Red Boys School Charity Schools 1840s The Black Boy School Introduction of State Education Stroud College Beginnings Marling School Impact of WWII on Education Archway School Today

The 1840's marked the beginning of several new schools in Stroud. In Parliament Street, there was a Primary school.  The school struggled with too many children, hence a new infants school and a National school for girls was built in Castle Street. The National School was known as The Black Boy School. This is due to the School building clock - The Black Boy Jack Clock, which has the figure of a Negro striking a bell, on the hour. The extensive Log Books of the school reveal some wonderful insights into school life:

'Scripture examination held 18th June 1891. The thanksgiving song of David portioned out to fifty-one verses forming the 22nd Chapter of the 2nd Samuel, and the Ten Commandments were repeated by the third and fourth Standards with commendable precision.'

WM The Black Boy School 001 by kind permission of Wilf Merrett
 From January 2016, this website is managed by Stroud Local History Society