The Story of Gatehouse School
Gatehouse School began in 1860, when a school for 270 pupils was built in ecclesiastical style on Sewardstone Road with a grant from the National Society, funded by Parliament.
George Lansbury, who went on to become a British politician and Leader of the Opposition, attended the school from 1868 to 1870.
By 1898, the school had fallen into disrepair. John Edwin Watts-Ditchfield, vicar of St James the Less (and later the first Bishop of Chelmsford), sought support to restore the buildings. An anonymous donor offered to fund the repairs.
The foundation stone for the new parochial building was laid in 1899, and the new school officially opened on 29th June 1901.
War and Rebuilding
In 1908, the building was sold to the London County Council and served as a school for many years.
During World War I (1914–1918), a War Memorial was placed in the school to honour those who gave their lives. It was later moved during restoration works and now resides safely on an upper floor, where wreaths are placed each year.
In 1944, following the heavy bombing of East London, St James the Less Church was destroyed, and the school sustained significant damage. A historical bomb damage map shows the extent of destruction in the Bethnal Green area, including photographs of the damaged school interior.
A Montessori Legacy
In May 1948, Phyllis Wallbank MBE opened a small school in the Gatehouse of St Bartholomew the Great Priory Church, West Smithfield. The school’s ethos was rooted in the teaching of Maria Montessori.
Due to its popularity, the school moved to its current home on Sewardstone Road, Victoria Park. A memorable moment in the school’s history was Maria Montessori’s visit in 1951.
Phyllis Wallbank, pictured in the grounds of Gatehouse with her dog, remained a key figure in the school’s development. Sadly, she passed away in 2020, though her legacy lives on through the school, it’s mission, staff and pupils.
Read more about her life:
Gatehouse School Today
The building has seen many changes over the decades and now houses around 528 pupils aged 3 to 11.
With a strong sense of heritage and community, the Governors, staff, pupils and parents continue to look forward with pride and excitement as Gatehouse School moves confidently into the future.