School film “Ada”

Compass School pupils star in “ADA” – a moving film about Ada Salter as part of the Salter Centenary celebrations. The short film describes how the Salters’ work benefited the Bermondsey community: greening the area, enabling opportunities and encouraging high aspiration for all.

October 2022 saw the first screening of the film: a collaboration between Compass students, Ocean City Media and writer, Sarah May.

View on YouTube: youtu.be/CkqytP80wZQ

“ADA” captures the achievements and legacy of Ada Salter through the eyes of her daughter, Joyce, as she travels through time witnessing the changing landscape of Bermondsey. From improvements in housing to the beautification of Bermondsey and opportunities for young women, the film celebrates the extraordinary vision and legacy of Ada.

Marcus Huntley, Principal of Compass School said, “The school is incredibly proud to play its part in the Salter Centenary celebrations. We are committed to ensuring the Salter legacy continues through our history curriculum, ensuring pupils continue to engage in a fantastic range of enrichment opportunities including our new Ada Salter-inspired Chess Club, and placing ‘community’ at the heart of our mission.”

Compass is on the former site of Keeton’s Road School, which the Salters’ daughter Joyce attended. Keeton’s Road was named after Thomas Keeton, the famous horticulturalist, and encouraged its pupils to work in the school garden and appreciate nature.

It was quite successful academically; its pupils regularly won scholarships; it trained pupils to sing Handel, and arranged for them to learn musical instruments. As a local councillor, Alfred had been appointed to Keeton’s Road management board so that he could ensure the school always took the best medical precautions.

If Joyce had not died, Keeton’s Road, on the edge of the slums yet with high standards, might one day have been hailed as an inspired choice.