Belvedere Junior School

Belvedere Junior School is now a part of The Pioneer Academy Trust (TPA).  In September 2012, our school became the second school to join the trust.  TPA now includes ten schools across the boroughs of Bexley and Croydon, as well as one school in the local educational authority of Kent.

Joining TPA was the most significant event in the school’s history since the school moved site in 1987. 

September 1987

In the Autumn of 1987, Belvedere Junior School opened its doors to its eager pupils.  The pupils of the school were previously taught at West Street Junior School which was built in 1901, so the children were all very excited to be moving to a newly-built school which was equipped with brand new tables and chairs, along with many other changes.

Government Visit

To celebrate the opening of the school, the Education Secretary – Kenneth Baker – made a special visit.

Can you guess which classroom this is?

Kenneth Baker is pictured here talking to the Head Teacher – Mr Evans and Mrs Wyatt – a Year 4 teacher and the school’s Music Lead.

Former pupil, Mrs Kalsi and now a member of SLT, remembers the fantastic Mr Evans as her Welsh Head Teacher whose booming voice meant that he commanded authority throughout the school.  When he covered some classes, many children particularly enjoyed his debating lessons.  All former pupils talk of Mr Evans with fondness, he led the school through the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

As you can see from the photograph, Mrs Wyatt was passionate about including music in the lives of the children.  Friday afternoons were for singing, when Mrs Wyatt played the piano and everyone sang along to old favourites such as, ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ and ‘I’m forever blowing bubbles.’

Mrs Wyatt was also passionate about children learning their times tables!  Mrs Kalsi says that Mrs Wyatt is the reason that she developed a love for maths, particularly mental arithmetic.

Kenneth Baker talking to the children.  Can you guess which classroom this is?

Have you spotted this plaque in our school reception?

West Street Junior School

In July 1987, West Street Junior School closed its doors for the final time and was replaced by Belvedere Junior School.  Since 1901, the school - which was located in West Street, Erith - had served the local community.

West Street Junior School – Erith

The magnificent Victorian building is fondly remembered by former pupils.  Most notably, the spiral staircases are recalled as being a great and fun feature of the school. As can be seen from the right-hand view of the building, parts of the school were finished in semi-circular style.  The three floors of the school provided the pupils and teachers with three halls that were used for different purposes.

The history of West Street Junior School

West Street Primary School at the beginning of the 20^th century.

West Street Primary School was founded in 1901.  It was built opposite the prominent local landmark – St John’s Church – which can be seen just behind the school in this picture.  Children from the school were invited to hold their Christmas and Easter services at the church which has been a part of the local community since the 12^th century. Belvedere Junior School continued this relationship with the church by holding its Christmas carol services at the church.

In 1938, the school was divided into three departments: one for boys, one for girls and one for infants – each with its own head teacher.  In 1959, the boys’ and girls’ departments merged to make a combined department.  The juniors occupied the middle and top floors of the building and the infants were based on the ground floor.

In 1973, the infants transferred to a new building in Mitchell Close in Belvedere and West Street Primary School became West Street Junior School.  The two schools operated as two completely separate organisations for the next 46 years.  It was only in September 2019 when Belvedere Infant School joined The Pioneer Academy Trust (TPA) that the two schools became part of the same family again. 

The unprecedented school lockdown which came as a result of Covid-19 in March 2020 means that the two schools are now operating under one roof for a few months – albeit for a very small number of children.