the neoclassical portico of ashlyns school (1935) bearing foundling hospital coat of arms in 1970s, town adopted three-tier state school education system, reverting two-tier system of primary , secondary schools in 2013. primary stage provided bridgewater, greenway, st thomas more, swing gate, thomas coram, victoria (founded in 1838) , westfield. ashlyns school foundation school 1,200 pupils aged 11 19 years; specialist language college. school s history began in 18th century when thomas coram, philanthropic ship s captain, appalled abandoned babies , children starving , dying in london. campaigned hospital accommodate them , granted royal charter maintenance , education of exposed , deserted children in 1739. 3 years later in 1742 established foundling hospital @ lamb’s conduit fields in bloomsbury, london. first children s charity in country , precedent incorporated associational charities everywhere. school moved purpose built location in berkhamsted in 1935. residential home ...