A Brief History of Eltham College
Eltham College is a school with a long history whose origins lie in a meeting held at the headquarters of the London Missionary Society in the City of London on 26th November 1841 (a date that has been marked by the school as “Foundation Day” at times in its history). It was founded as a boarding school for the sons of Protestant missionaries serving overseas.
It has since moved locations several times, and has undergone many major developments over the years. Some of these developments include the creation of a separate Junior School, the admission of girls into the Sixth Form, the ending of boarding, and the construction of new facilities such as a swimming pool, performing arts centre, sports hall, library, music school, and art gallery. In 2020, girls were accepted into the lowest years of both schools for the first time and the school became fully co-educational across its whole age range (7-18) in September 2024. In September 2023, Eltham College merged with Blackheath Prep to create the Eltham College Family of Schools.
The School Today
While the school has changed immeasurably since its foundation as a school for the sons of missionaries in Walthamstow in January 1842, our roots and traditions remain strong while we also adapt to the needs and aspirations of students and staff in the twenty-first century. Eltham College is now a leading London day school achieving outcomes for young people that match those of the very best schools in the country, but we remain a school that is fully committed to developing the interests and talents of students at every level.
Further Information
