Sanders Draper School

In 1937, a new school opened its doors to the children of Hornchurch. It was called Suttons Modern Secondary School. Today, we stand before it, now known as Sanders Draper School. The name change reflects a dramatic event etched in the school’s history. Sanders Draper School is a mixed-gender secondary school for students aged 11 to 16. It’s part of the Success For All Educational Trust, working in partnership with other local schools like Redden Court and Royal Liberty. The school is deeply connected to its past. It even has a house system named after local heroes chosen by the community. In its early days, Suttons Modern Secondary School educated boys and girls in separate departments. These eventually became separate schools entirely in 1945, before merging again in 1953. But the defining moment for the school came on March 24, 1943. An American RAF pilot, Raimund Sanders Draper, faced engine failure while taking off from nearby RAF Hornchurch. Seeing the school below, he steered his failing Spitfire away, crashing in a nearby field to avoid a catastrophic collision. To honor his bravery, the school was renamed Sanders Draper School in 1973. Although the name was briefly changed to Sanders School in 2014, it reverted back to Sanders Draper School in 2021, emphasizing its connection to this act of heroism. The school continues to celebrate this history and the community spirit it embodies. They even award “hero points” to students for excellent work and behavior. As you look at Sanders Draper School, remember the story of Raimund Sanders Draper. His selfless act ensured generations of children could learn within these walls. His name, etched on the school, is a testament to courage and community.