My School Life 1951 to 1955 by Ann Salt

My thanks to Ann Salt, pupil number 248 who kindly made a few notes about her school life at Bateman. She was one of the first girls at the school when it opened on 11th of September 1951. Here is her note : BATEMAN GIRLS SECONDARY MODERN SCHOOL - It opened in September 1951. There were eight classrooms, two for each year, 1A, 1P, 2A, 2P and so on to 4A, and 4P. There was a cookery room, an art room and a science room. Music and P.E was taken in the assembley room (Now the Library). Netball, hockey and later on tennis was on the top playground. There were two playgrounds, one by the dinner hall (now staff car park) for the first and second year pupils and the other two years played on the top yard.
Most of the teachers were straight out of college, but there was one named Miss Davies, who had taught my dad and he left school in 1926, she was a demon.
Miss Latham was the headmistrees, she was a lovely lady, but sadly she died just after I left.
We could not go into school in our outdoor shoes, we had to change into houseshoes in the cloakroom. Miss Latham was very strict about this as everything in the school was new.
I remember Miss Latham coming into every class in February 1952 to tell us that the King had died. In May 1953 most of the school went to London by train to see the coronation decorations. Biddulph station was opened up for us (That was quite an event). Everyone on the route came out to wave to us as there hadn't beem a train on that track for years.
It was a very happy school and I really was sorry when I had to leave in 1955.

What is in the name Bateman Girls School ?

Well according to the information I have they were looking for a name in January 1952 when the following names were suggested: Bateman Secondary School, Churchfield Secondary School, Greenways Secondary School and finally, Knypersley Secondary School.
On Monday 5th MAY 1952 it was recommended to the education committee that the following name be adopted: Bateman Secondary Girls' School, Knyepersley.
This name remained with the school until the last reorganisation and the present middle school came about.

History of Bateman Girls School - Part 1

The governors of the school - Biddulph Knypersley Secondary Modern Girls' School met for the first time on 16th MAY 1951 and during the meeting the new headmistress was selected. Miss A. Latham was appointed and she was to take up her new role with effect from 1st September 1951.
The first pupils came through the doors for the term commencing 11th September 1951, where it was reported that by 9.30 am the 254 girls on role were seated quietly in their own forms, registers marked and lessons begun.
The school was divided inot 8 classes, each with its own form mistress. In addition to the 8 members of staff, there was Mrs Axon, Domestic Science Mistress, and Mrs Webber part time School Secretary.
School meals were not available until the 17th September when 68% of the pupils remained for the school lunch, which was described as: exceedingly good, being well cooked, well balanced, varied and served promptly and efficiently.

Welcome to the Blog

On Thursday 6th December 2007 I went to Park Middle Community School, for a community lunch and got talking to a number of women who were at the meal. Some of them actually went to the school when it know as Bateman Girls School. After the lunch I took them on a tour of the school and memories came flooding back. They first came to the school in 1951 when it first opened.

SO WHAT IS NEXT........
I would like to get some more history of the school and pass the information onto the pupils who are at the school now.

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP......