The West Kent Grammar School on Hilly Fields was founded by John Bell, formerly Headmaster of Greenwich Proprietary School. The architect, W.Charles Evans, produced a grandiose design but only the central block was built in 1884-5 due to financial problems. There were several changes of ownership and the school closed in 1905.
In September 1907 the building was acquired by the London County Council and re-opened as the County Secondary School, Brockley (See photo of school at this time courtesy of The London Picture Archive). The Headmaster was W.J.Addis, with 31 boys and the school colours were blue and white. By 1910 the number of boys increased to 200. In 1914 new school buildings were added including the assembly hall and the main central block of classrooms and laboratories. During WW1 the school remained in London, many Old Boys served in the armed services and the names of 28 who gave their lives were commemorated in the main hall (See For King&Country article). The school roof was used as an observation post for spotting zeppelins.
The LCC extended the school again in 1921 substantially hiding the original facade. An additional wing overlooking the playground was added and the number of boys increased to 400. The first school magazine, "The Raven" appeared in 1922. In 1925 the school colours were changed to chocolate,emerald green and old gold.
In 1932 a school in Forest Hill was closed and Brockley absorbed sixty boys and 3 masters including Mr. Meux. The school numbers now approached 500. In 1933 the decoration of the School Hall began, to be completed in 1936. The murals in the school hall were painted by Evelyn Dunbar and other graduates from the Royal College of Art.
WW2 years and evacuation
In May 1940, the School moved to Oakover, a large house in Ticehurst, Sussex (4 miles from Wadhurst).On one occasion in 1940, Brockley 1st XV played Askes 1st XV at ground level whilst the RAF and the Luftwaffe battled overhead. In 1941 the School formed a unit of the Air Training Corps. number '768' Flight, under F/O L.E. Denney.During 1942-3 the number of boys slowly diminished to around a hundred. In the summer of 1944 Doodlebugs flew over the school on the way to London. The school was re-evacuated to Llanelly,South Wales.After victory in 1945 the school reformed in Hilly Fields under Dr.Sinclair (See Book of Remembrance Names for those at school who gave their lives in WW2).

Due to secondary school reorganisation, Brockley County closed its highly successful career in 1983 after which the building passed through several uses. By 1992 the school building was known as the Hillyfields Sixth Form Centre and was awarded a Grade II listing status by English Heritage due to the existence of the murals mentioned above (See this article courtesy of Historic England). The building is now happily the home of Prendergast School and continues to perform an important educational role in the local community.