John Cole Teacher-Practioner throwing a pot with brother Wally.
Throughout his time as Principal, John Cole ran Rye Pottery, proof again that all of our teachers were teacher-practitioners. Rye Pottery is still in fine form, click on linktext
Just before the BSoA closed in 1962, John Cole wrote a chronological summary of its long and productive existence. Although this document was sparse in detail about its cultural and curricula development, being as it concentrated on appointments, building development, awards of merit granted to its students, alumni and teachers, it did record an evolving institution that transferred from a few art classes in the neighbouring Technical School in Beckenham Road to a full-time art education in new premises commencing in 1908 and within a few years, evolved to become a thriving and internationally renowned centre of excellence.
Starting off with one of the first known photographs of the BSoA in 1916, showing students at its entrance dispels the long held belief that the building was originally a WW1 hospital.
© Courtesy of Bill Tonkin
1902 Art classes existed in the Technical Institute
1908 Existing building in Beckenham Road built specially for expansion of the Art classes. The Beckenham School of Art commences as a full time diploma awarding institute
19 ? Greenhouse added to site
1938 Provision of extensive additional new accommodation for cabinet making
1939 September. War commenced
1940 September. The above workshops destroyed by enemy action.
1940 September. Boys County Grammar School playing pavilion at Park Langley taken over for adaptation to Cabinet Making workshops
1941 – 44 Cycle shed converted to classroom. Surface shelter cloakroom built. Underground shelter at rear of school built.
1945 May. War ended
1946 Discussions commenced regarding provision of new building
1947 – 48 Prefabricated concrete structure partial replacement of workshops Prefabricated concrete building provided for school meals.
1949 April. Nine students gain entrance to the Royal College of Art
1950 Schedule of accommodation for new School of Art buildings agreed. Sketch plans finished, site purchased.
1950 September. One large and one small room in Mackenzie Road taken over and adapted for expanding recreative Dressmaking classes
1951 Plans completed, approved and matters moving to problems of building
1951 Cabinet Making Workshops store built
1952 New building stopped by Government economy cuts
1952 September. 25 Beckenham Road part use of premises for School of Art
1958 September. Churchfields Road Special School taken over for Modeling and Pottery Recreative
1957 September. 25 Beckenham Road, whole use of premises for School
1958 January. Ex Beckenham Secondary Technical Institute taken over
1959 September. 80 Croydon Road ex Technical Institute taken over
1961 February. Prefabricated Cedar wood Graphic Design Studios erected, 72’ x 24’ on Beckenham School of Art site
1961 Conversion of Canteen Accommodation to Photo Dark Rooms and Studies
1961 80 Croydon Road, Dental Clinic taken over
1961 September. Welding Shop built
1962 January. Additional ground at rear of School of Art taken and fenced off Underground shelter removed, site filled in and put down to grass.
1962 July. Beckenham School of Art closes down and amalgamates with Sidcup Art School and Bromley School of Art to become the Ravensbourne College of Art and Design situated at Bromley Common
Former premises of the School of Art taken over by the London Borough of Bromley and established as an Adult Education Centre
1978 July. The premises are burnt down by vandals and the site is replaced by public park named the Beckenham Library Green
2008 July. Former students of the Beckenham School of Art representing every year between 1941 and 1962 gather at the site for a Centenary Plaque unveiling ceremony.
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Beckenham Baths home of the Bath’s Caff
Beckenham Baths Entrance Foyer
By 1953 the increasing popularity of the BSoA, both nationally and internationally prompted the proposal of a new and larger premises. Even with an annexe acoss from the main building, another quite a distance away in Croydon Road and a pottery studio in Churchfieds Road, these were not enough. Plans were therefore drawn up for a new site just around the corner on Rectory Road. However, it was decided that as the Bromley School of Art and Sidcup Art School were also unable to cope with their growth, their amalgamation with the BSoA and relocation to Bromley Common as the newly named Ravensbourne College of Art and Design was the best option. The following drawings indicate what the proposed new BSoA would have looked like:
Beckenham Road Annexe
Croydon Road Annexe
Paradise Lost
The following photographs were taken by Bill Brooker on the day after our former art school burnt down in July 1978:
(this page is under construction)
Press coverage July 1978
(To be continued)