St Paul's School

One of the oldest and most celebrated public schools in England.

Location: Lonsdale Road, Barnes

Description: St Paul's Public School was founded in 1509, at the height of the Renaissance in England. It's founder, Dean John Colet of St Paul's Cathedral, intended his friend, Erasmus, to be the first High Master, though that plan never came to fruition.

Originally sited by St Paul's Cathedral, the school moved four times before occupying its present, riverside site in 1968. It has survived the Plague, the Great Fire of London and the Civil War, and in 1870 was one of only two day schools included by the Clarendon Commission as one of the 'nine great public schools' of England.

It's celebrated list of alumni, also called Old Paulines, include John Milton, Samuel Pepys, Edmond Halley, Nicholas Parsons, Sir Clement Freud, Professor Robert Winston, Tim Hunkin, Ben Watt, Patrick Marber.

Modern musicians include Charlie Fink from Noah and the Whale, Winston Marshall from Mumford & Sons, and Will Kennard from Chase & Status.

Themes: Historical Historical Theme