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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => London & Middlesex Lookup Requests => London and Middlesex => England => London & Middlesex Completed Lookup Requests => Topic started by: Hazelg on Saturday 14 February 09 18:11 GMT (UK)
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Can anyone shed some light on exactly where the Portobello Road School in London, is or used to be? My grandfather was the live-in caretaker in the 1930s but I cannot find any trace of the building. I have been told that it could have changed its name to the Sir Isaac Newton school, but this has been impossible to prove. How can I find out where it was or is, and if it has been demolished? Many thanks in advance.
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My late father lived off the Portobello Road in the 20's and 30's and went to Oxford Gardens School.
You could contact the school and see if they have any records relating to Caretaker's in the 1930's.
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Hi,
According to "An Index of London Schools and their Records" by Cliff Webb
Portobello Road School was in Notting Hill and records are kept at the London Metropolitan Archives.
The log books might contain a reference to the caretaker.
Nanny Jan
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My mother used to go to Oxford Gardens (me too!) which was for infants and juniors. When she was old enough she moved to Portobello Road school. I will see if she can remember exactly where it was.
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Hello,
Have you seen this on the Access to Archives website:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=074-lcc_8&cid=3-59#3-59
Does seem to confirm that Portobello school became Isaac Newton School.
Mx
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And someone has posted some pix on Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/malcnhg/685223049/in/set-72157600735872133/
I assume LBS stands for London Board School...
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Well I asked my mother, she says it was on the west side of Portobello Road a little north of the Lancaster Road junction. In fact there was also an entrance on the north side of Lancaster Road which she used to use.
Hope this is of some use, the photos linked to earlier seem to indicate that the building still stands.
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Thanks to Paul's info I have had a look on the Charles Booth map and think I may have found it 'Board School':
http://www.rootschat.com/links/05ow/
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Loads and loads of thanks to all those kind souls who gave me information - please keep it coming. The London Metropolitan Archives are a fab place and through them I have a map of the area in the 1930's which show the school just to the north of Lancaster Rd as Paul said. The photo of the school sign is a real treasure! Thanks Meriel. Does anyone know how I might get hold of the board of governor's records (assuming that they had a governing body which kept records), or any other information about the staff. The school log books are mainly about the teaching staff and the non-teaching staff don't get a mention. RootsChat is a real joy!
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My husband went to the Portobello Road infants school (early 60's), there is still an archway in Portobello Rd with it's name on. It is on the left hand side of Portobello Road (not the antiques end) same side and close to the Electric cinema. Sir Issac Newtons was his high school - not the same school, and a little way off from here (Ken Richmond - the Rank Gong man used to run a gym there in the 70's, and believe it is now an adult education centre).
Email me direct if you want more info. A good read is Portobello its people its past its present.
:)
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I was a teacher at a school on the Portobello Road in 1971-72. It was then called the Isaac Newton School for Boys and it catered for the Junior secondary students. There was another section to the school which was for the senior students. The teacher in charge at the time was Mr Porter. I have found the entrance from Portobello Rd on Google maps but it seems to be permanently bolted shut.
Can some one tell me if it has it been closed?
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this posting is a bit adrift because I have been ignoring this site. I went to school in Portobello Road, and I wonder if there is confusion in the name. My school was called North Kensington Central with main entrance being in Portobello Road near the overhead Metropolitan Railway bridge. Next door was a Pie mash and eel shop. We did have another access from Lancaster Road,across a bombed site (this being in 1944-1949)
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I went to the Issac Newton school in Portobello Road as a child.
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:) Hello, I went to Portobello Road School from 1948 till the end of 1951. The two arch entrance in Portobello Road was at the end heading towards Harrow Road by the railway bridge, The railway line ran alognside the school so if you were travelling towards Ladbroke Grove station from Westbourne Park on the Metropolitan line you couls see the school in its entirety from the train. The middle section of the buildings was bombed and had a modern rebuild whereas the two surviving ends were the original Victorian red brick construction. The headmaster while I was there was a Mr Markham which was an apt name as wayward pupils were wheeled into his office for six of the best! There was another entrance at the other end of the school close to Ladbroke Grove, I beleive in Lancaster Road if memeory serves. Best wishes, Keith
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;) Bumblebee - you may have known my brother then. We moved up from Cornwall in 1948 and he joined the school in the 4th year I think - name Derek Parnell (Age 76).
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Can anyone shed some light on exactly where the Portobello Road School in London, is or used to be? My grandfather was the live-in caretaker in the 1930s but I cannot find any trace of the building. I have been told that it could have changed its name to the Sir Isaac Newton school, but this has been impossible to prove. How can I find out where it was or is, and if it has been demolished? Many thanks in advance.
When i was there, it was called North kensington Secondary School and still was in 1954.
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Bumblebee is correct. I attended North Kensington Central School up to 1947. It was a mixed school with the boys mostly choosing technical subjects and the girls choosing typing
and shorthand. I think the headmaster was Mr Preece, our English teacher was "Ma" Robinson, maths was Mr Rees. There was also Mr Williams.
I am now 80 years old and I only have contact with one other contemporary girl pupil who married a boy who also attended the school with me.
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I am now 79 so probably a year behind Rethink, but as I remember the headmaster was Mr Markham Mr rees was certainly the maths teacher, Mr Warren the arts master. I remember Miss Lawton teaching Geography. Mr Williams was my favourite, every Xmas he would read A Christmas Carol aloud to the class, a little each day, so it finished about the time we broke up for christmas.
It was a happy time despite the war.
If I knew how to I would add a photo taken on a school trip to Romney Marshes which includes Mr Williams.
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:) I joined the school in the second year in 1948. I stayed till Xmas 1952 and left as soon as I was allowed at age 15 and two months. Our maths, history, geography teacher was Miss Matthews, quite strict, she used to send me out of school to fetch her a packet of fags if she ran out. The Head, Mr Markham was most unimpressed when i asked to leave. Went from school to apprentice compositor, gradually worked up when I became qualified to Works Manager and subsequently started my own printshop with a partner. That went well and after eleven years sold my half to my partner and moved back to Cornwall aged 40 and opened a Kawasaki motorbike shop. Can't have been a bad school then!
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hi i went to isaac newton school back in the 70s its main gates are in lancaster rd and side entrance is on the portobello rd i believe its nows some sort of community centre
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Hello
For all those interested. Did you know there are Facebook groups with over 1,500 members who lived in W.10 and W.11, also surrounding area. In the groups are hundreds of photographs of the area and schools and buildings.
Many people have found old school chums and family within the group.
I personally have a school photograph of Isaac Newton school kids, from 1950 (my dads class). And I do believe many of the members have mentioned they went there.
If you are interested in viewing the groups, and or joining, please contact me at;(*)
(*) Moderator Comment: e-mail removed in accordance with RootsChat policy,
to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.
New members must make at least three postings before being allowed to use the PM facility.
See Help-Page: http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php
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I am now 79 so probably a year behind Rethink, but as I remember the headmaster was Mr Markham Mr rees was certainly the maths teacher, Mr Warren the arts master. I remember Miss Lawton teaching Geography. Mr Williams was my favourite, every Xmas he would read A Christmas Carol aloud to the class, a little each day, so it finished about the time we broke up for christmas.
It was a happy time despite the war.
If I knew how to I would add a photo taken on a school trip to Romney Marshes which includes Mr Williams.
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I am now 79 so probably a year behind Rethink, but as I remember the headmaster was Mr Markham Mr rees was certainly the maths teacher, Mr Warren the arts master. I remember Miss Lawton teaching Geography. Mr Williams was my favourite, every Xmas he would read A Christmas Carol aloud to the class, a little each day, so it finished about the time we broke up for christmas.
It was a happy time despite the war.
If I knew how to I would add a photo taken on a school trip to Romney Marshes which includes Mr Williams.
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I attended North Kensington Central School 1952 to 1957. We wore a green uniform and our badge was the Lion of St.Mark. The teachers there during that time were: Headmaster Mr Armitage, followed by Mr Davis, Miss Matthews, Miss Johnson, Miss Boxall, Miss Evans, Mr Stone,Mr Gristwood,
Mr Wilcox, Mrs Wilson,Mr Hogan, "Garth", Miss MacIntosh,to name but a few.
The entrance to the boys playground was via a green wooden gate opposite the library in Lancaster Rd. The entrance to the girls playground was in Portobello Road, near to the railway bridge at the "junk end" (opposite end to the antiques)
It wasn't long after I left in 1957 that the school "disbanded" and became the Isaac Newton School for boys. My brother in law was in the 3rd year when this occurred and he was transferred to the Holland Park School.
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I was so excited to read of people who knew & perhaps attended North Kensington Secondary school back in the late forties. I was there during that time & remember the teachers mentioned. Mr. Markham, the head, Mr. Rees the math teacher, he terrified me because I was so bad at math. He would make me sit facing him. I was top of the class in History & beat Ron Taylor who was the class whiz. I could go on but after all these years, to recollect my school days in North London was truly wonderful.
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Hello again,
I shall certainly get in touch with Nolly who has more info on London W11, W12. Golly! what a find. I love these Roots forums.
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Thank you Nanny Jan, for such an informative post regarding my old school in London.
Much appreciated!
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Sorry no response to my last post about my old school chums in the late forties.
I wonder if any remember, who perhaps comes across this forum, would know of several of my class mates e.g. Bertrum Ing, Rosemary Peverall, June Rose, Ron Taylor, Audrey Ayton, Doris Otway, Beth McBride? Just grasping for straws, who knows?
Thanks so much!
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Hello Gwendoline,
I can certainly say that I remember Bertie Ing. We were in the same class and went on the school trip to Romney Marsh, I posted a photograph of us together with Ken Cobb, Albert Cheeseman, Nulian (whose surname I have forgotten) and the best of teachers Mr Willie Williams. I occasionally communicate with Mike Phillips. I honestly cannot remember a single girls name so it may be that I did know you!!
Regards, Norman Lovell
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Thanks so much for acknowledging my post, so glad you remember Bertrum Ing. Gwendoline Francis is a pseudo for Roots, real name Audrey Anne Reynolds. I also remember Albert Cheeseman, but your name does not ring a bell. I was an significant little girl, always in trouble, I got sent to Mr. Markham' office once which tells all.
I don't remember Mr. Williams, but will always remember Mr. Rees, the math teacher.
Many thanks again for your post. Best regards!
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I am not sure about the school trip to Romney Marsh, Norman, I did go on a school outing but can't remember where. I had just had a falling out with my very best friend Beth McBride, so didn't enjoy myself. I remember the school bus bringing us back from the trip. Most parents were there to greet their children except for mine. I searched the crowds to no avail. I walked home with a bunch of flowers in my arms to find my older sister the only one home. Parents had gone to Blackpool for a week without telling me, I was crushed.
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Hello Gwendoline,
Here are a few more teachers. Do you remember Miss Lawton, Miss Matthews, Mr Warren the Art teacher, Miss Woolf who took French. I can't think of the name of the teacher who tried to get us interested in Chopin by playing it at assembly. It possible we don't remember each oyjer because we were in different classes, apart from year two I was always in 1b,3b and 4b, I don't think we had an identity in year 5, certainly we were all boys then. I remember the boy in our class that was most familiar with Mr Markhams cane and that was Alan Edwards. He always appeared to be unaffected, I know I wasn't.
Regards, Norman
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Hi Norman, I remember both Miss. Matthews & Miss. Lawton. I was interested in subjects that they taught, history & geography, I still love those subjects & liked both teachers. Now Mr.Rees a different story. I was so bad at math, I am surprised I got through life as well as I have.There was a smashing young shorthand teacher, I was really good with that subject, can't remember his name. Also, a young New Zealand teacher that all the girls had a crush on.
So nice chatting with you, what a great Roots site this is.
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Can anyone shed some light on exactly where the Portobello Road School in London, is or used to be? My grandfather was the live-in caretaker in the 1930s but I cannot find any trace of the building. I have been told that it could have changed its name to the Sir Isaac Newton school, but this has been impossible to prove. How can I find out where it was or is, and if it has been demolished? Many thanks in advance.
I was taking a picture of the so called "Portobello Garden" arcade when I realized you can read the word "School" in the wall. Googling about it I reached this forum.
The Portobello Road School is located in 269B Portobello Road, very near Ladbroke Grove.
Here you have a picture:
(https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/s720x720/10548174_10152878616881675_2051423187721782484_o.jpg)
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David
Love the foto, is the restaurant any good? :)
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ecu/ tells more and has the same gates without the advertising.
Ray
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David
Love the foto, is the restaurant any good? :)
I have to say it is one of the best italian restaurants around: a family business with traditional food in a charming place :-)
I just moved to this area, and it was very nice to find this threat and get to know the stories behind these places.
David
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An amazing photo supposedly located in Portobello Road. I find it hard to believe this is the same arcade leading to the actual school, St. Marks. The last time I saw it, the entrance, a few years back,1986, it was all locked up with heavy chains. What happened to the school beyond the arcade?
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A slight correction about the date the last time I was in England, 2086, not 1986. Big difference. Cheers!
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Hi David
" I just moved to this area, and it was very nice to find this threat " ???
THREAT? I do hope you mean THREAD ?
:D ;D :D ;D :D ;D
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So sorry, I am laughing at the date 2086 that I posted. It should have been 2006, of course.
Always had a math problem, so excuse me please.
Cheers to you all!
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So sorry, I am laughing at the date 2086 that I posted. It should have been 2006, of course.
Always had a math problem, so excuse me please.
Cheers to you all!
I was wondering if you were the new time-travelling Doctor Who! :)
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Thanks for giving me a good giggle this cold, damp morning here in the mid west of the US RD.
Actually, I am a big fan of Doctor Who.
Merry Christmas!
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I was a pupil at Isaac Newton School from 1959-1963.
I don't know what the official address was, as the school had two entrances.
One entrance was in Portobello Road, but what I think was the main entrance was in Lancaster Road.
I don't know if it was called Portobello Road School prior to Isaac Newton, but it was originally called Portobello Road School when built. If you look at the picture, there is a stone inset behind the lamp bearing the only visible word, School. If you do a street view on Google earth at another angle, you will see that the words 'Portobello Road' are indeed above the word school.
Incidentally, there was another school on the east side of Portobello Road called Colville School and the entrance is in Lonsdale Road. But in my day, there was an entrance in Portobello Road.
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I was at Isaac Newton from1958 to '65. The school was on two sites: the lower school on Lancaster Road east of Ladbroke Grove with an entrance there and another on Portobello Road. The upper school was on Wornington Road north of Golborne. I don't know what happened to the lower school, the site would be very attractive to developers, but the upper school building appears to still be there, but I've only seen it when passing into Paddington on a train.
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This is a very late reply to a request back in 2009 about Portobello Road School. I was looking on streetview for a chemist's shop once owned by my great uncle (Henry Reginald Manning) and the shop, which was at 270 Portobello Road is now an arcade but on the walk is an ornate plaque which says Portobello Road School. I was looking up the history of the school and found your request.
You have to do a fair bit of swivelling to find it but it's quite visible if you get the right angle.
Here is the link:
http://www.realmapa.com/a/streetview/uk/84_Portobello_Rd__Kensington__W11__UK_48874.html
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hello
I went to Isaac Newton lower school in 1961 and its still there although according to posts I have seen today its now a private school called Chepstow academy. After your first two years in the lower school you move to the Upper School in Wormington road.
There are two entrances
One from Portobello road going down the hill just after the M40 flyover extension and the Metropolitan Railways line, as you pass under the two bridges the entrance is on your right.
The second entrance has a large playground and is in Lancaster road. Going down Ladbroke grove pass under the same M40 extension and Met Line and you will come to a crossroads, turn left (the Library is on the corner) and you will come to the playground for what was Isaac Newton.
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My father Eric Tompkins went to Portobello Road school in 1916. Please see attached photo from June 1916.(http://Portabello Road School June 1916.jpg)
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My cousins lived in Portabella road in the 1940s . I wonder if they went that school . I don’t know when they left , bye Fred.