I recently finished cataloguing a collection of photographs brought together by the Architects’ and Buildings Branch (c1949-1993). The Branch was a department of the Ministry of Education and were originally involved  in building much needed schools after WW2 , but continued to operate for over 40 years. The department were renowned for their pioneering work in the educational environment. Stretching to over 100 boxes, the photographs and glass plate negatives document the work of the Branch to an extent, but are also a fantastically rich resource illustrating social history; school life; change in approaches to education and trends in teaching; developments in building construction; and the history of photography.

Field End School, 1947. Reference ABB/A/42/18. Crown Copyright

For some examples of the scope of the collection see my post Accurate portrait or thorough research?, or the exhibition in the foyer, now in its final few weeks. The catalogue for the collection will be available in our online catalogue from Monday 21^st March.