Salcombe Preparatory School opens under the headship of Miss Freda Deakin and later Miss Ethel Deakin, Salcombe was established in Hornsey, North London. The school began with eight “well-to-do” children. A short while later, the Misses Deakin moved their school to its new site at 8 Avenue Road, Southgate, which is just around the corner from the present Chase Side site.

The advent of the zeppelin raids during 1917 meant that remaining in London became impossible and the decision was taken for the school to evacuate staff and pupils to Salcombe House, the Deakin family’s country residence.

At the end of WWI, the school and family relocated to Avenue Road, where Salcombe reopened in September 1918 with just fourteen pupils.

Houses on Chase Side were acquired in 1942 and 1945, followed by a hall which was built in 1969. The school had 140 boys and girls on the roll in 1973.

The end of an era arrived in 1975. After a magnificent effort of fifty nine years as Salcombe Headmistress, Miss Ethel Deakin retired just two years before her death, in 1977, at the age of 84 years.

The newly formed Cognita Schools Ltd acquired Salcombe along with other Asquith Court Schools. With the burgeoning of the Salcombe roll the ‘Library’, a Grade II listed building in Green Road, a short distance away, was purchased and Salcombe became a two-site school.

Salcombe celebrates its Centenary Year and is rated 100% Outstanding in all areas by SIS.

Salcombe joins the Independent Schools Association, the oldest organisation for the heads of independent schools in the UK

Salcombe is awarded the Silvermark for Sport.

Miss Nicola Sands commences as Headmistress of Salcombe Preparatory School, having been Deputy Head at another Cognita school (Duncombe School).