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Sacred Heart High School is committed to the restoration and protection of its precious cloister wall paintings, which extend across 130m, depicting the life of Christ. The restoration plan has six separate stages which together cost approx. £100,000. Stage 1, a full condition survey and restoration of the 'Nativity Panel' was completed in 2023.
We are now fundraising for Stage 2 – to restore the two double height wall paintings of the crucifixion and Jesus being taken down from the cross after his death. You can read about this and make a donation below.
The school is keen to provide opportunities for the public to see beyond the historic high wall on Hammersmith Road, which once acted as a vital protection for the clandestine convent and school which operated here from 1669, when it was illegal to be Catholic. Two Grade II* buildings and memorial stones for the nuns who lived here in secret, remain hidden from view, and we are exploring the possibility of opening up these areas including the cloisters, for London architectural open days. The paintings can also be viewed during the fundraising events listed below.
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There is an area of significant damage to the left of our Music Room door and this leads onto two double height wall paintings of the crucifixion and Jesus being taken down from the cross after his death, at the base of our Blue Stairs where there is further significant paint loss.
These areas has been prioritised as Stage 2 because they have the worst damage and need urgent stabilisation.
Anybody keen to donate towards the restoration may request to view the paintings by appointment via email to comms@sacredh.lbhf.sch.uk (Alex Dijkhuis)
Historical Evenings, Friday 13 December 2024 & Friday 28 March 2025, 7.00pm - 9.00pm
We are opening the school for a historical evening with ticket sales directed to our restoration fund. This includes a talk about the extraordinary history of this site from 1669, with refreshments, a chance to view the cloister paintings close up; and an artefact display. A full-colour book about the history of our site at 212 Hammersmith Road will also be available to purchase. You can book tickets to attend in our Events tab.
Summer Garden Party, 8 July 2025
The school will be hosting a summer garden party in aid of the Cloister Painting Restoration Fund. The party is already listed in our events tab and a button to book tickets will be available shortly.
There are localised areas where the paint is flaking and blistering. Craquelure is common across the paintings and almost all of the panels display a degree of spotting, some much more pronounced than others. The paintings have been varnished at least twice. These are now yellowed and darkened, significantly affecting the appearance of the paintings. Many of the robes appear green but in a small area where the yellowed varnish has chipped off, you can see that they are fact blue! The report recommends, amongst other things, remedial treatment and measures to prevent further deterioration.
The restoration of this panel was funded by the school and work was undertaken by Opus Conservation with appropriate health and safety controls, during term time so the students could see the gradual transformation and cleaning processes.
As work progressed, a student was overheard: "Look Miss, its a stable!"
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