Our History, Our Legacy
In 1912, the Claretian Missionaries arrived in the United Kingdom from Spain and founded the parish of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Hayes. They purchased Botwell House and its surrounding four acres of land, giving our school the name that we carry today. From these beginnings, the parish and school have grown together, rooted in faith and committed to serving the people of Hayes.
The first permanent school building was built on the Botwell House site at a cost of £9,640 – a significant investment at the time. On 25 August 1931, the Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God began their work in Hayes, welcoming 145 boys and girls. Their dedication to education, faith and service helped establish the foundations upon which our school community continues to build.
Ninety-five years later, the world in which our children learn is very different. Education has changed, technology has transformed how we communicate and access knowledge, and our community continues to evolve. The needs, hopes and experiences of children and families today are not the same as those of the pupils who first walked through our doors.
Yet, while so much has changed, much has remained the same. At the heart of Botwell House are our pupils, our staff and our families. They are the living legacy of those who came before us: each generation adding something new while remaining connected to the faith, values and sense of service that have shaped our school since its foundation.
Our history reminds us that a school is more than its buildings. It is the people who learn, teach, pray, serve and grow together. From the 145 children welcomed in 1931 to the vibrant community we are today, Botwell House continues to serve the children and families of Hayes, placing Christ at the centre of all that we do.
As we celebrate 95 years of our school, we give thanks for all those who have gone before us and look forward with confidence to the future. Our legacy is not simply what has been left to us; it is what we now carry forward – in the lives of our pupils, the dedication of our staff and the faith of our families.
St Anthony Mary Claret, Pray for Us.
