Ilford was also a rapidly changing place. In 1871 its population was 5,947 but by 1901 it had increased to 42,000. In response to this burgeoning growth, the Ilford School Board was formed in 1893 with the remit of providing a suitable education for the increasing number of children living in the area. With this task in mind the Board founded the Park Higher Grade School in Balfour Road, Ilford. The Ilford School Board’s stewardship of the school was to be short-lived as the Balfour Education Act of 1902 abolished School Boards. Responsibility for providing secondary education was transferred to county councils and county boroughs and in 1904 Essex Education Committee took control.

Mr C W Clayson was the first Headmaster with A E Diggens and Miss A L M Hunter in charge of the boys and girls respectively. Shortly afterwards, it was decided that the boys and girls departments should have their own dedicated staff and the three senior posts were redesignated as Organising Master, Headmaster of the Boys' School and Headmistress of the Girls' School. In 1905 Mr Clayson resigned and his post was discontinued. The two schools then became completely separate entities with Mr Diggins as Headmaster and Miss E E Hunter as Headmistress.

A book of photographs was published in 2001 to commemorate the centenary of the school which started life as The Park Higher Grade and which was destined to become, after several name changes, Ilford County High School (ICHS). The original school was home to both boys and girls until 1929 when the girls moved to a new site in Cranbrook Road. The Ilford County High School for Boys moved to our current site in Fremantle Road Barkingside in 1935.

The illustrious history of the school has been faithfully documented by our school magazine 'Chronicles' since 1908. It is easy to get lost in the hundreds of editions of the magazine that we have, reading about the fiercely contested House competition or the exploits of the Old Parkonians, the achievements of school leavers or the activities of the many clubs and societies in the school. It is when reading 'Chronicles' and looking through photographs like those presented here that we are reminded of all the things that make Ilford County High School the school it is today and all the qualities that will take it from strength to strength in its next 100 years.

In addition to ‘Chronicles’, which we try our best to publish at least once every two years, from now on, we shall also be using the website to record events and activities at the School. So, through the website and the publication the School magazine, we shall be able to keep all members of the School community, whoever and wherever they are, informed about this unique school that means so much to so many people.

The next edition of ‘Chronicles’ is due to be published in early December. It is distributed free of charge to all members of the School and to the many former pupils who are members of the Old Parkonians Association. If you are not on our mailing list, you may receive a copy of ‘Chronicles’ for an annual subscription of £5. Please contact the School.