St Clement Danes Church of England Primary School is celebrating its 300th anniversary. The school is one of the two local primary schools in Covent Garden, occupying a relatively modest Victorian school building in Drury Lane.

The school is perfectly placed to serve Covent Garden's growing residential population. After a period of change and instability, the last few years have seen a steady improvement in academic results and teacher retention. The current Headteacher, Diane Mounsey-Thear, has gained the respect of pupils and parents and has a very enthusiastic team of talented and committed teachers working with her to provide top-quality education in the heart of London's West End.

The long-standing financial support from the St Clement Danes Educational Foundation has meant that the school is able to provide many trips, activities, festivals and outings, with the Oranges & Lemons Festival (usually held in St Clement Danes Church) a famous example.

The school's tercentenary has not passed by unnoticed. Governors and staff have thrown themselves into events and celebrations to mark this special event. Peter Maplestone, one of the Governors, has carefully researched the Educational Foundation's archives and has written a fascinating book about the school's history. It is full of interesting fact and figures of the school over the past 300 years and contains a number of very interesting photographs.

A thanksgiving service was held on 28th November in St Clement Danes Church to mark the 300 year milestone. It was attended by local dignitaries, community representatives, former pupils, and the parents and family of current pupils. The service started with an interesting audio presentation of the school's history, followed by readings by pupils dressed in 300 year old uniforms and performances by the school choir and the hand bell ringers. The Bishop of London, the Rt. Rev and the Rt. Hon Richard Chartres, preached a sermon that was both relevant and understandable to most of those present. The service was followed by a reception for guests, governors, staff and former pupils at the Aldwych Theatre.

The school has a number of other events to look forward to, including a street party, Winter Fair and Firework Display on 13/1/2001, and a visit by Her Majesty the Queen on 14/2/2001.

The special tercentenary book can still be obtained from the school and will interest anyone who wants to know more about this unique 300 year old institution. Peter Maplestone spoke about his book and the school's history at a recent Morning Assembly. This is what one of the younger pupils remembers of Peter's visit:
"Peter maple stone came in at ST.CLEMENT DANES CHEARCH OF ENGERLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL to talk about what the school was like along time ago, he talked lots of his book he wrote it was very good. Theese are some of the things he told my school about. He told my school things like along time ago my school was near linkandsin fields and about I think Peter maple stone told my school about my school was shot 2 times." (Ben, year 3).

Further details of events, including the Fair and the Queen's visit, will be posted here in due course.

Contacts:
St Clement Danes Primary School, Drury Lane, London WC2B 5SU
Tel 020 7641 6586
Fax 020 7641 6556

St Clement Danes Educational Foundation
Tel 020 7641 6593
Fax 020 7641 6589