Statue

In 1705 a charity school was established for the children of the poor by the wealthier inhabitants of Farringdon Ward Within. This was an area 'within' the old city walls on the west side of the City of London. The school was situated at the west end of Bull and Mouth Street, facing Butchers' Hall Lane.

This statue stood in a niche above the boys' entrance. Boys and girls were educated separately in charity schools. Boys were taught basic reading, writing and arithmetic in order to prepare them for one of the city trades. The inscription on the boy's tablet reads 'clothe ye naked and instruct the ignorant'. The figure is wearing the uniform of a charity school pupil which would typically have been a blue coat with white bands. The Farringdon Ward School was merged with Aldersgate Ward School in 1875.