New publication.

Posted: 10th September 2020

‘And The House Watches On.’

For fans of poetry, or of local history, Mr Elder, member of the English Department, has served up another delicious volume of poetry. 

‘And The House Watches On’ is a collaboration with the illustrator Charlotte Harker and, as Mr Elder’s website says, ‘explores the lives, real and imagined, that have passed through West House in Pinner’.   Mr Elder’s previous publications include ‘The Space Between Us’, ‘Codes of Conduct’ and ‘Being Present’.

Mr Elder begins his journey with the story of Thomas Bowler, owner of West House in 1812 who was hanged for attempted murder and the next two hundred years sees the house and society moving through history, from being the centre of village life through peace, war and decay until its rejuvenation as the centre of Pinner community life.  We see glimpses of those who have lived in or visited the house and gardens, through haunting images matched with eloquent poetry speaking about the grief of Admiral Nelson’s daughter, the secret life of servants having a day off, and comparing the life of a child sheltering during a World War II air raid with a child playing hide and seek today.

Above and beyond all this, ‘And The House Watches On’ is a tribute to West House itself, a landmark that has seen much.  As Mr Elder says in the poem ‘Jason’s Witness’:

‘And Jason knows this house

will keep his secrets stashed

among the others it has stored.’

If you would like to order a copy of ‘And The House Watches On’, published by Cicero Press, please go to https://neilelderpoetry.wordpress.com/and-the-house-watches-on/ from where copies can be ordered at £7.99 each.

Categories: Whole School
Strengthening Our Community: The Return of Boys to our Preps and Pre-Preps

We are excited to share that, from September 2026, boys will begin moving up from our Nursery into Reception, marking the gradual reintroduction of boys into our Prep and Pre-Prep School.

This step reflects growing interest from families who value our strong holistic ethos and unique grounds and setting and would like their sons and daughters to share their educational journey together.

At St Augustine’s, our strong sense of community, academic excellence, and deep care for each individual child remain at the heart of everything we do. This is a natural evolution of our school rather than a change to who we are, building on our strengths and allowing us to offer the same joyful, inspiring education to even more children.

Interested in learning more about our school?
Join us for one of our upcoming Open Days! You can book your visit via the Admissions section of our website.

  • Prep & Pre-Preps Open Day – School in Action (Nursery to Year 6)
    Tuesday, 23rd September
    10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

  • Senior School Open Day (Year 7 and above)
    Saturday, 20th September
    10:00 AM – 12:00 PM