"All Saints Catholic School was a Catholic secondary school in West Wickham. Formerly known as St. John Rigby Roman Catholic College, its name was changed in 2004 as a rebranding because of falling pupil numbers and substantial debts following the departure of former headmistress Colleen McCabe.
Colleen McCabe was convicted in 2003 of stealing around £500,000 from her school over a period from 1994 to 1999, which she spent lavishly both on herself and on gifts for her friends. The story was the subject of the 2006 BBC docudrama, 'The Thieving Headmistress'.
Money was diverted away from the school's budget resulting in the children being without books in a dirty, unheated school. The fraud was only detected when the school's grant maintained status was reverted and control was returned to the local education authority. McCabe was sentenced to five years in prison.
After a consultation period, in April 2006 Bromley Council approved the proposal to close the school with effect from August 2007."
That's what it says on the internet, anyway. Someone posted this as a lead a little while ago, I don't remember who, as your post has been deleted, but thanks for your info all the same.
If you were not familiar with the site, and were to look on Google or Bing maps, it's easy to think that you were going to be in for an expansive treat. The reality is somewhat different. What appeared to be a huge site in fact turns out to be something else altogether.
On one side of the derelict bit you have the 'Daughters of Mary and Joseph', comprising The Convent, Emmaus Centre and Coloma Court (a care home) - all live. On the other side you have the very much live, 'Wickham Court School' (who annoyingly occupy the old, interesting-looking buildings).
I don't often publish much in the way of derp photos these days, so if that's your thing, enjoy it.
There are no derelict orchards on site, although the adjacent Coloma Court offers a "Woodland Walk" (well-maintained). There's even real live squirrels, and shit.
Colleen McCabe was convicted in 2003 of stealing around £500,000 from her school over a period from 1994 to 1999, which she spent lavishly both on herself and on gifts for her friends. The story was the subject of the 2006 BBC docudrama, 'The Thieving Headmistress'.
Money was diverted away from the school's budget resulting in the children being without books in a dirty, unheated school. The fraud was only detected when the school's grant maintained status was reverted and control was returned to the local education authority. McCabe was sentenced to five years in prison.
After a consultation period, in April 2006 Bromley Council approved the proposal to close the school with effect from August 2007."
That's what it says on the internet, anyway. Someone posted this as a lead a little while ago, I don't remember who, as your post has been deleted, but thanks for your info all the same.
If you were not familiar with the site, and were to look on Google or Bing maps, it's easy to think that you were going to be in for an expansive treat. The reality is somewhat different. What appeared to be a huge site in fact turns out to be something else altogether.
On one side of the derelict bit you have the 'Daughters of Mary and Joseph', comprising The Convent, Emmaus Centre and Coloma Court (a care home) - all live. On the other side you have the very much live, 'Wickham Court School' (who annoyingly occupy the old, interesting-looking buildings).
I don't often publish much in the way of derp photos these days, so if that's your thing, enjoy it.
There are no derelict orchards on site, although the adjacent Coloma Court offers a "Woodland Walk" (well-maintained). There's even real live squirrels, and shit.
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