HISTORY OF THE TRUST

Mrs. Elizabeth Allen, by her Will dated 10th February 1725, gave all her lands in Barnet, provided her brother, Josiah Spranger, should die without issue, to build a free school in Barnet. The Will also provided for the support and maintenance of a schoolmaster and schoolmistress to teach all the poor children in Barnet, male and female, English, as far as the Holy Bible, writing, and arithmetic as far as the rule-of-three. Every scholar was to receive a Bible on leaving the school, provided they could read.

The lands consisted of four fields of meadow or pasture ground, lying on the south side of Wood Street, facing the almshouses in Chipping Barnet, called Spranger’s or Allen’s Lands, and estimated to be 16 or 17 acres.

It has been documented that the proceeds of Mrs. Allen’s estate had for many years been improperly applied to the Master of the free grammar school who taught the children of the parish. In 1824 the trustees agreed to separate Mrs. Allen’s funds from those of the free grammar school and apply the funds according to the directions of her Will.

The National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church in England and Wales made a grant of £200 towards the building of school-rooms on the trust’s Estate. The school had typical church-like narrow windows and the school became known locally as ‘the National School’. The Master of the school received a salary of £40 per annum with an additional allowance of £4 a year for coals for the use of the school-rooms.

There were initially 40 boys at the school. It was ordered that if the number should increase to 50 boys, the parents of each additional boy above that number should pay 2d. per week to the general funds of the school.

The boys were taught reading, writing and arithmetic as far as the rule-of-three. Books and stationery were supplied by the trustees. All the children attended church on Sundays, as well as all prayer days, when they were accompanied by the Master. Each boy was given a Bible and Prayer book on leaving the school provided he was able to read. To encourage attendance and good conduct of the students, reward tickets were given, which, at the end of the year, could be exchanged for clothing.

There was a separate school for the girls, the Mistress received a salary of £31 a year. Initially there were 52 girls in the school, and, as for the boy’s school, those that increased the number to over 50 paid 2d. per week to the general funds of the school. The girls were taught reading, writing and the first four rules of arithmetic, and needlework. None were admitted under 5 years of age. The girls were accompanied to church on Sundays and prayer-days by the Mistress of the school. A Bible and Prayer book were presented to each girl on leaving the school together with rewards as in the boy’s school. There is an inscription in St John the Baptist Church, Chipping Barnet perpetuating the memory of this benefaction.

Transcription of Memorial to Elizabeth Allen in the Parish Church of St. John the Baptist, Chipping Barnet:

In Memory of ELIZTH ALLEN Widow dece’d who gave an Estate in this Parish For the Support and Maintenance of a Schoolmaster to teach all the Poor Children in Barnet, Male and Female, in the English Tongue to Read as far as the Holy Bible and Writing and Arithmetick as far as the Rule of Three, and to every Scholar a Bible, if they can Read the Same, which Estate being Twenty Seven Pounds Per Annum is now Vested in Trustees for the Charity aforesaid. 1734.

The school in Wood Street, Barnet has been variously known as Barnet National School, Barnet Church of England School, the Wood Street School and the Elizabeth Allen School.

In September 1932 the school reopened after alterations and extensions as a senior school. Under the 1944 Education Act it became an aided school. After 149 years the school closed in 1973 and many pupils transferred to Ravenscroft School. Barnet Council leased the building to provide additional facilities for in-service training for teachers. The lease expired on 31 August 1986 and the sale of the building was completed the same year.

The proceeds of the sale of the building were invested and the income made available in the form of grants to young people under the age of 25 years, demonstrating financial hardship, and living in the area of benefit (in the first instance the pre-1965 Urban District of Barnet) to further their education or training.