On November 30th 1934, Cyril Travers Burges, M.A. placed an advertisement in the local 'Herald and News' suggesting that a boys' preparatory school could be established in Staines; he asked interested parents to write to him and, if enough people were keen, he was certain the school could be opened by May 1935. Sure enough, in May 1935 Staines Preparatory School was founded with 11 boys in No. 1 Gresham Road. 1995 was the school's Diamond Jubilee year.
Today, the School occupies Nos. 1, 3 and 5 Gresham Road and some three acres of land and has an enrolment of 420 boys and girls who have joined the school because of its fine academic record and its caring reputation - two essential qualities which its founding Headmaster and his wife, Mrs. M.B.P. Burges, M.B.E., had nurtured for over half a century. Betty Burges's wish that the School's future should be safeguarded was achieved twelve years ago when she handed over the School and its grounds to a Charitable Trust. The Trust's Board of Governors appointed Peter Monger, M.A. Headmaster ten years ago after he had been teaching at the School for 18 years.
Phase One of the Trust's five year redevelopment plan was completed in 1991. This comprised in new traditional build, a School Kitchen and Dining Hall, a fully equipped Science Room, an Art Design Technology Room and four general classrooms, together with 2 all-weather netball/tennis courts.
Phase Two, comprising the enlargement of existing classrooms, was completed in 1992. Phase Three comprising the modernisation of the reception classrooms for 60 4 year-olds, and the introduction of a pre-prep department, self contained, for 20 3 year-olds, was completed in 1995.
Catering is on contract, the cost of which is fee inclusive. Scholarship awards to prominent independent secondary schools is annually very high, and over 98% of children achieve school entry of their choice.
Pre and post school day childminding is a new and welcome facility for working parents, and the school belongs to the nursery voucher scheme. From 1997, 5 assisted places at age 7 are offered.
