Norfolk County School stood on the summit of a wooded hill with excellent views across the Wensum Valley near the village of North Elmham.

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] Following his death, his eldest son, 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] As a result, 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 rector of Kettlestone was appointed as Honorary Chaplain, and medical care was provided by Dr Rackham from North Elmham.

The central hall was fitted with a heavy glass roof, and a fire escape was added to the eastern side of the building, allowing it to be evacuated within three minutes.

The school was closed in 1953,[6] when the remaining boys were transferred to other Barnardo's 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 for its preservation and that the relocation of the memorial tablets and windows was being considered.

The road remains private from the bridge over the river Wensum up to Bintree woods and is maintained by the residents.