Our history

Harrodian was founded in 1993. Before that our riverside location on the south bank of the Thames in Barnes served as a farm, a private residence and a sports club. This time line charts the history of our beautiful site as well as Harrodian's growth into maturity over its first quarter century as a school.

History 1

1670

Mill Farm is established on 138 acres of meadows, alongside the River Thames, and is built on the site now occupied by the main school. 

Original building

1880

Mill Lodge, becomes the home of entrepreneur and Justice of the Peace, Samuel Keene.

Harrods in 1900s

1904

A 25-acre sports club, with palatial clubhouse, is built ‘for the mental and physical betterment of Harrods' employees’.

1948 School Site

1988

The Harrodian Sports Club closes and the site is put up for sale.

Sir AHB

1992

The Club and grounds are purchased by Sir Alford Houstoun Boswall.

1993 Class

1993

The Harrodian opens with 65 pre-prep and prep age girls and boys and 13 staff.

Peter Thomson

1996

Peter Thomson, charismatic former head of Emanuel School becomes Headmaster. 

1997 CE pupils

1997

The first 15 common entrance pupils achieve a 100 per cent pass rate. 

older exams

1999

The first Harrodians sit GCSE exams.

Headmaster in early days

1999

James Hooke, Deputy Head and Director of Studies, is promoted to Headmaster. 

Peterasgrandfather

1999

Peter Thomson becomes Principal and unofficial Pre-Prep ‘Grandfather’.

Senior Building

2001

The newly built Senior School building opens.

jack

2001

First Harrodian Art Exhibition featuring work by pupils and local artists.

Sixth Form

2002

The Harrodian opens its Sixth Form. Pupil numbers reach 700.

South Africa tour

2002

First overseas Sports tour (Cricket and Netball) to South Africa.

Harrodian 10th

2003

The Harrodian stages a tenth anniversary week of celebration.

Mentoring

2003

In September, Harrodian welcomes children all the way from 4 to 18 for the first time. 

Choir tour

2003

New music department building opens; first music department international tour (to Prague). 

A level student

2004

The first wave of Harrodians sit their ‘A’ Levels. 

Italy Trip

2004

The 11s take their first Easter visit to Italy, a trip now established as an annual tradition.

Snap

2007

First drama department visit to Edinburgh Festival.

Harrodian football

2007

First Harrodian pupils play for age group national teams (Tom Joslin for football and James Middleton for Rugby).

Lucy April 2007

2007

Lucy Horan appointed head of the Pre-Prep department.

Cambridge free photo pixabay

2008

Harrodian wins its first Cambridge University places. 

Carol Concert

2012

First Harrodian Carol Concert at St Paul's, Hammersmith.

20th Birthday Cake

2013

Harrodian celebrates its 20th anniversary with a party and a large cake.

Sixth Form Floor

2017

New dedicated Sixth Form floor opens on top of the Senior Building.