In the 1700s the free school raised new funds, as the six ponds per year was now insufficient to keep the school maintained. With new capital the school expanded, giving it room for 65 boys and 50 girls, too.
In 1739 an amicable fund was set up to supply funding to for an additional 12 boys.
In 1742 it became known as the Charity School. The original building was on the northside of Saint Marychurch street, adjoining St Mary's church.
In 1795 Richard Vidler sold the school this building, built around 1700, and the school reopened here in 1797 in the Peter Hills building.
By the late 1800s, following an extension to the building in the property's garden, created room for between 150 and 200 boys to be educated.
Some records report that the girls moved to a different school, in 1836, while other sources imply that girls were still being educated here in 1912.
The school building finally closed in 1939 and was then used by the fire service, throughout World War II.
Sometime in the 1970s the building became offices.
The two statues of charity children are made of Portland Stone. They have uniforms of blue, as this was the cheapest colour to produce.
The plaque between the two figures reads:
St Mary Rotherhithe
Free School Founded by Peter Hill and Robert Bell Esqrs. 1613
Charity School instituted 1742
Removed here 1797
Supported by Voluntary Contributions
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