Woolwich Polytechnic

This 'School' began life in September 1891 as Woolwich School of Art with the attention of attracting only artisans. With this in mind classes were held in both afternoons and evenings in order to create the minimum disruption during the working day. Nearly 200 mostly male students enrolled in its first year of existence. Early staff members included J. Hitchcock and John Howard Hale who also taught at the nearby Blackheath School of Art. Within a short space of time, financial troubles beset the School which limped along until 1897 when it entered a newly built 'Polytechnic Block". The move failed to attract fee-paying attendees and the life classes, (arguably the School's best attraction) were closed. This resulted in the total loss of fee-paying students and the Board of Education withdrew its recognition and the school remained in limbo until 1904. is may have been due to Woolwich becoming a London borough and the London County Council showing a more sympathetic approach and the School began an uninterrupted existence until c.1960. In July 1962iIt eventually became part of Greenwich University.

Alumni and staff have included Victor Tempest, John Howard Hale, Alfred Daniels, Yankel Feather, Alan Reynolds and Heber Matthews who was a potter of international repute.