“What makes Victory Primary School special?” I ask you now. Victory Primary School is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a place of history, learning, and community.
Victory Primary School’s story began long ago. The Elementary Education Act of 1870 started it all. This act showed the government’s commitment to education. School boards were created to build and run schools. London got its own School Board in December 1870. They quickly began building schools where places were needed.
Victory Place School was not in the first group of schools. However, it was among the first ninety-nine built by the Board. In fact, it was the 70th school opened by the Board. By 1872, the School Board decided a new school was needed in Locks Fields. They considered Victory Place and Salisbury Crescent as locations. Locks Fields was a swamp being developed.
The Board chose Victory Place for the new school. However, the managing committee of St. John’s School objected. They sent a memorial to the Board in December 1872. The School Board rejected their objections. They decided to proceed with the school at Victory Place.
The Board Meeting of January 29, 1873, confirmed the decision. They bought the site. Fifteen houses stood on the site. These houses were demolished.
Construction moved fast. By November 1874, Victory Place School was ready. The opening ceremony was on November 24th. Sir Charles Reed and Mr. Edmund Hay Currie presided over the ceremony. They emphasized the Board’s goodwill towards existing schools. The Board aimed to provide needed places, not to compete with efficient schools.
Edward Robert Robson designed the original Victory Place School buildings. He was the chief architect for the London School Board. The school had two separate buildings. One was for infants and the other for older students. The main building was three stories high. It had classrooms and playgrounds. The Architect described the school in detail. It could accommodate nearly 1,000 children.
In the late 1890s, William Henry Libby was the headmaster. He was known for his care for pupils. He helped set up free meals for poorer children. Libby noticed two hungry brothers at school. He started the Scholars’ Free Meal Fund to help them.
In August 1909, questions arose in Parliament about the school’s facilities. Concerns included lighting and sanitary arrangements. Mr. Ramsay Macdonald raised these issues. The London County Council addressed the concerns.
The original school buildings were demolished in 1913-14. A new building was erected. This was part of a larger effort to improve school standards. The new building likely was designed by Robert Robertson. It was a three-story block in yellow brick.
Victory Place School has seen famous faces. Charlie Chaplin attended the school. His teacher Mrs. E. E. Turner-Dauncey remembered him fondly. Comedian Charlie Drake also went to Victory Place in the 1930s.
The school was nearly bombed during the Second World War. However, it escaped damage. In 1951, Victory Place School became Victory Primary School. This reflected the school’s changing role and location of entrances.
In 2014, Victory Primary School won the Thank You Film Awards. They won with their film “Today I Will Sing For You (Daddy Song)”. The film featured Reception Class children and their dads.
Victory Primary School continues to thrive. It provides a welcoming and caring environment for all. The school focuses on respect, kindness, and high expectations.