Alumni Visit - Isleworth Grammar School (1970s)

Alumni Visit 24/10/2025

Isleworth & Syon School has nearly 400 years of history, meaning that – by our estimation – over 100,000 boys have passed through our doors. That equals 100,000 individual stories of success. With that in mind, we are so proud when groups of former students get in touch and ask to visit their old school.

One such example took place last week as Isleworth Grammar School students from the 1970s came into school, hosted by Co-Headteacher Mr Fisher. Former student Stuart Birrell very kindly wrote us the below report:

Long-term school friend Clive Brown and I had been talking about organising a reunion at the school for many years. We'd managed two or three mini meetups at the London Apprentice previously with those we had kept in contact with, but to try and spread the word a bit wider was quite daunting. We decided to make a bit more effort this year and with the support and guidance of both Co-Head Simon Fisher and Old Isleworthian (OI) Club representative Tony Winslade, we managed to reach several more of our colleagues and agree on a date for a school tour and gathering at the OI Club.

On the day itself, a respectable number were able to attend, all of whom have since expressed their gratitude for an excellent and informative tour of the school by Simon. Many parts of the school were surprisingly familiar from the old days as we strolled the corridors and classrooms. Stories surfaced in free-flowing conversation between us as the decades since we last met melted away. The new and unfamiliar parts of the building also demonstrated how teaching resources and methods had improved and adapted to changing times. The school was different, yet familiar at the same time.

After the tour we reconvened at the OI Club in Wood Lane. Kim behind the bar was very welcoming and had kindly arranged sandwiches and samosas for us while we attempted a 45-year plus catch up with each other's lives over a beer or two. Later on, we were joined by Tony and former teacher Bob Edmonds. The night ended with a promise not to leave it quite so long before we meet again!

It was a wonderful visit and so special to see these Isleworthians connect with their school heritage. As wonderfully summarised by former student John Clark, "It was wonderful to again walk the floors and climb the stairs of the grand old building, which will always be such an important part of my life. A rare opportunity to recollect times past with old friends who share these formative years."

Work is currently underway behind the scenes to set up a formal alumni network, so watch out for more information on that in the coming months as the school seeks to foster a deeper connection with our former students.