The foundation was established to provide relief to destitute orphans, including children whose fathers had died and whose mothers were unable to provide for them. Initially the Asylum used two houses; one at Hackney Road, Shoreditch for the boys and one in Bethnal Green for the girls.[5] The asylum's first unified site was at Lower Clapton Road, Clapton, where Newcome's School had stood.[6][7]
There were 206 pupils in 1826 and 453 in the 1860s.[citation needed] During the asylum's time in East London, it was famous for having had some 2000 hymns written for it by the English architect James Edmeston,[citation needed] a strong supporter of and frequent visitor to the London Orphan Asylum.
Following the school's 1871 move to Watford, the East London buildings were used by the Salvation Army.[8] Only the facade of the classical-style building remains,[9] and forms part of the Clapton Girls' Academy[10][11]
London Orphan Asylum/School, Watford (1871–1939)
Former school buildings in Watford, now a residential development
[12]) for the new school.[13] The Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, and his wife the Princess of Wales and future Queen Alexandra, laid down the foundational stones on 15 July 1869 and the school formally opened in 1871.
The school was renamed to the "London Orphan School" in 1915, following a merge with the recently closed Royal British Orphan School in Slough it was again renamed the "London Orphan School and Royal British Orphan School", before finally being named "Reed's School" in 1939, in honour of the late founder.[13]
In the early 1880s the London Orphan Asylum lost two football matches against the then named Watford Rovers, now known as Watford F.C.[14]
Headmasters at the Watford site included Oliver Carter Cockrem and H.W. Russell.[citation needed]
In the 1980s the buildings were converted into residential accommodation.[15]
Reed's School, Totnes & Towcester (1939–1945)
During World War II the school was evacuated from Watford. The site was used as an Army hospital and then by the Ministry of Labour.[5]
Reed's School, Cobham (1945–present)
This section needs expansion with: more details about site transition and recent history. You can help by adding to it. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page.(April 2022)
The Sandy Lane site had been purpose-built for the Sandyroyd School in around 1905 by architects Treadwell and Martin, who were also responsible for the design of Scott's restaurant (now part of the Trocadero Centre) and other notable structures. The new site provided facilities including a heated indoor swimming pool, a nine-hole golf course, and two squash courts.[16]
Stained glass commemorating James Capel in the Dining Hall, Watford
Sports
The major sports at Reed's School are rugby, hockey and cricket with academies in tennis, skiing and golf. The senior pupils (13+) play rugby, hockey and cricket in the autumn, spring and summer terms respectively. Pupils in the junior school (11–13) play hockey, rugby and then cricket. The indoor tennis centre was opened by alumnus and former British number one, Tim Henman on 18 November 2014.[19]
The foundation stone for the 25 metre, five lane indoor swimming pool was laid by Duncan Goodhew on 15 November 1990.[citation needed]
James Edmeston, architect and prolific hymn writer; wrote "Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us" for the children of the London Orphan Asylum[citation needed]
^T.F.T. Baker, ed. (1995). "Hackney: Clapton". A History of the County of Middlesex: Volume 10: Hackney. Institute of Historical Research. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
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