Good Shepherd Primary School

During the last war, Croydon Council made the decision to extend the Boots Estate at New Addington to re-house those people who had lost their homes as a result of the war. It was also an opportunity to help those who were living in sub-standard homes in Croydon.

As the Estate was being developed, the Southwark Diocesan Schools Commission was approached about building a Primary School for Catholic children on the new estate. The proposal was accepted and the local priest, Father Howley, began gathering names and addresses of Catholic children in or near New Addington.

An application was then made to Croydon Council for land on which to build the school . In addition, there was an exhibition of the proposed New Addington development at the Town Hall. The original application was rejected by Croydon Council because there were sufficient schools places already provided. Father Howley made it clear that he would oppose the proposed estate development if the Catholic school was not agreed. Croydon Council then offered a choice of one of two sites for the school.

The original plan was for a four classroom school. The Ministry of Education would only approve a seven classroom school. The plans were re-drawn by the Architects, Tomai and Maxwell and work started.

The Ministry then had a change of mind and agreed that a four classroom school would be agreed. Father Howley replied that the work had gone too far at this stage and the seven classroom school was completed.

The statue of the Good Shepherd which is now in the Good Shepherd Church was originally presented to the school – unfortunately we do not know who by. An interesting point is that it was originally on show at the Great Exhibition at Crystal Palace in 1851.

The window etching of the shepherd with a lamb in the school hall was presented by Mr Tomai, the Architect.

Holy Mass was offered each Sunday in the school hall until the building of the Church was completed. The store room behind the stage held a mobile altar which was wheeled out each week.

A combined infant and junior school was opened in the school year 1955/1956 under Mr Duffy the Headteacher.

The school was reorganised in 1970 when a separate infant and junior school was created. Mr Scanlon was the Headteacher for the juniors and Sister Mary Pauline was the Headmistress for the infants. In 1980, the schools were combined again under Sister Mary Pauline. The school has remained combined to this day.