The History of St John the Baptist School
St. John the Baptist School is a Church-aided Primary School for children between the ages of 5 and 11. It was founded in 1858 to provide education, ‘according to the principles and practices of the Church of England,’ for children living in the village of Great Amwell. The School has existed on its current site since 1967.
The School first stood in the southern part of the present churchyard. It was a low building made of wood and thatch. On February 11th 1874, the school buildings were destroyed by fire. Mainly by local subscription, a new school was built on the same site within the year. It was a more substantial building of brick and was used as a school for the next 93 years.
The present school was opened and consecrated by the Bishop of Hertford on September 29th 1967 although small extensions were added in both 1992 and 1998. A new hall, classroom and alterations to the administration areas were completed in September 2007. Further additions were made in 2009 and 2010 these included a new Library, improved cloakroom facilities and a 7th classroom, making the school 1 form entry. In December 2012, a new entrance was added to the school providing extended office facilities and a waiting area for parents and visitors. The accommodation now comprises 7 classrooms, a hall, a dining hall, kitchen, library, resources room, staff room, secretary’s office and Head teacher’s office. There is also a large playground, netball court and playing field for sporting activities. Despite changes in the structure of the building, St. John’s remains a village school, as it was over a hundred years ago. King Alfred and the Danes were active in the River Lea area and so a Danish ship appears on the school badge. The School motto ‘Deo navigamus nos’ – ‘We sail with God’ is very appropriate as the ship bears a cross on its main mast.
