Werrington School, Rocester, near Uttoxeter, Staffordshire
In February, 1954, the Approved School at Werrington, near Stoke on Trent, relocated to Rocester, near Uttoxeter. The institution, which continued to be known as Werrington School, occupied an old mansion house known as Doveleys. accommodated 104 Intermediate Boys, aged from 13 to 15 years at their date of admission.
Werrington School, Uttoxeter, early 1900s.
In around 1973, the school became a Community Home with Education (CHE) under the control of Staffordshire County Council.
The Home, which was subsequently renamed Riverside, was in operation until the 1988.
A garden centre now occupies the premises.
Records
Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals. Before travelling a long distance, always check that the records you want to consult will be available.
- Staffordshire Record Office, Eastgate Street, Stafford, ST16 2LZ. Holding (also for Werrington site) include: Admission and discharge books (1893-1975); License and discharge books (1870-1923); Approved school licensing registers (1951-70); Punishment books (1933-63); Medical officer's report books (1871-1929, 1964-66); Log books (1914-1979); Visitors' (i.e. Inspection) books (1870-87) Committee/managers' minutes (1891-1949); Letter books (1916-18); School rules (1933); Photographs etc.
Bibliography
- Higginbotham, Peter Children's Homes: A History of Institutional Care for Britain's Young (2017, Pen & Sword)
- Hyland,Jim Yesterday's Answers: Yesterday's Answers: Development and Decline of Schools for Young Offenders (1993, Whiting and Birch)
- Millham, S, Bullock, R, and Cherrett, P After Grace — Teeth: a comparative study of the residential experience of boys in Approved Schools (1975, Chaucer Publishing)
Links
- The Therapeutic Care Journal — has a number of articles relating to Approved Schools.
Except where indicated, this page () © Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.
