The Road to 2011 - Premises and Land

South Downs Road and Highbury

In the first years of APS lessons were taught in the buildings vacated by Bowdon College on South Downs Road. Initially, only one wing was used, but as pupil numbers increased the full site became occupied.

In 1948 a hut was erected to house two additional classrooms, but it was realised that a further expansion was needed to accommodate the growing school.

In 1950 the Board purchased a building on West Road in Bowdon called Highbury House.

Formerly a Ladies College for both boarders and day pupils up to the age of 18, Highbury House had been purpose built as a school in 1873, changing hands only once in the 1920s.

It has always been used as a school.

Marlborough Road Playing Field

In 1954, the school acquired playing field land on Marlborough Road owned by Lord Stamford who was a long time supporter and shareholder of APS.

Helped by the APS Society, a new pavilion was built in 1955, although this building was redesigned in 1977 (pictured).

At the same time, a new kitchen building was added as an extension to Highbury.

Marlborough Road - A New Building

APS continued on the two sites at South Downs Road and Highbury for decades. In the early 1990s however, the owners of the lease at College House on South Downs Road gave notice that it was their intention to close the building to release the land for demolition to rebuild College House as the apartment building that stands there today.

The Board decided to use part of the land owned on Marlborough Road opposite the Grammar School, and to build a new school building.

Designed by architect Alan Hurst, the Marlborough Road site opened in September 1997, and the school continues to operate on both Marlborough Road and Highbury sites.