St Antony

St Antony’s Catholic Primary School has a remarkable history. It intertwines with the Ursuline sisters and their dedication to education. Our journey begins in 1862. A group of Ursuline sisters arrived from Belgium. Their mission was to establish a school in the East End of London. They first settled in “Old House” in Upton Lane. Soon after, they opened a school on Sun Row, now known as Green Street. This marked the humble beginnings of St Antony’s. The school initially served the local Catholic children. By 1889, the boys moved to the care of the Franciscans. Mr. Cockburn became their headteacher. The girls and infants remained under the Ursulines’ guidance until 1904. Then they moved into the newly constructed St Antony’s School building. During World War II, in 1943, the boys and girls were finally taught together in mixed classes. The 1944 Education Act brought changes. The school then focused on children up to eleven years old. Mid-1960s saw another relocation. St Antony’s moved to its current location on Upton Avenue. Interestingly, some current staff members were once pupils at St Antony’s. They have their own unique stories. A long-awaited nursery unit opened in 1992. This was a significant addition to St Antony’s. The nursery was initially across the road from the main school. In 1999, the infant and junior schools merged. This created the present-day St Antony’s Catholic Primary School. A major building project took place in 2004. This incorporated the nursery into the main building. The project also added four classrooms and a larger library. The former nursery building was repurposed. It became a satellite children’s center. It’s now known as Kids’ World. St Antony’s continues to evolve. Through it all, the school has always aimed to provide the very best education. It stands as a testament to the Ursuline sisters’ vision.