Difference between revisions of "Royal Masonic School for Girls"
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The engraving shown here appeared in ''The Builder'' in 1851. Its original caption identifies the building as the Royal Freemasons' School for Female Children, Wandsworth, and names Philip Hardwick as architect. It is an architectural illustration, not a photograph of school life.<ref>Wellcome Collection, [https://wellcomecollection.org/works/auf69p32 Royal Freemasons' school for Female Children, Wandsworth], reference 24476i.</ref> | The engraving shown here appeared in ''The Builder'' in 1851. Its original caption identifies the building as the Royal Freemasons' School for Female Children, Wandsworth, and names Philip Hardwick as architect. It is an architectural illustration, not a photograph of school life.<ref>Wellcome Collection, [https://wellcomecollection.org/works/auf69p32 Royal Freemasons' school for Female Children, Wandsworth], reference 24476i.</ref> | ||
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| + | == Junior school and Rickmansworth campus == | ||
| + | The institution opened a junior school at Clapham Junction in 1880. This moved to Weybridge in 1918 and remained there until its closure in 1973. The junior and senior schools therefore occupied separate sites for much of the twentieth century.<ref name="archive" /> | ||
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| + | Rickmansworth provided the school with its first chapel of its own. Designed by John L. Denman and built by Walter Lawrence, it was consecrated in 1934 and seated 500. Louis Ginnett designed its stained glass and painted its murals, while Joseph Cribb carved the stonework. A statue of Ruspini brought from the Clapham site was placed on the chapel's east side.<ref name="school" /> | ||
== Educational support == | == Educational support == | ||
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The Museum of Freemasonry holds the institution's administrative, financial and pupil records. Its catalogue specifies restrictions on access to some material.<ref name="archive" /> | The Museum of Freemasonry holds the institution's administrative, financial and pupil records. Its catalogue specifies restrictions on access to some material.<ref name="archive" /> | ||
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| + | == School life on film == | ||
| + | The school's history website presents films of life at Rickmansworth. Its account of a documentary from the late 1940s describes lessons, dormitories and the dining hall, together with the sanatorium, kitchen garden and laundry. A later film records sports, excursions and driving tuition. These films preserve views of the staff and domestic work supporting the boarding school, alongside its teaching and recreation.<ref name="school" /> | ||
== Related articles == | == Related articles == | ||
Latest revision as of 14:30, 2 October 2026
The Royal Masonic School for Girls, now known as RMS for Girls, originated in a school founded by Bartholomew Ruspini in 1788. It educated daughters of Freemasons whose families needed support following death, illness or disability. The school is now at Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire.[1]
Foundation and moves
The first premises were at Somers Place East, near Euston. The school moved to St George's Fields in 1795 and later to Clapham Junction. The charitable institution adopted the name Royal Masonic Institution for Girls in 1868. The senior school moved to Rickmansworth Park in 1934.[2]
The engraving shown here appeared in The Builder in 1851. Its original caption identifies the building as the Royal Freemasons' School for Female Children, Wandsworth, and names Philip Hardwick as architect. It is an architectural illustration, not a photograph of school life.[3]
Junior school and Rickmansworth campus
The institution opened a junior school at Clapham Junction in 1880. This moved to Weybridge in 1918 and remained there until its closure in 1973. The junior and senior schools therefore occupied separate sites for much of the twentieth century.[2]
Rickmansworth provided the school with its first chapel of its own. Designed by John L. Denman and built by Walter Lawrence, it was consecrated in 1934 and seated 500. Louis Ginnett designed its stained glass and painted its murals, while Joseph Cribb carved the stonework. A statue of Ruspini brought from the Clapham site was placed on the chapel's east side.[1]
Educational support
From 1906, the institution also funded attendance at other schools. Its work therefore extended beyond the pupils living at its own premises.[2] A surviving example of an application concerns Eleanor and Florence Hill. Their mother sought help after their father, Titanic steward Henry Parkinson Hill, died in the 1912 sinking. Both girls were admitted to the school.[4]
Later changes and records
In 1978, the school became a limited company and began accepting fee-paying pupils from non-Masonic families. By 1984 it was entirely fee-paying, with the institution paying for girls it supported. The boys' and girls' charitable institutions signed a merger trust deed in 1982; the Royal Masonic Trust for Girls and Boys became active in 1986. The school and the grant-making institution should consequently be distinguished.[2]
The Museum of Freemasonry holds the institution's administrative, financial and pupil records. Its catalogue specifies restrictions on access to some material.[2]
School life on film
The school's history website presents films of life at Rickmansworth. Its account of a documentary from the late 1940s describes lessons, dormitories and the dining hall, together with the sanatorium, kitchen garden and laundry. A later film records sports, excursions and driving tuition. These films preserve views of the staff and domestic work supporting the boarding school, alongside its teaching and recreation.[1]
Related articles
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 RMS for Girls, Our History. Accessed 30 September 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Museum of Freemasonry, Royal Masonic Institution for Girls archive collection, AIM25, reference GBR 1991 RMIG, biographical history and scope. Accessed 30 September 2026.
- ↑ Wellcome Collection, Royal Freemasons' school for Female Children, Wandsworth, reference 24476i.
- ↑ Museum of Freemasonry, Treasures, section “Lost on the Titanic: Petitions for admission to the Royal Masonic School for Girls, 1912”.
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