File LSBU/2/4/3 - Morley College

In 1889 the Morley Memorial College for Working Men and Women was established to organise lectures and classes held in the Old Victoria Hall ('Old Vic' theatre). The intention was to promote the study of subjects other than technical ones amongst working men and women, as well as promote social interaction. A scheme of co-operation existed between the College and the Borough Polytechnic Institute and students at Morley College were granted access to the Polytechnic's social facilities. In 1917 commercial classes, printing and some language classes were transferred from the Polytechnic to Morley College. In the 1920's, the Old Victoria Hall and Morley College went their separate ways when funds were acquired for a separate site nearby where Morley College could grow. From that time on all plans to merge the Polytechnic with Morley College ceased and today Morley College is one of the oldest adult education colleges in the country.

As its work was complementary to that of the Borough Polytechnic, and it was in the same neighbourhood, an arrangement was made between the two institutions and a Joint Committee formed. The Committee focused on academic matters at the two institutions between 1910 and 1914.