As lockdown eases, the sun finally shines, and Mount Street Gardens are once again alive with people taking an alfresco coffee or lunch to absorb this oasis of blossoms and birdsong. But that’s not all.
At certain times of the day, comes the laughter and chatter of young voices or the more authoritative tone of 1,2,3 eyes on me! For, tucked away at the edge of the gardens is an absolute hidden gem; St George’s Hanover Square, Church of England School: the only state primary in Mayfair serving a wide community of local residents and workers.
The Parish of St. George, Hanover Square, Mayfair, has a long association with educating the young and founded its very first ‘school’ in 1703; its initial aim to educate 20 poor boys. Since then, the school has transformed itself throughout its 300-year history and moved to its present site in 1898, following a bequeathment of the land by the first Duke of Westminster. From then, boys and girls were educated in a range of traditional pursuits of the time. Today the school is fortunate enough to continue to benefit from close links to and support from The Grosvenor Estate.
Traditional Anglican Christian principles underpin the ethos of this Voluntary Aided School and it offers a broad, balanced, bespoke and inclusive curriculum, through a culture of high expectation; discipline, dignity and decorum enriched by extra-curricular music, the arts and sporting activities which take place within the local community.
Originally known as Yellow-Bellies, the pupils used to wear a somewhat peculiar yellow livery that was the uniform, but since 1888 pupils at St George’s Hanover Square School have cut a dash across London identified by their distinctive red caps, berets and blazers –and still do today. See if you can spot them the next time you are in the gardens!
If you have a child and would like to learn more about the school or are an old St Georgian and would like to support the school, they would love to hear from you and the pupils would love to take you on a tour of their school.
For more information and to make an appointment contact the Headteacher on 020 7629 1196; office@sghsprimary.co.uk.
Website www.sghsprimary.co.uk
