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| Park Hill School history |
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Mrs Barbara Forward founded Park Hill School in 1949 with just ten boys and girls between the ages of three and eight. She was a war widow who had been left to support and bring up two small children on her own. Her husband, a solicitor, had drowned while serving with the Royal Artillery in North Africa.
Since 1947 Mrs Forward had worked as a governess for local children. As her group of charges grew in number they took it in turns to meet in each other's houses each term. After nearly two years Seymour Reynolds, who wanted to enrol his children with Mrs Forward, suggested buying a property to house the group. In December 1948 he bought the current premises in Queens Road at auction for £4500 and, to begin with, Mrs Forward rented the house from him.
The new school was called Park Hill because it was midway between Richmond Park and Kingston Hill. At first only limited alterations were made to the property as it was to be Mrs Forward's home as well as housing the school. She had just two helpers: Mrs Cooper and Miss Willie.
The numbers at the new school soon increased and for a while Mrs Forward even had a few boarders. In 1959 the school needed more space and outside classrooms were erected as a temporary solution. They are still there today.
Once fully established there were 110 children registered and only the lack of space prevented the number from doubling. Parents were putting down their children's names at birth for a place at Park Hill and there was always a waiting list. It was the kind of school that once flourished in large numbers in private houses all over the borough but is now almost the last of its kind.
In 1985 Mrs Forward decided to retire and pass her school on to younger people. It was not an easy task, as Park Hill had been her home for nearly 40 years.
In January 1986 Mr and Mrs Mark Payen-Payne officially took over ownership and the running of the school. Unfortunately Mr Payne, who was the headmaster, fell ill soon after their arrival and Mrs Payne was left to cope on her own. In October 1987 she and her husband informed the parents by letter that the school was to close at the end of that term.
Mrs Christie, with three children at the school, was one of the parents to receive the Payen-Paynes' letter. She telephoned them that very evening to discuss buying the school and within two weeks a rescue package was put together to secure the school's future.
Since Mrs Christie took over Park Hill in January 1988 the buildings and facilities have been greatly extended and upgraded.
Park Hill continues to thrive. The strong caring ethos, where everybody looks out for each other, ensures that each person feels that he or she belongs to Park Hill School.
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