Lindow School celebrates 150 years

Lindow Primary School has commemorated its 150th anniversary. Opened in 1863, Lindow Common Controlled School, as it was called then, was housed on Row of Trees in the building now called the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. The 'Common' did not refer to Lindow Common, the area, but to the children who populated the school who were from 'common families'. Back then children paid 3d (old pence) a week to attend and the teacher was paid a handsome £25 per year!

In a celebratory assembly held last Friday, current headteacher, Darren Morgan, entertained children and guests with recollections from school records spanning all 150 years. The first headteacher, Sarah Hildreth recorded such non-PC gems as "children in standard 3 arithmetic were very dull and stupid" (1864); in 1875 this sad entry was recorded "opened school today, 19 children were present, 5 have died from scarlet fever"; in 1881 children were told not to bring any money in future, some 10 years ahead of the Free Education Act of 1891.

In 1910, Harry Peet became headteacher, a post he held for 39 years through two world wars. On April 23rd 1913, school was closed to allow children to see King George V who was visiting the area. In 1944, 21 evacuees were admitted to school. Post war Lindow School continued in its home at Row of Trees and in 1963 centenary celebrations were led by then head Mr Riley. His message to students past and present, teachers and parents was from Quaker Missionary Etienne de Grellet (1773-1855): "I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."

In 1970, school moved to its current site on Upcast Lane and became known as Lindow County Primary School. In 1977, the specialist Hearing Impaired provision opened and, in 1987, the school achieved national fame as it led the call for "Lindow Man" to remain in the area rather than be removed to London. Over the past 10 years, pupil numbers have grown from below 100 to more than 200 today.

Celebrations saw all staff and children dress in Victorian costume and classes conducted in the style of 1863, though no use was made of the cane! A competition for the children to design a commemorative flag was won by Clara Edler, seen here raising the flag outside school, assisted by former headteacher, Peter Helliwell, head boy Joel Griffiths, head girl Lucie Darroch and current head, Darren Morgan.

Member post by Richard Norris.

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Lindow Community Primary School
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Comments

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Bethan Phillips
Wednesday 20th November 2013 at 8:55 pm
A great school, going from strength to strength and giving its pupils a truly solid foundation on which to progress to secondary school. What will the next 150 years bring?