History of TSM

At Trinity St Mary’s CE Primary School (TSM), our story is closely connected to the history of Balham itself. What began as a small village started to grow into the thriving London community we know today when the railway arrived in 1856. As the local area expanded, so did the need for education and care for local families — and TSM was founded to meet that need.

The school’s origins are rooted in St Mary’s Church, founded in 1805. In 1857, Mary Harrison generously donated buildings on Balham New Road so that children from local working families could receive an education. Soon afterwards, land was purchased for the current school site, and the foundation stone for the new school building was laid in 1859.

From the very beginning, the school’s mission was clear: to provide education, opportunity and Christian values to children in the local community. Initially, younger children attended the infants’ school on Balham New Road, while older pupils were taught at the current TSM site. As Balham’s population grew and compulsory education was introduced nationally in the 1870s, the school expanded to welcome more children and families.

Like many schools of the Victorian era, boys and girls were originally taught separately. However, by 1906 educational practices had evolved, and the school became a fully mixed junior school under one headteacher.

During the Second World War, the school community was evacuated to Bognor Regis for safety, while the school buildings were temporarily used as a munitions factory. After the war, the school returned to Balham and continued serving local families as a Junior Mixed and Infants school.

A significant chapter in the school’s history came in 1992, when Holy Trinity CE School in Upper Tooting closed and its pupils joined St Mary’s. To honour the heritage of both schools and celebrate their shared commitment to education and community, the school was renamed Trinity St Mary’s CE School — the name we proudly carry today.

Throughout its long history, TSM has remained committed to nurturing every child academically, socially and spiritually. While rooted in Christian values, the school warmly welcomes families of all faiths and backgrounds, reflecting the diversity of the local community. Every child is valued as an individual and encouraged to achieve their full potential.

In keeping with its tradition of supporting local families, TSM expanded its early years provision in 2018 with the opening of “Tiny TSM”, offering high-quality care and education for two-year-olds alongside its existing nursery provision.

Today, Trinity St Mary’s continues to build on more than 160 years of history — combining strong academic achievement, inclusive values and a caring community spirit at the heart of Balham.