Holy Cross Preparatory School


Holy Cross Preparatory School is an independent preparatory school for girls aged 4–11 in Coombe, London, England.

History

Holy Cross Preparatory School was founded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, an international teaching order which has been engaged in the work of education since 1844. A Christian ethos is taught in an ecumenical framework, with an emphasis on developing the God-given gifts of each child as they strive to reach their full potential, spiritually, academically, personally and physically.
Holy Cross Prep was originally the junior department of Holy Cross School in New Malden. It moved out to its new premises in 1971 to form what id Now Holy Cross Preparatory School.

Building

The school is set in Coombe, a historical estate dating back to the 13th century which was previously owned by the Crown. In 1215 King John gave the estate to Hugh de Nevill, former High Sheriff of Essex. In the grounds of the school is the ancient monument "The Ivy Conduit", part of an elaborate water system built in 1516 to supply Cardinal Wolsey's newly built Hampton Court Palace. The Conduit House fell into disrepair after being damaged by a German V1 bomb in June 1944. The school successfully applied for a grant from English Heritage and the house has since been restored. The Ivy Conduit has been designated a Grade II listed building.

House System

There are four houses and each house is led by a House Captain and Vice-Captain.
Holy Cross was named "Independent Preparatory School of the Year" in 2013 by The Sunday Times