The following is an extract from:

On the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th December 1955, the School was inspected by H.M.I. Mr. Morris (Mathematics) and his colleagues Mr. Riley (Art and Craft); Mr. Bernard (Boys P.E.); Mr. Whiteley (Boys P.E.); Mr. Munday (French and R.I.); Mr. Brown (History and Geography); Miss Dewey (Girls P.E.); Miss Morecambe (English and Library); Miss Westbrooke (Science and Commerce); Miss Brown (Needlework and Domestic Science) and Miss Summers (School Meals). On 16th December, Mr. Morris met the Secondary Education Sub-Committee and reported verbally on the inspection in the presence of the Headmaster. A printed copy was received by the school in February 1956, and this was fully discussed in March by the Headmaster at a full staff meeting. The very lengthy report, whilst expressing concern about the need for improved facilities in the restricted building and on the site, and outlining some matters of subject presentation which still needed attention, spoke highly of the many innovations towards implementing the new policy for the school, praised the vigour, enthusiasm and determination of the Headmaster and his Staff, the excellent relationships between pupils and teachers, and referred to classroom performance as keen and competent, with especially rising standards in a number of subjects, including Mathematics and Science. The Headmaster had submitted to the Inspectors much material about the Organisation of the school, this is now outlined.

By 1955, the annual 3 form intake was graded into 3 mixed forms according to ability as given by the Authority on the results of the 11+ examination. Forms were named according to the initials of the Form teacher. Apart from occasional changes, they remained in that form for two years and followed a common curriculum, including French. After two years came the grouping into "G" (General Academic); "C" (Commercial); "D" (Domestic) or "T" (Technical) streams. "G" and "C" streams were mixed. The thinking behind the idea of "streaming" was that it would mark the beginnings of an attempt to set the feet of a boy or girl on lines along which he or she would be likely to go most purposefully and successfully. The General stream was for those gifted in academic subjects, ready even to pursue learning for its own sake, looking ahead to the Universities, Training Colleges and the professions. The Commercial stream was for those whose future was in the world of commerce. The Domestic stream, mainly for girls but not exclusively so, looked to a career connected with food and clothing and included those who may enter the nursing profession. The Technical stream was for boys likely to proceed into types of engineering or craft apprenticeships. Because of large numbers there was a fifth stream, catering for those who, in fairness, had revealed no particular aptitude, and were given courses on general lines, with opportunity for craft activities. Many of these were not under the 5 year agreement and would leave after 4 years.

By this streaming system, there was no intention simply to give vocational training. In all the courses, the vital subjects were, the basic ones - English, Mathematics, Science and generally French. Thus it was a genuine effort through the streams to develop awakening interest in a certain sphere of work by participation in a particular group of subjects, for which affinity or aptitude had been shown. There could be movement between streams, and the real specialisation came fully into operation in the 4th year. At 3rd year level, all 4 streams took R.I., English, History, Geography, Mathematics and P.E. These would continue for 3 years as basic subjects, except that History and Geography became alternatives from the 4th year. French was available to three streams, but not "T", as an alternative to Art and Craft and Singing in the 3rd year, and Scripture in the 4th year, The "G" stream completed its curriculum with Physics or Biology, Chemistry or Art and Housecraft or Metalwork. The "C" stream, in addition to the basics, took General Science and Housecraft or Woodwork, Spanish or Needlecraft, with some Singing and Private Study. By the 4th year, General Science was replaced by Book-keeping and the stream could start Commerce and continue Spanish or take up Typewriting and Shorthand. The "D" stream added Biology, Housecraft and Needlecraft to their basic subjects. Boys of the "T" stream took General Science, Woodwork, Metalwork and either Art or Technical Drawing. By the 4th year, they had more Science time and chose between Woodwork and Metalwork.

The system of form streams was flexible, yet it was open to some criticism. Attachment to a particular course at the beginning of the 3rd year could be considered premature, and combinations of particular subjects which could go well together were excluded. By 1956 the four stream pattern was discontinued. The 2nd year proceeded into the 3rd year as 3 forms, with only minor changes. A variety of subject options was available for the whole year group, with more specialisation in the 4th year. Further flexibility was brought to the scheme by "setting" French and English from the 2nd year and Mathematics from the 3rd year, and this "setting" pattern was developed in other subjects over the next few years.

The Inspector's report referred to the growing strength of the work of the 6th form. In June 1955, 57 candidates entered for 235 "O" Level subjects and achieved 48% success, 21 candidates passing in 3 or more subjects. In 1957, 62 candidates took 254 subjects, and in September of that year a full 5th year resumed for the first time, with the agreement completely in operation, and by the following June, 75 were candidates for "O" Level papers. In 1955 there were 16 in the 6th form; in September 1957 there were 25 beginning a sixth or seventh year. Out of those leaving the 6th form in July 1956, two girls, Maureen Bonner and Ethel Horsman gained Teacher Training places. R. Burrill went for training for the Methodist Ministry after military service, and Graham Brown gained the distinction of being the first to gain a University place directly from school, when he was accepted by the Faculty of Science at Durham University. He went on to become a Lecturer at an Australian University. This was an outstanding achievement and was the forerunner of many, not just from Ardwick, but from all the City's Secondary Technical Schools.

In September 1957, 3 girls and 1 boy (Pat Floyd, Ann Hinchliffe and Ina Thompson and J. Callaghan) went for Teacher Training and V. Green began a degree course at Salford. Others not going directly into Further Education from the 6th form gained excellent apprenticeships. A. Wagstaffe gained entry in 1958 in open competition to a Sandwich Course in Electrical Engineering with a National firm. Others gained posts which offered excellent prospects. W. A. Booth and Betty Ormrod went for teacher training in 1958, and by this time, the 6th form was firmly established. Physics and Art had been added to the Advanced Level subjects, and a successful effort was made to broaden the pupils' outlook by allocating four weekly periods to a course of general studies. In fact, the 6th form contained three elements. There were those doing a two year course leading to "A" Levels; those who had come back to school for a year to improve and increase their existing "O" Levels, and a group of girls who returned for a minimum of three months and a maximum of twelve months to have intensive commercial training.

Those who left school whether after 5 or 7 years received encouraging help from the Youth Employment Bureau. Careers talks for the 4th year upwards were given, followed by individual interviews, by staff from the Bureau - Miss S. Duerden, Miss Higgins and Mr. Ogden. From November 1955, the Deputy Head and Senior Mistress took over the responsibility of correlating matters and material concerning careers. The internal leaving certificates for those leaving after four years were presented at the final assembly for the last time in 1956. A survey of the 255 school leavers for the three years 1953 - 1955 showed that 64% of the girls took up clerical work and 13% of the boys; 44% of the boys took up some kind of engineering work and 9% building. Shopwork claimed 6% of the girls, and the list also included the Services and printing for boys; hairdressing and needle trades for girls and laboratory and scientific work for both boys and girls. Twenty pupils - 16 girls and 4 boys - began full time courses in various Colleges of Further Education. By 1957 and 1958, the previously high percentage (64%) of girls going into clerical work began to drop in favour of nursing and work in laboratories. It was important to get girls and boys to aim high. In the words of Mr. E. G. Greenwell, Senior Youth Employment Officer, "We do not want them bumping their heads on a low ceiling". He was anxious to support the school in holding a Careers Convention and after hard work by his department, this Convention took place on 21st March, 1957 from 7 p.m. This was for 4th, 5th and 6th formers and their parents. A large number of representatives from commerce and industry were based in the Hall and surrounding classrooms, and the whole evening was very successful.

Although the annual intake was fixed at three forms, averaging a total of 108, numbers in the school continued to be high because of the full 5 year course and the growing 6th form, and the inspection report drew attention to continuing accommodation needs. In addition to the building changes already carried out since 1952, there were other needs, because in its general working conditions the school was hard pressed. When Physics had been transferred from the top floor laboratory into the basement, the vacated laboratory was used for Biology. With help from Mr. T. H. Reynolds, M.E.C. Science Inspector, this laboratory was remodelled by March 1958. Room 6 was converted into a Geography Room, Room 1 into a Commerce Room and one of the Woodwork rooms at Bank Meadow was converted into a second Metalwork Room. More portable equipment was provided for the Gymnasium, including a trampette and new locker units and a new piano was delivered. The Library requisition allowances was increased by £250, and although the room still had to be used as a classroom in lesson times, it functioned more as a library with 4 extra prefects appointed to serve as Librarians on duty in out of lesson times. When not in use for a class, the library was available for private study.

There were two other major building projects carried out. The Headmaster had long felt that his room was too big. Since a stock room was adjacent to it, or part of it, two new stockrooms were constructed at the end of the top corridor, and the old stockroom emptied. The Headmaster and Secretary who had worked in the big room vacated it and worked for a short time from the two stock rooms, whilst the necessary alterations were made. By April 1957, a Headmaster's room, waiting room, Secretary's room and Senior Mistresses'/Evening School Principal's room had been constructed out of the original area, creating a modernised administrative centre, although to many it did appear strange not to see the Senior Mistress sitting at the large desk in the corner of the Hall.

A more important development was the building of a new extension. This was to be erected at the end of the school, over the playground, and giving a covered area. Existing outside toilets were to be demolished and new toilets and cloakrooms with access from the back staircase built. Included also were two staffrooms, a Drawing Office, a Division room for 6th form classes and 5 new classrooms (which were eventually used for French, Mathematics, English and Commercial Subjects). Work began on 21st April, 1958, and not unnaturally caused temporary problems. During the coldest winter weather, one end of the school was wide open, with only a flimsy boarding warding off blasts of wind which easily penetrated down the corridors. Dirt and dust appeared everywhere. Classes were interrupted by the niose of cement mixers, singing workmen, and tiny children from the neighourhood playing in the builder's sand. The boys playground area became 228 square feet, yard duty for the staff became "street duty" and outdoor toilets had to be demolished immediately the new ones were usable. The work was finally completed by September 1959, and accommodation problems were eased considerably.

The Clerk of Works' representatives during these years were Mr. Meredith and then Mr. Ladyman and they were always helpful. In 1956, some equipment was stolen from Bank Meadow during a "break-in" and, on another occasion, the Headmaster's room was ransacked. Shortly afterwards, the radio and record player in that room were stolen by intruders over a weekend, as well as other items of school stock. The Octagon building was still in use, although it became very cold there during the winter. The Youth Centre moved over to Nicholls building in September 1955, which meant that the Technical School building had two free evenings. Mr. Chapman, assisted by boys made a beautiful oak lectern, which was first used in assembly on 1lth July, 1958, with Mr. Chapman reading the lesson. The playing fields area at North Road was sufficiently important for the Education Committee to consider taking it over, which they did in 1958. This meant that the area could be developed, with an extra football pitch, better changing and washing facilities and help from a groundsman, Mr. Harvey. The area was the site, or near to it, of Manchester United's first ground, and eventually was to become the site for a new school - Moston Brook High School. Girls continued to use Debdale Park in summer and transport was used all year round, apart from occasional times such as during fuel rationing in February 1957. Sports afternoons continued at White City Stadium, Stretford, the one in July 1958 being remembered for a persistent downpour. House meetings were held regularly and a series of house matches played. Hockey became part of the competition for the first time in 1956, and also in that year the first Cross Country Championship was held over a 3 mile course at Wythenshawe Park.

Separate swimming galas were held for boys, and girls -- in these days the girls were always reluctant to compete in front of boys - and the percentage of those who could swim at the end of their first year was always a high one. The Senior Cricket team lost in the final of the cup in 1958, and so did the Senior Netball team, but the Technical and Junior teams won their Netball Trophies. In that year, 3 girls gained the distinction of swimming for Lancashire. In July 1958, Miss Barker took 20 girls to the Davis Cup Match at the Northern Lawn Tennis Club. Interesting successes were the winning of bursaries for Outward Bound Centres, and between 1956 and 1958 these were gained by G. Brown, A. Wagstaffe, W.A. Booth, B. Kennedy, Sheila Cartledge and Jean Harrison. At this time too, Chess developed as a dinner-time activity, under the supervision of Mr. Martin and then Mr. Booth.

For some years a school fund had existed, with the contribution of one half-penny per week per person and from the accumulated sum, many activities were supported. In 1957, £5.5. Od. was donated to the Lord Mayor's Hungarian Relief Fund, flowers and fruit were sent to the sick, and at Christmas, money was sent to Henshaw's School for the Blind, Dr. Barnado's Homes, the Spastic Society and the Polio Organisation. In addition a wreath was bought for the Memorial Plaque, and 1 trophy and 4 plaques bought for the House Competitions. From September, 1958, the donation to the Fund was fixed at 1/- per term and was collected by Form Teachers, assisted where possible, by Form Treasurers. One success by a scholar, though not directly through school, is worthy of mention. Colin Frodsham, from the 6th form, gained one of the first ever gold awards under the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, having entered the scheme through a Boys' Brigade Unit. He received his medal from Her Majesty the Queen at Balmoral in September 1958.