Gazing at High View Primary School one can’t help but be intrigued by its history. This school has a story etched in its walls. High View Primary School is more than just a place of learning. It’s a place where history comes alive.
High View Primary School was formerly known as High View Primary School. It is located on Plough Road in Battersea London. The school’s story began long ago. In 1890, the London School Board commissioned its construction. The architect T. J. Bailey designed the building. He chose a Flemish Renaissance style.
The building itself is a historical artifact. Imagine the architects design with yellow stock and red brick with stone dressings. The school forms an irregular cluster of attached blocks. These blocks have tall and narrow proportions. The composition is dominated by an asymmetrically placed seven-storey tower. Its steep-pitched roof is capped by a curvilinear lead spire.
High View Primary School became an academy in September 2018. It was renamed Ark John Archer Primary Academy. Ark Schools sponsors the school. It was named after John Archer. He was a former Mayor of Battersea Borough. He was also the first black mayor in London.
At High View Primary School lessons are taught as creatively as possible. School trips and workshops enrich learning. These often occur at the beginning of a topic. These days engage children’s interest.
Students enjoy learning about the Greeks in Year 4. They find the Gods and Goddesses really interesting. One student’s favourite experience was the Home Front Bus. It gave off a good aesthetic. It was really immersive. This made it more interesting to learn about. Another student’s favourite lesson was when they burnt the houses in Year 2. They did this to learn about the Great Fire of London. It was very memorable.
The school building has been listed as a Grade II building. This means it is a building of special interest. The brick boundary wall has integral buttresses. High doorways pierce the wall. Piers articulate it. Doorways and piers have stone copings.
High View Primary School stands as a testament to the power of education. It is a place where children learn about the past. They develop skills in historical inquiry. They consider where historical knowledge comes from. They look at the evidence that supports it. The school continues to evolve. It adapts to the needs of its students and the community.