Collection SCH52 - Good Shepherd (Rc) Primary School

When the New Addington estate was being developed, the Southwark Diocesan Schools Commission pressed for a site for a Roman Catholic School. Croydon Corporation demurred as there was already provision for sufficient school places. The priest, Father Howley, thereupon made it clear that he would oppose the proposed estate, at which the Corporation offered the choice of one of two sites for a four-classroom school (his requirement). The Ministry of Education would agree only to a seven-class (IFE) school. The plans were re-drawn, after which the Ministry changed its mind and agreed a four-class building; the Commission, however, claimed that re-design had gone too far and so an IFE Primary School was approved.

The situation is less complicated than at first appears. A combined JMI School was opened on 6 September 1955 under Mr Duffy who was succeeded by Mr Scanlan. In September 1970 the two departments became separate schools, the Junior continuing under Mr Scanlan and the Infant School having, at its first Headmistress, Sister Mary Pauline. In August 1979 Mr Scanlan ceased to be Headmaster and, during Academic Year 1979-80, both schools were under Sister Mary Pauline. When they were combined on 1 September 1980, she remained as Headmistress.