This was a joint effort by Ducko and myself,unfortunatly we can not find much information on this topic.We do know it was located by Wirral tiles on corporation Rd.It was more towards the end of thier carpark and the start of the bugalows if anyone is familiar with it.These are the only pics we could get our hands on.
Albert (Memorial) Industrial School, Corporation Road, Birkenhead, Cheshire.
Originally a mixed school, in 1899 became a boys only school.
Certified 14th February 1866 for 150 boys temporarily located at Hamilton Street. The school then relocated to new purpose-built premises in Corporation Street. Re-certified in February 1899 for 120 boys only. Cessation of certification or closure April 1924.
1884 - Superintendent and matron Mr Monkman Bielby & Mrs Fanny Bielby; schoolmaster Mr John T Brown; schoolmistress Miss Gatt.
1891 - Superintendent and matron Mr Monkman Bielby & Mrs Fanny Bielby; schoolmaster for boys Mr. Blakeboro; school teacher for the girls recently appointed Miss Cole.
1893 - Superintendent and matron Mr Monkman Bielby (died in 1895) & Mrs Fanny Bielby; schoolmaster for boys Mr. Blakeboro; schoolmistress for the girls, Miss Harrison.
1900 - Superintendent and matron Mr & Mrs T. Paterson, succeeded Mr & Mrs Blakeboro on 7th July 1899. Schoolmaster Mr. David Lockhead. Mr. Wm. Ryding was appointed assistant teacher 27th December 1899.
1903 - Superintendent and matron Mr & Mrs Paterson; schoolmaster Mr J.J. Cragg; assistant master Mr D.O. Jones left 17th January, 1903 and is succeeded on 9th February by Mr. M.B. Davies.
1914 - Superintendent Thomas Paterson; matron Miss Daisy Paterson; School Master L William Meakin.
Wish I could help, but I can't; never heard of this. One of my problems is that I lived in Higher Tranmere & seldom, if ever, went to the North End (well, you didn't if you had any sense). I do remember my dad taking me to the Gautby Rd. pool to sail a yacht he built. I left the area in 1956 & it's only now that I live in Shrewsbury that I'm really interested in researching my roots. I have to say I'm discovering some fascinating stuff & I hope, contributing stuff too.
"In 1864 Sir William Jackson donated land for the building of the Birkenhead industrial school. The school was to stand in the centre of the poorest area of Birkenhead - on Corporation Road in the heart of Dockland. In addition to being a memorial to the late Prince Consort, the school was to provide education and care for 120 boys and 60 girls from poor homes in the locality. The Albert Memorial School opened in 1865 entirely at Jackson"s expense. One of the prime aims of England's industrial schools was to provide a decent education outside of the workhouse and of correctional establishments and many boys were sent there by the magistrates. It is said that, by 1870, some 423 children had been rescued by the school from degradation and a life of crime. They were given shelter and food and trained for work as sailors, navvies in the mines, electricians and farm labourers. Sadly, conditions were considered less than ideal and the industrial schools proved somewhat controversial. At Birkenhead there were deaths among the boys, seldom explained. Other boys absconded or proved unsuitable and were returned to friends or to the workhouse. And though some did benefit from the scheme, 423 children was merely a very small drop in a very large ocean."
