THIS week’s Down Memory Lane photograph from the Thurrock Library archive looks at the former National School in Grays. The School was built in 1871 on a site in New Road given in trust by Mr Theobald. The school cost £1781.5.11d to build.

Wilson and Whitworth’s almanac refers to “The solid and commodious block of buildings” housing three departments as “among the excellent schools in the country.”

For further information on National Schools in Thurrock, please refer to Notes on the National Schools of Thurrock in the 19th Century by J.R Hayston M.A. Thurrock Local History Society Journal, No.7 1962.

Down Memory Lane is written by Andrew Burt, Local History Librarian, Thurrock Library Service Tel no. : 01375 413970 (Mondays 9-5pm) or e-mail anburt@thurrock.gov.uk