Peace also brought an end to the prize money from captured ships, as the Navy had been at war nearly non-stop since the 1770s, the potential for Senior Officers to become wealthy and to set themselves up as country gentlemen had become established.

They were too high up the social ladder to engage in any menial work to earn their own living but too poor to attract the attention of eligible husbands.

Francis Maude established The Royal Naval Female School as it was then known, specifically to provide a sound education which would enable the girls to go out into employment almost certainly as teachers and governesses.

The history and legacy of The Grove School's inheritance is notable for its intellectual adventurousness, offering a comprehensive and thorough education from its inception.

From the very beginning, The Grove School combined a strong commitment to charity work, particularly in aiding disadvantaged girls in London, with its academic ambitions.

Notably, a number of the school's pupils were among the pioneering female students to attend prestigious universities such as Oxford and Cambridge.

It was not until the 1920s when Oxford formally decided to confer degrees on female students that individuals like Miss Lacey, who had already accomplished considerable academic success, received the recognition they deserved.

There are elements of the uniform that have a historical connection – the girls' suit jackets are cut short in the naval style and the tippets are as used at the funeral of Queen Alexandra in 1925.