THE HISTORY OF PRINCESS FREDERICA
Princess Frederica of Hanover (1848- 1926) was the daughter of George and Marie, King and Queen of Hanover and Duke and Duchess of Cumberland. George was a first cousin of Queen Victoria. In 1866 he lost his kingdom and went into exile with his family. After George's death in 1878, Frederica wished to marry her father's former Private Secretary, Baron Alphons von Pawel-Rammingen. Her mother and brother Ernest objected, as Alphons was not royal.
However, Queen Victoria supported her, as Frederica was also a member of the British Royal Family. Victoria gave Frederica away at a splendid wedding at Windsor Castle in April 1880. Afterwards Victoria gave Frederica apartments at Hampton Court. Frederica's only child ,Victoria, was born in 1881, but died three weeks later. Frederica was interested in children and became patron of the Church Extension Association, then in Kilburn, which wished to set up schools in the new suburb of Willesden. On July 24th 1889, she formally opened our school.
In 1898, she left Hampton Court and spent much time in Biarritz. She continued to attend state occasions in Britain until 1914. She also entertained members of the Royal Family staying in Biarritz. When she died in 1926, her body was brought back to Windsor Castle and buried in St George's Chapel near her father and daughter and other members of the Royal Family.
However, Queen Victoria supported her, as Frederica was also a member of the British Royal Family. Victoria gave Frederica away at a splendid wedding at Windsor Castle in April 1880. Afterwards Victoria gave Frederica apartments at Hampton Court. Frederica's only child ,Victoria, was born in 1881, but died three weeks later. Frederica was interested in children and became patron of the Church Extension Association, then in Kilburn, which wished to set up schools in the new suburb of Willesden. On July 24th 1889, she formally opened our school.
In 1898, she left Hampton Court and spent much time in Biarritz. She continued to attend state occasions in Britain until 1914. She also entertained members of the Royal Family staying in Biarritz. When she died in 1926, her body was brought back to Windsor Castle and buried in St George's Chapel near her father and daughter and other members of the Royal Family.
CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
To celebrate our 125th birthday- the anniversary of the informal opening of our school- we held a Victorian celebration picnic. Click on the link below to see some of the pictures from the special day.
YOUR MEMORIES OF BEING A PUPIL AT PRINCESS FREDERICA
Mrs. Blisset and Mrs. Caselle. Also the summer plays! Roshni, 2000
I remember passing my 11+ and was invited to attend a grammar school. Unfortunately my parents did not take up the offer and I ended up going to Willesden High School. I still have my school report and would love to attend the special event in 2014. I still remember my first theatre trip with my favourite teacher. Karen Taylor, 1975
My father-in-law JAMES HENRY COSTER started at the school in 1920 age 6. His brother JOHN "JACK" COSTER was born in 1917 and so must have started at the school around 1923. Do you have any records/photos of them please? Beryl Coster
Not many of the school other than the mountain of coal in the area that faces college road, the small glass bottles of milk always warm and on the turn. Can only remember one teacher called Mrs Brown and a school trip to the Cutty Sark. Keith Marks, 1969
My siblings, Patricia, Robert, Gwlymn, Byron and Richard were pupils around 1956 onwards (sister is 63yrs now). My 89 yr old mother was the welfare lady around 1965. She used to do the nit inspections! My partner John O Connor also attended the school and our 3 children are/have been pupils more recently. My own memories are quite vague but I remember the coal fires, school dinners and the headmaster with a big stick. I have bumped in to several other pupils over the years, just the other day, one of the Lavinda boys (family of 9 kids) who still lives on Bathurst Gardens. Sue Davies, 1970
Helping the kitchen staff clean up after lunchtime and getting massive goody bag of sweets on a Friday. Competing to be school library monitor and being school milk monitor. Playing marbles in small groups around the perimeter of the playground at playtime. Taking part in Songs of Praise - I still remember the words to all the hymns we sang! Asking Mrs Hollis and Mrs Milham for extra homework so I could practise for entrance exams to get into independent schools - became a boarder at a grammar school in Lincolnshire. Sharon Brown 1984
Amazing the best days of my life! Cake sales,school plays, the infamous "attic". Charlene Francis, 1997
I'm afraid a very long time ago. My memories are of teachers I'm afraid. Seem to remember Mr Botcherby (?) as one of the head teachers when I was there and my favourite teacher was Mr McEarlane - who I remember took us to a production of The Owl and The Pussycat. He also made up a limerick about me when we were doing poetry which I still remember. My nephews and nieces also went to Princess Frederica. We lived across the road at Purves Road. Rose Evans, 1971
In year six a lot of the younger kids looked up to me and I also became a playleader... Had a lot of fun times with my friends,who I still keep in contact with. Missing teachers like Mr Sowa and Miss Nayaar. Rio Calder, 2012
Every class had small glass milk bottles every day.It was the first school to have double glazing windows. Tariq Hussain, 1983
I started at 4 and a half until we moved when I was five, but I vaguely remember there being a fire and we were put out of the school window. My teachers name was Miss Woodams. Not sure if the spelling is correct. My grandmother still lived in Purves Road untill she moved in 1968 to be with us in Harlow so we still saw the school. My surname at that time was Smart. Susan Darlington, 1955
Lets just say it was interesting. Omran Sheikh, 1983
So many lovely memories of my time here, but in particular I remember the rumours of the haunted attic... The ghost of Princess Frederica could apparently be heard from the upstairs classrooms - very scary indeed! Katinka Achrafie, 2007
Walking down Purves Road to have our dinner in a hall further down the road. Our dinner ladies buying sweets from the shop on the corner opposite called 'Mr Bretts' and passing them through the bars at break time (a practice that would be unheard of now!) My first teacher Mrs Goldhawk, a wonderful lady. Karen Wilson, 1972
Wonderful school dinners in the hall next to the school. The headmaster Mr Botcheby. Morning Assembly and Church services every second Friday at St Martins. Micklon Johnson, 1970
Wonderful school dinners in the hall next to the school. The headmaster Mr Botcheby. Morning Assembly and Church services every second Friday at St Martins. My class teachers. Micklon Johnson 1970
I could not have had a better time in Primary School! As far I can remember, my whole family has attended this school and thats around 15 of us! Summer plays were indeed the best, and the teachers were fantastic as were the summer fairs and pizza parties! Roshni Vekaria, 2001
Mrs Blissett, Mrs Cassell and Mr Baptiste. Built my best memories at Princess Frederica. Who can forget the 'attic'? Loved every moment. Anisha Gorsia 2000
