CHAPTER 14 - continued .....

One other development at this time was the holding of the first full sports afternoon. In July 1953, the school went by bus or bicycle to the Duchess of York Playing Fields for an afternoon, when Junior and Senior athletics championships were held on a form basis. Facilities were hardly adequate, however, and White City Stadium, Old Trafford was hired for the next year. The school was conveyed there by bus on the afternoon of 13th July 1954. The event was extremely successful, and the stadium became the venue for several years. In 1955, the competition was on a House basis for the first time. For some months, consideration was given to the possibility of establishing a House system for competitive games. A scheme was finally agreed, boys and girls were allocated to one of four Houses, Senior Housemasters and Housemistresses (two per house) were appointed, and the rest of the staff, apart from the Deputy Head and P.E. Staff were allocated to Houses. The House met on certain mornings in particular rooms at Assembly time, and, following prayers, house business was dealt with. Each house had notice boards and the first meetings were held on 2nd March 1955. Details of the Houses were: - (Named after famous people associated with the City)

At a staff meeting in September 1952, it was generally agreed that the system of having society activities on Wednesday afternoons as part of the curriculum had many disadvantages and, therefore, the system was discontinued. Societies were encouraged on a voluntary basis after school, and many staff took the initiative immediately, with activities for the Choir, Art and Craft Group, Pre-Nursing Group, French Circles and Council for Action in World Citizenship, as well as P.E. and Games groups and including, for a short time, a Boxing Club. The school's association with the British Ship Adoption Society, which had lapsed in 1951 was revived by the Geography Department, and the school was happily attached to the ship "Fleetbank". The school prefect system, which had been in existence for many years continued, with the staff electing the prefects. Prefects' meetings were held quite frequently with the Headmaster at the beginning of the school year, and then under the direction of the Deputy Head and Senior Mistress, who had oversight of prefects'duties.

At Christmas 1952, a Carol Service was held in the Hall prior to closure at midday but for 1953, it was decided to use the Octagon Chapel. Parents were invited and over 100 attended. The choir, under Miss Greenhalgh sang special carols and R. Burrill of the 5th played the organ. On two occasions, l. Hanson sang solos. It also became the practice, which has continued every year since, to hold a Harvest Festival Service at the end of September, with gifts of fruit and vegetables brought in, displayed and then distributed to the sick, aged, and needy, either directly or through other agencies. A Leavers'Service at the Cathedral in 1953 was wellsupported and there was also the request for some kind of Leavers'Social in school on the penultimate day of the school year. In July 1955, this took the form of a leavers' tea in the later afternoon. Two requests for help in 1953 met with a good response. One was for bundles of clothing for distribution amongst flood victims on the East Coast, and the other was for the Westminster Abbey Appeal Fund. 14 parents offered hospitality for competitors for the English Schools' Athletic Championships held at Belle Vue in July, 1955. School closed for that day, when one boy, S. Selwyn of 2B, ran for Lancashire in the U.13 100 yards championship.

The increase in numbers in September 1952 brought a strain on catering facilities and Miss Priestley, Assistant Schools Meals Organiser, often called to help. From September 1953, all members of staff did a dinner duty (one each sitting) in turn, and this helped greatly to ease some of the problems. From March 1953, the cost of the meal went to 9d. for children and 1 /6d. for adults. In March 1953, the system of milk distribution was changed. Previously Form 3B had taken round the milk bottles to forms just before break in what was really lesson~time. Now, boys from 3M volunteered to do this task prior to morning school, and arrangements were made to collect the empty bottles before the end of break. Attendance was good but not outstanding. 90.4% was the lowest weekly percentage for the Autumn Term 1952. There was a slump to below 90% in February 1953, but by March it reached 95.8%. In October it was 96.5%. By this time, the practice of allowing automatic privileges for the best attendance-the form teacher of the form having the highest weekly percentage for the week could select a day for the form to go home earlier than the rest-was discontinued. Leavers had the opportunity of Mass Radiography in their last year, and routine medical inspections continued.

Parents' Evenings and Open Days were extremely important events. In addition to the meetings in 1952 and 1953 mentioned earlier, there were two open afternoons in July 1953, one for Seniors and one for Juniors, with displays, activities and groups of children working in practical rooms. These were repeated in July 1954, but in 1955, the pattern had to change because of the many building alterations. Two afternoons were set aside for 1st,2nd and 5th year parents to visit and discuss progress with staff. In April 1954, there was a 1st Year Parents' Evening, another one in November and one for 2nd year parents in March 1955. One other useful contact with parents was established when new entrants for September were invited to attend school, with their parents on an afternoon in July, to hear about the school and discuss matters such as uniform with senior staff. This took place on two occasions, in 1953 and 1954, but had to be discontinued. Instead, from 1955, the new entrants and parents visited on an evening in June. In addition to hearing about the school, they saw a display of uniform, were able to look round the building, and the parents signed the agreement for the five year course.

The Juvenile Employment Bureau held its usual July conference for leavers in 1953 and 1954, but from 1955, they came in March. General careers talks had been given earlier and the rest of the time from March was spent on individual interviews. School photographs were taken in 1952,1953 and 1954. The Youth Club continued to use the school premises on certain evenings, without any of the School Staff being involved. Eventually, its activities had to be restricted during the building alterations. The Headmaster was very concerned about the excessive use of the building, because every weekday evening was taken up, either by Evening Centre or Youth Club, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain a good standard of cleanliness. He suggested that the Youth Club might be housed in one of the other buildings. Fire precautions were checked in June 1953 and a clearance drill was held in the presence of a senior fire officer. This drill was not completely satisfactory, but, following further practice, it became very good. School teaching practice continued from the usual centres, and occasionally a student came from another centre outside Manchester, such as l.M. Marsh College, Liverpool.

There was no diminution in the number or variety of visits out of school. Halle Concerts continued for Seniors and Juniors, and midday concerts were supported by small groups. 40 attended a song recital by llse Wolf in Ardwick Secondary Girls' School in October 1952, and the film "Instruments of the Orchestra" was shown to several forms in March 1954. 40 girls and 2 staff saw "Swan Lake" at the Opera House in October 1952, and 20 girls with Miss Greenhalgh saw the "Mikado" in February 1955. In February 1953, Miss Welborn, Miss Greenhalgh and Miss Lord took 60 to the Library Theatre to see "The Tinder Box", and 60 saw "A Midsummer Night's Dream" ~n December. Two other visits to that theatre occurred in 1955,230 with 12 staff to see "Puss in Boots" and 20 to see "St. Joan". 99 scholars,with staff, heard the lecture "Ascent of Everest" by Sir Edmund Hillary and W.C. Lowe at the Free Trade Hall in October 1953, and in January 1954,30 from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years saw the film of the same title at the Apollo Theatre.

In 1953, there were Housecraft visits to a dairy and a cookery display and 60 from the 4th year visited a colonial exhibition in the Town Hall. 12 girls visited the "Woman and Home" Exhibitionatthe City Hall in November 1954 and in April 1955, 30 girls attended an Electrical Appliances Display, these last two visits being organised by Mrs Smart and Miss Eden. Miss Greenhalgh took 6 senior scholars to the offices of the Manchester Evening Chronicle to watch the setting up of material they had written for the "Youth Chronicle" in December 1952. Mr. Booth took 20 members of the Commercial Society to Kemsley House to see the production of a newspaper. 20 boys were able to attend a cricket lecture by Trevor Bailey and all the 1st year attended Ross Place School for a lecture "Conditions and Customs in the French Family" by a representative from the French Embassy. In March 1954, 5M,4R, 4M and 3M had a lecture "Travelling in France" ~n 1952, and another representative spoke to the 2nd and 3rd years in 1955. Mr. Noble took a group from the 5th and 6th forms to participate in a day conference of the World Council of Christians and Jews in July 1955, and lectures were given in school on "The Falkland Isles and West Africa". Especially fascinating was a demonstration given by Manchester University Fencing Club to 200 in the Hall in March 1953.

Miss Kellett, with Mr. Marchington, led a Geographical excursion to Malham each year. Miss Greenhalgh, Miss Lord and Miss Kellett took 35 girls for a week's excursion to Scotland, based at Dollarbeg, at Whitsuntide 1953, and 30 from the 5th and 6th Forms, with Staff, spent 3 days in the Lake District in May 1955. At Easter 1954, Miss Greenhalgh, Miss Lord and Miss Hutchinson took 30 from the 3rd,4th and 5th years to Stratford-on-Avon for the Shakespeare birthday celebrations, and Miss Kellett led a group of 50 from the 4th, 5th and 6th forms to Holland. The party included the Headmaster, \/lrs Woodhead, Miss Welborn, Mr. & Mrs Marchington and their daughter Ann.

H.M.I. Mr. Auty visited on occasions, as did his successor, Mr. Morris. On one occasion, Mr. Morris brought colleagues to discuss Commercial subjects teaching. H.M.I. Miss Dewey saw the girls P.E., and H.M.I. Miss Brown, the work in Domestic subjects. In 1953 and 1954, R.A.F. and W.R.A.F. Officers visited to show films and talk to the 4th year, and the Army sent an officer to speak about the recruitment of girls in 1954. Major-General Hedley, of Western Command, had visited earlier to discuss the need of the Army to recruit both boys and girls of good ability. Teachers and administrators visited from Turkey, France, Hong Kong, Yugoslavia and the West Indies, and 3 e><change teachers-2 from Baltimore and 1 from Toronto spent some time in school. The "Times Educational Supplement", preparing a series of articles on Secondary Technical Schools, sent a representative in June 1954, and the Education Officer from English Steel Corporation came in October. In November 1954, Dr. K. Laybourn, M.E.C. Inspectorate, brought to school a newly co-opted member of the Education Committee, Dr. Kathleen Ollerenshaw. They spent the morning in school and had lunch prepared by the two Sixth Form girls who were candidates for Housecraft Teacher Training College. Dr. Ollerenshaw visited again the following year. Other visitors were Lady Simon of Wythenshawe (June 1954), Alderman Miss Mary L. Kingsmill Jones, Chairman of the Secondary Education Sub-Committee (July 1954) and Sir Charles Renold, who came in June 1954, prior to beina Chief Guest at the School's first Speech Day.

Eventually, the school was allowed to appoint one Laboratory Technician, and Mrs Vesey began full time duty in March 1955. The amount of clerical and administrative work in school was increasing, yet, due to economies, the clerical assistant, Miss Mitchell was reduced from a 5day to a 3 day week contract-later restored to 4 days. When Miss Mitchell was-absent for a period due to ill-health, Mrs Hooley deputised for 3 days each week from October to December 1954. By 1955, further hours were added and all work connected with registers and registration was taken over by the clerical assistant from Miss Pearson, who, as a member of staff had held that responsibility. Each year, auditors came from the authority to audit the school meals details, check stock books and other accounts. In 1953, all subject text books were centralised in various rooms and cupboards when not in use, and subject stock books began. Mr. Holding was in charge of school general stock stored in the small room adjacent to the Headmaster's room.

Mrs Swift and Miss Hutchinson attended M.E.C. day courses for teachers of girls P.E. and Games on three occasions, and the Headmaster attended a day Conference on the "Teaching of History in Secondary Modern and Secondary Technical Schools". He also spent a day with Dr. Laybourn in March 1954, visiting Rowlinson Secondary Technical School, Sheffield, recently opened. The Education Committee arranged a special week-end residential conference at Buxton on "Secondary Technical Schools" in June 1955, and this was attended by the Headmaster and 9 Staff.

On Staffing, the decision to break the connection between the school and the Domestic Science Centre in Tiverton Street made organisation much easier. Miss M. Heywood resumed in September 1952, after illness, and by 1st December she became the sole Domestic Science teacher, with Mrs Butler being attached to Ardwick Secondary Girls' School. Unfortunately, Miss Heywood could not resume after the holiday in September 1953, and finally left in April 1954. During this time her classes were taken by Miss B. Monks (September to December 1953); Miss Paine (two days a week January to April 1954) and Miss Wellings (3 days a week in May 1954). Mrs M.E.Smart took over the work on a full time permanent basis in May 1954. By September 1954, when a second Housecraft room was established, Miss O. Eden began an appointment to teach Housecraft and General Science. When Mrs Smart left in July 1955, she was replaced in September by Mrs J. Shelley. For the boys, the Metalwork groups from the 1st and 2nd years were taught by Mr. Marsden at Bank Meadow Centre until Mr. H. Dawson was appointed, beginning in September 1953. In November 1952, Miss Morrison (Music) became Mrs Crawshaw, but left in April 1953. No specialist help in Music was available until January 1954, when Miss M. F. Faulkes began a temporary appointment which lasted until July, when again there was no qualified replacement. Miss Greenhalgh helped greatly by building up an excellent choir and taking some classes for singing. Mr. Hill (Art) left in December 1952, and Mr. H. Kingsley took over most of his classes on a temporary part-time basis until September 1953, when Mr. J.C. Qulgley began a full time appointment.

In July 1954, Mr. F. Gill left to become Headmaster of Didsbury Secondary Modern School. His work in French was taken over by Mr. T. Lowrie-Pearce, a temporary appointment, until Mr. L.F. Cox was able to commence in January 1955 as teacher in charge of French. Mr. Lowrie-Pearce's appointment became permanent in September 1955. He was able to teach Spanish and this subject was introduced into the curriculum for some in the 3rd year. In July 1954, Mrs Swift (Girls P.E.) left and was replaced by Miss B. Ascough, who also taught some handicraft. Also in July 1954, Mr. A.D. Collier left (English and Library) and was replaced by Mr. J. Sykes and at the same time, Mr. W.C. Martin commenced as Senior Mathematics Master. By these years, the Burnham Scale of salaries for teachers had moved further towards subject departmental responsibilities for certain staff, although the term "Head of Department" was not as yet in use. By 1955, the list of senior posts in the school, with subject responsibility was as follows:-

A special event during these years was the Coronation. On the day, 3rd June, 1953, the school hall was used for an Old Folks' treat, and the school was closed. Mr. Kingsley and his Art Groups had made Coronation emblems, models and drawings which were displayed in the Hall. Coronation Day came at the end of the Whitsuntide holiday, and when school resumed the next day, a special service was held from 11.50 - 12.15-a hymn, prayer, short reading, short address, prayers, benediction and National Anthem. As the school left the Hall propelling pencils,supplied by the Education Committee, were distributed as Coronation souvenirs. Some days afterwards,144 boys and girls from the 1st year, and then 200 from the 2nd and 3rd years attended a showing of the film "Elizabeth is Queen" at the Apollo Cinema. In November of the same year, H.R.H. Princess Margaret passed along Devonshire Street during her visit to the city. The school lined the route but unfortunately the weather was "indescribably bad" with thick smog, making it almost like a midnight scene.

Early in 1954, the Headmaster decided to hold a Speech Day at the end of the School year. This was discussed with the Chief Education Officer and officials, and it was agreed that such an event would be good for the school. The Free Trade Hall was to be the venue, and the date 21 st July 1954. School assembled directly at the Hall on the morning in question, and once the rehearsal was completed, dismissal took place from there. After a closure in the afternoon the official attendance was in the evening from 7 p.m. The Hall was completely full, apart from the balcony, and there was fine support from parents and old scholars. Alderman Miss Mary Kingsmill-Jones, Chairman of the Secondary Education Sub-Committee occupied the chair. The Lord Mayor, Alderman R. Harper welcomed the assembly, the Headmaster gave a detailed report, and the Chief Guest, Sir Charles G. Renold, J.P., gave an inspiring address and distributed the prizes. Votes of thanks were proposed by Councillor Pariser, Chairman of Manchester Education Committee and seconded by the Senior Prefects, E. Frow and Ann Bustard. Gifts made in the school craft rooms were presented to Sir Charles and the Lord Mayor, and the programme included excellent singing by the choir led by Miss Greenhalgh and Miss Faulkes. In addition to the Lady Mayoress and Mrs Pariser, others present on the platform were the Dean of Manchester, Mr. Elliott, Deputy Chief Education Officer, H.M.I. Mr. Morris, members of the Committee, members of the Inspectorate,Headteachers of other schools and Mr. Peake.

The prize list was drawn up by the Staff, with prizes awarded on the basis of recent examinations, together with an assessment of work throughout the year. There were two prizes for each form, and subject prizes for the school. In addition there were special prizes donated for particular subjects. The two major prizes were donated by Mr. Peake-to one boy and one girl for qualities of leadership-and by the Old Scholars' Association-for the maintenance of school traditions. In practice, this became an annual award to the two Senior Prefects. The whole ceremony was extremely successful, and there was the traditional reward of a Speech day holiday. At the 1955 ceremony, the Chief Guest was the Very Reverend H.A. Jones, Dean of Manchester. Barbara Grattridge and R. Burrill were senior prefects and seconded the vote of thanks, and the singing of the choir was an outstanding feature. By this time, after 3 years, the Headmaster felt able to say in his report that sound progress had been made, and he urged all boys and girls to take advantage of the many opportunities which were now being offered.