Dean Henderson's vision in 1930 was for a Church School for girls and one for boys. The senior departments of St. Michaels, Christ Church and The Abbey were to be incorporated to form the new schools. The Churches involved were St. Michaels, Christ Church in Verulam Road, The Abbey and St. Saviours.

The chosen site in Townsend Drive (now occupied by the Music School) was inspected and the raising of funds began, with parishioners subscribing freely.

The boys and girls took to school their "pennies for bricks", giving from their pocket money, knowing that many of them would never attend the new building.

The Townsend Church of England School Foundation Charter
23^rd February 1933

The Girls looking after the School Grounds 1936

The Foundation Stone was laid in 1932 and the building began. In June 1933 a Fair opened by Princess Marie Louise was held in the Abbey Orchard and £1000 was raised.

The Townsend Church of England School Foundation Charter 23^rd February 1933

Boys visit to Portsmouth

By September 1933 the building was completed, except for the Dining Hall, which was built later. There were  no grounds staff but the boys worked during their gardening lessons and the girls spent their dinner hours taming the rough clay and creating a rockery, flower borders and a rose bed.

Townsend Girls perform A Midsummer Nights Dream in the Bishops Garden at the Abbey in July 1935

Miss Rollin was the first Head Teacher of the Girls' School, with five members of Staff and 180 girls in five classes.

Mr. Watson was the Head Teacher of the Boys' School with three members of staff and 111 boys in three classes.

Jubilee Activities Clarence Park May 6^th 1935

Senior Girls' Choir 1939

The War period of 1939 - 1945 was a very difficult time. Once a week each member of Staff had to remain at school all night after a day's teaching on "Fire Watch" and continue teaching the following day. Pupils kept their coats, gas masks and cushions in their desks so that in the event of an alert they were able to leave carrying their cushions and masks and enter the air raid shelters in perfect order and silence. Suitable lessons would continue in the air raid shelter until the "all clear" sounded and the pupils returned to their classrooms.

Townsend Staff in the early years

Miss Rowland took over as Head of the Girls' School in 1953. Her enthusiasm, planning and endeavour led to the new building at High Oaks.

The Foundation Stone for the new building in High Oaks was laid in September 1963 and the opening of Townsend Girls' School took place in June 1965.

The Victorious 1952 Football Team

Do you recognise the Year?

Townsend Staff - Can you help with the year?

Walking to the Abbey for one of the 1954 Abbey Services
These Banners are now on display the the School Foundation Foyer

1956 Girls at Townsend

1956 Girls Netball Teams

Townsend production - The Bailiffs' Daughter - 1957

Townsend production - A Midsummer Nights Dream - May 1959

Moving into the New School in 1964

"Basher" Bowman making tea

Donation of £650 to R.E.Hudson 1970

Technology Lessons 1960

Townsend Boys' School took over the whole of the site in Townsend Drive, remaining there until July 1974.

In September 1974, Miss Legerton who had followed Miss Rowland as Head Teacher of the Girls' School in 1973, became Head of the merged school. The official opening of the Townsend Church of England School at the High Oaks site, was performed by the Dowager Duchess of Gloucester in May 1975.

The Original "Foundation Stones" from the previous school sites, can be found in the "Founders Entrance".

HRH Princess Alice Duchess of Gloucester performs the Official Opening in May 1975

Swimming Team 1975

Charity Walk for the Queens Jubilee 1977

School Production of "Oliver" in 1979

The Cast of Oliver" 1979

Football Team 1981 - 1982

Rugby Team 1981 - 1982

Early in 1979, The Heathlands School for the Deaf in St. Albans, set up a Secondary Department..

After approaching several other secondary schools in St. Albans unsuccessfully, they were welcomed by Townsend and their Secondary Department started using the Townsend School facilities in September 1979.

Head Teacher Mrs. P. M. Legerton 1983

Netball Team 1983

September 1983 saw the 50^th Anniversary celebrations of the setting up of the first Townsend School.

In February 1987, Mrs. S. Greenfield became the Head Teacher and within eight weeks of her taking over, the school was threatened with closure by the Local Education Authority.

School Orchestra 1983

A Walk Down Memory Lane - 50th Anniversary Celebrations 1983

The next few years at Townsend were very stressful for everyone.

The threat of closure fused all those who loved Townsend into a dynamic driving force.

Students, past and present, teachers, parents and governors fought a long and vigorous campaign to keep the school open.

In 1991 the long term future of Townsend was finally secured.

Head Teacher Mrs. Greenfield M.B.E. 1987

Townsend "Saved"

Girls Cross-Country Team make the National Finals

Past Townsend Staff

September 1993, saw the 60^th Anniversary celebrations of the setting up of the first Townsend School. The occasion was marked with reunions, a Charity Walk and a whole School photograph.

60th Anniversary Celebration Charity Walk 1993

Infact, the pupil numbers increased so quickly that there was not enough classroom space to house them.

60th Anniversary Celebration Charity Walk 1993

Mrs J. Baggs (Deputy Head Teacher) making a speech at the 60th Anniversary Celebration

Head Teacher Mr. A. Wellbeloved 1995

Recent years have seen the continued growth in popularity of Townsend Church of England School, with all years in the School now being oversubscribed.

Courtyard and Learning Resources Centre

New Learning Resources Centre Opened in April 1997

Townsend continues to go from strength to strength.

"Best Wishes

From All at Townsend"