🌞 School’s out for summer... But not necessarily at Charleston! Did you know that the house was used as a school during the 1920s? ✏️ Shortly after moving here in 1916, the artist Vanessa Bell decided to set up a small school. There were just four students - her two sons Quentin and Julian were joined by the daughters of writer H.G. Wells - it must have been a very small assembly! Even so, Vanessa employed her own maid as governess to look after the unruly cohort. The next year Vanessa tried again. She advertised for boarding students and asked for an annual fee of £100. Having only gained two students, the school ran for just one term! 🍎 In 1925, Vanessa organised a summer school for ten or so children, including her daughter Angelica. The most successful of Vanessa’s educational experiments, this school ran for two years! Her friend, Marjorie Strachey ran a full curriculum whilst Vanesa taught the children to paint and draw. Originally the school room, this space later became Clive Bell’s study. Lessons can’t be so bad if you’re sitting at Clive’s antique writing desk! 📸 Lee Robbins ©️The Charleston Trust #VanessaBell #CliveBell #QuentinBell #AngelicaBell #MarjorieStrachey #HGWells #Charleston #BloomsburyGroup #Paintedhouse #Artistshouse #Cottagecore #Bloomsbury