[2] In 1838 five girls sat on five wooden stools made for them at the opening meeting of the school and home for missionaries' daughters in Marsh Street, Walthamstow.

[2] Male students were sent to The School for the Sons of Missionaries (founded in 1842 by Mr Foulger in Walthamstow, Dr Bell's in Stockwell in 1852, to Blackheath in 1857 and then Eltham College in 1912) set up under similar circumstances.

The next year, a student called Mary Wallis received Lady Goldsmith's Latin Prize, a distinction attained by only 15 girls in England.

From just five girls in 1838 the school expanded rapidly and despite many building extensions and leasing of the adjoining property it was obvious that the site was not big enough and the waiting list increased.

John and Dorothy Foulger's daughter Mary Anne Lydia Pye-Smith lived in Sevenoaks, and that became the site for the building of the new school.

Walthamstow Hall and Eltham College, in a similar circumstance, made a successful Joint Church Appeal for £10,000 in 1921.

On the night of 21 September 1940 when the new laboratory, craft rooms and old gymnasium were destroyed by bombs and damage caused to the whole school but no one was hurt.

[citation needed] The flying bombs posed the greatest menace - one speech day took place partly underground until the skies cleared.

In 1970, Brentor, a house in Vine Court Road was opened as a Sixth Form Centre and named E. B. H. in honour of Miss Blackburn who was about to celebrate 24 successful years as headmistress.

Fund-raising made possible the building of The Eric Salmon Wing, opened in 1975, which houses art studios, teaching suites, ICT and Junior Careers.

Work experience was introduced in 1984 for upper four (Year 9) and in 1987 a special link with Liberty's was created which provided management placements.

Language students visit Germany and France to stay with 'exchange' families whilst they work for local businesses.

The school's aims have always been to produce a balanced and rounded education with a timetable which offers a full spread of subjects for all pupils until the end of the Year 9.

'The Ship' is a purpose-built performing art building which houses a theatre with 'thrust' stage and seating for 199, as well as practise and 'green rooms' for both music and drama departments.