Hidden Lives Revealed - Waifs and strays: 'Waif' boy

The most deprived children were housed in the Society's certified industrial schools. Often they were found wandering the streets, or had become involved with petty criminality in the mould of Oliver Twist. Industrial schools provided training in manual skills, to re-educate these streetwise children. Girls were taught in domestic subjects like laundry and cooking, and the boys learnt trades such as carpentry and gardening.

Ref: XX26
Title: 'Waif' boy
Date: Around 1890
Location: Bristol
Creator: Unknown

Description:
The most deprived children were housed in the Society's certified industrial schools. Often they were found wandering the streets, or had become involved with petty criminality in the mould of Oliver Twist. Industrial schools provided training in manual skills, to re-educate these streetwise children. Girls were taught in domestic subjects like laundry and cooking, and the boys learnt trades such as carpentry and gardening.

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