St. Bede’s Roman Catholic School, Jarrow

This glimpse into the past showcases St. Bede’s Roman Catholic School as it once stood in Jarrow. Historically, when churches were established within a parish, schools often grew up alongside them. St. Bede’s school began its story around 1868, responding to the needs of an expanding local Catholic community. Initially located on Chapel Road, it catered solely to senior girl pupils. Following a significant influx of Irish immigrants – families seeking opportunities in Jarrow – an extension was built on Monkton Road around 1870/1 (pictured below from 1965).

The Rise of Jarrow and the Irish Community

During this period, Jarrow experienced considerable growth fuelled by immigration, particularly from Ireland. Many newcomers were drawn to the town by the promise of work at Palmer Shipbuilders, a company that employed over 80% of Jarrow’s population and had earned a global reputation as leading shipbuilders. This thriving industry created a demand for housing, community facilities – and crucially, more schools.

Expanding Education: St. Bede’s Grows

The photograph above depicts the expansion of St. Bede’s school, built to complement the original girls’ school. This new section was designed to serve the growing Roman Catholic population, providing classrooms for junior pupils at street level and a dedicated space in the cellar for infants. It represented a commitment to nurturing young minds within the heart of Jarrow.

From Monkton Road to Staple Road & Beyond

The images above and below show how the school landscape changed over time. While St. Bede’s Church still stands proudly, the original school building on Monkton Road/Terrace has been replaced by trees and shrubs. St. Bede’s School was relocated to Staple Road, a short five-minute walk away, into what was then considered a bright, modern, and airy new building. Sadly, that building is no longer standing today.

Change & Progress: Demolition and New Beginnings

Over time, St. Bede’s, along with St Peter’s School and other buildings on Staple Road, were demolished. St. Bede’s was found to be suffering from serious subsidence following a survey, while St Peter’s made way for the New Tyne Tunnel Approach Road – a vital infrastructure project that thankfully diverted much of the heavy traffic away from residential areas of Jarrow, improving air quality and creating a more pleasant environment for residents.

A New Chapter: St. Bede’s Primary School

In April 1990, St. Bede’s School on Staple Road merged with St. Bede’s Juniors on Harold Street to form the new St. Bede’s Primary School. The Harold Street site recently celebrated over 100 years of continuous education. The former school site on Staple Road was later developed into a Nursing Home, which itself was eventually demolished to make way for the construction of the second Tyne Tunnel.

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