The story of the school

History of the Central School

The Boys Central School opened in the Technical Institute on April 19th 1920, admitting 111 boys. There were a further 100 boys, aged 14 and over, from Rustons and Hornsby Engineering Works who were day continuation pupils and attended the school for 2 half days each week. Evening classes were also held at the Institute.

The first head teacher was Mr Sam Thorpe M.Sc., B.A.

The following subjects were taught at the day school - Science, Maths, English (Composition and Handwriting), Literature, History, Geography, Physical Training and Singing.

The Technical Institute was housed in what was formerly the local prison (in buildings attached to the present Guildhall).

In October 1925 the building was destroyed by fire and the school had to move into temporary buildings in Middlemore House, Grantham. An H.M. Inspection of the premises stated that the building was 'decidedly inconvenient and indescribably dirty'. The part-time students were taught in the old drawing office at Rustons and Hornsby.

In April 1928 the school moved to new premises on Hill Avenue/Sandon Road, a site now occupied by the Little Gonerby Infants School. This move came exactly 8 years after the school had first opened. The school provided accommodation for not more than 200 boys.

In 1929 the Day Continuation classes were discontinued because of certain internal changes at Rustons and also the contemplated raising of the school leaving age to 15, although this did not occur until 1947.

The first Parents Evening was held in 1930. This consisted of staff answering questions of the work of the school, Music and Physical Training and a cricket match.

A school magazine produced by the boys was first published in 1933.

The sloping school field was levelled during 1934. A grant for Unemployment schemes was utilised by the County Council and work employed 40 men for 3 months.

The school remained open during the Second World War. The buildings were protected from bomb blasts by a wall of sand bags piled high against the school walls. The bags had been filled by the boys themselves. The school received acclaim for its National Savings collection. Letters of congratulation were received from the King George VI and the Prime Minster Winston Churchill.

Many of the male staff were absent on war service and during this time there were many different members of staff including in 1944 a certain Margaret Roberts, who became better known as Margaret Thatcher.

Mr M.F Bailey became head master in 1946 and remained in post until his untimely death in 1950. He was succeeded by Mr E.W. Jacob B.Sc. F.R.G.S. Mr Jacob introduced the house system to the school, naming the 4 houses- Banks, Flinders, Franklin and Smith after Lincolnshire men who had distinguished themselves in the fields of exploration and discovery. The school's excellence in sport was continued with inter house activities namely football, swimming, cross country athletics, cricket and boxing. An efficiency cup was presented termly to the house that won most house points. After 6 years as head Mr Jacob then took up a post in Dartford, Kent and he was replaced by Aubrey Easter.

1961 Sir John Hunt the Mount Everest expedition leader came to the school to present the Duke of Edinburgh awards to a number of boys.

As the school population increased to over 300 boys, various new classrooms, a HORSA block and terrapin buildings had to be added to cope with the increase in numbers. The school also had its first 6th form pupils in 1961.

The school entered pupils in Music and Drama Festivals, many school visits to places of interest were undertaken including the annual ski trip. Founders Day was replaced by an Open Day.

Mr Easter retired from his position as head in 1969, and was replaced by Mr T.R. Booth.

In 1972 a School council was set up. This consisted of both pupil and staff representatives discussing possible improvements to the school.

A presentation of certificates evening was introduced instead of the annual speech day.

It was around this time that a Parents Association was formed.

Many staff became involved with the new CSE moderation - English, History, Woodwork, Metalwork and Design. The majority of the boys were entered for the C.S.E. examination, and a smaller group were also entered for G.C.E.

In 1976 (April) work started at the Manthorpe Site on preparation for the new school buildings. The first school fete organised by school council and parents association- opened by Eric Chappell, an old boy of the school and a well known playwright. Annual fetes became the norm and became useful school fund raisers.

From 1976 onwards many meetings took place between the senior management team, the school governors, L.E.A. subject advisers and the D of E discussing staffing structures, equipment etc in preparation for the move to the new school.

The new school opened almost 50 years after the opening of the Hill Avenue premises - 10th April 1978. The era of Boys Central School came to an end.

September 5th 1978 was a momentous day in the history of the school with the introduction of co-education and the change of status from secondary modern to comprehensive.

The school opened with 476 pupils on roll. The new intake, consisting of 113 boys and 45 girls were placed in 6 forms.

After the initial settling in period much progress was made. New staff were appointed to manage the increase in number of students, and a pastoral care scheme was put into place. New subjects were on the timetable and the specialist rooms and gym were fully used. However in the October half term holiday 1980 there was a huge set back. A fire was started in the teaching block - the upper floor was totally gutted and the lower floor severely damaged (£500,000). Twelve temporary classrooms were brought on to the site and in addition the old Central School buildings were brought back into service. All the children returned to school within one week, and one month later all the children were reunited on the one site. It was a further 10 months before the re-designed teaching block was back in use.

The school grew in size and popularity and became successful both academically, musically and sportily.

Mr Booth retired in July 1987 and was succeeded temporarily by the deputy head Mr James Smith.

Mr Michael Gaul became Headmaster in September 1988 and many new initiatives were tried- new school uniform of black sweaters with a new logo, replacing the brown and yellow uniform, the school became part of the Technology Schools initiative, German, Business Studies, and Information Technology were introduced into the curriculum, a sixth form was again considered. In 1995 the school was granted Grant Maintained status and opted out of L.E.A. control, Although this was a contentious decision it proved to be successful with an increase in both teaching and non teaching staff and also a new science block was built. It was certainly 'Achievement for All'.

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