The latest chapter in our rich history
2023 has seen the beginning of a new chapter for PGHS as we welcomed Ms Sarah Proudlove as our new Head. Ms Proudlove has taught in the UK, France and Italy, working at primary, secondary and university level. Having been involved in the creation and development of Mill Hill International, she is excited to bring her breadth of experience to PGHS.
Ms Proudlove comments, “From my first visit, I was struck by the warmth of the relationship between staff and pupils. On visiting lessons, I was impressed by the girls’ curiosity, creativity, and their obvious love of learning, all of which I will strive to foster.”
PGHS has a rich history. Our School was established in 1905 by local resident Alice Hum. Miss Hum was passionate about providing an excellent education to girls and we are proud of the legacy she gave us. PGHS evolved from 12 pupils in a small house to a thriving through-school taking girls from Nursery all the way up to GCSEs.
PGHS moved from Osbourne Road to Avondale Hall, its current Hoppers Road location, in 1918. Avondale Hall was a popular location for Suffragette meetings. It was also the only school in the area to remain open throughout World War II, even opening its doors to pupils from the local boys’ school.
In the 1950s, pupils from Year 7 upwards were expected to walk to local facilities for their PE lessons, which included hockey at Winchmore Hill Cricket Ground, tennis generally at Hazelwood Tennis Club or Grovelands Park and very occasionally – about once a year – to Barrowell Green Swimming Pool. We are lucky that nowadays our pupils have access to the full facilities at The Walker Ground (netball, tennis, hockey, football, rounders, squash, tag rugby and athletics) alongside sole use of Southgate swimming pool. Pupils in Years 10 and 11 also make use of Southbury Leisure Centre, where they can also access gym equipment, trampolining, badminton and aerobics. And most importantly, no one has to walk!
The current School site would be unrecognisable to many of our Alumni. Always seeking to improve and develop what we can offer, many alterations have taken place over the years. Facilities and resources are constantly changing, most recently with a complete refurbishment of our School Library and Music Suite.
Join our local family
If your family is interested in joining us to create more history, please come to one of our Working Open Mornings. Please contact the School Office on 020 8886 1135 or via [email protected] for more information.