St Vincent's Junior Approved School, Whitstable, Bulk, 1923-1942 1923-1942; 1978, bulk: 1923 - 1942

In 1899, on the advice of the Bishop of Southwark, Canon St John asked for some Sisters from Bermondsey to take charge of an Industrial School for Junior Boys needing care and protection. Whitstable was suggested as a suitable location, and from there boys at the age of 10 years who still needed care could transfer to St Vincent’s Industrial School in Dartford (under the jurisdiction of the Presentation Brothers).

M. Camillus Dempsey RSM assented on behalf of the Community and appointed M. Clare J. O’Brien RSM as Superior of the group of Sisters who established the school for 40 boys in a rented house on the sea front, and dedicated it to St Joseph. At that time, there was no church in Whitstable. A new school, dedicated to St Vincent, was opened 1902 in Castle Road and provided accommodation for 60 boys and, for the next three years, for the Sisters. In 1905, the Community moved to the newly built St Mary’s Convent and Private School, on land adjoining St Vincent’s. At the same time, the foundation stone of a new church was laid on land donated by the Community, the site being between St Mary’s and St Vincent’s.

From 1935, male teachers were employed under the superintendence of the Sisters, as the boys no longer transferred to Dartford at the age of 10. Ten years later, the school (now an Approved School for boys sent by the courts) was handed over to the Southwark Rescue Society (later to become Cabrini Children’s Society) with the Home Office bearing financial responsibility. Home Office policy relating to Approved Schools changed, so a gradual phasing out of St Vincent’s began in 1973. From 1978-1986, it was run as a Boarding School for boys with special needs, but drastic cutbacks on the part of the LEA forced its closure. Since 1986, it has been used as the Southwark Youth Centre.