The Queen’s Preparatory School’s history

THE QUEEN’S Preparatory School is one of a number of independent Church schools operated under the auspices of the Anglican Church in Jamaica and was founded in 1954. The Diocese of Jamaica purchased premises at 119 Constant Spring Road and converted what had been the Doric Hotel into a school, which was officially opened by the late Archbishop of York, Dr Cyril Garbett, on Monday, January 11, 1954. The school was named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, who was crowned in 1953.

The school is made up of two departments, a Kindergarten Department and a Junior Department, which cater for children up to the age of 13. In addition, there is a Special Remedial Unit, which caters to children with special-education needs.

On the first Monday morning, classes were started with 22 children and two teachers, Adele Anderson, headmistress and Marjorie Chevannes (now Marjorie Hall), her assistant. The ground floor of the old hotel housed the Preparatory Department and the high school occupied the first floor.

This arrangement did not last long because very soon, it was obvious that to accommodate the ever-increasing numbers, the preparatory school needed its own building and grounds. Consequently, 127 Constant Spring Road was purchased and in January 1955, the preparatory school moved into its new premises. The official opening ceremony was performed in March of that year by Lady Foot, the wife of the governor, Sir Hugh Foot, and the school was blessed by the Rt Rev Basil Dale, who was then Bishop of Jamaica. The numbers in the school continued to grow, and there was a continuous building and expansion programme which lasted well into the 1970s.

Property was purchased at 121 Constant Spring Road and The Queen’s Junior School (now referred to as the Junior Department) was opened in January 1959.

In 1972, the preparatory school and junior school were amalgamated to form one school, which was named The Queen’s Preparatory School.