Many Islington Survivors attended the White Lion Free School and we have heard varied accounts of what that experience was like. The general criteria for getting a place at the school were that children lived within the catchment area – so they were local Islington children. Those of school age were mainly from poor working class backgrounds.For children already received into care following problems at their family home, it was at times difficult to cope with their parents having open access to the school as was the school policy. It opened in 1972 and Peter Newell was the Founder. He had been deputy editor of the Times Educational Supplement. and then became education officer at the National Council of Civil Liberties. Between 1972 and 1986, 261 children attended the school but of these 105 went only to the nursery.
Islington Council funding of White Lion school is listed for the years 1978-9 £7365 and 1979-80 £7850
Archive photos of White Lion Free School
Islington Gazette 18.07.72
Peter Newell was a founder member of the staff co-operative which ran the school.
Children’s rights activist Peter Newell jailed for abuse (BBC, 16 February 2018)
Top UNICEF children’s rights campaigner – who led UK’s anti-smacking campaign – is jailed for rape of boy, 13, in latest charity sex scandal (Daily Mail, 16 Febrauary 2028)
Children’s rights activist Peter Newell jailed for abuse (Scottish Home Education Forum, 16 February 2018)
Islington Survivors Network 