It is likely that this school was a semi-private venture but it Is noteworthy that it was situated at Burmola (Burmla) better known to us as Cospicua. When it was started, I do not know, but since by 1804 there were already 28 English craftsmen in the Dockyard it could have been very early. In a magazine article D. Degiorgio tells us that it was situated near the first Dockyard Chapel, beneath the Sta Margherita Arches, and that it was later moved by Rear Admiral Sir Lucius Curtis to a drawing office (already converted for use as the 'War Game Room') under St Michael's Bastion. It was about this time that a proposal that a Schoolmaster be appointed from England was made by the Dockyard Chaplain, the Rev M Tucker. Admiral Curtis does not seem to have been strongly in favour ('never having been consulted on the subject') but he concludes his forwarding letter, dated 10 January 1846, by begging 'strongly to recommend that the person sent should be married, as from experience I too well know that the temptations are so great that very few single men escape the baneful influence of liquor, which is so cheap that they soon become inveterate drunkards. The most interesting of my finds, however, has been the following Article in The Malta Times dated Tuesday 19 October 1858: DOCKYARD SCH00L IN MALTA

The friends of education will be glad to learn that arrangements have been made by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty for the establishment of a school in Malta for the use of children (boys and girls) of all persons employed in the Her Majesty's Dockyard and Naval Establishments in this Island, and an afternoon and evening school for apprentices.

An excellent schoolmaster, Mr Sullivan, has been appointed who is already arrived from England and the school, we hear, is to be opened on the first of November next. The Admiral Superintendent is appointed visitor and the Committee of Management is to consist of the Master Shipwright, the Superintending Engineer and the Chaplain, who will be charged with the immediate superintendence of the school, and will take it in turn monthly to visit the school daily, if possible, to see that it is properly conducted. No female child will be permitted to remain in the school after the age of fourteen years, nor any male child after the usual age of apprenticeship: and a payment of six pence a month is to be made to the Crown for each pupil for the use of stationery, books, slates etc. The method of education is to be that adopted by the National Society in their schools and in those of Her Majesty's Dockyards at home, as nearly as found practicable.