Watts Naval School

Watts Naval School was originally The Norfolk County School, a public school set up to serve the educational needs of the 'sons of farmers and artisans'. The foundation stone was laid on Easter Monday 1873 by Edward Prince of Wales (later to become King Edward VII). The school opened in 1874, but it was closed in July 1895, and re-established by E H Watts Esq. in June 1901. Following his death, it was turned into a home for orphans and destitute boys under the charge of Dr T J Barnardo and was opened informally on 9th March 1903. The establishment was then used for the training of selected Barnardo's boys for a life at sea in the Royal Navy or mercantile Marine. The cost of furnishing the institution for 300 boys and the necessary staff was covered by Fenwick S Watts Esq. in memory of his father. The school was opened by the Earl of Leicester G.C.V.O., C.M.G., T.D. (and then Viscount Coke) on April 17th 1906.

Related Topics:
1873 - Prince of Wales - King Edward VII - 1906

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The buildings consisted of a central hall, school rooms, dining hall, library & nautical class rooms. A chapel was erected in 1883 and consecrated on 16th October that year. It was built of Bath stone, and later enlarged in 1926 with trancepts added. The chapel seated all 300 boys and masters. The pulpit was a memorial to B Watson Esq, and two stained glass windows were added in memory of Frederick Humby, an old Watts boy who lost his life in the Titanic disaster. (The windows were later removed by Barnardos and subsequently disappeared.) The school was also served by its own railway station, County School Station

Related Topics:
''Titanic'' - County School Station

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The school closed in 1953, with the remaining boys being transferred to other Barnardos training ship establishments, mostly on the south coast. The school was demolished and the site returned to nature. Some of the remaining buildings still exist as ruins today, others have been renovated and restored to domestic use. For some years a chicken farm was run on the site of the main school building, but following the closure of the poultry operation some 5 bedroom properties have been built on the site.

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