Standing before the imposing brick facade of Palmers Green High School, you might be surprised to learn that this esteemed girls’ school, with its long history and impressive academic achievements, had humble beginnings. The school was founded by Alice Hum, a passionate Quaker, in 1905 with just 12 pupils. Miss Hum’s vision was to create a space where love and service would be the pillars of education, an ethos that endures to this day. The school’s motto, “By Love Serve One Another,” encapsulates this spirit, reflecting the Quaker belief in the inherent worth of each individual.
Originally housed in a small building on Osborne Road, the school rapidly gained popularity, quickly outgrowing its initial home. Eventually, it moved to its present location, Avondale Hall, in 1918, where it has been nurturing young minds for over a century. Avondale Hall was previously a college for girls, often hosting suffragette meetings that were most likely attended by local residents like Herbert and Laura Goulden, with Herbert being Emmeline Pankhurst’s brother. This connection adds a fascinating layer to the school’s history, linking it to the powerful women’s suffrage movement that swept through Britain in the early 20th century.
Palmers Green High School has an impressive list of notable former pupils, including the accomplished actress Dame Flora Robson and the renowned poet Stevie Smith. Today, the school continues to offer a first-rate education in a stimulating and supportive environment, preparing young women to become confident and empowered individuals ready to make their mark on the world. It is a school steeped in history, yet very much alive with the dreams and aspirations of its current pupils, each one carrying forward the legacy of Alice Hum’s vision of love and service.