Concordia 27_cover section.indd

Concordia Winter 2024

Merchant Taylors’ Prep from the Archives

40

Heads of Northwood Prep

Heads of Merchant Taylors’ Prep

Heads and their Tales The change of Head in a school provides an opportunity for reflection as well as a reset, especially in a school that has had only nine Heads since its opening in 1910 in the vestry of St John’s Church, Northwood. That location led to its for its original name of Northwood Prep and the more familiar version, Terry’s, after Francis Terry, the founder and first Headmaster. His 25 years as Head are unsurpassed.

In 1956 the School became an educational trust with a Board of Governors, whose first task was to appoint a third Head. Mr Kilborn, fondly if unsurprisingly called ‘Killer Kilborn’ by pupils, came with international experience, having been the first Head of St Peter’s School, Trinidad. He oversaw the Jubilee year in 1960, with its 30lb birthday cake inscribed ‘Terry’s 1910–1960’. Mr Sudbury, who became the fourth Head in 1974, is often considered the first Head of the modern era. He brought Northwood Prep to Moor Park after governors purchased Moor Farm. Among other things, he introduced the Christmas Feast, a school tradition that endures to the present day. Mr Murphy succeeded Mr Sudbury in 1989 as the fifth Head. The PA Christmas Party of 1989 raised funds for a school minibus. The Junior School (the former name of Pre-Prep) opened in 1991 with its own hall. Mr Murphy was succeeded by Mr Flinn, the sixth Head who was promoted from Deputy Head to Head Master in 1992. During his time, the Sports Hall was opened in 1996 by Graham Taylor, the returning Watford FC manager. Pupils notice that neither Heads have portraits on display in the Dining Hall, owing to their limited tenure.

The first school colours were a navy blazer, blue cap, brown jersey, and blue and brown striped tie. School photos show grey flannel suits in the 1930s before the distinctive striped blazer was adopted in the 1950s. A library was started by Mrs Terry, who would be delighted to see the popularity of reading in the school today. Mr Terry died suddenly in 1935. At that time there were 85 boys on the roll. Mr Riddall became the School’s second Headmaster, introducing the House system which thrives to this day. The names of 15 Old Terryers who gave their lives in World War II are commemorated at our annual Remembrance Service in the Memorial Garden. The Parents’ Association was founded under Mr Riddall’s watch in 1948. He retired in 1955 after 20 years at the helm.