Ragged Schools

At least four ragged schools were founded in Portsmouth – the home town of John Pounds, the disabled cobbler said to have inspired the Ragged School movement for the education of homeless and orphan children. St George’s School, Richmond Place was originally an example of an early Ragged School. In 1858 a Shoe Black Brigade was formed at the school. The children each had a station and the pence they earned went to buy boots and clothes for them. Portsmouth Records Office I162