‘So Excellent a Work’ by Giles Drew (PrepB, MdB 57-66)

After leaving Christ’s Hospital and studying English at university Giles Drew (PrepB, MdB 57-66) taught in a variety of schools within the state system before his appointment in 1992 as Headteacher of St Edward’s C of E Comprehensive, a charity school founded in 1710.

The 18th Century Charity School Movement was the first attempt to set up a national network of parochial schools for the poor.  Giles has recently published ‘so excellent a Work’ which examines this national history, exemplified by an account of the Royal Liberty of Havering and its Charity School in the 18^th and early 19^th centuries.  The title is a quotation from a letter Queen Anne wrote in 1711 to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, praising the setting up of so many charity schools at that time.

Giles’ book is available to buy online as paperback, hardback and e-book.