School Days
The Convent School 1909 – 1954
The school was located at the sea-front end of Orwell Terrace, Dovercourt
The school was located at the sea-front end of Orwell Terrace, Dovercourt
View from the dormitory, Children's Convalescent Home, Dovercourt (1922)
The Convent School also known as "Banksea House", (1909–1954) was located at the sea-front end of Orwell Terrace, Dovercourt. It was originally run by Dominican sisters, but later in 1932 as a "girls only" school by "The sister of Our Lady Mary help for Christians". The "Garden playground" seen here, contained a Victorian greenhouse, used to grow vines & grapes, which were sold locally, for a penny per bunch. During the second world war, the military took over the house between 1940-1945 and then it reverted, once again to an educational establishment. The school finally closed in 1954, when subsidence caused the buildings structure to become unstable, with the final collapse occurring in 1994.
Dovercourt College (1935)
The Esplanade School 1907 – 1957
- Esplanade Primary School, Harwich around 1907
- Part of the school still remains today, known as Esplanade Hall in Harwich.
- Built in 1813, the deeds dating to 1833 have surfaced showing Tendring Council owns it.
- The main building was demolished in 1968, to make way for Esplanade Court.
- Friends of Esplanade Hall is a local group, trying to restore the Hall from historic 1953 flood damage.
- The postcard was part of the Bells's series and was not used for around 28 years later (in 1935).
The "Esplanade" Harwich, Essex by H.R. Tunn, Ipswich (posted in Oct 1907)
This casual photograph taken 110 years ago, captures the slower pace of life for Harwich boys at the turn of the century. The students (most likely from the nearby "Esplanade School") consisted of 20 pupils & two teachers ( Not a bad ratio compared to current class sizes of 30 per teacher).In the back-ground we see mums, prams & children enjoying the sea views of a Harwich "Shrimper" and bobbing boats, without the Felixstowe cranes, which possibly suggests it may be a Sunday School, with a less formal lesson.
The "Grange", A Grade II Listed building in Upper Dovercourt, Essex (1938)
This large "summer" house originally built in 1911, on 7 acres of land, for Mr Hepworth and later improved by the "Lilley Sisters" was the work of local architect H. Steward Watling, it holds a unique place in the local history of the town. In 1911 the foundation stone was laid, by Mr Hepworth to the wall of the veranda inscribed 'Laid by M.M.H Feb.18 1911”. In 1914 during the First World War it was requisitioned as a “Military” Hospital” and convalescent home. In 1938 the house was put up for sale by Misses Lilley and subsequently purchased by Essex County Council for £5,000, to be utilised for educational purposes, with part of the land used for the new Fire station. In 1971 it became the 6th form Centre for the Harwich School (formally known at the Sir Anthony Deane, locally referred to as the “S.A.D.” School). In 2004 the house was registered as a Grade II listed building. In 2009 a proposal was put forward to sell the building, due to increasing renovation and maintenance costs. I have also attached a few pages from the original sales pack from 1938.
The Harwich County High School 1910 - 1971
Hill School (Mayflower School)
Staff Football Team (1949)
Gordon Davies, Jerry White, Gaffer Johnson, Gordon Dobson, Ron Tyler, Colin Chapman, Ted Smith (Referee)
Edward Peke, Les Jones, Tommy England, John Phillips & Charles Pefold
Staff Football Team (1949)
Gordon Davies, Jerry White, Gaffer Johnson, Gordon Dobson, Ron Tyler, Colin Chapman, Ted Smith (Referee)
Edward Peke, Les Jones, Tommy England, John Phillips & Charles Pefold
The Homestead School (Orwell Terrace) 1914
Harwich County Primary School 1896 – 2003
The above images were kindly supplied by Ken Slator
Parkeston County Primary School 1888 – 1984
The Sir Anthony Deane ( Harwich School)