The school archives hold many miscellaneous items which are currently being added to a searchable database for general accessibility.

There are formal records such as admission registers, school rolls and minutes of governors’ meetings which date back to the 1880s. The physical development of the school can be traced through the archive’s collection of building plans, deeds, architects’ drawings and photographs of the present school site. 

Select here to view photographs from the archive.

The school magazine first appeared in 1926; a full set is held, providing insight into school life and the changing pattern of girls’ interests and education.

JAGS Old Girls have contributed valuable material too, ranging from termly reports, exercise books and items of uniform from the twentieth century, to reminiscences and memories of school days and life at JAGS in wartime.

Of especial interest are items of needlework, reminding us of James Allen’s original intention to educate girls ‘to read and to sew’, and a good collection of old photographs, dating from the 1890s. There are house notebooks, recording events from 1920 in the six Houses, a fire watching log from 1941 and a range of artefacts from sports cups, Prefect’s badges and an engraved shell which was presented to JAGS in 1866.