- Watts Naval School
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Watts Naval Training School 
Established 1903 Closed 1953 Type Independent Location North Elmham
Norfolk
EnglandStudents 320 Gender Boys Founder E. H. Watts Watts Naval School was originally the Norfolk County School, a public school set up to serve the educational needs of the 'sons of farmers and artisans'. The school was then operated by Dr Barnardo's until its closure in 1953.
Contents
History
Norfolk County School
The Norfolk County School stood on the summit of a wooded hill with excellent views across the Wensum Valley near the village of North Elmham. It was surrounded by 60 acres (240,000 m2) of land in Bintry parish in the Bintry (or Bintree as it is sometimes written) Hills.
The Norfolk County School was a public school was founded by Prebendary Joseph Lloyd Brereton to serve the educational needs of the sons of farmers & artisans as part of his experiment in County Education. The foundation stone was laid on Easter Monday 1873 by Edward Prince of Wales (later to become King Edward VII). The school opened in 1874. The school also had an open-air swimming pool.[1]
The property consisted of a central building, with a Principal's House attached to the north end of the building. A laundry was provided at the south end of the intersection. At the north end of the fifty-four acre site was a gardener's cottage. The western boundary of the property was marked by the River Wensum, and an open-air 70 ft by 30 ft swimming bath was provided next to the river. A boat house owned by the school also stood on the banks of the river, and a cricket ground was provided on the eastern side of the main building.[2]
A chapel, built of Bath stone, was erected in 1883 and consecrated on 16 October that year. In 1884 Brereton succeeded in getting railway access to the school through the County School station built at the foot of the hill. Despite the improved communications, the school roll never reached the 300 for which it was designed, partly as a result of the depression in agriculture.
The school was closed in July 1895, and purchased by Edward Hannay Watts, who purchased it in 4 June 1901.[2] Following his death, his eldest son, Mr Fenwick Shadforth Watts, had the fabric of the building renovated and furnished, at a cost of several thousand pounds, before handing it over to Dr Barnardo's Homes.[3] It was turned into a home for up to 300 orphans and destitute boys under the charge of Dr T J Barnardo and was opened informally on 9 March 1903.[4] The establishment was then used for the training of selected Barnardo's boys for a life at sea in the Royal Navy or mercantile Marine. The school was opened by the Earl of Leicester G.C.V.O., C.M.G., T.D. (and then Viscount Coke) on April 17, 1906.[5] It was classified as a Secondary Technical School, with the technical instruction being nautical and with musical training for boys intending on being enlisted in the Royal Marines or other military bands.
The first Captain of the school was Commander H C Martin, a former captain of the training ship Warspite, working with a staff of fifteen. The Rector of Kettlestone was appointed as Honorary Chaplain, and medical care was provided by Dr Rackham from North Elmham. Initially only 100 pupils were sent to the school, with the remaining 200 arriving in batches of 50 to assist with the establishment of naval discipline.[3]
The building was only slightly altered from its former use. The central hall was fitted with a heavy glass roof and a fire escape was fitted to the eastern side of the building, allowing it to be evacualted within three minutes. Every part of the school was heated with hot water and an acetylene gas supply was installed. The central hall, classrooms, reception rooms and staff rooms were on the ground floor. The first floor was used for staff bedrooms, sleeping wards, linen and the storage of dry goods. The third floor included the dining hall, kitchens, dining rooms and more sleeping wards. The bathrooms, engine room (boilers) and offices were located in the basement. The school was also provided with an isolation hospital, built in the grounds.[3]
The chapel was enlarged in 1926 with transepts added. The chapel seated all 300 boys and masters. The pulpit was a memorial to B Watson Esq, and two stained glass windows were added in memory of Frederick Humby, an old Watts boy who lost his life in the Titanic disaster.
Closure
The school closed in 1953,[6] with the remaining boys being transferred to other Barnardos training ship establishments, mostly on the south coast. Old boys concerned about the chapel were assured that Barnardo's Clerical Organising Secretary, working with the Bishop of Norwich, would be making arrangements and that the relocation of memorial tablets and windows was being considered.[7]
Today
The main school building was demolished and the site returned to nature. Some of the remaining buildings still exist as ruins today, although most have been renovated and restored to domestic use. For some years the chapel was used as a piggery and a chicken farm was run on the site of the main school building, but following the closure of the poultry operation some five bedroom properties have been built on the site. The chapel survives as a private residence.
The chapel memorial windows were removed by Barnardos, auctioned in 1978, and are now in private ownership in the USA.
Daily Routine
The boys were woken at 6.30, after which they attended an act of worship before having breakfast at 7.30. At 9.00 they would go to the central hall and fall in for inspection by the Captain, before marching off for lessons and drill. Dinner was served at 12.30, with the boys falling in for more school and drill at 2.00. At 4.00 they had a half-hour's special drill training. Tea was served at 5.30, with evening prayers and bed two hours later.[3]
Notable Old Boys
See also: Category:People educated at Watts Naval School- Captain Frank Beck, King Edward VII land agent in its public school days.
- Fred Copeman OBE. Royal Navy Mutineer, and subsequently Commander of the British Battalion of the XV International Brigade.
- Sir John Mills, a famous British actor, was born at Watts Naval School, where his father was a master.
Heritage
- A photographic display, replica uniform and some small items from the school were displayed in the museum at County School railway station until 2010.
- An information board charting the history of the school was unveiled beside the school's graveyard during the centenary celebrations.
References
- ^ Watts Naval Training School
- ^ a b "The Story of a building". Night and Day. January 1902.
- ^ a b c d Night and Day. June 1903.
- ^ Barnardo's homes - East Anglia - Watts Naval Training School
- ^ Watts Naval School
- ^ Watts Naval School/
- ^ "Closure of WNTS". Guild Messenger. January 1954.
External links
Categories:- Boarding schools in Norfolk
- Independent schools in Norfolk
- Boys' schools in Norfolk
- Defunct schools in Norfolk
- Educational institutions established in 1903
- 1903 establishments in England
- Educational institutions disestablished in 1953
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