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St. Andrew's Home, standing on about five acres of land, together with the Beachlands on the sea front, was the freehold property of Mrs. Brenton of High Beech, who up to that time, had used the premises as a home and school for crippled children.  In 1930, it was offered as a free gift by the owner, to the "Committee of Tottenham Education Authority" with the condition that the property be used for the benefit of the sick.  Mrs. Brenton's offer was accepted and the school was taken over on October 1st, 1930.

The property, thus transferred, comprised of the school site, the nurses hostel, administration block, open air huts used as dormitories, also classrooms and the lease of the Beachlands, with the Lifeboat House then owned by the National Lifeboat Institution.  The school was renamed "The Suntrap Residential Open Air School"

Situated on the Sea front facing the Solent on Hayling Island, in mild yet bracing climate, it was thought that the school was particularly suitable for the treatment of ailing children who came from adverse conditions of densely populated urban districts.  Cases of debility after acute or prolonged illnesses, malnutrition and respiratory afflictions such as bronchial catarrh and asthma was thought to respond well to a period of residence at the school.

The health of these children was under the constant supervision of the Matron, assisted by a sister, a nurse and ten probation nurses.  The medical staff comprised of an Honorary Consulting Orthopaedic Surgeon, the visiting Medical Officer who was also engaged in private practice on the Island, and the Medical Officer of the Tottenham Education Committee who visited the school at frequent intervals.  At the time, the Medical side of the school was completely seperate from the educational side.  Mr. S Banker, Headmaster, being in charge during school hours, while Miss O.P.E. Hann, Matron and her staff catered for the out-of-school needs of the children.  Treatment was based upon open-air principles so all dormitories, classrooms and recreational rooms were constructed as to ensure continuous access of fresh air and sunlight.  Games were played on the beach and during summer months, swimming was encouraged.

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A typical day's programme was as follows:

6.00   7.00   8.30 11.00 12.00 12.30   1.30   3.30   4.30   6.00   7.00

a.m. a.m. a.m.  - a.m.  - noon p.m.  - p.m.  - p.m.  - p.m. p.m. p.m.

11.00 12.00   1.30   3.30   4.30

a.m. noon p.m. p.m. p.m.

Children  rise Breakfast Morning school Games on the beach Lunch Rest hour Afternoon school Games on the beach Tea Bed time Lights out

The school was almost self-sufficient, having its own laundry, boot repair shop, sewing room and producing all the vegetables needed in the kitchen.

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Boot repair shop

Sewing room

In 1938, the open air wooden huts were replaced by brick built dormitories and classrooms.  As an architectural problem, the rebuilding of the school presented some unusual features which had a distinct bearing on the plan and layout for the staff hostel, two classrooms and dining room which also had to remain operational at half strength, which meant that the work had to be carefully sectioned.  The rebuilt "Suntrap Residential Open Air School" was officially opened on Saturday 7th May 1938, by Kenneth M. Lindsay Esq., Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education.

Just over one year later, Britain was plunged into war and by 1940, the Director of Education visited Suntrap to discuss the evacuation of all the pupils from the school.  In 1941, the children were transferred to various schools in the country areas, one of which was in Gillingham, Dorset.

In 1943, the Admiralty took over Suntrap, renaming it to H.M.S. Suntrap.  The dormitories were now occupied by young men of the Royal Marines.  Their trainiing and parades were held on the playgrounds while a sentry always stood guard at the main entrance.  Hayling Island became a restricted area.  Barbed wire and concrete blocks were placed along the beaches with many dark days ahead.

It wasn't until September 1946 that the school was again, used by children when parties came from Middlesex and used it as a holiday home but on April 11th, 1947 the school buildings were inspected and the very next day, were re-opened as a school for delicate children with forty children enrolled.  By September 1950, that number had risen to 125 and was still being run under two seperate units.  The school education programme being in the charge of the head teacher and the medical welfare program, the responsibility of the Matron.  This division would continue until July 1959 when the presiding Matron retired.  All boys over the age of eleven were transferred to Park Place School and a new school system was implemented under the charge of the presiding head teacher who at that time was Miss L.E.E. Stout.

On April 1st, 1965 the county of Middlesex was disbanded as an authority and the school was placed in the care of the London Borough of Haringey.  January 1st, 1968 brought a newly appointed Headmistress, Miss Megan Jones.  It was felt at this time that the aquisition of a mini-bus would open up many exciting possibilities and advantages for the children.  Therefore, with much generous help from local firms and traders, the entire staff of the school along with the pupils and parents joining forces to organise fetes, jumble sales and raffles to raise the necessary money, the mini-bus was acquired after three years of saving, being delivered to Suntrap on May 3rd, 1972.  It was used to great advantage for education and pleasure trips, shopping expeditions, ferrying of children to and from various clubs they attended within the local community and introducing the children to the countryside via the "Youth Hostelling Association".

Between September 1973 and July 1978, the school had opened its doors to eight senior autistic boys.  They were catered for in the building which housed the C.D.T. and Science rooms.  The building was especially converted to provide a classroom, dormitory and the necessary bathroom facilities.

In 1976, the school was enrolled as a C.S.E. examination centre and in 1978 the first pupil to sit the exam, obtained good grades in Maths and English, which was then followed up by another pupil with passes in Maths, English and Parentcraft the following year.

To celebrate the "50th Anniversary Jubilee" of the opening of Suntrap, all the pupils currently on roll in October 1980, took part in a pageant depicting scenes spanning the fifty years since acquisition of the property by the Tottenham Education Authority.  Two performances were given, one for the local community, with whom Suntrap needed to integrate and the second for parents, friends, former staff and pupils along with administrative officers from the London Borough of Haringey. Each performance was attended by the local Mayor from Havant and Haringey respectively.  The preparation of the pageant by pupils and staff, culminated in two celebrations which brought together many old friends, making the 50th Anniversary Jubilee a memorable occasion.

In Spring of 1983, Suntrap took possession of a new mini-bus.  Because of tremendous rise in cost since the first bus in 1972, funds raised by parents, friends and staff, needed "topping up" and this help came from "The Variety Club of Great Britain" and "The London Borough of Haringey" which was greatly appreciated.

The same enthusiasm, co-operation and fun which produced past pageants was seen again at Christmas of 1983, in the pantomime "Cinderella". Staff and pupil participation strengthened the bonds of commitment within the school and this shone through in two memorable performances.

In January 1984, Mr. Michael Hargreaves joined the teaching staff as Deputy Headmaster, filling the gap vacated by Mr. Frank Wood, who retired in July 1982 after twenty six years teaching at Suntrap.  One of the achievements Mr. Wood will be best remembered for, was his ability to teach and conduct the school choir which resulted in the annual Christmas concerts, a substantial contribution to the Christmas festivities.

July 1986 brought the retirement, after almost sixteen years, of Suntrap's Headmistress, Miss Megan Jones.  During her years of residence, Miss Jones was required to fulfill many diverse roles.  The number of former pupils who have kept in touch and returned regularly to Suntrap is a tribute to the influence Miss Jones, her staff, those prior to her arrival and the legacy of Suntrap, St Andrew's had upon their lives but unfortunately the number of pupils being referred to Suntrap, had been declining for a number of years and by September 1986 when Mr. Hargreaves was appointed "Acting Headmaster", those numbers were at an all time low. However, Mr. Hargreaves worked valiantly to try and restore the numbers when in February 1987, the Education Committee made a resolution to retain and maintain the school.  In March of the same year, Mr. Hargreaves was appointed "Headmaster" and it seemed that the future of Suntrap was assured but this was not to be.  In December 1987, Haringey Borough Coucil agreed a packet of budgetary reductions which included the closure of Suntrap at the end of the summer term, 1988.  The establishment which was home, school and a place of work for so many people, from the days of St Andrew's Home, H.M.S. Suntrap marine base then later Suntrap Residential Open Air School came to a close and now will live on, only in those who remember.

History of our school

Many thanks to Sister Dempster and Sonia Chadha for the contributed information to help develop this page and to Julie Clare for submitting some pictures.   All rights reserved.

If you have and are willing to provide news or photographs which would enhance this history page, please contact (Pelaram@aol.com) with your suggestions.

Brochure cover for the 50th Anniversary