Quintin Hogg, a successful London sugar merchant and philanthropist, had been involved in the ragged school movement for many years, but in 1871 focused his efforts on forming an Evening Institute for those at work in the day.

This was to approach the whole person, both by education, but also by moral example, giving access to meetings, opportunities for physical activities and enriching debates.

Hogg's early aims were realised by the establishment of the London Polytechnic at Regent Street, which was set out to improve the whole person.

An early student at the Royal Polytechnic Institution at Regent Street was Francis (Frank) Didden.

In 1884 Woolwich had a population of about 34,000 people, many of whom were employed as engineers at the Royal Arsenal, or the other large factories in the area.

“You certainly require, as a minimum, a gymnasium, a few class rooms, a reading room and a coffee bar, besides some small hall where meetings can be held.” Didden campaigned passionately, raising some funding through a sports meeting held in July 1888 in Charlton Park, supported by the London Polytechnic, the Royal Arsenal and Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society.

True to Hogg's model, Didden ensured that there was a strong sporting and social side to attract and reform the habits of members.

[citation needed] Woolwich Polytechnic founded a number of day schools and junior technical schools with a history of beating the military spirit into children only to be sent to war, partly in response to the fact that much of its premises was left empty during the day as much of the teaching and activities took place in the evenings.