Attic Laboratory

Kidderpore Hall                                                                       Westfield College's Library

Westfield College made an application in March 1901 to the Senate for the admission of Westfield as a School in the Faculties of Arts and Science. 

Their first application was rejected and the reject letter implied that if they were to amend their issues, there was a chance that their second application could be successful.  

Dr Frank Heath from the Academic Registrar inspected Westfield College and highlighted two problems that prevented Westfield College from achieving its goal. The first was that the subjects were taught by the college without any accredited teachers. The second issue was that the library and laboratory did not meet the required standard. The library did not provide a space to study Arts or Science and the laboratory was situated in the attic and could only be used for courses in Chemistry, Zoology and Botany and required, at least, a Physical Laboratory.  

Westfield College managed to deal efficiently with the first issue; they appointed accredited teachers from other institutions as their Visiting Lecturers. To tackle the second issue, however, required a bit more effort. The Council of Westfield of College did not have sufficient funds to develop both the Arts and Sciences at the same time alongside the library. They decided in January 1902 to solely focus on improving the library.  

Through the efforts of multiple Council members and Westfield College staff such as Caroline Skeel, Westfield College managed to build a Library to replace the room on the first floor of Old House and two additional Lecture Rooms. 

When they made another application to be considered as a Faculty of Arts, they were told they were successful via a telegram on 26 June 1902.  

_Source:

_{Sondheimer, J. (no date) CASTLE ADAMANT IN HAMPSTEAD. London, Hampstead: Westfield College University of London.}