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Ancestry UK

Allesley Farm Reformatory for Girls, Tile Hill, Coventry, Warwickshire

The Allesley Farm Reformatory School for Girls was established in 1855 by Lady Leigh at Tile Hill, around three miles to the west of Coventry. On June 27th, 1856, the premises — a small, half-timbered farmhouse that had been enlarged for the purpose — were certified for the accommodation of 22 girls, aged 14 to 16 at their date of admission. Miss Wakeling was appointed as matron.

The School site is shown on the map below, published in 1888 after the institution had moved elsewhere.

Allesley Farm Reformatory for Girls site, Coventry, c.1888.

The School gained a good reputation for its good order and quiet operation though its small size was regularly questioned. After becoming ill, Miss Wakeling died in 1867 and was replaced by Miss Melhuish. The change in matron resulted in a deterioration in the order and discipline of the inmates, with three of the girls being especially quarrelsome and idle — a matter which had a more pronounced effect in a small establishment. The School's management committee, who had found its location rather inconvenient to get to, decided that the time had come to relocate to larger premises nearer to Coventry. In February, 1869, the institution moved to its new site at Little Park Street, Coventry.

The Tile Hill building, located on what is now Tile Hill Lane, just to the west of St James' Church, was demolished in 1961 and modern housing now occupies the site.

Records

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  • None identfied at present — any information welcome.

Bibliography

Except where indicated, this page () © Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.