Drapers' Maylands Celebrates 10 Years of Excellence

Drapers’ Maylands Primary School marks 10 Years with a joyful Foundation Day celebration

This September, Drapers’ Maylands Primary School proudly celebrated its 10th anniversary with a joyful Foundation Day filled with music, awards, and community spirit.

The milestone event brought together pupils, staff, parents, carers, and distinguished guests including the Mayor of Havering, the Master of the Drapers’ Company, representatives from Queen Mary University of London, and the Trust Board.

The celebrations began with a formal assembly, showcasing whole-school singing - a tradition that reflects the school’s deep commitment to music as a cornerstone of its curriculum. This was followed by an afternoon festival atmosphere, with a DJ, circus skills workshops, inflatables, face painting, refreshments, and live music, creating cherished memories for pupils and families alike.

When Drapers’ Maylands Primary School first opened in September 2015, it welcomed just 28 children in the first Reception cohort, taught within Drapers’ Academy while its new purpose-built primary school was being constructed.

The school’s building, opened in 2017, was designed around the Reggio Emilia approach, where the environment itself is viewed as a “third teacher.” Its light, open, and inspiring spaces encourage creativity, independence, and curiosity - values that remain at the heart of the school’s ethos today.

Over the past decade, Drapers’ Maylands has flourished into a thriving community of nearly 400 pupils across Reception to Year 6. Guided by its founding vision of providing a child-centred, enriched curriculum, the school offers broad opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom - from forest school and gardening to performing arts and sports.

The school’s ethos has always centred on high aspirations, inclusion, and community spirit. Every child is encouraged to discover their talents, build resilience, and develop a love of learning.

This commitment has been recognised through a range of awards and achievements, including a strong Ofsted rating of ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ elements, Gold LOtC Mark, and the recently awarded Thrive ‘School of Excellence.

From a dream in a field to a flourishing centre of learning, Drapers’ Maylands has spent the last ten years shaping futures with creativity, opportunity, and joy - and its journey is only just beginning.

VOICES FROM THE DAY

Trudy Spillane, Executive Principal of Drapers’ Maylands Primary School:
“This is my favourite event of the year because it’s truly the children’s party. This year’s 10th birthday has been particularly special. Looking back at photographs of our journey - from opening with 28 pupils in borrowed classrooms to becoming the thriving, dynamic community we are today - has been so moving. We are proud of everything we’ve achieved, and we’re excited for what the next decade will bring.”

Tom Harris, Past Master of the Drapers’ Company, and former Chair of Governors of Drapers’ Maylands Primary School:
“I’ve been here since before the beginning of Drapers’ Maylands. Twelve years ago, this was a big field - and we had a big dream. I’ve done many things in my life, but opening this school, and seeing how well it is thriving, is my proudest achievement. Hearing the whole school singing together in assembly today was incredibly powerful and emotional. From the very start, we knew music would play an important role in the curriculum and today shows just how deeply it has become embedded.”

Patrick Beddows, Master of the Drapers’ Company:
“I’ve been involved with the Drapers’ Multi-Academy Trust for many years, and it’s wonderful to see Maylands thriving today. The beautiful grounds and gardens, the pupils’ singing, and the strong sense of community are truly magnificent. A great deal of hard work went into creating this school, and I’m delighted to be here representing the Drapers’ Company on such a special anniversary.”

Bryony Frost, Drapers’ Multi-Academy Trust Board Member and former Governor at Drapers’ Maylands Primary School:
“To see the school grow from just 28 pupils to nearly 400 is fantastic. It’s especially rewarding to watch the pupils enjoying the space and grounds here - it really is a hidden gem. When you visit this school, you can truly see and feel the difference compared to other schools straight away - the classrooms, the way the teachers engage, and the school’s ethos - from the ground up, it is something unique and special.”

Mia, Year 6 pupil at Drapers’ Maylands Primary School:
“It isn’t just a day celebrating awards - it is a day to really have fun and celebrate everyone being a special part of the school. The bouncy castles are my favourite!”

Ariella, Year 6 pupil at Drapers’ Maylands Primary School:
“I’ve been here since Reception, and this year feels extra special because it’s our school’s 10th birthday. I even got to shake Mr Harris’ hand when he gave me an award - I’m really proud.”

Emaddin, Alumni of Drapers’ Maylands Primary School:
“I was one of the first Maylands pupils here 10 years ago, being back today feels really nostalgic. I’m now in Year 10 at Drapers’ Academy, and it’s lovely to see my old teachers and friends again, and to be able to tell them what I’m doing now. To be part of the journey that the school has been on is really special. It feels like no time has passed at all, and I have such good memories of my time here and the lasting friendships I have made.”

Amber, Alumni of Drapers’ Maylands Primary School:
“I was also one of the first Drapers’ Maylands pupils in 2015. I remember visiting the new school site in our high-vis jackets while it was being built. Some of my happiest memories are of the teachers and fun events like ‘Maylands Got Talent’. I really do miss it here.”

Lisa, Parent at Drapers’ Maylands Primary School:
“I’ve seen the school grow over the years and have had three children attend. The school places a strong focus on the children’s wellbeing and development which is really nice. There are so many opportunities for them here - from forest school and gardening clubs to great trips – it all makes Maylands special.”

Stacey, Parent at Drapers’ Maylands Primary School:

I’ve had two children attend Drapers’ Maylands, one of them was part of the very first cohort in 2015. Even then, we were inspired by Ms Spillane’s vision. From the start, children were able to have a say in shaping the school and its ethos, which made it really unique. Being based at Drapers’ Academy in those early years inspired them to see it as the place they wanted to go for secondary school. I’ve always admired the aspirational themes that run through Maylands - even small details, like classrooms arranged in year-group order leading towards the Year 6 classrooms nearest the secondary school, which help prepare pupils for the next step. Seeing how the school has grown while keeping such a strong sense of community is wonderful. Maylands has always been a friendly, open environment, and the annual events, including the fireworks, have grown beautifully over the years and remain a highlight for everyone.”

Eda Erceri, Parent at Drapers’ Maylands Primary School:

The teachers and children here grow together, and the bonds are wonderful. It’s lovely when your children come home talking about how kind their teachers are. Days like today show how much everyone cares, and it’s lovely to see the children enjoying themselves so much.”