Founded in 1872 St Joseph’s RC Junior School stands proudly here. For 150 years it has served this community. Imagine 48 boys the original student body. They filled this very space. The school was originally just for boys. It wasn’t until 1900 that girls were allowed to attend.
This wasn’t always an easy journey. Early classrooms were cramped. The school needed more room. A first extension was built. Later Croydon County Borough Council took over. New buildings were added. The school became mixed with infants. It remained known as St Joseph’s RC School. One classroom was added thanks to a generous legacy and a surprisingly successful jumble sale.
The 1944 Education Act changed things. Boys left at eleven. They went to grammar schools technical colleges or secondary moderns. Our school became known as St Joseph’s Primary School. The school grew. More rooms were added. Even pre-fabricated ones. The headteacher Mr Brennan had a reputation for never turning a child away. The school roll reached 330 with a waiting list of 38.
The school celebrated its centenary with a pageant and an open-air mass. There was even a parents-teacher association dance. New buildings were constructed. A junior school opened with an entrance on Woodend. A new infant school building followed. The school split into two under separate headteachers.
Technology arrived. The first computer appeared in the junior school. Another followed for the infants. A library and music room were opened. A nursery too. The school’s choir even won a national competition. They recorded a theme tune for a television show at Elstree Studios. The school recorder group was featured on BBC Radio 4.
The school continued to evolve. The parish hall became the Garden Hall. An Angel Garden was created. A breakfast and after-school club finally opened. The school became part of a federation and later a trust. It received awards for sports and academics. A new library was built. Even today St Joseph’s RC Junior School thrives. It continues its mission of educating and nurturing young minds in this vibrant community. It’s a testament to its enduring legacy. A place where generations have learned and grown. A place that still stands proud.