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.
Our history
![History 1](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/2017-11/history%201.jpg?itok=iNAN6vg1)
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](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/2017-06/Original%20school%20building%201911.jpg?h=89023b21&itok=HPvlrPnp)
1880
Mill Lodge, becomes the home of entrepreneur and Justice of the Peace, Samuel Keene.
![Harrods in 1900s](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/History/Harrods%20in%201900s.jpg?h=11f3e67b&itok=iurZ5ORZ)
1904
A 25-acre sports club, with palatial clubhouse, is built ‘for the mental and physical betterment of Harrods' employees’.
![1948 School Site](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/2017-06/1948-School-Site.jpg?itok=f7mbmsGp)
1988
The Harrodian Sports Club closes and the site is put up for sale.
![Sir AHB](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/History/Alford%20History%20page.jpg?itok=n67XAaTo)
1992
The Club and grounds are purchased by Sir Alford Houstoun Boswall.
![1993 Class](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/2017-06/1993-class.jpg?h=3c0a6f36&itok=qCFVckry)
1993
The Harrodian opens with 65 pre-prep and prep age girls and boys and 13 staff.
![Peter Thomson](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/2017-06/Peter-Thomson.jpg?itok=M0NKLWz-)
1996
Peter Thomson, charismatic former head of Emanuel School becomes Headmaster.
![1997 CE pupils](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/History/1997%20CE%20pupils.jpg?h=42078b8e&itok=Cok5ql-i)
1997
The first 15 common entrance pupils achieve a 100 per cent pass rate.
![older exams](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/Harrodian%20Images/Sitting%20exams_0.jpg?h=b91d6f00&itok=3ywge95d)
1999
The first Harrodians sit GCSE exams.
![Headmaster in early days](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/History/Mr%20Hooke%20a%20long%20time%20ago.jpg?itok=S3LeTX6Q)
1999
James Hooke, Deputy Head and Director of Studies, is promoted to Headmaster.
![Peterasgrandfather](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/Peter%20grandfather.jpg?itok=W4y8f50I)
1999
Peter Thomson becomes Principal and unofficial Pre-Prep ‘Grandfather’.
![Senior Building](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/History/Senior%20building%202001.jpg?itok=uXeX1ny_)
2001
The newly built Senior School building opens.
![jack](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/History/jack.jpg?itok=rFdOQSxS)
2001
First Harrodian Art Exhibition featuring work by pupils and local artists.
![Sixth Form](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/Harrodian%20Images/001_Harrodian.jpg?itok=J19ijo3S)
2002
The Harrodian opens its Sixth Form. Pupil numbers reach 700.
![South Africa tour](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/History/South%20Africa%20tour.jpg?itok=HvEqQiPX)
2002
First overseas Sports tour (Cricket and Netball) to South Africa.
![Harrodian 10th](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/History/Harrodian%2010th%20anniversary.jpg?h=467ac66c&itok=h8t1cdfn)
2003
The Harrodian stages a tenth anniversary week of celebration.
![Mentoring](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/Harrodian%20Images/Mentor_Nas_EVW7707.jpg?h=9a643371&itok=4xKxEaht)
2003
In September, Harrodian welcomes children all the way from 4 to 18 for the first time.
![Choir tour](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/History/Choir%20tour%20with%20programme.jpg?h=07248c2d&itok=OSQayVJk)
2003
New music department building opens; first music department international tour (to Prague).
![A level student](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/Harrodian%20Images/006_Harrodian.jpg?h=41b9b463&itok=_GoyhBtz)
2004
The first wave of Harrodians sit their ‘A’ Levels.
![Italy Trip](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/2017-06/Matteo-still-taking-Italy-trip-13-years-on.jpg?h=b0bac5ab&itok=7WgPo4vA)
2004
The 11s take their first Easter visit to Italy, a trip now established as an annual tradition.
![Snap](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/History/Edinburgh%20festival.jpg?h=ea8c2350&itok=3dvJWJy5)
2007
First drama department visit to Edinburgh Festival.
![Harrodian football](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/Harrodian%20Images/Screen%20Shot%202016-10-24%20at%2015.06.04.jpg?h=1c14c8c4&itok=Y4v12I1K)
2007
First Harrodian pupils play for age group national teams (Tom Joslin for football and James Middleton for Rugby).
![Lucy April 2007](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/2017-07/Lucy-April-2007.jpg?itok=CqHlg3Ep)
2007
Lucy Horan appointed head of the Pre-Prep department.
![Cambridge free photo pixabay](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/Harrodian%20Images/cambridge-2263815_640.jpg?itok=woSPbHqi)
2008
Harrodian wins its first Cambridge University places.
![Carol Concert](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/2017-06/Carol%20Concert%201st%20Dec%202012.jpg?h=4d46b14c&itok=wQArJvVy)
2012
First Harrodian Carol Concert at St Paul's, Hammersmith.
![20th Birthday Cake](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/2017-06/Harrodian%2020th%20bday%20cake.jpg?h=d37cad4e&itok=QhwYCkxK)
2013
Harrodian celebrates its 20th anniversary with a party and a large cake.
![Sixth Form Floor](/sites/default/files/styles/410x410crop/public/History/New%206th%20Form%20floor.jpg?itok=OYDS7CUX)
2017
New dedicated Sixth Form floor opens on top of the Senior Building.