709 (1709) |
Blewcoat School is a building in Caxton Street, London, that was built in 1709 as a school for the poor (a Bluecoat school). It was used as a school until 1926. In 1954, it was purchased by the National Trust who used it as a gift shop and information centre. In 2013 the building was refurbished as The Blewcoat, a store for fashion designer Ian Stuart.
School
The school was founded in Duck Lane in about 1688 by voluntary subscription as a charity school for the education of poor boys to teach them reading, writing, religion, and trades. It moved to purpose-built premises in Caxton Street. From 1714 to about 1876, it also admitted girls. In 1899, it was agreed that the school should move to a site that had been owned by the Christ Church National Schools Trust, and the Caxton Street site was then used for an elementary school. The school closed in 1926.
Later uses
During World War II, the building was used by the American services as a store. Afterwards, the Girl Guides used it as a youth club. When the National Trust bought it in 1954, it was used as their membership and head office. Later, it was converted into a gift shop. June 2014 saw the opening of British designer Ian Stuart's boutique in the building, selling bridal gowns, special occasion wear and evening gown collections.
References
- Cox, Montague H. (1926). "Blue Coat School". Survey of London: volume 10: St. Margaret, Westminster, part I: Queen Anne’s Gate area (1926), pp. 144-147. British History Online. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
- ^ Provençal, Nina (February 2011). "Business of the Month: January and February 2011 - The National Trust Shop". Business of the Month. Victoria Business Improvement District. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
- Tye, Timothy. "Blewcoat School, London". Historical Buildings in London. Timothy Tye. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2011.
| Schools and colleges in the City of Westminster | |
|---|---|
| Primary schools | |
| Secondary schools | |
| Independent schools |
|
| FE & sixth form colleges | |
| Defunct schools | |
- Bluecoat schools
- National Trust properties in London
- Defunct schools in the City of Westminster
- Educational institutions established in the 1680s
- Educational institutions disestablished in 1926
- School buildings completed in 1709
- Tourist attractions in the City of Westminster
- Boys' schools in London
- 1709 establishments in England
- 1926 disestablishments in England
- Grade I listed buildings in the City of Westminster