Easy as ABC
To commemorate International Literacy Day on September 8th, and ease the back-to-school blues happening all around the country, immerse yourself in our films covering nearly a century of school-going.
Spanning decades of learning in classrooms and on school trips, children in these films are prepared and super-keen to get involved. Whether your school days are still fresh in your memory or long gone, we’ve all been there at some point. Watch and share your memories in the comments!
Films in this gallery
Portrait of a Library
A documentary portrait of a library.
Our Future Citizens: Children of 1961
Children from North West London at play and at school.
Cherry Lane school life
Amateur film of Cherry Lane School, including the classrooms.
Cherry Lane School, sports, cultural event and trip to waterways museum
Amateur film of Cherry Lane School, including sports day.
Queen Mary's Hospital School
A film made at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children in Carshalton showing the activities engaged in by the patients resident…
The Wandsworth Library Service
An instructional guide to the services offered by Wandsworth Library Service.
Battersea Grammar School 250th Anniversary Celebrations
Film about the all-boys Battersea Grammar School showing the boys' activities in school and the celebrations for the 250th anniversary.
The Shirley Schools, Croydon, c.1927-29
A film of games and festivities for children of the Shirley Schools, Croydon.
Crayford County Secondary School: Trip to Bisham Abbey 1973
Crayford County Secondary School: Trip to Bisham Abbey
Moving up to Year Seven: A Welling School Film
Video presented by two kids at the Welling School in Bexley about how moving up to Year 7 isn't that…
Our Children: Primary Education for Brent in the 1990s
Our Children: Primary Education for Brent in the 1990s
Latymer School Plays: Trelawnney of the Wells, The Rivals, The Bluebird & As You Like It
Collection of four school plays performed by pupils of Latymer Grammar School dressed in period costumes, as part of the…
More galleries
Green Spaces
Gallery celebrating the green spaces of London
Disability Heritage Collection Highlight
UK Disability History Month takes place annually between the 16th of November and the 16th of December. The films within…
Black British Heritage Collection Highlight
Black History is a crucial part of London's history. Watch a specially curated selection from London’s Screen Archives collection.