The 'Naughty Girls' School, Kingfield Road

I was born in Dorset Rd, Radford in the home of my grandparents. They continued to live there for the rest of their lives. Occasionally we would see girls walking in a crocodile line from the school in Kingfield Rd and down Cash's Lane. As children we were told that they were from the 'naughty girls school.' Does anybody know what the school was and does it still exist?

A few of the girls used to go to Freddies when I was there. They were always very smartly dressed in blue uniforms (Freddies was green) so they stood out a bit. I regret to say that we used to call them the convicts, which looking back now was not very nice.

Hi Bryn & Coventrykid, Hi all I do know that the school in Kingfield Road was still in use in the eighties as I would see some of the pupils being marched passed my office window on their way to the swimming baths in Livingstone Rd. Please don't misunderstand me, I am as appalled as anyone regards misbehaviour from anyone, whether it is anti-social crime or even the high profile news items involving injury or death. So often, in my own mind, the selfish expression of "There but for the grace of God go I". That is what I used to think when I saw them walk by. I used to be a naughty boy sometimes, & if my mum was still alive she could tell you that. So could some of my school teachers. I remember threats made to me about what school I would be sent to if I was naughty, but obviously not a girls school, so I do not know what it was called.

I too remember this school, which I think used to be called an "Approved School" for some reason. I did a Google search but didn't find anything immediately, but came across this informative article which is a comprehensive history and listing of Coventry schools over the centuries up to the 1960s. This might be interesting to those researching information on the schools. Coventry Schools

Would this be anything to do with Newfield House - the children's home where abuse was found to have taken place in the 70s and 80s?

As it happens I have done some previous research on this school as part of our workhouse research. Basically just my rough notes so hope it is of interest. COVENTRY INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL (HOME) FOR GIRLS, 43 LEICESTER STREET, COVENTRY, WARWICKSHIRE. Later moved to Cashs Lane. Founded in 1862. Certified January 1863 at Swan Street, Coventry. Re-certified 5th October 1889 for 32 girls at the new premises, 43 Leicester Street, Coventry. Re-certified 1904 for 32 girls, 1905 the intake was increased to 50 girls, 1909 to 60 girls, 7th March 1911 increased to 70 girls and 25th November 1911 for 80 girls, on acquisition of adjacent house as an Auxiliary home in 1916 the number of girls was increased to 84. The inspector reported that a special inquiry on the part of the Home Office was held at the school, June 13. 1893, to investigate a case of alleged excessive punishment of one of the inmates by the superintendent. The case was finally regarded as one in which undue severity had been exercised, and the superintendent was called upon to send in her resignation. STAFF 1867 - Matron, Mrs Holland 1868 - Matron, Mrs Holland 1869 - Matron, Mrs Holland. 1872 - Matron, Mrs Holland ; daily teacher Miss Newark. 1884 - Superintendent, Mrs Dalby; schoolmistress, Miss Wright. 1891 - Superintendent, Miss Camp; schoolmistress, Miss Pattinson 1893 - Superintendent, Miss Camp; schoolmistress, Miss Pattinson; general assistant F. Stahler. 1896 - Matron, Miss S. Goulding. 1900 - Superintendent, Miss Goulding; schoolmistress Miss A.E. Pattinson; house matron Miss Graham. 1903 - Superintendent, Miss Goulding; teacher Mrs A. Graham; house matron Miss J. Johnson. From 1933 it became the NEWFIELD APPROVED SCHOOL . Other local establishments ALLESLEY GIRLS' REFORMATORY SCHOOL, TILE HILL, COVENTRY, WARWICKSHIRE. Originally certified 27th June 1856 as Allesley Farm Reformatory at Tile Nr Coventry - a small farm which had been extended. The school removed from Tile Hill on 1st March 1869, to a disused hospital in Coventry, which was altered and fitted for the purposes of the school. Certified 17th February 1869 for 45 girls. In 1907 the school removed to Kenilworth. Became Knowle Hill Approved School from 1933. WARWICKSHIRE GIRLS REFORMATORY SCHOOL, 61 LITTLE PARK STREET, COVENTRY.

I am really impressed with the amount of knowledge that those of you on the forum possess. I have taking a little time on Google Earth to see what the land is used for these days but have not been able to discover anything. I was born a stones throw from Daimler Halt and even worked at the Daimler factory for a while so even as a young adult I would have passed the place regularly. There was a long footpath past the school but there was a very high fence that made it look daunting. I share Philip the philosopher's view. If some of the things that I did as a youngster had worked out slightly different then maybe I could have ended up in such an institution - certainly some of my contemporaries did.

My wife remembers the girls from the school at Newfield House attending Barkers Butts (Girls) in the late 50s. Their uniform differed from the Barkers' uniform of plain blue blouses while theirs was probably a deeper blue, enough to make them stand out. In summer, Barkers' was blue flowered material for dress made to your own design, but they had a blue check, straight dress. They always seemed to be stood outside the head's office but whether this was because they had to report there each day or whether they were in trouble, she does not know.

A look at life in one of Coventry's Industrial schools in 1916 through the eyes of the local newspaper. Overlap between the last two, apologies.

I think Newfield House is now a nursing home with some outreach services such as physiotherapy.

In response to the post by Heritage showing the staff list at the Coventry Industrial school for girls I notice there is a Miss Newark listed as a daily teacher in 1872. I believe this was Miss Caroline Dowell Newark (1836-1931) who was a spinster and teacher all her life. She belonged to a close knit group of Newark families in Coventry who were very successful and influential as timber merchants.

I was a child in that school Newfield House in 1979. It was approved school for girls not because we was naughty well I speak for myself I wasn't naughty I was placed into care and sent to that place of horror. It was closed down in 1982, and now is a nursing home.

Hello Michelle47 & welcome to our Historic Coventry Forum. If you read the accounts from two of our city's flagship schools, you may become aware that the pupils at the Kingfield Rd school might not have all been quite so naughty after all. Best wishes to you & we hope that you have a pleasant time with us on our forum.

Hello Philip Thank you for welcoming me, yes I did read them all, I wasn't offended when people say naughty girls it's the name the home required from people who didn't know really. I came across your forum because I was looking up old pictures of Coventry. I'm sure I'll enjoy myself reading and looking at pictures people have posted..