A Bromley school is gearing up to mark a milestone birthday with grand plans to celebrate its centenary.

 

Bickley Park School has been teaching boys since 1918 and preparations are already under way to commemorate its 100th year. Staff are planning a year of events and activities and are now busy contacting, and tracking down, as many alumni as possible.

Bickley Park Old Boys will form part of the school’s centenary celebrations, which will run throughout the academic 2018/19 year.

Patrick Wenham, headteacher at the independent Page Heath Lane prep school, said: “We are very excited about our upcoming centenary, which we believe is a wonderful accomplishment.

“Thousands of boys have passed through our classrooms and gone on to achieve great things and we are proud to have given them the foundation to do so.

“Throughout our centenary year we hope to bring together past, present and future pupils, while celebrating Bickley Park’s long history and highlighting our plans for the next 100 years.”

Bickley Park School was founded by Mr and Mrs Richard A Brandram and started off with just 20 pupils. Mr Brandram was the first headmaster and, like others that followed in his footsteps, has a school house named after him. The Brandrams were focussed on educating boys and sport played a strong part in their educational vision. This is continued today as pupils have access to a swimming pool, astro-turf pitch – opened in September 2016 – tennis courts, a six acre sports pitch and climbing wall.

Teaching is still conducted from some of its original 1918 buildings but, since then, the school has grown hugely. New facilities are continuously being added, including, recently, a brand new nursery. A new Reception block and dining room will open in September.

Footballer and TV presenter Chris Hollins is among Bickley Park’s well-known alumni, which includes political historian Sir Anthony Seldon, but the school has also hosted a famous name on the other side of the blackboard.

Children’s author Enid Blyton taught at the school in 1919 before moving to Surbiton to work as a nursery governess.

Patrick added: “We are very proud of our connection to Enid Blyton and some of her work will be reflected in our celebrations.

“Our 100th birthday also coincides with the centenary of the end of the First World War and Bickley Park staff and pupils will be paying their respects and remembering the fallen as part of our events.

“We are looking forward to welcoming friends, families, supporters and pupils of all ages into Bickley’s historic grounds to celebrate with us.”

• Bickley Park is on the lookout for alumni and is calling on past pupils to get in touch. Visit www.bickleyparkschool.co.uk/alumni/ to contact the school.

Submitted by Gemma Hook