Happy children approaching their learning with determination that is what Gidea Park Preparatory School and Nursery strives for. Established in 1917 Gidea Park Prep has a rich history. It is a school where each pupil is valued as an individual. We have high expectations of what all children can achieve here.
Gidea Park Preparatory School and Nursery is situated in an attractive leafy residential area near Romford. The school offers a well-rounded contemporary education. It concentrates on happy pupils.
Gidea Park Preparatory School and Nursery gives pupils the skills and knowledge they need. They need these skills to get to the schools they want. The school also focuses on the experiences and confidence they need to thrive.
The school has three core aims. First we are a happy community. Second we are fearlessly curious. Third we are proud of our learning.
Gidea Park Preparatory School and Nursery including its all-year-round nursery offers a well-rounded education. The school concentrates on personal growth. It supports the development of character and self-confidence. The school aims for academic success.
Boys and girls move seamlessly from Pre-School in a nurturing environment. Caring and motivated staff identify potential early. Expectations are exceeded.
Gidea Park itself has an interesting history. Thomas Cooke a Suffolk man became Lord Mayor of London in 1462. He was granted a Royal Charter for Royal Liberty of Havering-atte-Bower. This enabled him to build a country house named Geddy Hall. The word “geddy” was named after the lake and its livestock. “Ged” means pike and “ea” means water.
The house remained unfinished for a century. This was due to Cooke’s imprisonments in the Tower of London for high treason. Upon his death in 1478 the estate was passed down through the Cooke family. It eventually reached his great-grandson Anthony Cooke. Anthony was a tutor for Edward VI.
In 1657 the hall and its grounds were sold to Richard Emes a local businessman for £9000. After the Restoration the estate was bought back by the Crown. It passed through various nobilities. It was eventually sold through public auction.
In 1909 Herbert Raphael John Tudor Walters and Charles McCurdy formed a company. Their goal was to build a new garden suburb on the Gidea Hall estate.
Romford Garden Suburb was constructed between July 1910 and June 1911. It was an exhibition of town planning. 159 cottages and houses were designed by over 100 architects.
Competitions were held to select the best town planning scheme for the suburb. The best house design was No. 54 Parkway by Geoffry Lucas. The best cottage was No. 36 Meadway designed by C. M. Crickmer.
Today these properties are known as the “Exhibition houses”. They are fine examples of domestic architecture. Six of them are now listed buildings.
Gidea Park continues to be a place of learning and growth. Gidea Park Preparatory School and Nursery stands as a testament to its commitment to education. It fosters curiosity pride and a sense of community in all its pupils. The journey through learning here is not just about academics it is about building character and confidence for a bright future.