We’re still in Leyton so took a stroll down the High road - fabulous!

“fussy but enjoyable, in an eclectic and enriched Italianate style”

Pesvner’s description of Leyton Town Hall & Technical Institute, a red-bricked, Italianate building with large arcaded windows and very skilfully carved heads representing Temperance, Prudence, Wisdom, Fortitude, and Integrity. Ah for a return to these great qualities. 

Opened in September 1898, the Leyton Technical Institute offered a range of technical education for the local community. A day school for boys and girls provided classes in commercial subjects alongside the normal subjects taught in secondary schools. Boys could learn commercial geography, book-keeping, commercial correspondence and shorthand. Girls were offered the additional subjects of needlework and cooking. For students over the age of 16 years, the institute ran evening courses in art, science, commercial, technical and trade subjects.

The secondary school moved out in 1916, to be replaced by an engineering and trade school and by 1928 the institute, now renamed Leyton Technical College, was providing full-time three-year courses for boys over 12.