Originally the primary section of the The Singapore Nanyang Girls' School, the co-ed school broke away from Nanyang Girls' High School in 1978 and became an independent entity. This helped to cope with the growing student population and ensured more effective management. It was first located in a shophouse in Dhoby Ghaut in 1917 before the two schools moved to King's Road in 1927. However, upon breaking away, Nanyang Primary School found a new home nearby at 51 Coronation Road. When the Nanyang Girls' High School moved to its current location at Linden Drive, Nanyang Primary School moved back to its original home at Bukit Timah on 52 King's Road.