Opening of Lee Bank Primary School

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Date:19th of April 1966

Description:The first pages of the school diary by the first headteacher Denis Lyons. The extract reads as follows (use the "zoom" button to read the original clearly):

"The new school began its life as a Junior and Infants School, plus one nursery class at 9.0 am on Tuesday the 19th April 1966. The total numbers of children present on the first day amounted to 250. They comprised 190 from Islington J.I., now closed, about 50 from St Lukes and ten nursery children.

The staff which opened the school was as follows:

Headmaster, Mr Denis Lyons
Deputy Head, Mr J.M. Shirley
Post of Responsibility, Mrs E. Saunders
Teachers, Mr G. Rumball
Mrs H.B. Stephenson
Miss B. Colley
Mrs P. Slade
Non Teaching help, Mrs S. Smart
Super-numerary help, Mr R. Birkin
Nursery Class help, Miss J. Headley
Nursery Assistant, Miss S. Lagorio

As a temporary arrangement the J.I. School is accommodated in the Infants' School. The Junior Mixed is expected to be ready in September of this year. The actual opening and reception of the children proceeded very smoothly and they were soon in their new classrooms and at work.

Two small difficulties were a) the great numbers of mothers who chose to come and have a look at the new school and teachers; also b) the weather was shocking. In fact, on seven out of the first nine school days, owing to bad weather, the children had to be kept inside all day.

May 66 - After the first month the school seems to have got quickly into its stride and an outside comment has been made that it looks as though it has been running for years.

Visitors during the first few weeks included.
Mr W.M. Chapman, Assistant Education Officer
Miss N. Hitchman, HMI
Miss M.P. McGrath, District Inspector
Miss N.M. Caine, Advisor Nursery Education
Mr R.G. Broadhurst, District Inspector

School closed for Whit Holiday.

Related themes:

Woodview Junior and Infants Woodview Edgbaston 1946 - 1975 (Mid 20th Century)

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Source: Mr Ron Butler , Mrs Gwen Hatton , Ms Angela Dyer , Mrs May Williams , Mr Arthur Sadler , Mrs Janet Abbotts , Ms Rose Pearson , Mrs Dolly Ray , Mrs Pamela Edwards , Mrs Betty Queen , Mr Ken Smith , Ms Julia Wagstaffe , Woodview Primary School , Ms Carol Woolley , St Thomas's School , E.R. Mason Youth Centre , Mr Bernard Allen , Mrs Gladys Russell , Mrs Pat Jones , Ms Angela Maloney , St Thomas Old Scholars , Mr Ken Bonham

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