Consider this a journey back in time to 1896. That’s when St Michael at Bowes CofE Junior School first opened its doors. It was known then as St Michael’s Church Day School.
The school’s story began thanks to the Honourable William Frederick Danvers Smith MP. Reverend A.C Almach also played a vital role. He was the Vicar of the local St Michael’s Church. Their vision was clear. They wanted to offer Christian schooling to children in the parish.
Interestingly, the original St Michael at Bowes school building wasn’t here. It stood where Tottenhall Infant School is today. Both schools shared grounds. The land where the current school sits served as playing fields.
St Michael’s Church Day School housed both infant and junior students. It consisted of two main buildings. One was a single-floor Edwardian building. The other was a two-floor Georgian design. In the early years, the junior school occupied the Edwardian building. Infants were in the Georgian building. Over time, this arrangement changed. The Edwardian building became home to the infants. They continued to use the old Edwardian school until the new Tottenhall School was built.
In the 1970s, a significant change occurred for St Michael at Bowes. The London Diocesan Board for Schools bought land next to the school. Their plan was to construct a modern junior school. This would continue the mission of St Michael’s Church free school.
The new school was named St Michael-at-Bowes Church of England Junior School. Construction finished in 1972. Reverend Alan Rodgers reopened the school on March 24th. He was the Bishop of Edmonton. Since then, St Michael at Bowes has grown. It continues to offer Christian education to the wider community.
In 2004, construction began on a new block. This increased the school’s capacity. It allowed St Michael at Bowes to teach more children from the local area. Development to expand the entrance on Tottenhall Road also took place. Further work enhanced the teaching, learning and resources within the school.
St Michael at Bowes continues to evolve. Its mission remains unchanged. It stands as a landmark in the community. The school hopes its Christian ethos will continue far into the future.
Today, St Michael at Bowes CofE Junior School serves children aged 7 to 11. It is a voluntary aided school with a mixed-gender intake. As of January 2025, 267 pupils were enrolled. Approximately 31.8% of the students are eligible for free school meals.
St Michael at Bowes has a good reputation. Ofsted’s most recent inspection rated it as “Good”. In 2019, 80% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. The school also demonstrates strong progress in these core subjects.
St Michael at Bowes CofE Junior School embodies a rich history. It demonstrates a commitment to Christian values and academic excellence. The school has adapted to meet the changing needs of its community. It remains a place where children can build firm foundations for successful lives.