The beginning & opening of St. George’s

In the 1920’s, the Sudbury area which we know now, was beginning to be developed rapidly.  In response to this, Cardinal Bourne, the then Archbishop of Westminster responded by sending a priest, Father Clement Russel, to undertake the task of responding to the creation of a new parish in which a church, house and if possible, a school would be built.

Land had already been generously donated by a Miss Frances Westwood. Along with her generosity, money was raised and a presbytery was built and then St George’s Church, which was consecrated in 1928.  Later a parish hall was added.  It was hoped that the present area around the church, largely the car park and beyond, would then become a school.  It would have been fairly modest and a one class entry school. This would have been, as was then the custom, the centre for the work of catechesis for young children. 

However, by 1939 World War 2 had broken out and the project was never realised.  It was then the next parish priest, Fr Wilfred Purney, who undertook this project. Land was procured at the far end of what was the old enclosure of the Convent a little further up on the hill (you can still see the chapel which is now part of the housing of Chasewood Park on Sudbury Hill).  Money was raised from the parish along with the Diocese and St George’s Catholic Primary School was opened in 1965.

Since it opened, St. George’s has had four longstanding headteachers in its lifetime so far, Miss Primmer, Mr. Mc Grath, Mr. Morrisey and Mrs. Monaghan. The dedication of these individuals, working alongside the parish and school community, pupils, staff, parents and governors has made St. George’s  the close knit and happy learning environment it is, for local children.

Celebrating 50 years of St. George’s 1965 – 2015

St. George’s was founded on 14th September 1965. In 2015 the school celebrated its 50th anniversary. Bishop John Sherrington celebrated Mass to mark this milestone event, which past pupils and staff attended. The school choir sung beautifully and the Mayor of Harrow was present when a time capsule was buried in the school grounds. Past pupils came to speak to our current pupils about what the school was like when it opened. Tours were available to visitors who wanted to see how the school had changed over the years. Tea and cake was served and The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School Band provided the music at the reception. The whole 50th anniversary was a wonderful community celebration which is captured in the photographs below.

This Cross was designed and made by the children of the school to celebrate our 50th Anniversary year.