Our People, Our Spirit, Our Stories | Beryl Gilroy

Beryl Gilroy holds a special place in Camden’s history. In 1969, she became the borough’s first Black headteacher, taking the helm at Beckford Primary School in West Hampstead, now West Hampstead Primary School. Her appointment helped change the face of educational leadership, placing a Black woman at the heart of a local school community. 

Born in British Guiana, now Guyana, in 1924, Beryl arrived in Britain in the early 1950s as a qualified and experienced teacher. Racism initially prevented her from finding a teaching position, forcing her to take other work while continuing to pursue the profession she loved. 

Her determination eventually brought her into London’s classrooms and into a leadership role in Camden. She brought an approach to education shaped by curiosity, discovery and respect for children’s individual experiences. 

In 1976, Beryl published Black Teacher, drawing on her experiences in British schools to explore prejudice, perseverance and the everyday relationships that make education possible. Alongside her teaching, she wrote children’s books and novels, including Frangipani House, giving thoughtful attention to identity, family and the desire for independence. 

Her later work in psychotherapy extended her commitment to understanding and supporting others, particularly Black women and children. 

Today, a mural outside her former school celebrates her contribution to the community. Beryl’s legacy is woven into Camden’s educational and cultural history, remembered through her writing, her pioneering leadership and her belief in people’s capacity to learn and grow.