Collis School (then Park Road Girls’ School) was founded in 1865 by Sarah Collis in a house in Park Road, Teddington.  Initially, there were just 16 pupils, but this had risen to 71 by the end of the year.  Boys were first admitted in 1871 and by 1875, there were 318 pupils attending.

Following the Education Act of 1891 and the introduction of free schooling, the school moved in 1902 to Station Road and was re-named accordingly.  Sarah Collis retired in 1906 and the school was taken over by her niece, Mary Collis.  The school was again renamed Christchurch County Primary School in 1937, before being finally called Collis School in 1960.

Collis School moved to its present location on Fairfax Road in 1972 and the old school building was completed in 1982 with a new nursery department.  David Butterfield took over the Headship in 1991.  In 2005/6 a new building (Harlequin) was built to catch up with growing demand for places in the local area.  In July 2014 David Butterfield retired and Jane Way (the previous Deputy Head) took over as Acting Head teacher.  In September 2015 to present Kevin Hogston became the new Head teacher.

The new Colliseum school building: a bid in 2014 to the EFA (Education Funding Agency) to rebuild the old EY and KS1 building was successful; this £6Million development was finally completed in July 2021.

The bulk of the building works took place from February 2020 until June 2021 which coincided with the Covid-19 pandemic.

We now have an excellent school environment on a very large site (31,000 Sq. M) and facilities which complements our curriculum.

Here is a timeline of significant events and head teachers in the history of Collis Primary School:

1865: School opened by Miss Sarah Collis in a house on Park Road, Teddington.  She was assisted by a 'group of ladies and gentlemen who at the same time were founding Christ Church in The Causeway'.  16 pupils at first but there were 71 by the end of the year.

1866:  First permanent building in Cedar Road.  

1870:  Establishment of compulsory education.

1871: Boys department opened.

1874:  School placed under control of Education Department - now a Non-provided school receiving a government grant.  Girls of all ages - boys were transferred to St Mary's and St Peter's at the age of 9.  

1875: The student population grew to 318.

1891:  Education Act - introducing free education in schools.

1902:  Following the Education Act of 1891 and the introduction of free schooling, the school moved to Station Road and was renamed Station Road School.

1906:  Miss Sarah Collis retired.  Miss Mary Collis, her niece, became Head Teacher.

1920s:  Dorothy Edwards (children’s writer of My Naughty Little sister fame) went to Collis.

1928:  Miss Mary Collis retired.  

1937: School buildings enlarged to present size (of Cedar Road site) and now called Christchurch County Primary School.  Under the control of the Middlesex County Council.  

1954:  Infants transferred to the newly established Bridgeman Infants School.  

1960:  Name changed to Collis County Primary.    

1965:  Came under control of the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames.  The School's Centenary celebrated.  

1971: Mr Bill Booth appointed Head Teacher.  

1972:  Moved to the new school building and site in Fairfax Road.

1970s: Trevor Baylis (inventor) built swimming pool with galvanised steel.

1981:  Bridgeman Infant School merged with Collis. 

1982: Collis School established as a 1½ form entry Primary School with Infants and Nursery Units moving into new purpose-built accommodation attached to the existing building (now demolished).  

1991: Mr David Butterfield took over as Head Teacher.

2005/2006: The Harlequin building was constructed to address the growing demand for school places in the local area.

July 2014: Mr David Butterfield retired, and Mrs Jane Way, the then Deputy Head, became Head Teacher.

September 2015: Mr Kevin Hogston was appointed Head Teacher. This year also marked the school’s 150th anniversary celebration.

March 2020-June/July 2020: Collis closed due to Covid 19 (it remained open for vulnerable children and the children of key workers).

January 2021–March 2021: Collis closed 2nd time due to Covid 19 (it remained open only for vulnerable children, children of key workers and selected year groups).

July 2021: The £6 million Colliseum building project was completed, significantly enhancing the school's facilities.

This timeline highlights the key milestones in the history and leadership of Collis Primary School.

Recent Head Teachers of Collis Primary School

Bill Booth                  1971–1991 (20 years)

David Butterfield       1991–2014 (23 years)

Jane Way                    July 2014–September 2015

Kevin Hogston           September 2015–Present

Over the past 54 years, Collis Primary School has had only four head teachers, a testament to the remarkable stability and continuity of leadership that has shaped the school’s success. This consistency has provided a strong foundation for the school’s ethos, culture, and long-term vision, ensuring a sustained focus on excellence in education. Once in the role, head teachers seem to find Collis an inspiring and fulfilling place to lead—so much so that they don’t want to leave. The school’s vibrant community, dedicated staff, and engaged families create an environment where leaders feel valued, supported, and deeply connected to the school’s ongoing journey. This rare level of leadership continuity has played a crucial role in maintaining Collis’s reputation as an outstanding place for children to learn and thrive.

The Collis Birthday Assembly – A Cherished Tradition

At Collis Primary School, we take pride in our strong sense of community and the special traditions that bring children, parents, and staff together. One of the most beloved and long-standing traditions is The Collis Birthday Assembly, a monthly celebration for our youngest pupils in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2.

This assembly is a unique and treasured part of school life, offering children the chance to mark their birthdays with their classmates, teachers, and families in a joyful and memorable way.

The History of the Birthday Assembly
The Collis Birthday Assembly has been running for over 50 years. We know it was already a key school event when Bill Booth was Headteacher from 1971 to 1991, and we believe it may have originated even earlier, when Bridgeman Infant School was incorporated into Collis Primary before the 1970s.

Over the decades, the assembly has evolved, but its essence has remained the same — a special moment for children to celebrate growing up, supported by their families and the school community. Many past pupils, and even some parents who attended Collis themselves, fondly remember their own birthday assemblies.

A significant change came in the 1990s, when the legendary Mrs Cooper introduced the percussion and recorder performance as a special finale. This addition became an instant highlight and continues to be a much-loved part of the celebration today.

What Happens at the Birthday Assembly?
Each month, on a Wednesday morning at 9:00am, we hold a special birthday assembly for children whose birthdays fall in that month. Parents of the birthday children are warmly invited to attend and share in their child’s special moment.

The assembly includes:

• Birthday children sitting at the front behind a decorated table, while their classmates in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 gather for the celebration.
• Speakers from Year 2 leading parts of the assembly, helping to build confidence and develop public speaking skills.
• A joyful round of ‘Happy Birthday’ sung by the entire hall, alongside a performance of ‘How Do You Feel?’, a song that has been part of the tradition for many years.
• A traditional drum ceremony, where a child beats a drum to represent the ages of the birthday children:
  • Five beats for Reception
  • Six beats for Year 1
  • Seven beats for Year 2

• A grand finale featuring all Year 2 pupils (around 90 children) playing a tune on the recorder, a tradition that dates back to the 1990s and continues to be a much-loved moment for families.

A Special Community Effort – The Birthday Cakes

A key part of the tradition is the homemade birthday cakes, which are lovingly prepared by a small group of Year 1 pupils and parent volunteers the day before the assembly. Three cakes—one for each year group—are baked, decorated, and ready to be shared at the celebration.

After the assembly, the birthday children enjoy their cake with their classmates, making the occasion even more memorable.

A Right of Passage at Collis
The Birthday Assembly is more than just a birthday event — it is a right of passage at Collis Primary. Pupils grow up with this tradition, looking forward to their turn to sit at the front and be celebrated.

The song ‘Cauliflowers Are Fluffy’ is also an important part of Collis assemblies and is typically sung at the Harvest Assembly, connecting the school’s traditions throughout the year.

The Collis Birthday Assembly is truly unique and very special to everyone involved in Collis life—long may it flourish!

If your child has a birthday in a particular month, we strongly encourage you to attend the assembly — it is a treasured moment for both children and parents alike.

We look forward to celebrating with you!