The History of Hermitage Primary School

The first school to be recorded in Uxbridge was in the 1800s, which was a free school for girls.  Initially, the school met in a single room within the market house, laying the groundwork for what would become an enduring institution in local education.

In 1816–17, the school transitioned into The Uxbridge School of Industry, a charity school for girls situated in George Yard. At this time, around 80 girls received lessons in needlework and domestic skills, with the expectation that they would contribute to their education by practicing these crafts. The primary objective was to equip these young women with the skills necessary for service roles, which were highly valued in that era.

Historical newspaper articles reveal that the original Belmont Road School was constructed in 1816 at the corner of Belmont Road and Bakers Road. Surrounded by trees and open grassy areas, this building provided a peaceful, rural setting for learning. As decades passed, the needs of the community evolved, and by 1928 the building was repurposed to serve as an infants' department, becoming known as Belmont Road Infant School.

By September 1963, Belmont Road Infant School was recognised as one of the nineteen maintained schools in the old parish of Hillingdon. However, by the time the school celebrated its 150-year anniversary in 1966, the once rural surroundings had given way to a much more built-up area, and the historic building was beginning to look old and tired. In 1968, the decision was made to close the old premises, paving the way for a fresh start on a new site. The new building was constructed on land that had once been a meadow and was part of the grounds of a house known as The Hermitage. Interestingly, another significant house, Belmont, once stood nearby where Belmont Close now lies — this connection gave rise to the name Belmont Road.

In the summer of 1968, Hermitage Primary School opened its doors in its new, purpose-built facility.

Designed to serve both boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 11, the school initially had approximately 210 pupils. The facility boasted eight distinct teaching spaces, each paired with adjoining activity areas to foster a dynamic and interactive learning environment.

The educational landscape continued to evolve, and by 2012, significant investment was poured into schools across the London Borough of Hillingdon to modernise ageing facilities. Hermitage Primary was among those transformed, with a new, modern building constructed just 13 years ago. Today, the school is a vibrant educational community with over 400 children ranging from Nursery to Year 6 (ages 3–11). Modern amenities now include a well-resourced library, a dedicated Home Economics room and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) in the playground, ensuring that the learning environment is both spacious and fully equipped to meet contemporary educational demands.

In the spring of 2020, Hermitage Primary School took another significant step in its evolution by becoming an Associate Member of the Vanguard Learning Trust (VLT). This local multi-academy trust, which includes two secondary schools (Ruislip High and Vyners) along with three primary-phase schools (Hermitage Primary, Field End Juniors, and Ryefield Primary), is committed to upholding high standards of teaching and learning. On 1 September 2021, Hermitage formally became an academy within the VLT. While the school retains its unique identity and a Local Governing Body, it now benefits from the shared vision and collective oversight provided by a single Board of Trustees, ensuring that the ethos and values of the Trust are upheld across all its schools. More details on the Trust’s governance and vision are available on their website at www.vlt.org.uk.

From its humble beginnings as a modest charity school for girls to the modern, state-of-the-art facility it is today, Hermitage Primary School exemplifies a remarkable journey of adaptation and growth. The school’s long history mirrors the changes in the community it serves—growing from a single-room classroom in a market house to a vibrant academy that embraces modern educational practices while cherishing its rich heritage.