St Joseph’s Lower Primary School in Gibraltar is steeped in history, with its roots tied to the transformation of the historic South Barracks, a British military site built between 1730 and 1733. Originally designed to accommodate 1,200 officers and soldiers, the barracks underwent numerous adaptations over the centuries. Notable additions included the clock, erected in 1787, and the veranda in 1831. By the late 20th century, the barracks had become the oldest British Army barracks in mainland Europe.

The school itself first opened under St Joseph’s Parish Church on 18th June 1945, with 73 girls on its register and Mr. John Dunne as its first Headmaster. Some classes were held at Plata Villa, a building with its own rich past, having served as a family home, an orphanage, and officer accommodation during the war.

Over the years, St Joseph’s grew and evolved. It became co-educational in 1969 and was renamed St Joseph’s First School in 1971, operating entirely from Plata Villa. However, as the building aged and fell into disrepair, it could no longer meet the needs of modern education.

In 1992, the South Barracks site was repurposed and refurbished to house St Joseph’s Lower Primary and Upper Primary Schools, marking a significant milestone in the barracks’ history. This transformation blended the site’s rich heritage with the practical needs of a modern educational institution. The new facilities were inaugurated on 19th May 1992 by the Hon. J. L. Moss, then Minister for Education, symbolizing a new chapter for the school.

Today, St Joseph’s Lower Primary School continues to thrive, offering a nurturing learning environment within a setting that beautifully intertwines tradition and modernity.