Old Central School

In June 1757, a group of local dignitaries met one Saturday night at the Rose and Crown pub in Wimbledon village to discuss plans for a charity school.

In 1758 the manor court gave permission for the vicar and others to "inclose and fence in - a certain piece or parcel of land, lying on Wimbledon Common for the use of a charity school" and the first octagonal building was put up.

The schoolmaster quarrelled with the parish officials and the school was not running properly until 1773 when the building was repaired and a minute-book was begun that continued to be used until 1839.

William Wilberforce, nephew of one of the original trustees, was treasurer to the school for a short time while he lived in Wimbledon.

John William Selby was headmaster of the school in 1889 and first chairman of the Old Central football club, who later became Wimbledon F.C.