Once a St Martin’s Girl, Always a St Martin’s Girl. This motto encapsulates the spirit of St Martin In The Fields High School for Girls. It stands as a testament to its enduring legacy.
St Martin In The Fields High School for Girls was not just a school. It was a place where young women blossomed. It was a place where they were nurtured with love and discipline. The school’s motto was Caritate et disciplina. It translates to With Love and Learning.
Founded in 1699 by the parish of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the school was a charitable enterprise. Imagine a time when educating girls was considered radical. The parish and the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge dared to challenge this norm. They believed girls deserved education just as much as boys.
Originally located near the St Martin-in-the-Fields church in Trafalgar Square, it was first known as St Martin’s Middle Class School for Girls. Over time it became St Martin-in-the-Fields High School for Girls. Parish endowments fueled its growth and success.
By the early 20th century, the school needed more space. So, in 1928, St Martin In The Fields High School for Girls relocated to Tulse Hill. The Duchess of York, later the Queen Mother, officially opened the new buildings.
The school badge featured St Martin of Tours. The school welcomed girls of all faiths while maintaining its Christian foundation. It became a technology college in 1996. St Martin In The Fields High School for Girls earned a Sportsmark and recognition as an Ambassador School for Gifted and Talented Youth.
The school also had a lasting exchange link with Anchovy High School in Jamaica. Queen Elizabeth II joined the school’s tercentenary celebrations in 1999.
In its final years, St Martin In The Fields High School for Girls served a diverse student body. A significant percentage of students came from lone-parent families. Many spoke English as an additional language.
Sadly, declining enrolment led to the school’s closure in 2024. But the story doesn’t end here. The site is set to become Oasis St Martin’s Village. It will be a youth hub run by Oasis Charitable Trust. Thus, the legacy of St Martin In The Fields High School for Girls continues.
Despite challenges, St Martin In The Fields High School for Girls excelled academically. The school was in the top 5% of similar schools in England between 2011 and 2013. It had also won the Lambeth Debating competition four times in a row.
St Martin In The Fields High School for Girls produced many notable alumnae. These included broadcaster Carol Barnes and interior designer Monica Pidgeon. Also, singer Skin and graphic designer Lynn Trickett attended the school. Gloria Craig served as Director of International Security Policy at the Ministry of Defence.
Though St Martin In The Fields High School for Girls has closed its doors, its impact remains. The school’s rich history and commitment to Love and Learning will never be forgotten. The women who walked these halls carry its spirit within them. The motto says it all: Once a St Martin’s Girl, Always a St Martin’s Girl.