Charity school

They were built and maintained in various parishes by the voluntary contributions of the inhabitants to teach poor children to read and write, and for other necessary parts of education.

They were usually maintained by religious organisations, which provided clothing and education to students freely or at little charge.

In most charity schools, children were put out to trades, services, etc., by the same charitable foundation.

Charity schools began in London, and spread throughout most of the urban areas in England and Wales.

By 1710, the statistics for charity schools in and around London were as follows: number of schools, 88; boys taught, 2,181; girls, 1,221; boys put out to apprentices, 967; girls, 407.

The Blue Coat School (in this case Christ's Hospital , London) as drawn by Augustus Pugin and Thomas Rowlandson for Rudolph Ackermann 's Microcosm of London (1808-11). The picture shows the Great Hall on St. Matthew's Day , September 21st. Two senior boys destined for scholarships to Oxford and Cambridge Universities, known as Grecians, gave orations in praise of the school, one in Latin and the other in English.
The Anniversary Meeting of the Charity Children in the Cathedral of St. Paul , 1826
Leeds Charity School Blue Plaque