Birkdale Farm Reform School

[pollygidd]

Hello,
I wonder if anyone has any information on Birkdale Farm Reform School. My Great Grandfather was a schoolmaster in 1884. We have been told that he found it a very distressing place to work and left to take up a post in Bamber Bridge nr Preston. I would be grateful for any information, old photo's etc.
I know it became St Thomas More Approved School in 1933 which closed in 1981. The little information I have indicates that 'the inspector noted that some 28 boys had 'emigrated' during the year 1884 which is when my GG father was there.
Any help very welcome
Pollygidd

[dickiesam]

Hello Pollygidd and welcome.
There's lots about Birkdale on the web. Found the origins of the school by googling the school name: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/ ... at&cid=0#0

It would appear that the Liverpool Record Office hold some records and many of the children held at Birkdale were sent to Canada as part of the disgraceful, if well-meaning, Children to Canada Emigration Scheme.

[MaryA]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Good link there DS, good background to reform schools in general.

[Hilary]

The original buildings have recently been demolished and a new housing estate is being built on the site.

Nugent Care still have involvement on their part of the site.

Try Sefton Local History at Crosby Library for photographs etc

Apparently the Farm School had quite a high profile within the local communuty - they had their own bakery and delivered bread around the area (New Birkdale 1850 - 1912 by Harry Foster)

[Katie]

My Gt. Grandad was sent there for being a naughty boy don't know what he did. Here is the link to what is available at Liverpool Archives for this School.

http://archive.liverpool.gov.uk/CalmVie ... +CAT&pos=1