Northbrook School has a history of over one hundred years set within Christian tradition. The lords of the Manor of Lee from the mid-eighteenth century, the Baring family, which adopted the title of Northbrook. In 1871, the Earl of Northbrook donated land to St. Margaret’s Parish to build an infants school to cater for the fast growing population. Over the years, the original school was expanded to form one Hedgley Street Junior and Infants school. It then became Northbrook School in the early years of the century. The school was opened in 1884 in the sincere conviction that no education can be complete which has not a spiritual foundation (service of commendation - Silver Jubilee celebrations 1884 - 1934). The first head teacher was Mr. George Baseley who started with six boys. At the outset of the second world war in September 1939 the school was quickly evacuated and in October 1940 a bomb almost completely destroyed the buildings. In 1953 the decision was made to build a Church of England mixed comprehensive school on the original site and Northbrook School was officially opened by Princess Margaret in December 1957. A building programme of nine classrooms took place in the year 1996/97, adding valuable teaching space to the school. In the summer of 2000, further work was done to enlarge the Learning Centre and improve the information technology provision. During the year 2001/2 two science laboratories were brought up to date, while further improvements to the school entrance took place during the summer of 2002. The school now comes within the Parish of the Church of the Good Shepherd and close links are maintained with the church to this day. The school adopted the Baring family motto - PROBITATE ET LABORE - through honesty and work. It is a motto which we are proud to try and follow.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 20:50:36 +0000