A BRIEF HISTORY

The motto of the Sisters of Charity is:

‘Caritas Christi Urget Nos’

This has become the School’s motto also:

‘The love of Christ urges us on to care for each other and strive for excellence in everything we do’

St Vincent’s School

In 1829 the Catholic Emancipation Act was passed which allowed the free practice of the Catholic Faith throughout England and Wales.  Many of the Religious Orders sought to set up houses in this country.  The Sisters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul had their Centre in Rue du Bac, Paris.  In 1847 a group of Sisters from France came to England but returned home in 1849 because they had not been welcomed.  They were attacked and their house was burnt down.  They tried again in 1857 setting up a house in Sheffield under the French Province.  It soon became clear that for a successful transfer it would be necessary to set up an English Province.  In 1885 the Sisters purchased “Littleberries”, a large house on The Ridgeway in Mill Hill, North London and set it up as Provincial House.  In 1887 a Residential School (Orphanage) for boys was opened.  Very soon a little day school developed under the care of the Sisters.  The foundation stone for a new school building was laid in November 1895 by Fr Gavin.  On 24th April 1896 Fr Quish blessed and put in its place the statue of Our Lady Immaculate.  On 24th May, 25 new children arrived to begin school.  The school was recognised on 1st February 1897 and the first entry in the Log Book, on 6th May 1897 states that the school was to have its Annual Inspection in November 1897.  The number on the roll was 72 children with the Headteacher, Edith Ruddle (Sister Catherine) and two Monitors, Agnes Cleary and Julia Ellis.  Sister Catherine was Headmistress from 1897 to 1933 and when she died in 1952 the older children attended her funeral.  The role was then 204 children.

The School Log Book

The Log Book was meticulously kept from 1897 until 1993 (apart from a few missing years then the Headteacher of the day was ill).  It forms a primary source for History of the School and of concurrent social history.  Interestingly, there is no mention in the Log Book at all of the First World War (1914-18).  The school appears to have continued untouched by world events.

It was quite different at the time of the Second World War (1939-1945).  Reference began on 29th August 1939 with the entry “International Situation causing poor attendance at school”.  When war was declared in September 1939 the school was closed to enable the building of an adequate air-raid shelter and trenches.  The children were tutored at home by their teachers until 2nd April 1940 when the school reopened after the Easter Holiday.  On 8th December 1942 school dinners were provided for the first time for pupils whose Mothers were working and these proved “very popular”, continuing after the war.

One afternoon a few years ago, an elderly gentleman arrived at the school gate.  He felt very nostalgic as this was the first time he had visited his old school for many years.  He had emigrated to America as a young man and made his life there.  He was now returning to England for the funeral of a dear friend and thought it would be the last time he would see the school.  He was at St Vincent’s during the war.  His overriding memories were of going to the air raid shelter under the top playground and sometimes remaining there for several hours.  He remembered on one occasion having a Punch and Judy Show.  The school log book bears witness to this.

In September 1970, 39 children from the Residential School, which has accepted girls as well as boys from 1954, came up to the Day School.  There were now 293 children on roll spread over 9 classes.  In 1972 a new building on the south side of the Ridgeway was opened with 2 classrooms and a hall.  In October 1977 another classroom was added on this site and the Reception Class moved in.  In 1977 the Staff and Parents campaigned successfully for a Pelican Crossing outside the School.

In 1987 two demountables were added to make 11 classrooms and the school became a one and a half form entry J.M.I School.  The Infant School was on the south side of the Ridgeway and the Junior School on the north side.  

In 1993 the Log Book was discontinued as a copy of the annual report from the Headteacher and Governors to the parents took away the need for a Log Book, to record significant events of the year.

In 1997 the school celebrated it’s centenary with Mass celebrated by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor.  Pupils, parents, staff and governors past and present were invited to share memories of the past and hopes for the future. 

After years of applying to the DfE, 2001 saw the new School combining both Infant and Juniors on the same site.  The old school buildings on north side were sold for residential dwellings. 

In 2017 the school celebrated 120 years of the opening of the school with an open air Mass celebrated by Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Fr Michael McCullagh (Parish Priest of Mill Hill), Fr Anthony Pachuta (Parish Priest of Edgware) and Canon Norbert Fernandes, a former pupil.  A new prayer garden within the courtyard was created based on designs from the pupils.  The Daughters of Charity donated a statue of Our Lady and Bernadette to complete the garden. 

While the whole of the UK went into lock down during the coronavirus outbreak in March 2020, the school remained opened throughout the holidays for Key Worker pupils.  Education went virtual as parents took on the task to educate their children at home.  When school returned in September 2020 to a bubble system of working, the high hygiene measures put in place meant that there was only one occasion when a class had to be closed. 

Throughout this time the school did everything it could to ensure that all pupils felt part of the community.  Assemblies were held virtually and the Christmas Nativity and celebration of the Last Supper were held outdoors. 

In the academic year 2022/23, to celebrate the growing cultural diversity of the school with pupils, families and staff from over 30 different cultures, and the return to normal school life, the school marked its 125 years with Mass and food sharing.  Parents showcased their marvellous cooking with a huge range of foods to taste from around the world and families were invited to picnic on the grounds. 

The strong links with the school and the parish communities has continued throughout the years with the children in each class attending Mass at the Sacred Heart Parish and Mass being held at the school for Holy days and Feast Days. 

In 2024 the school has grown even further with the inclusion of a nursery provision for 3-4 years old.