Hackney Downs School
Encyclopedia
Hackney Downs School was a comprehensive
secondary school, located near Hackney Downs
off the A104 north of Hackney town centre, in the London Borough of Hackney
.
School. The south side of Hackney Downs in London was once the site of Hackney Downs School. The school was founded in 1876 by the Worshipful Company of Grocers
and, on transfer to the Government in 1906, was re-named Hackney Downs School (formerly the Grocers' Company's School).
, it won an excellent reputation, with alumni including Nobel prize-winning playwright the late Harold Pinter
, fellow playwright and actor Steven Berkoff
, 1960s tycoon John Bloom, and athletics administrator Sir Arthur Gold. Many famous medical men attended including kidney transplant pioneer Ralph Shackman. Four current members of the House of Lords
are former pupils: (Lord Levy, Baron Peston, Lord Feldman, and Lord Clinton-Davis). It had 600 boys with a sixth-form entry by the early 1970s.
. It had voted to become comprehensive in 1969. Just before its closure, over 70 percent of the boys spoke English
as a second language, half came from households with no-one in employment, and half the intake had reading ages three years below average.
government as the 'worst school in Britain'. Eventually, as a result of direct government pressure, the school was forced to close in 1995.
The decision remains controversial to this day, opponents of the closure pointing out that Hackney Downs was singled out for special treatment by the government (presumably pour encourager les autres) and that its academic results were not significantly worse than many other inner-city comprehensives, especially considering the problems it had inherited, including the steady 'decanting' of problem pupils—who had frequently been expelled from their original schools—to Hackney Downs.
, which opened in 2004.
While the school buildings of both the original Grocers' Company's School and Hackney Downs School have been replaced by the new Mossbourne Academy, the Old Boys of Hackney Downs continue their interactions as alumni through The Clove Club, which meets regularly, has its own website, and sponsors a very active email group called The Clove eGroup(on Yahoo), and featured on The Clove Club website.
An official history of the school, written by the historian Professor Geoffrey Alderman (who was a pupil there 1955-62) was published by the Clove Club in 1972.
News
Comprehensive school
A comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
secondary school, located near Hackney Downs
Hackney Downs
Hackney Downs is an open space and a broader area in Lower Clapton, in the London Borough of Hackney; it is also the name of a local council ward. It borders on Stoke Newington to the west and Shacklewell to the south...
off the A104 north of Hackney town centre, in the London Borough of Hackney
London Borough of Hackney
The London Borough of Hackney is a London borough of North/North East London, and forms part of inner London. The local authority is Hackney London Borough Council....
.
Grocers' Company's School
It was founded in 1876 as The Grocers' Company'sWorshipful Company of Grocers
The Worshipful Company of Grocers is one of the 108 Livery Companies of the City of London. It is ranked second in the order of precedence of the Companies and, having been established in 1345, is one of the original Great Twelve City Livery Companies....
School. The south side of Hackney Downs in London was once the site of Hackney Downs School. The school was founded in 1876 by the Worshipful Company of Grocers
Worshipful Company of Grocers
The Worshipful Company of Grocers is one of the 108 Livery Companies of the City of London. It is ranked second in the order of precedence of the Companies and, having been established in 1345, is one of the original Great Twelve City Livery Companies....
and, on transfer to the Government in 1906, was re-named Hackney Downs School (formerly the Grocers' Company's School).
Grammar school
As a grammar schoolGrammar school
A grammar school is one of several different types of school in the history of education in the United Kingdom and some other English-speaking countries, originally a school teaching classical languages but more recently an academically-oriented secondary school.The original purpose of mediaeval...
, it won an excellent reputation, with alumni including Nobel prize-winning playwright the late Harold Pinter
Harold Pinter
Harold Pinter, CH, CBE was a Nobel Prize–winning English playwright and screenwriter. One of the most influential modern British dramatists, his writing career spanned more than 50 years. His best-known plays include The Birthday Party , The Homecoming , and Betrayal , each of which he adapted to...
, fellow playwright and actor Steven Berkoff
Steven Berkoff
Steven Berkoff is an English actor, writer and director. Best known for his performance as General Orlov in the James Bond film Octopussy, he is typically cast in villanous roles, such as Lt...
, 1960s tycoon John Bloom, and athletics administrator Sir Arthur Gold. Many famous medical men attended including kidney transplant pioneer Ralph Shackman. Four current members of the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
are former pupils: (Lord Levy, Baron Peston, Lord Feldman, and Lord Clinton-Davis). It had 600 boys with a sixth-form entry by the early 1970s.
Comprehensive
In September 1974, it became a comprehensive school, and inherited more than its share of the problems of this deprived inner-city boroughBorough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
. It had voted to become comprehensive in 1969. Just before its closure, over 70 percent of the boys spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as a second language, half came from households with no-one in employment, and half the intake had reading ages three years below average.
Decline and closure
Things came to a head in the 1990s, when the school made national news by being described by the then ConservativeConservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
government as the 'worst school in Britain'. Eventually, as a result of direct government pressure, the school was forced to close in 1995.
The decision remains controversial to this day, opponents of the closure pointing out that Hackney Downs was singled out for special treatment by the government (presumably pour encourager les autres) and that its academic results were not significantly worse than many other inner-city comprehensives, especially considering the problems it had inherited, including the steady 'decanting' of problem pupils—who had frequently been expelled from their original schools—to Hackney Downs.
Later use of the building
The site of the old school is now occupied by Mossbourne Community Academy, founded by Sir Clive BourneClive Bourne
Sir Clive Bourne was a British businessman and philanthropist, particularly known for his work on city academies.- Early life :...
, which opened in 2004.
While the school buildings of both the original Grocers' Company's School and Hackney Downs School have been replaced by the new Mossbourne Academy, the Old Boys of Hackney Downs continue their interactions as alumni through The Clove Club, which meets regularly, has its own website, and sponsors a very active email group called The Clove eGroup(on Yahoo), and featured on The Clove Club website.
An official history of the school, written by the historian Professor Geoffrey Alderman (who was a pupil there 1955-62) was published by the Clove Club in 1972.
Headmasters
- John Kemp 1974-89
Boys' grammar school
- Geoffrey AldermanGeoffrey AldermanGeoffrey Alderman is a British historian, especially of the Jewish community in England in the 19th and 20th centuries, and also an academic, political adviser and award-winning journalist.-Life:...
, historian - Arnold Allen CBE, Chief Executive from 1982-4 of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy AuthorityUnited Kingdom Atomic Energy AuthorityThe United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority is a UK government research organisation responsible for the development of nuclear fusion power. It is an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and was formerly chaired by Lady Barbara Judge CBE...
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, writer - Morris BeckmanMorris BeckmanMorris Beckman is an English writer. To date he has had five books published.-Early life:Morris Beckman was born in the north-eastern London Borough of Hackney. He attended Hackney Downs School...
- Steven BerkoffSteven BerkoffSteven Berkoff is an English actor, writer and director. Best known for his performance as General Orlov in the James Bond film Octopussy, he is typically cast in villanous roles, such as Lt...
, actorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
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Reggie Bullen CB GM - Sir Stanley BurntonStanley BurntonSir Stanley Jeffrey Burnton , styled The Rt Hon. Lord Justice Stanley Burnton, is a Lord Justice of Appeal.He was educated at Hackney Downs Grammar School and St Edmund Hall, Oxford, where he read Jurisprudence. He was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in 1965 and was made a Bencher in 1991...
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and Fellow of St. Edmund Hall, Oxford - Sir Michael CaineMichael CaineSir Michael Caine, CBE is an English actor. He won Academy Awards for best supporting actor in both Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House Rules ....
(Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, Jr.), CBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
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(attended in 1944-1945, when he was evacuated to King's LynnKing's LynnKing's Lynn is a sea port and market town in the ceremonial county of Norfolk in the East of England. It is situated north of London and west of Norwich. The population of the town is 42,800....
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- Dr Paul Dean CB, Director from 1977-90 of the National Physical Laboratory
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- Basil Feldman, Baron FeldmanBasil Feldman, Baron FeldmanBasil Feldman, Baron Feldman is a Conservative member of the House of Lords.- Early life :Born to Tilly and Philip Feldman, he was educated at the Grocers' School.- Business career :...
- Frederic Sutherland FergusonFrederic Sutherland FergusonFrederic Sutherland Ferguson was an English bibliographer.He was educated at the Grocers' Company's School, Hackney Downs, and at King's College London, but did not take a degree. Ferguson joined the firm of Bernard Quaritch in 1897...
, bibliographer - Prof Maurice Freedman, Professor of Social Anthropology from 1970-5 at the University of OxfordUniversity of OxfordThe University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
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OBE, graphic designerGraphic designerA graphic designer is a professional within the graphic design and graphic arts industry who assembles together images, typography or motion graphics to create a piece of design. A graphic designer creates the graphics primarily for published, printed or electronic media, such as brochures and... - Norman Ginsbury, playwright
- Sir Arthur Gold CBE, Chairman from 1988-92 of the British Olympic AssociationBritish Olympic AssociationThe British Olympic Association is the national Olympic committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It was formed in 1905 in the House of Commons, and at that time consisted of seven national governing body members from the following sports: fencing, life-saving, cycling, skating, rowing,...
- Dr Michael Goldstein CBE, Vice-Chancellor from 1992-2004 of Coventry UniversityCoventry UniversityCoventry University is a post-1992 university in Coventry, West Midlands, England. Under the terms of the Further and Higher Education Act of 1992, the institution's name was changed from Coventry Polytechnic to Coventry University...
, and Director from 1987-1992 of Coventry Polytechnic - Arnold Goodman, Baron GoodmanArnold Goodman, Baron GoodmanArnold Abraham Goodman, Baron Goodman, CH, QC, was a British lawyer and political advisor.-Life:Lord Goodman was educated at University College London and Downing College, Cambridge. He became a leading London lawyer as Senior Partner in the law firm Goodman, Derrick & Co...
, Master from 1976-86 of University College, OxfordUniversity College, Oxford.University College , is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2009 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £110m... - Prof Douglas Gough, Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics since 1993 at the University of CambridgeUniversity of CambridgeThe University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, and Director from 1999-2004 of the Institute of Astronomy, CambridgeInstitute of Astronomy, CambridgeThe Institute of Astronomy is the largest of the three astronomy departments in the University of Cambridge, and one of the largest astronomy sites in the UK... - Prof Abraham Guz, Professor of Medicine from 1981-94 at the Charing Cross and Westminster Medical SchoolCharing Cross and Westminster Medical SchoolCharing Cross and Westminster Medical School existed as a legal entity for 13 years, as the midpoint of a series of mergers which strategically consolidated the many small medical schools in west London into one large institution under the aegis of Imperial College LondonIn 1984, Charing Cross...
- Efraim Halevy, former head of MossadMossadThe Mossad , short for HaMossad leModi'in uleTafkidim Meyuchadim , is the national intelligence agency of Israel....
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Stanley Joslin CB CBE, Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations from 1959-64 at the Ministry of Power - Leon KossoffLeon KossoffLeon Kossoff is a British expressionist painter, known for portraits, life drawings and cityscapes of London, England....
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supersonic project (its important features later re-incarnated as the Bell X-1Bell X-1The Bell X-1, originally designated XS-1, was a joint NACA-U.S. Army/US Air Force supersonic research project built by Bell Aircraft. Conceived in 1944 and designed and built over 1945, it eventually reached nearly 1,000 mph in 1948...
), and first President of CERNCERNThe European Organization for Nuclear Research , known as CERN , is an international organization whose purpose is to operate the world's largest particle physics laboratory, which is situated in the northwest suburbs of Geneva on the Franco–Swiss border... - Dennis Lyons CB, Director from 1965-71 of the Road Research LaboratoryTransport Research LaboratoryTRL is a British transport consultancy and research organisation based at Wokingham Berkshire with approximately 500 staff. TRL is owned by the Transport Research Foundation , which is overseen by 80 sector members from the transport industry. TRL also own small UK regional offices situated in...
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from 1981-2 - Fuller Osborn, (the first) Chief Executive from 1965-78 of Northern Rock Building SocietyNorthern RockNorthern Rock plc is a British bank, best known for becoming the first bank in 150 years to suffer a bank run after having had to approach the Bank of England for a loan facility, to replace money market funding, during the credit crisis in 2007. Having failed to find a commercial buyer for...
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, of the Science and Technology Policy Research - Maurice Peston, Baron Peston of Mile EndMaurice Peston, Baron Peston of Mile EndMaurice Harry Peston, Baron Peston , is an English economist and parliamentarian. His research interests include macroeconomic policy and the economics of education.-Personal:...
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, CBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, CHOrder of the Companions of HonourThe Order of the Companions of Honour is an order of the Commonwealth realms. It was founded by King George V in June 1917, as a reward for outstanding achievements in the arts, literature, music, science, politics, industry or religion....
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(attended from 1944 to 1948; evacuated to CornwallCornwallCornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
during World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
) - Lt ColLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
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CBE, Professor of Economic History from 1981-93 University of CambridgeUniversity of CambridgeThe University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, and a former Director of the Leverhulme TrustLeverhulme TrustThe Leverhulme Trust was established in 1925 under the will of the First Viscount Leverhulme, William Hesketh Lever, with the instruction that its resources should be used to support "scholarships for the purposes of research and education."...
, and father of Tim SuppleTim SuppleTimothy Supple is an English theatre and opera director.Tim Supple began working as an assistant director at the York Theatre Royal. Between 1988 and 1991 he directed at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, Leicester Haymarket and Chichester Festival Theatre Timothy (Tim) Supple (b. 1962) is an...
(attended from 1942 to 1949) - William WarbeyWilliam WarbeyWilliam Noble Warbey was a Labour Party politician in the United Kingdom.William Noble was born in the then newly created Metropolitan Borough of Hackney in London. He first entered the House of Commons in the Labour landslide at the 1945 general election, as Member of Parliament for Luton in...
, Labour MP from 1945-50 for LutonLuton (UK Parliament constituency)Luton was a parliamentary constituency centred on the town of Luton in Bedfordshire. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post system....
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CBE, businessman - Henry WoolfHenry WoolfHenry Woolf ,is a British actor, theatre director, and teacher of acting, drama, and theatre who lives in Canada, and a longtime friend and collaborator of 2005 Nobel Laureate Harold Pinter, having stimulated Pinter to write his first play, The Room in 1956...
, theatre director - Prof John YudkinJohn YudkinJohn Yudkin was a British physiologist and scientist. He was raised in London in a Jewish family that had fled the Russian pogroms of 1905. His father died when John was seven years old. His mother had to bring up five sons in very difficult circumstances. In 1933 he married Milly Himmelweit, who...
, Professor of Nutrition from 1954-71 at Queen Elizabeth CollegeQueen Elizabeth CollegeQueen Elizabeth College had its origins in the Ladies' Department of King's College London, England, opened in 1885. The first King's 'extension' lectures for ladies were held at Richmond in 1871, and from 1878 in Kensington, with chaperones in attendance.In 1881, the Council resolved 'to...
, known for finding links between sweet food and coronary heart diseaseCoronary diseaseCoronary disease refers to the failure of coronary circulation to supply adequate circulation to cardiac muscle and surrounding tissue. It is already the most common form of disease affecting the heart and an important cause of premature death in Europe, the Baltic states, Russia, North and South...
Grocers' Company's School
- F. Britten Austin, playwright whose book The Drum would be made into The Last OutpostThe Last Outpost (1935 film)The Last Outpost is a 1935 film directed by Charles Barton and produced by E. Lloyd Sheldon. It starred Cary Grant and Claude Rains. Both Grant's and Rains' character find an interest in a woman played by Gertrude Michael, creating tension between the two close friends, who are both British...
- Sir Robert Barlow, businessman, former Chairman of the Metal Box Company
- Prof Raymond Wilson ChambersRaymond Wilson ChambersRaymond Wilson Chambers was a British literary scholar, author, and academic; throughout his career he was associated with University College London .-Life:...
, Quain Professor of English Language and Literature from 1922-41 at University College londonUniversity College LondonUniversity College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London... - Prof Millais Culpin, Professor from 1931-9 of Medical-Industrial Psychology at London School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineLondon School of Hygiene & Tropical MedicineThe London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is a constituent college of the federal University of London, specialising in public health and tropical medicine...
External links
- The Clove Club ("Founded in 1884") – Official website of "The Clove Club: The Old Boys of Hackney Downs School, formerly The Grocers' Company's School – founded by The Company in its corporate right, in 1876."
- Social Change and English, 1945-1965 - Hackney Downs is one of three schools in London that are included in this Leverhulme Trust-funded project about the teaching of English in the period 1945-1965. The project is collecting oral histories from former teachers and pupils at the school.
- EduBase
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