In January 1873, the Trust opened Chelsea High School (a predecessor of Kensington Preparatory School) to serve the area immediately to the west of the centre of the city and nine months later, Notting Hill High School which was to serve families in the area to the north of Hyde Park.

Harriet Morant Jones was the founding head who looked after ten pupils assisted by her sister.

Controversially, Ethel Gavin was appointed instead of an internal heir apparent and resignations followed.

Gavin was a "capable and experienced headmistress" until 1908 when she moved to the GPDST school at Wimbledon.

And in their last report, the ISI inspectors reported, "pupils' achievement in curricular and extra-curricular activities and their learning is exceptional as is their attainment in national tests at age 11 and at A Level".