Hebe Catherine Prior was widowed in 1855 at the age of 37. Her barrister husband, John, was riding home from his chambers when he fell from his horse and hit his head. Two days later, he died. She had to find a way to support herself and her ten children, so she sold her home and bought Roxeth Mead House, a large Georgian house in Middle Road, Harrow on the Hill, and there founded a small school.
Her pupils were mainly her own ten children and the children of masters of Harrow School. To this day, the school still numbers among its pupils Harrow masters’ children.
The school thrived and, as Mrs Prior grew older, four of her daughters took over its organisation. The youngest, Florence (known as Miss Flo), retired in 1932. The school was fortunate enough to pass into the capable hands of Miss Nicholson (known as Miss Nick), who was its head until she died more than 30 years later.
For some years the school was run by Mrs Eleanor Elgood, followed by Mrs Jean Vernon. Then, in 1982, Mrs Averil Collins became head, a post she held for 24 years. During her tenure, the school had to leave the premises that had been its home for 130 years. Harrow School came to the rescue, providing temporary accommodation for 3 years in its sixth form club.
In 1992, by a stroke of good fortune, a neighbouring property to the original house, came onto the market (Buckholt House) and the school was able to buy it, its present home at 25 Middle Road.
Mrs Alison Isaacs became its new Head in 2006. Under her leadership, the school continued to flourish, maintaining the traditions of the past while embracing new developments and looking ahead to the future.
In the summer of 2018 the owners of the school sold it to Mrs Suzanne Goodwin and her two daughters Sarah Mackintosh and Claire Blunt. Together the trio now run the school. Mrs Goodwin has a long history of success in Independent Education, running The Hall School, Northwood, very successfully for many years. Sarah Mackintosh has been a Head Teacher in both Secondary and Primary Schools in Surrey for twenty years and Claire Blunt, who is in charge of the financial aspects of Roxeth Mead, is a successful CEO International.
Following the pandemic in 2020, it was no longer financially viable to continue as a Pre-Prep School and to educate pupils up to the age of 7. A decision was made to focus on nursery education only and the school registered with Ofsted as a Nursery School and now caters for babies and children aged 3 months to 5 years. Our Ofsted Registration Certificate is here… EY Registration Certificate
We hope the school will continue to flourish for many years to come.
Due to the long standing, valued connection with Harrow School, fee concessions are available to employees of Harrow and John Lyon Schools.