Tuesday, 19 March 2013

Howden council school 1913-2013

I have been busy for the last two weeks writing a booklet about the Howden Council school. The school is celebrating its centenary with an exhibition this week in the Shire hall. I have been reading the log books and have picked out some of the main  events and printed them with a few old pictures in a short booklet which I hope will act as a souvenir .

The school was built in 1912 and opened in April 1913. What stands out in those early years is how many times the school was closed for epidemics of various illnesses such as whooping cough, measles and diphtheria as well as flu.

The first headmaster, Mr Frank Platt retired in 1929. The second head was John E Cooke who was keen on music and stayed until the early 1950s. Mr Ernest Wray who followed him set up a school farm where they raised chickens, pigs and lambs. Every year the school held a chicken dinner where some of the chickens were prepared and cooked by the children for selected guests.

Other heads were Fred Wright, Dennis Lucas, Avory Brown, Stuart Collins and Tim Wilkinson.
The present head is Mrs Judy Scargill.

The centenary is being celebrated in the Minster on Thursday evening - I am giving one of the short talks and am planning what to say.

In fact although both my parents taught at the school and my daughter was a pupil I attended Eastrington school and so cannot reminisce about schooldays in Howden. But I am sure I will think of something.



These children attended the school in 1985 and are pictured with headteacher Mrs Avory Brown. Do you recognise anyone?

Posted by at

5 comments:

  1. Becky21 March 2013 at 15:02

    Hi, I really enjoy reading your blog...the Howden School exhibition sounds fascinating. I enjoy dipping into your book about Eastrington and Howden.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown18 January 2015 at 16:34

    Hi. I recognise myself. I am third from left in the middle row. The photograph was taken in the summer term of 1985. All of the pupils in the photo were prefects during their 4th years. Hope that helps.

    Regards,

    Graham

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous28 July 2015 at 10:27

    Anyone know of a Debra and Amanda Steele in the 70's from Goole, west cowick area

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous27 September 2024 at 20:45

    I was there in 85 some faces I recognise but couldn’t tell you who they are. I was in Mrs Streets class. Only other names I remember from staff are Mr Leach (music) Mr Watson (history) I left in 89 to pursue better things…lol

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous8 November 2024 at 19:02

    I attended the Howden county school in the 1950s when Mr Wray was the head. Remember sports day on the playing fields, the small farm, snowball fights, etc
    I remember a few names; John Tiplady, David Sharp, Stocky Coultard, John Vollans, Deborah Stead …
    Ralph Alcock

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)