Minchenden School was a mixed secondary school situated in Southgate, North London, established in 1919 with 90 pupils.
The school was established in 1919 in Tottenhall Road as a mixed secondary school. In 1924, it moved to Southgate House, where it remained until 1987, and was renamed Minchenden School. The staff and pupils built an observatory. From 1960 to 1967, there was an annexe in the Fox Lane school, Palmers Green. The school's English department was particularly strong. Head of English Douglas Barnes 1959-1966 introduced a series of important innovations in teaching methods. In 1967, Minchenden Grammar School was converted from a grammar school to Minchenden School, a comprehensive school, with the upper school in High Street and the lower school in Fox Lane. It was merged with Arnos School in 1984 to form Broomfield School, after the Conservative council sold the extensive playing fields to a development company to build homes, with the original Southgate House protected as a Grade I listed building.
The building is now used by Southgate College.
James Kirkup, poetLeslie Watkiss Deputy Head 1973- 1983Frank Jackson Stabler d.March 2013Graham Robert Allan, mathematician and an expert on Banach algebras, Professor of Pure Mathematics from 1970-8 at the University of LeedsNeville Brody (born 1957), graphic designer, typographer and art directorProf. Harold Brookfield (born 1926), scholar of rural development, Australian National UniversityThomas Carlile CBE, President from 1972-4 of EEF the manufacturers organisation, and Chairman from 1995-2000 of the British Society of Master Glass PaintersProf Peter Clarricoats CBE, Professor of Electronic Engineering from 1968-97 at Queen Mary and Westfield, and vice-president from 1989-91 of the Institution of Electrical Engineers (since 2006 the Institution of Engineering and Technology) Fellow of the Royal Society (1990)Air Vice-Marshal William Disbrey CB CBE, Director-General of Engineering from 1964-7 of the RAFNick Dunning, actor - credits include The Tudors, My Boy Jack, AlexanderJudy Dyble (born 1949), Singer songwriter and founder member of Fairport ConventionHugh Featherstone CBE, Director-General from 1969-84 of the Freight Transport AssociationLynne Franks (born 1948), public relations innovatorJudy Fryd (1909–2000), political campaignerHazel Genn (born 1949), legal academicAnthony Giddens, Baron Giddens (born 1938), sociologist, Director from 1997-2003 of the London School of EconomicsKen Haddon, Chief Executive of AXA Reinsurance UK from 1987–98John Hodge (born 1929), engineer and NASA flight directorJana Jeruma-Grinberga (born 1953) former bishop in the Lutheran ChurchPeter Kellner (born 1946), journalist and political commentatorJohn Kent, Keeper of Coins and Medals from 1983-90 at the British Museum, and President from 1984-9 of the Royal Numismatic SocietyWilliam Orbit (born 1956), musician, composer and record producerChris Pond (born 1952), Labour MP from 1997-2005 for GraveshamDavid Puttnam, Baron Puttnam (born 1941), film producer and politicianMartin Rushent (born 1948), record producerPeter Sallis (born 1921), actorSir Peter Soulsby (born 1948), mayor of Leicester and former Labour MP for Leicester SouthBarry Took (1928–2002), comedian, writer and television presenterDr Leslie Watkiss (1928-2013) deputy headteacher, author, Latin translatorJohn Wimpenny (1922-2015), aerodynamicist and holder of the world record for man-powered flight for ten years from 1962, when he flew the Hatfield Puffin over a distance of 995 yards.
