Founded as the Philological Society by Thomas Collingwood, under the patronage of the Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, its object was to help "the heads of families, who by unexpected misfortune, have been reduced from a station of comfort and respectability."

[2] In 1957 the motto "ex animo tamquam Deo" ("from the heart, as from God") was added to the school's crest at the suggestion of the deputy headmaster Kenneth Crook.

Roy Mansell led the science team and was for a short period, following Patrick Hutton's tenure, the final headmaster.

ILEA itself came into conflict with the new Conservative government, whose secretary of state for education Margaret Thatcher took an interest in SMGS.

[5] The former science block continued in educational use as the Cosway Street Centre, part of City of Westminster College, but was later demolished.