Peter Hills and Robert Bell founded the Free School in 1613, as a way to educate the children of impoverished seafarers and mariners.
Peter Hills died in 1614, leaving a sum of six pounds per year for the ongoing maintenance of the school. When it opened the school had just eight boys and is thought to be the first elementary school in London.
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.
