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.
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:
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!
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