Prendergast Schools Trust is an independent, volunteer-run charity supporting the three Prendergast schools in Lewisham, which are part of the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools. On this page you can find our trustees, governance documents, accounts and history.
Our Trustees
Our constitution allows us to have up to 11 trustees. The Executive Headteacher of the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools is a trustee, and three trustees are appointed by the Leathersellers’ Company. The remaining trustees are appointed by the board of trustees.
Our current trustees are:
- Clare Brynley Jones
- Andrew Collier
- Rev Steve Hall
- Andrew Holmes
- Louisa Itam
- Gregory Jones KC
- Paula Ledger
- Sophie Miremadi
- David Sheppard
Become a Trustee or Member
Volunteering to become a Trustee or Member of the Leathersellers’ Federation is a great way to build board-level governance experience while supporting the Prendergast schools.
Accounts and Annual Reports
See PST’s annual reports and accounts by clicking the links below.
Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 2025 (PDF)
Governance
The Prendergast Schools Trust is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission (Charity No. 1206461). Our official charity record and governing document can be viewed below.
Charity Commission Register Entry (Charity No. 1206461)
Constitution of the Prendergast Schools Trust (PDF)
History
Prendergast Schools Trust holds funds left in the will of Dr Joseph Prendergast (1791–1875). These funds are invested to generate income to provide additional support for pupils at the three Prendergast schools.
Dr Joseph Prendergast was Headmaster of Colfe’s School from 1831 to 1857.
In his will, Prendergast endowed funds to the Vicar and Churchwardens of the Parish of Lewisham to found a grammar school for girls and provide scholarships so that “thirty one poor girls or such larger number as circumstances will permit shall be instructed entirely freely in the Greek, Latin, French and English languages and in Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry”.
Dr Prendergast’s endowment was supplemented from a number of sources, including some ancient charities associated with the Ancient Parish of Lewisham. The most significant donation came from Thomas Shipman.
The old school crest (which we have now adopted as the Prendergast Schools Trust’s logo) is a combination of the Prendergast family crest on the left and the Shipman family crest on the right.
The land for the original site of the Lewisham Grammar School for Girls, on the corner of Rushey Green, was donated by the Leathersellers Company, and the school opened in 1890.
The Prendergast School Trust also has a governance role in the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools. We act as a Member of the Federation, and together with the Leathersellers’ Company and other Members, we areresponsible for protecting the values of the Federation and making sure governance is effective.
Bellingham Road Playing Fields
In 1934 the trust purchased land south of Bellingham Road from Henry Forster to use as playing fields. In 1995 the school moved from its original site on the corner of Rushey Green and Hawstead Road to its current location in Hilly Fields. This moved the school significantly further away from the playing fields and so the use of them has dramatically declined over time, while still incurring significant maintenance costs. Trustees are undertaking a review of how best to use the playing fields to support the schools, and will not be considering external lettings during the 2025/26 academic year.