In 2016, the Little Lockers building was completed and the autumn term saw four boys and two girls join the first ever Reception class. The girls left at the end of Year Two and all four boys continued their journey through the Prep School.
Nine years after they joined, 2025 marked the completion of their journey through the school for this first set of boys, an event that has given both parents and teaching staff quiet pause for reflection.
The following is an account by Zoë Elia, mother of Jonathan, one of the boys.
When Jonathan started school, it wasn’t just the beginning of his own educational journey – it was the beginning of something new and exciting for Lockers Park. Jonathan was part of the very first Reception class in a beautiful new building that nestled in the hillside, accessed by a magical path from the main school.
Before this, a Lockers Park education began in an amalgamated Year One and Two class called Chestnuts in the main school.
To add to this, Jonathan’s year was part of a short-lived but memorable experiment: for the first time in the school’s 142-year history, girls were included in Little Lockers (Reception to Year 2). Although this was later reversed, the inclusion of Amelia and Nadya alongside Lucas, Maxence, Noah and Jonathan made for a wonderful start to their school lives. The small class made for a tight-knit bond and an exceptional learning experience.
Their Reception teacher, Mrs. Miller, had just the right blend of attention to detail and playful energy. She nurtured their curiosity and joy, making each day feel like an adventure. The children spent hours outside, whether playing amongst the shrubs or learning about nature with Mr. Gilden, who opened their eyes to the environment around them in a very stimulating and exciting way. There were also early sports lessons with Mr. Doyle, who always treated them quite seriously as young athletes despite their small size – which made them feel proud and capable.
One of the most treasured memories from those years was each year’s nativity play. In Reception, all six children took the role of angels, and to this day I can’t say who enjoyed it more – the children, the staff, or the parents. It was beautiful and so full of joy. By Year Two, they had adopted speaking parts and had clearly developed so much more confidence and musicality.
In Year Two, they were lucky to have Mrs. Newman as their form teacher. She was fun, warm, and engaging but with a commitment to preparing the boys for the more structured and academic environment of the Prep School. I still smile when I remember how Christmas songs began playing just after half term in the autumn! Yet beneath the festive spirit was a solid educational foundation that prepared them all so well for what was to come.
After Pre-Prep, the four boys – Lucas, Maxence, Noah and Jonathan moved up to the Prep school and said goodbye to their female classmates. Transitioning into Year Three was made much smoother thanks to Mrs. Forshaw, who helped build a bridge between the nurturing cocoon of Little Lockers and the growing independence of life in the Prep school. Over the years, their world expanded: more specialist teachers, deeper learning, more ambitious trips, and a widening array of activities that stretched and challenged them in the best possible way.
By the time Jonathan reached Year Eight, he was thriving. He had learned to absorb information and work to a brief with confidence and discipline – skills that had been laid down steadily through the years. He was able to draw on the tremendous range of activities and extracurricular lessons that Lockers had to offer and he had improved significantly as an athlete.
More than that, he has absorbed the values Lockers Park holds dear: kindness, courage, academic curiosity, and a huge sense of fun. It’s hard to put into words the contribution Lockers Park has made to his development, not just academically, but as a person.
Speaking to the parents of Lucas, Maxence, and Noah, I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. We all agree that our sons have been exceptionally well supported and prepared, not just for the next stage of school, but for life beyond the classroom. The boys have been taught the values of compassion, resilience and independent thinking. We are delighted that all four boys have been offered places at excellent senior schools: Eton, Harrow and St Albans.
Lockers Park has been exceptional in every way and very hard to leave. I would wholeheartedly recommend the entire experience. For us, it has been a journey filled with joy, growth, and lifelong memories – and we’re truly thankful.