Envision a place where girls become powerful women. This is Clapton Girls’ Academy. For over a century, Clapton Girls’ Academy has empowered young women in Hackney. The academy’s history traces back to 1906. It began as the County Secondary School for Girls, South Hackney on Cassland Road. The academy moved to its current location in Laura Place in 1916. It was renamed Clapton County Secondary School for Girls. Their motto was, “To do good work whether we live or die.” During World War II, the school was temporarily evacuated to Bishop’s Stortford. It returned to Clapton in 1945. Over the years, Clapton Girls’ Academy has seen many changes. It was renamed The John Howard School in 1947. A new motto, “Possunt Quia Posse Videntur,” meaning “they can because they think they can,” was adopted in 1954. The Queen Mother visited the students in 1966. In 1975, the school became Clapton Secondary School for Girls. The motto became “Wisdom and Togetherness.” In 1999, it achieved Technology College status, becoming Clapton Girls’ Technology College. The motto changed again. The new motto was, “Learning Together, Working Together, Welcoming the Community.” A major site transformation took place between 2008 and 2010 as part of the Building Schools for the Future program. In 2011, the school became Clapton Girls’ Academy. The academy has had only seven headteachers in over 100 years. The longest-serving headteacher led for 24 years. Two others served for over 20 years each. Clapton Girls’ Academy stands as a testament to the enduring power of education. It continues to shape the lives of young women in Hackney.
Southfields Methodist Church
Curiosity stirred within the heart of Southfields as a new chapter began. Southfields Methodist Church held its first public service