Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College - History

History

After a bequest made by the merchant Robert Aske to the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers on his death in 1689, a school and almshouses were built at Hoxton near the city of London. When, in 1874, the almshouses were closed, the school was enlarged and split into two parts, one north of the river and one south. The northern section was established in Hampstead, eventually becoming Haberdashers' Aske's Boys School, while for the southern section, land was purchased at Hatcham, now better known as New Cross Gate, for the foundation of boys' and girls' schools on what is now known as Telegraph Hill. The north London school became generally known as "Haberdashers'", while the south London schools became generally known as "Aske's", though their official titles were parallel. Former pupils of the Hatcham schools are called "Old Askeans".

Two schools were complete on the site now on Pepys Road by late 1875, and in 1889 the site now on Jerningham Road was purchased and the girls' school relocated to the new site.

Under the Education Act 1944 the two schools became Grammar schools, and in 1979 became Comprehensive schools.

A failing local primary school, Monson Road, was closed, to re-open as Temple Grove Hatcham and incorporated with the college, giving all pupils preferential and automatic rights to attend secondary education at Aske's. Initial optimism for this new school was short lived following a fire at the new Temple Grove school in 2010. There were no injuries, but the school was forced to move to the Hatcham College main site, with temporary buildings at the College being erected. The temporary buildings may last for up to 3 years.

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