26 September 1941
“Approving the appointment of Mr D Harle as Second Master in place of Mr C J Smith, to take effect as from September 1st1941, for which he would receive a special responsibility allowance of £24 per annum”.
And “Stating that the Board of Education have decided to raise no objection to the continued employment of Mr C J Smith for the duration of the war, subject to review at the end of each school year.”
And “Approving the appointment of a Clerical Assistant to the Headmaster at a salary not exceeding £50 per annum”.
“Many changes in staff as follows:
Mr W T Bedwell was called up, Mr A T Dobel resigned, Mr B Fenton resigned. Mr F G Gould resigned. The vacancies had been filled by the appointment of Mr F W Green, Mr J T Bonney, Mr J H C Christie, Mr G D Feltham.”
3rd November 1941 A SPECIAL meeting of Governors.
“A letter was read from Mr C J Smith thanking the Governors for the many kindnesses shown him during the period of 44 ½ years’ service with the School, and expressing his willingness to continue at the School although having reached the age limit for retirement.”
22 December 1941
“Approving the appointment as Temporary Assistant Teachers of Messrs. J A H S Christie, J T Bonney, G D Feltham and F W Green.”
12 March 1942.
“Confirmation of the appointment of Mr D Tregenza in place of Mr Bonney.”
29 October 1942
“Now that Selhurst Grammar School had left, the appointment of Miss B M Boyle as temporary Assistant Teacher, and Mr A Hartigan as temporary Physical Training Instructor were confirmed.”
“Mrs Coppock was appointed as the Headmaster’s full time Secretary as from 1stSeptember 1942.”
“Mr Christie had been absent on four occasions for fairly lengthy periods since his appointment in September 1941. In view of the rather unsatisfactory circumstances concerning these long absences, the Headmaster suggested that Mr Christie should be given notice to terminate his employment at the end of the present term. It was resolved that Mr Christie continue at the School but should he again be absent from his work then the Headmaster was directed to bring the matter before the Governors for their further consideration.”
14 January 1943
“Mr A Hartigan, temporary part-time gym instructor, appointed last term, had not returned to duty. The matter was left open for the time being.”
12 May 1943
“Mr Hartigan would be attending a course at Loughborough College for four weeks during the summer holiday.”
11 May 1944
“A recent decision of the County Education Committee is of great importance to Secondary Schools in the County, that the staff ratio is to be reduced from 1-23 to 1-22 in September next, and the numbers in the 6th form are to count twice for this purpose. This will entitle the Headmaster to a staff of 14, which will mean two additional appointments.”
14 June 1944
The Headmaster “had received a number of applications, mostly young women straight from university”.* But that “Two men had been called for interview as soon as possible.”
*presumably with no teaching qualifications.
14 July 1944
“Twenty three applications has been received of which the Headmaster had interviewed five candidates. He recommended the Governors approve the appointment of Mr R Reed, at present an Assistant Master on the staff of Peckham Central School, and also Miss Lock on the staff of Oswestry High School.”
“Mr Harle, Careers Master, presented some facts and figures and stated that a total of 24 boys had taken up appointments in the last 12 months. The best thanks of the Governors were accorded Mr Harle for his report.”
27 September 1944
”Miss Lock and Mr Reed had joined the staff this term. The County Education Committee had also arranged for an Assistant Master, Mr Dyer, to be loaned from Surbiton County School. The staff is at present 13 full time and three part time, giving a calculated strength of 15. Mr H F Green would be leaving at Christmas. It is also recorded with regret the death of Mrs Ashton through enemy action. She was a member of staff for 12 months.”
25 October 1944
The Headmaster reported on “the formal resignation of Mr H F Green from his temporary post as Science Master and paid tribute to the work done by Mr Green during his period of service with the school.”
“Owing to the recall by Surrey of Mr H L Dyer, who had been loaned for the opening of the Autumn term, it was recommended that the Governors appoint Miss J Hilda Goaman as Junior Form Mistress.”
30 November 1944
The Headmaster had “Received an acceptance for the post of Science Master from a Mr A L Scobie, now at Paisley Grammar School. He would start his duties in January.”
24 January 1945
“Miss Goaman and Mr W L Scobie took up their duties on the opening day of term.”
9 May 1945
“Resignation of the Headmaster on the 7th instant, to take effect as from 31stAugust 1945, he having been accepted as Headmaster to Battersea Grammar School. The Governors accepted the resignation with deep regret, and that it be placed on record their highest appreciation of the very valuable service he had rendered to the school since his appointment in May 1937. “
“The estimate for the number of pupils in the school for September 1945 would be 269, such a number would entitle the school to 15 staff. The present staff is equivalent to 15 and the Governors were asked to face this situation at once.”
6 June 1945
An advert for a new headmaster had appeared in the Times Education Supplement on 4 June, for which 81 applications had been received.
11 July 1945
Agreed to review the shortlisted candidates on 16th July.
16 July 1945
A total of 311 applications had been received (of which 156 had completed applications anew and 155 from those already applied for the headship at Ilfracombe) and a shortlist of 6 were balloted for and selected for interview on 25th July; the votes were as follows:
H F Boulind – 7 votes, C W Stephenson – 6 votes, S J Barton, C E Key, J Daniel & R A Bowman, 5 votes each, A F W Pratt & H A White – 4 votes each, M H Eck – 3 votes, E Riley – 2 votes, F B Pinion & J Rising – one vote each.
25 July 1945 Special meeting.
Charles William Stephenson was the clear winner with 10 votes and would be available to start at the beginning of the autumn term. The other 5 applicants received only a single vote or none at all.
3 October 45
Mr William Sidney Goode BSc, took up his duties on 19 October but was “interviewed yesterday under the Emergency Teachers Training Scheme about a 5-year contract.”
7 Nov 1945
Mr Anderson reported for duty on 22 October. Mr Christie and Mr Hartigan were now doing part time duty at the Geneva Secondary Modern School. Mr E R Hewlett’s return was expected shortly.
12 December 1945
It was resolved that the County Education Committee be informed that: “It is the unanimous wish of this Governing Body that Mr C W Stephenson’s appointment as Headmaster of this school be placed on a permanent basis.” Regarding the temporary appointments of Assistant Masters in the school, it was resolved to appoint Mr C Penrose, Mr F W Green, Mr J A H S Christie, Mr A Hartigan and Mr R Reed to be confirmed. There was no decision regarding Mr D Tregenza nor Mr W S Goode, Miss H I Lock or Miss J H Goaman.” It was reported that the County Education Office had written to agree to the release of Mr W S Goode to take up his duties on 1st January as a teacher at Exmouth Training College.
30 January 1946
Mr E R Hewlett returned to duties on 17 December having obtained a Class B release from the army. Capt. Bartlett MBE had been appointed to commence duties on 18 February. “Although Mr C J Smith retired at the end of last term after nearly 49 years faithful service, he had agreed to help until Mr Bartlett takes up his appointment.”
27 March 1946
“Mr G J Norman, an Old Boy of the school and recently demobilised from service in the RAFVR, has been on the school staff for the past few weeks, practice teaching for his Diploma Course at the University College, Exeter.”
14 June 1946
For information to the newly appointed Governors of Bideford Secondary Schools, the Headmaster reported that the staff were:
D Harle BA – Senior Master & Senior History Master
H Anderson MA – Senior Science Master
G H Walker BA – Latin & Music, also Games Master
E J Morris BSc – Senior French & Divinity Master
C Penrose BSc – 6th Form Master & Senior Geography & Economics Master
E R Hewlett MA – French & German. Librarian
F W Green – Crafts
J A H S Christie MA – Art
S R Clark MA – English (under notice to quit by 31 December).
D Tregenza BA – English
A Hartigan – PE
R Reed BSc – Mathematics & Geography
W E Bartlett BSc – Science & Mathematics, temporarily replacing W S Goode BSc
Miss H I Lock BA – History & Divinity
Miss J H Goaman – General subjects.
Reports from the Grammar School from this date forth are much less detailed than hitherto.
4 December 1946
Recommended that W E Bartlett and D Tregenza, who hold temporary appointments, be appointed permanent staff. Consideration of the appointments held by Miss H Goaman and Miss H I Lock be deferred until the school is reorganised as a co-educational school. Mr S R Clark had tendered his resignation as Assistant Master from 31 December.
19 December 1946.
Resolved to appoint Mr G J Norman as Assistant Master to replace Miss H Lock.
12 February 1947
Mr C Penrose had tendered his resignation as an Assistant Master, effective on 31 March, on his appointment to Drakes Hill College, Staffs. Mr Hartigan had tendered his resignation as PE Instructor also with effect on 31 March. The recommendation that Mr Bartlett and Mr Tregenza be appointed to the permanent staff was approved by the Divisional Committee. Resignation of Miss H Lock, Assistant Mistress, as from 31 December 1946.
24 February 1947
Mr Norman’s appointment had been confirmed to commence duties on 3 March.
10 March 1947
Mr W O Probert from Liverpool was recommended to be appointed as Geography Master as from the start of the Autumn term, and Mr Witter from Cheshire be appointed as Physical Training Master from 5 May.
25 April 1947
Messrs Penrose and Hartigan left on 31 March. Messrs Bartlett and Tregenza had received letters of appointment to the permanent staff. Mr Morris was to retire at the end of term and tendered his resignation; he had served on the staff for just over 31 years, from January 1916. Mr Tucker came in at the start of term to assist until two new members of staff were appointed.
9 July 1947
Resolved to appoint Mr W O Probert as Geography Master as from the start of the Autumn term, but it was reported subsequently that he has refused the appointment due to housing difficulties. Mr R Witter would be appointed Physical Training Master as from 5 May 1947. Mr Morris was asked to defer his retirement until 31 December.
The staffing sub-committee had resolved to recommend that Miss J H Goaman, temporary Assistant Mistress, be transferred to the permanent staff as from 1 September. It had also resolved to recommend that Mr D J Daniel he appointed Geography and Mathematics Master as from the start of the Autumn term and that Mr J Cooper be appointed as Mathematics and Geography Master as from 8 September.
5 November 1947
Mr D J Daniel was recommended as the Geography and Mathematics Master as from start of the Autumn term.
6 March 1948
The Education Committee was requested to approve the inclusion of Laboratory Assistants D Nancekievill and D C Whiteside, and Library Assistant D Yelland in the school estimates for 1948/49.
The Governors reaffirmed their recommendation that the Development Plan be amended so as to permit the school to be retained as a Boys’ school to enable it to be organised on a two-stream basis.
May 1948
The Headmaster’s Secretary, Miss M Pearson, will leave at the end August to get married and move away. Resignation of J Cooper and D J Daniel.
February 1949
George Boyle Ltd was appointed as the official school clothier.
May 1949
Members of staff and pupils were congratulated on the high standard of production reached in recent editions of ‘The Bidefordian’.
May 1950
J A H S Christie, Art Master, had resigned. As the school was officially overstaffed, it was proposed that a teacher from the Art School attend the school for 1.5 days a week.
June 1950
Agreed to the Development Plan proposal that the school should become co-educational with a two-stream entry with first form entry of girls in September 1951. D Owen accepted a new post at Hereford GS.
W J Cordings & Sons appointed as approved school clothiers.
July 1950
No response to the first advert for a Science Master.
September 1950
Mr Witter returned from Freckleton Training College.
Mr Parry, newly appointed Chemistry Master will take up duties on 1st January 1951.
November 1950
The Chief Education Officer reported that the school was overstaffed by two teachers and that it required a reduction of one teacher forthwith. Miss J H Goaman was put forward as the person to whom notice of termination of employment would be given, taking effect at the end of Spring term 1951.
December 1950
Mr Parry was unable to find a house suitable for his 4 children in Bideford but is arranging to purchase a cottage in Newton St Petrock.
October 1951
The Education Committee, in calculating the salary for Mr Parry, approved that his six years business experience equated to three years teaching experience.
March 1952
Mr Tregenza went into hospital for an operation on 4th March and Mr D B Reed BSc, had been appointed as Temporary Supply Assistant during his absence.
May 1952
As a consequence of “severe cuts on educational expenditure’ by the DCEC and to reduce the annual working hours and with an appropriate “adjustment in salary” of Secretariat staff, Miss B G Backway has resigned as from 10th May.
Agreement to appoint an Assistant Master to teach Latin in place of Mr G H Walker.
July 1952
Appointed Mr Stuart as the new Latin Master and Mrs J K Durant as the Secretary from 9th June.
December 1952
Another son born to Mr & Mrs Parry.
February 1953
In view of the decline in pupil numbers reported in a recent report by H M Inspectors, it was proposed to re-open the question of the school becoming co-educational.
May 1953
The Secretary’s hours were restored to 1,200 hrs p.a. and salary adjusted accordingly.
December 1953
Interviews were held with three individuals for the post of Assistant Master to teach art, with at least one subsidiary subject.
February 1954
Mr R A Dunlop, Art Master, appointed as from 1st January 1954.
July 1954
Mr Witter, PE master, had resigned as from 31st March. Three candidates had been interviewed and Mr S Cameron had been appointed.
March 1955
As a result of the decrease in numbers on the roll, an additional post for an Assistant Master to teach Mathematics or Physics could not be advertised. Mr F W Green, Handicrafts Master, had resigned, taking effect on 18th April.
July 1955
Mr R A Kneebone, Woodwork Master at the Secondary Modern, would be able to prepare boys for the GCE Woodwork on one evening a week and on Saturday mornings on a temporary basis. Mrs Waldron was appointed as temporary Secretary on 9th June during the illness & operation of Mrs Durant.
October 1955
Mr S Cameron, PE Master, was chosen to play for Devon County Rugby Team on Saturday 24 and Thursday 29 September.
November 1955
Mrs J K Durant, Secretary, had returned to duty.
December 1955
Mr P J Fletcher, member of the N Devon Divisional Executive (i.e. the Governing body for Bideford’s Secondary Schools since the 1944 Education Act), proposed that the following should be considered at its next meeting in February 1956:
“In view of the ancient and therefore particularly close association of the town of Bideford with the life, customs and traditions of the Bideford Grammar School, the Board of Governors consider it wise to expedite the introduction of girls into the school at the present time considering the transitory period of our new system of education?”
February 1956
Two Stella Maris girls would start immediately to study A level physics until Jun 1957.
In consideration of Mr P J Fletcher’s proposal, the Governors
“resolved to re-affirm that it would be desirable to expedite the proposal to admit girls at the school”.
March 1956
Regarding the decline in school numbers and the proposed admission of girls, it was reported that
“the Education Committee had included proposals in the Major Building Programme for 1957/8 for the provision of additional accommodation so that the school may become a co-educational establishment.”
Mr J N D Stuart had been appointed Classics Master at Letchworth GS and will be leaving at the end of term.
June 1956
Mr D Jackson would be appointed Latin Master from 1 September 1956.
Dr Cook, Deputy Chief Education Officer,
“explained the reasons leading to a recent decision of the Education Committee that the proposal to convert the Grammar School into a mixed school should be deferred for the time being.”
July 1956
Following a suggestion from Mr P J Fletcher, it was decided to open a small tuck shop on an experimental basis next term, under the direction of Mr R Reed.
October 1956
Mr S Cameron had resigned his post from the end of term, having been appointed a temporary Commissioned Officer in the RAF.
Regarding the decline in numbers and the proposed introduction of girls, it was reported that: “following the protest of the Governors, the Education Committee had decided to ask a Special Subcommittee to meet the Governors to discuss the proposal that the school should be re-organised on a co-ed basis and that, because of restrictions recently imposed by the Ministry of Education on school building, no arrangements had yet been made for this meeting to take place.”
Mr R J Chappell had been appointed as Assistant Master PE as from 1st January 1957.
October 1957
The Headmaster reported that the discipline exercised by Mr A G Courtney, Assistant Master, had been unsatisfactory and he had been compelled to re-organise the timetable in an effort to deal with the situation. He would submit a further report at the next meeting.
The Headmaster’s wife had been in hospital.
Mr G H Walker had died on 26 October. He had been appointed to the school in January 1912, retired in August. 1952 but continued to attend for 2 hrs per week to take music, until December 1956.
February 1958
The Headmaster wished to bring a personal and private matter before the Governors [assumed to be the health of his wife Ella who was ill and who died in 1963].
The school had been allocated an additional Assistant Master from 1stSeptember. The Head wished this to be an English graduate.
March 1958
Mr J P Moran from Leicester had been appointed Assistant Master.
June 1958
Discussion on the proposed admission of girls would be considered at the annual meeting of Governors.
July 1958
The Governors
“re-iterated that it was the unanimous wish that the existing premises be so adapted that the school can become co-educational as early as possible, and to request that the Local Education Authority include this work in the Building Programme for 1960-61.”
February 1959
In view of the expected large 11+ entry in September, the Head expected staffing difficulties, particularly in science and mathematics, and requested permission to appoint Mr Frank Holliday BSc as part time teacher for both subject.
In June 1959 a letter from the teaching staff at the school was received by the Chief Education Officer:
“We are unconvinced that the academic work of the school will not be impaired [i.e. it will be impaired!] by the proposed amalgamation of the two schools, or that a mixed (co-ed) is impracticable. We therefore favour strongly a mixed grammar school as offering the best solution of the existing problem. If this should in fact prove impracticable, we favour a mixed bilateral grammar/technical school as the best means of preserving the grammar school standard of academic work leading to a fully implemented sixth form course; Or, as a possible alternative to this, a mixed comprehensive school.
For and on behalf of the Teaching Staff, BGS.”
This memo was considered at a Special meeting of Governors on 17 July 1959 and again on 29 September. The Chairman of the Education Committee explained that he was:
“recommending consideration be given to the possibility of adapting the Grammar School premises so that they could be used as a Maintained Modern School, for the boys attending the GS and also those girls selected for a Grammar School course, whose parents with them to attend this proposed new school.”
October 1959
The Head reported that the situation regarding Mr Courtney’s discipline had improved slightly,
“I am doing what I can to assist him and I think he is making genuine effort to improve, but I find him rather uncooperative.”
The Governors asked the Head to provide another report on Mr Courtney in 6 months’ time.
16 October 1959 (Special meeting of the Governors, held at the school)
“The Governors are unanimously of the opinion that the original proposal, whereby the Grammar School premises were to be adapted for use as a co-ed grammar school, should be implemented and urge that a new co-ed secondary modern school for Bideford be included in the 1962-3 building programme; and to request the Education Committee to inform the Governors immediately of any recommendations their Developments Sub-committee may make regarding the future of Bideford Grammar School.”
4 November 1959 (Another Special meeting of Governors)
After considering a memo from the Chief Education Officer dated 28th October, stating that the Development Sub-committee are recommending to the Education Committee that the original proposal to adapt the Boys’ Grammar School premises for use as a mixed Grammar School be dropped, the Governors:
“Deplored this decision and reaffirmed their previous resolution that the only satisfactory solutions are to adapt the existing GS premises so that a mixed Grammar School can be established in the town, and to build a new mixed County Secondary School.
The proposal to establish a mixed Grammar School was first suggested by the Education Committee (at a time when the presence of a Direct Grant school for girls in the town was known); was approved by Governors and the North Devon Divisional Executive and supported by the Bideford Council; and was included in the Development Plan submitted by the Local Education Authority to the Minister of Education who approved the Plan.
As the present Grammar School forms part of the cultural life of the community, the Governors are not prepared to allow the school’s identity to be lost in any form of “comprehensive experiment” and therefore neither of the two alternatives suggested by the Development Sub-committee is acceptable to Governors.
It is the wish of the Governors that the recommendations of the Development Sub-committee, referred to in the Chief Education Officer’s letter, are considered by the Education Committee, a copy of the same minutes of this special meeting of the Governors shall, at the same time, be circulated to each member of the Education Committee.
A special sub-committee, consisting of the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Mr P J Fletcher, be appointed and empowered to take whatever action they deem necessary to implement the views of the Governors as set out above.”
25 November 1959 (Another special meeting of Governors)
A verbal report from the Chairman about a Special Sub-Committee meeting to consider the decisions reached by the Education Committee at its meeting on 19 Nov about the Reorganisation.
2 December 1959
Five boys played in the N Devon Trials and of these R M Eastmond, R G Squires and D Whitfield were chosen to play for N and E Devon against Plymouth and mid Devon, and won 10 points to 8. A C Beer, B Jeffery and M J Lee had all been accepted for the Civil Service Executive Branch on the results of their A levels.
6 January 1960 (Special meeting about the proposed reorganisation of secondary education in Bideford)
Brief report from the Developments Sub-Committee’s brief report to the Education Committee.
3 February 1960
231 on the roll. C Pike left to go to an Approved School! R M Eastmond, R G Squires & D J Whitfield played for Devon against Cornwall on 19 December 1959 and won 6-nil. Eastmond and Squires were chosen to represent Devon and Cornwall against Bristol, Gloucester and Somerset, and after that, were chosen to represent the Southwest against the Southeast. R J Talbot, Captain of the School, and B Jeffery, Senior Prefect, played for the Devon Public and Grammar Schools Team against Somerset. The match was a draw, 3 points each.
R B Polley reached the final of the ACF Boxing Competition but lost by one point due to the fact that someone accidentally dropped a chair on his head and knocked him out, just before he was due to go into the ring!
2 March 1960
R G Squires played for the South of England against the North of England and won 6 points to 3. As a result, he had been chosen to play for English under 15 schoolboys against Wales at Cardiff on 5 Mar and at Twickenham on 16 April. The OBA would be holding a Whist Drive in the School Hall on 2 Mar to raise funds to reduce the cost to the boys of their visits to both venues. In the N Devon inter-schools cross country race, the Junior Team came 1st out of 12 teams competing and A M W Harrison was the winner of the Intermediate Race.
4 May 1960
R G Squires was chosen to captain the English Schoolboys Under 15 team against Wales in Cardiff, where the result was a draw with no score. He nearly won the match with a long-range penalty which hit the post and fell on the wrong side. Squires was again chosen to captain the side. The return match was lost 9 points to 3. D Baker ran for Devon’s Under 15 cross country team, which came first. The Head asked the Governors to purchase a Roneo Duplicator for his Secretary.
6 July 1960
F J Smith had agreed verbally to help with teaching of Junior Mathematics and Science half time during the 1960-61 year. In the ACF athletic sports, 7 boys took Certificate ‘A’ and 6 were successful including T K Bartlett, A J Bissett, P A C Diwell, M J Fishleigh, R B Polley and A C Stevens. In the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, previous Headmaster, W J Langford, had been honoured with a CBE.
22 September 1960
Number on the roll was 238. J R Carpenter was the first boy to achieve 10 passes at O level at the first attempt.
7 December 1960
D A Hocking and A J Heal were chosen to play for the Devon Under 15 team in their first match against Cornwall at Plymouth on 3 December. The County Inspector had surveyed the requirements for Science accommodation and with the larger number of boys in the school there was a strong need for an additional laboratory, perhaps a prefabricated one.
1 February 1961
230 on the roll. D Hocking was chosen to play for Devon against Dorset on 17 December, and for the combined Devon and Cornwall team against a corresponding team from Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucester and Bristol on 7 January.
1 March 1961
Mr D Tregenza would retire in August at age 65; he started in January 1942. Mrs Stephenson has not made the progress expected and would be taken to a Specialist at Exeter hospital on 2 March; she has great difficulty walking. Mr Paddon, Caretaker, returned to work on 18 Feb. In the N Devon Cross Country Championships on 15 February, R H F Green was the winner of the Junior event and the Junior team came 3rd. The Intermediate team came 2nd, D Baker being 6th and D Staddon 8th. These 3 boys would run for N Devon on 18 February against the other districts in Devon, where the Intermediate team came 1st and the Junior team came 3rd out of 7 teams in each section.
3 May 1961
D A Hocking and C Jeffery played for Devon Schools Under 15 team against Leicestershire where Devon lost by 13 points to 8 On 22 April, A J D Heal and C Jeffery played for Devon against Somerset and the result was a draw at 8 points each.
11 October 1961
Mr A J Jones (English & French), Mr J S Fraser (Biology and General Science) and Mr J Ayres (Art) took up their duties at the start of the autumn term, and Mr G Robinson would be appointed from 1 January 1962 to teach Mathematics. Mr Rice is head of the Crafts and Art Dept. J Ayres and J S Fraser are serving their probationary years. Old Boy R H Crowther was awarded 3rd Class Honours at Hull in English and Government, and J Stephenson was awarded a First Class Honours in Physics.
6 December 1961
231 boys on the roll. Mr J P Moran had been appointed as Senior English Master at Coleford GS in Gloucs from 1 January 1961 so the Head requested a supply teacher given the short notice. Mr A J Jones had agreed to take over Advanced and Ordinary work from Mr Moran and to edit the Bidefordian. Three boys had been chosen to play for Devon Under 15 team, J N Blackmore, G Rogers and C D Rosekilly.
7 February 1962
226 boys on the roll. Geoff Rogers had been chosen to play for the Southwest against the South and Southeast on 27 January; the SW lost by 11 points to 8.
On Representation at Secondary Schools in Bideford, the Devon County Education Committee had decided to retain both the Grammar School and Edgehill and Stella Maris Convent, but to build a mixed Secondary School on a site adjacent to the Grammar School. The Governors’ objection to these proposals lay in the inadequacy of the playing field provision for approximately 1,000 children. It was recognised that in view of the financial situation, it was unlikely that a new Secondary School will be ready for use within 10 years.
7 March 1962
The N Devon Schools Cross-Country Race was run in Barnstaple on 14 February and M Lockyer, A R Findlay an G C Mountjoy came 8th, 9th and 10th respectively, with M Lockyer being chosen to run for N Devon on 17 February.
2 May 1962
224 on the roll. J N Blackmore, G Rogers and C D Rosekilly played for the Devon Under 15 team against Somerset and won 22 points to 8, with Rogers scoring two tries.
4 July 1962
Number on the roll 228. In the N Devon Schools Sports meeting, the Junior and Intermediate teams won their respective age group championships, with G C Mountjoy first in the Junior 880 yards and R G Squires first in the senior shot and setting a new Devon record.
3 October 1962
235 on the roll. Mr R H Crowther took up his appointment on 2 July. M J Omejer was awarded the School, County and National prizes for Boys in Art.
5 December 1962
234 on the roll. Two girls from Stella Maris are attending for Advanced Physics and some Mathematics, and 5 girls from Edgehill are attending for Advanced Mathematics. Mr R Reed died on 22 October. The Governors were requested to promote Mr Norman from Grade A to Grade B in order to take over some of Mr Reed’s workload. C Hold has been chosen for the final County trial at Exeter on 24 November and then selected to play for Devon against Cornwall on 8 December.
6 February 1963
232 on the roll. R G Squires and R M Eastmond were selected for the first County trial for the Devon Public and Grammar Schools, and R G Squires was chosen to play against the Devon Colts which the Schools’ team won 16 points to 8. Squires had also been chosen to play for against Cornwall, Somerset and Bristol, but all matches were cancelled. He has now been chosen to play for the Southwest against the Southeast. C Hold was selected to play for Devon Schools Under 15 against Cornwall on 8 December and the result was a draw 6 points each, with Hold scoring a try.
6 March 1963
231 on the roll. In the N Devon Cross Country Race, R H F Green was first in the Intermediate race and he and C Hold and A R Findlay went to Plymouth to run for N Devon against the rest of Devon in which the N Devon team was first; R H F Green was third and he has been chosen to represent Devon in the National Cross-Country Championships.
The school did not have to close in the severe wintry weather, although the boys from the Hartland and Langtree areas were unable to get in; the school’s heating system was not built for such conditions.
Mr Billingham was recommended to be appointed Assistant Master in place of Mr Reed, provided he obtained his Diploma in Education. Mr R Crowther was given leave of absence to attend an interview as a Parliamentary Candidate for the Liberal Party.
1 May 1963
A J Jones and A G Courtney took a party of boys to Brussels and Paris on an educational visit from 1 to 4 April.
3 July 1963
234 on the roll. Mr Jackson was given leave with full pay from 19 to 27 May in order to take a degree examination.
At the N Devon Schools Athletic Sports held at the school on 29 May; among the Junior boys, C Hold was first in Hurdles and E A Colegate first in 220 yds. In the Intermediate boys, G Rogers was first in 100 yds, C Jeffery first in 440 yds, R Geen first in 880 yds with G Mountjoy second, C Rosekilly first in High Jump, N Cooper first in Long Jump, B Tucker first in the Hop, Step, Jump, and D Hocking first in Discus.
2 October 1963
238 on the roll. Mr Courtney underwent a very serious operation in July and not expected to return to school until October. Mrs S M Kevan had been appointed temporarily to cover French in the meantime. Mr D Jackson was awarded the BD degree by the Univ. of London. Resignation of part time Assistant Master, Mr F Holliday. The Education Committee had approved the appointment of Mrs W Auchinvole as a Laboratory Assistant.
15 November 1963
Consideration was being given to two projects: a biology laboratory and a library, both in temporary accommodation.
4 December 1963
238 on the roll. Mr A G Courtney resumed work on 21 October and Mrs S M Kevan finished her supply work on 18 October. Mrs W Auchinvole, Laboratory Assistant, gave birth to a son on 8 Nov.
5 February 1964
235 on the roll. Mrs W Auchinvole commenced part time duties on 20 January. The Head reported that:
“As you will have seen from the local papers, I had some difficulty in persuading two boys to conform to my regulations that they should wear their hair reasonably short. When these new hair styles became the vogue, I took no action assuming they would die a natural death, but after the public exhibition at Speech Day when some parents were upset by the undignified appearance of some of the boys, and the Vice Chairman expressed his strong disapproval, I notified the school that haircuts must in future be reasonable and conform to what is normally acceptable. By the end of term only a few boys had not conformed and most of them were warned personally either by the form masters or by me, and I gave a directive that when we returned in January, every boy must have his hair cut reasonably short, especially at the back. When the new term commenced, I was informed that six boys had not complied with my request and I issued another directive that it must be complied with by Monday 13 January. Blackmore, whose mother complained, was warned by his form master on Tuesday 7thand Thursday 9thand then had my directive on Friday 10th, so that when he had not complied with my request on Monday 13th, I sent him home to have his hair cut before permitting him to attend school. The other boy was David West, whose mother (a widow), is having difficulty in bringing him up but she approved my action. Three of the boys had their hair cut, the other telephoned to say he had toothache over the weekend but had his hair cut and hoped to be back on Tuesday.”
The Governors supported the actions of the Headmaster.
4 March 1964
234 on the roll. A Mckenzie, Form lll, ran in the County Cross Country Race held on 22 February and came 5th. The N Devon team won. The school team shot against several other school and town ACF teams, and came first in the tournament with 245 points. C Hold and J Edgecombe scored 63 points each. Grenville came second with 217.
The staff have unanimously requested me to give the 6th form the option of wearing caps and asked the Governors for their observations; they agreed to leave the decision to the Head.
6 May 1964
Number on the roll 226. Mr J Ayers and Mr M Billingham resigned their posts as from the end of August.
The Colts 7s team won the N Devon Schools Seven-a-side Competition on Wed 4 March, beating Ilfracombe GS in the second round, Barnstaple GS in the semi-final and Torrington County Secondary in the final. The team consisted of J Bennett, T Colegate, A Mckenzie, G Parker, G Proctor, D Short and M Waters.
The school also reached the final of the County Public and Grammar schools 7-a-side tournament on Wed 18 March, beating Okehampton GS in the first round 8-3, St Boniface Plymouth in the 2nd round 8-nil, Sutton HS Plymouth in the quarter finals 16-nil, Barnstaple GS in the semi-final 6-3, but losing to West Buckland in the final 18 to 8. The Head had received a number of letters congratulating the team, which in the opinion of some, was the best team on the field, but the W Buckland team was much bigger and heavier.
R M Eastmond and R H F Green played for the Devon Schools team twice during the Easter holidays, beating Exeter ‘A’ 6-nil, and Gloucestershire 16 – 5.
A Mckenzie ran for Devon in the SW Competition at Warminster and was second in the Devon team and 16th in the whole field. He also ran for Devon in the National Competition at Leicester but seemed to have got lost in the multitude of runners.
15 July 1964
The 11+ entry is very small, only 29, and is a matter of grave concern as it will affect staffing and leads to instability and worry. Mr R H Crowther came top of the poll in the Borough of Bideford.
Four boys played cricket for N Devon against Culme Valley at Barnstaple on 17 June and G Baker, D Short and P Petherbridge were selected to play for the Combined N Devon and Culme Valley against Mid Devon.
14 October 1964
227 on the roll. The new laboratory has enabled Biology to be introduced to the timetable.
2 December 1964
224 on the roll. Colin D Rosekilly has been appointed Captain and R J Clarke and R J Twitchin as Senior Prefects. [None of these appointments had appeared in previous annual reports to Governors]
3 February 1965
222 on the roll. A ‘Family Service’ had at last begun in the canteen at two servings.
Mr R H Crowther has made an application to be considered as a parliamentary candidate and has written to the Chairman of Governors to ask permission to stand as a Liberal candidate if selected.
3 March 1965
Those on the roll are the same at 222. The Old Boys played the school and won 38 to 6, and afterwards they had a dinner and dance at Kenwith Castle.
In view of the academic successes achieved at the school, a grant of £273 was made from central funds for the purchase of equipment for teaching chemistry.
5 May 1965
Again, the roll remained at 222. Two candidates were interviewed for the post of Assistant Master to teach Latin in place of Mr D Jackson, resigned.
Mr A J Jones attended an interview at Dorchester, Mr J S Fraser had an interview at Gainsborough and Mr D Jackson at Crediton. Mr R H Crowther has been appointed an administrative assistant in the Univ. of Bristol from 1st August and Mr Jackson has accepted a post of Divinity Specialist at Crediton Girls’ Grammar School from 1 September.
A J Jewell ran in the Schools National Cross-Country Race at Stoke on Trent and came 110th out of 350 runners. The Devon team came 26th out of 52.
7 July 1965
The number of boys entering in September will be 23, the lowest for at least 20 yrs. The Head stated that it was quite impossible to build a school soundly on such small numbers.
Mr A J Jones has been appointed as Lecturer for English Literature at Rolle College, Exmouth and will leave at the end of summer term. The boys and girls grammar schools in Crediton are being combined and Mr Jackson has been appointed as Head of Religious Education.
In the N Devon Athletics, the Junior team came 4th out of 11, the Intermediate team came 6th out of 12, and the Seniors were 2nd equal with Barnstaple Grammar School out of 4 schools.
At the County Sports at Devonport, R Shute came 1st in the Intermediate Steeplechase and was asked to represent Devon in the National Sports at Watford; E Colegate was 3rd in the triple jump and the N Devon team was placed 5th out of 8, their best effort so far.
In the ACF County Inter-Brigade Sports, R Murray was 1st in the Senior High Jump, J Moore was 1st in the Intermediate Shot, J Harle was 2nd in Intermediate High Jump and 3rd in Intermediate Long Jump, and B Johns was 2nd in Junior 880 yards.
15 October 1965
Total on the roll 219. J Symondson passed 10 O levels at his first attempt, after having failed his 11+ in Buckinghamshire. Mr J M Morning from Glasgow had been interviewed for the post of Assistant Master to teach English and was appointed.
1 December 1965
215 on the roll. Since the last report, R C Levick has left to be apprenticed to a printing firm in London. Mr J M Morning joined the staff to teach English on 18 October.
The Head reported that L Griffin and P Ayres broke into the school on 14 Oct and stole the Masters’ Detention book, then on 21 October L Griffin and C Lee broke into the school and stole the new Detention book, smashed open the Tuck Shop cupboard and removed £8 & 9 shillings. The police were called and the matter is in their hands. As a result of so many petty thefts in the past two years, the Head had decided to close the Tuck Shop.
Several boys were selected for the N Devon team and on 6 November, G Withecombe, D Harman and B Johns played for N Devon. Afterwards G Withecombe and A Cowlard were selected for N Devon, Exeter and E Devon to play against Plymouth and S Devon at Exeter on 20 November.
A L Watts was chosen to represent the Devon ACF to shoot at Bisley; he came 48th out of the first 100 and was awarded the Queen’s Badge.
2 February 1966
Since the last report the following Form 6 boys had left:
K J Hunkin – family farm; J E Lott – Bideford School of Art; A S Mackenzie – Pickfords; B V Mountjoy; G A Oliver [merchant navy]; S D Smithson – Gale & Jaquiss, Architects, Bideford; R R Shute – Oliver & Dyer, Architects, Bideford. Consequently the roll was only 208.
L Griffin and C Lee were brought before the Juvenile Court on 3 December but there was no other report. The parents have agreed to repay the loss to the school.
By national agreement, the working hours have been reduced from 48 to 40 hrs per week. The Head enquired how the County can insist that no extra person can be appointed and asked how a caretaker can do the same work in 40hrs that he used to do in 48, under the same conditions.
2 March 1966
G Granger had left to become a police cadet so the roll was 207.
Professor R M Shackleton, Head of Dept of Earth Sciences at Leeds, visited the school on 4 February and spoke to Forms 5 and 6 on university life.
G Granger, J B Harle and P C Nicholls played for Devon ACF against Somerset. Devon lost but P C Nicholls was awarded his County Colours.
Mr Rice, Crafts Master, submitted a memorandum to the Governors on the considerable inadequacies in the workshop, pointing out that the boys take the same O and A level examinations as boys from fully equipped schools.
4 May 1966
205 on the roll. Regarding the boys who were in trouble, the Head had held a long discussion with the staff. L Griffin has been provisionally accepted into the Marines in August. C J Lee is very unhappy, has a sour disposition and no one is able to get much from him. I have recommended to his parents that they should withdraw him at the end of the Spring term and I understand that they are in agreement with any decision made by the staff and myself. P Ayers is very difficult, has obtained an unusually large number of detentions during this last term and is obviously desirous of leaving. I think it is better for the boys and the school if both Ayers and Lee leave and obtain suitable posts.
Mr A T W Foss from Cornwall had been interviewed for the post of Assistant Master to teach Mathematics after the resignation of Mr Jones.
6 July 1966
Boys who had recently entered the school include J W Carter from Devonport High School, joining the Lower 6th, and one boy who had left, G Staddon, who would be joining the Bideford Gazette as a Junior Reporter. The roll stood at 209.
In the Devon County Athletic Championships, K Moses and E Colegate were two members of the N Devon Schools Relay Team which came first in the County meeting at Exeter. E Colegate also came 2nd in the Senior Long Jump and 3rd in the Triple Jump. Moses was second in the Senior 440 yards and C Cowlard was third in the Junior Mile.
The Head of the Art School held a competition for Schools for over and under 16; the 1st prize went to R C Durant and the 2nd prize went to J Symondson.
Four candidates were interviewed for the post of Caretaker in place of Mr R Padden, retired. Mr W H Northcott of 34 Abbotsham Road, was appointed from 1 September.
12 October 1966
Eleven boys from the 6th form had left since July, including G J Giddy, joining his father’s business, and A Mackenzie. And from the 3rd year sixth, 13 boys had left. The roll now totalled 219.
Mr A G Courtney had 1 day in hospital and a further 7 days’ recovery at home.
Following the Head’s previous report on 5 boys in Form 4 whose work, attitude and behaviour were unsatisfactory, their improvement was so slight that he told their parents that they would have to leave.
The A level results were very pleasing this year, every one of the 19 candidates passed in at least one subject, and the Captain, S A Dunn, was awarded a Distinction in Geography.
The Schools 7-a-side Tournament took place at Chivenor on 26 September and the School teams beat West Buckland 10-nil in the first round, beat Shebbear College 5-3 in the 2nd round, but lost to Barnstaple Grammar School 19-nil in the final.
Because of the varying entry and difficulty of arranging four fairly evenly matched teams, the staff and I have decided to reduce the number of Houses from 4 to 2, and they will be called Darracotts and Stucleys.
7 December 1966
There were 220 boys on the roll.
J A Little, P F Allen and R Giddy were selected for N Devon against E Devon Under 15. E Devon won 23 -3 but Little and Giddy were selected for the final trial on 19 November.
1 February 1967
The roll was 217. The following boys had left: R M Auvray, from the Upper 6th prior to entering Manchester Univ, and E A Colegate from the Lower 6th, to go to N Devon Technical College. E A Eagle had joined the Upper 6th from Belmont College.
J N Bennett, E A Colegate and G Baker had played in the final trial of the Devon Public and Grammar Schools Under 19 Group at Exeter. E A Colegate was chosen for the Devon team and played in 3 or 4 matches. In the Junior age group, P F Allen, A Cowlard and J Little played in the final trial; Giddy and Little were chosen as travelling Reserves for 3 matches, against Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.
1 March 1967
R E Dipple had left from the Upper 6th to take temporary work before entering Aston Univ., leaving 215 on the roll.
Mrs W Auchinvole will be resigning her role from 31st March as she was expecting a baby.
In the N Devon Schools Cross Country Races at Chumleigh, the School’s Juniors were placed 10th, the Intermediates 1st, and the Seniors 3rd. G Jones won the senior race and C Weaver was 3rd in the junior race.
3 May 1967
Mrs W Auchinvole has asked permission to return half time as from 1 September, and the County has given me permission to appoint Mrs P E Scott half time as from 1 April.
R Giddy and J Little played for the Devon Colts rugby team against Somerset at Bridgwater, winning 6-3 with Giddy scoring the winning try.
The School Colts record for the season was played 16, won 14 drawn 2; points for 305, against 46. This beats the previous record number of points set up by the 1933-4 team; this total has been surpassed only once, by the First XV of 1963-4.
5 July 1967
The roll was 216. The Headmaster went into hospital on 4 June for a minor operation and hoped to be back at school by 3 July.
Mr J S Fraser had been appointed to Caistor Grammar School from the end of August. He was succeeded by Mr J R Martin from Ealing who commenced his duties as Biology master in September.
4 October 1967
Death of Mr R R Padden, Caretaker 1935-66. Mr J Paterson presented the school with a painting of Mr Padden.
Mrs W Auchinvole would not after all return as half-time Laboratory Assistant this term because of the impossibility of obtaining someone to look after the family, so Mrs P Scott will continue as the only half time Assistant.
Major D Harle has retired from being in charge of the School Corps of the ACF as he had reached the age limit after 25 years. Capt. W E Bartlett, MBE, has taken over the running of the Corps, assisted by Mr A T W Foss, who has applied for a Commission.
The A level results were quite satisfactory and 10 boys have gone to university or other FE Colleges.
6 December 1967
There were 221 boys on the roll.
R Paterson was chosen to play fullback for Devon Schools Under 15 against Dorset on 17 Nov and Devon won 27-3.
7 February 1968
216 on the roll. K Brewer was 3rd in the All England Final Competition for Junior Piano; the other two candidates attend Schools of Music. The Governors received a verbal report of the Deputy Headmaster on the financial difficulties experienced by the newly appointed Assistant Master, Mr J R Martin. He was advised to write to the Chief Education Officer on the matter.
6 March 1968
215 on the roll. North Devon Cross Country Races. The Junior team was 10th; the Intermediate team was 1st; the Senior team was also 1st. In the Intermediate team, M J Weaver was first and A Cowlard was 3rd. In the Senior race, J Shepherd was 1st, M J Easton was 3rd and P Shepherd 6th. Seven boys were selected to represent N Devon at the County event at Torquay.
Among the Old Boys, M J Fishleigh and M Glover have passed Part 2 of the Institute of Chartered Accountant’s Examination.
Graham Baker, last year’s Senior Prefect and son of the newly elected President of the OBA, has been chosen by the Univ of Sheffield to tour France with the First XV during Easter week.
Mr Martin thanked the Governors for their support in his difficulties, which were now resolved.
1 May 1968
216 on the roll. Neither of the Under 15 or the Under 13 7-a-side teams got beyond the first round of the County Finals at Exeter.
2 July 1968
219 on the roll. In September there will again be less than 36 boys entering. Dr Cook said that 19% passed in the Bideford area as against 24% for the County. These uneven, small entries make things very difficult and inefficient.
At the N Devon Schools Athletics Championship, A Cowlard was 1st in the Intermediate 440 yards and J Butcher in the Intermediate discuss. These two were chosen to represent N Devon at the County Championships, where Cowlard was 2nd in the 440 and has been invited to represent Devon at the National Championships at Portsmouth.
2 October 1968
224 on the roll. Peter Petherbridge, the school Captain, played twice for Devon Colts and he made a century against Somerset Colts.
The Divisional Executive supported the Governors’ recommendation that the piece of land at the SW corner of the GS site should be purchased.
4 December 1968
225 on the roll. The Head gave a detailed report on the condition of text books. The Governors recommended an immediate grant of £300.
5 February 1969
225 on the roll. Mr A G Courtney underwent another operation in Dec and hopes to be back in February. The Groundsman will be retiring at the end of February. The Divisional Executive had not approved the Governors’ recommendation that a grant of £300 be made for the purchase of text books as “the capitation allowance was insufficient to permit a regular replacement of text books”.
5 March 1969
Mr A G Courtney returned to the school on 10 February. The Head’s Secretary Mrs J K Durant, has been absent and unwell since half-term. Mr Wickett (!) has been appointed Groundsman from 10 March.
17 Mar 1969
A special meeting of the Governors to discuss Secondary School Reorganisation. The Governors explained that they had expected that the Education Committee would by now have formulated a definite plan as to how they proposed to introduce comprehensive education into the Bideford area, and until such time as this plan was placed before them, they were unable to agree to the siting of any additional buildings, including those required for the raising of the school leaving age, on the School’s site.
After a “full and frank” discussion, the Governors reaffirmed their believe that the only satisfactory scheme in the area would be the provision of a ten form co-ed secondary school based on the existing premises, now under their control, and that the arrangements now operating with Edgehill and Stella Maris regarding the admission of girls should be terminated.
7 May 1969
225 on the roll. Because of the change in the pattern of schools in N Devon, Mr Chappell feels it is necessary to bring a change in school teams. He is suggesting that there should be local teams of rugby, football and perhaps cricket and athletics, which will be sponsored by local clubs. He has approached both the AFC and RFC in Bideford and they are in favour. Grenville College has also made the same approach. The teams would be formed from boys in local schools and those who had left, who are under 18. The PE Master, Mr R J Chappell, was asked to address the Governors at the next meeting.
Peter Petherbridge, Captain of the school, has been awarded a County cap for cricket for last season.
2 July 1969
228 on the roll. Mr G Robinson, Maths Master has resigned as from 31 August to take up the post of Warden of the Forest of Dean Teachers’ Centre.
D J Harding has been awarded First Class Honours in Mathematics at the Univ of Birmingham.
Mr Chappell was asked to prepare a precis of his presentation for circulation and consideration at the next regular meeting.
1 October 1969
232 on the roll. The Governors recommended that the Education Committee give notice forthwith to the Governors of Edgehill and Stella Maris to terminate the present arrangements under which County pupils are admitted to those schools. And to recommend that plans are prepared for the future development of an 11-18 yrs maintained Comprehensive School in the town.
3 December 1969
There were 230 on the roll. K Bright and R Hulme had played for the Devon Under 15 team against Somerset on 15 November and Devon won 14-3; they were awarded their County Colours. Mr Payne had undertaken to train the school teams.
The Governors decided not to make any changes to the arrangements to school sports teams.
4 February 1970
Mr W S Morgan had resigned, effective 31st of August.
11 February 1970
A special meeting of the Governors of the Bideford County School, held at the Grammar School, for further consideration to a Memorandum prepared by the Chief Education Officer headed “Bideford and Torrington: Reorganisation of Secondary Education”. After discussion, it was resolved to defer further discussion of the proposals until members of the Authority’s staff had discussed the proposals with the staff of the two schools.
227 on the roll. The Devon Public & Grammar Schools XV was rather weak and were overwhelmed by Somerset.
4 Mar 1970 – nothing of note.
6 May 1970
Mr A R Drake would take up the role of Assistant Master for Geography.
1 July 1970
226 on the roll. This was Headmaster Stephenson’s last report after 25 years and he thanked the Chairman and Governors for their assistance. A presentation of an inscribed silver salver was made to him.
7 October 1970
254 on the roll. Mr J C Daretook up his role as Headmaster and Mr A R Drake took up his appointment as Geography teacher, both on 1 Sep.
11 November 1970
A special meeting of Governors to consider the reorganisation of Secondary Education:
- Work on the Moreton Park playing fields was expected to start in 1971-2.
- The Education Committee had given notice to Edgehill College that no County places will be required from 1974.
- And yet the Committee had been asked to re-submit proposals to the Dept of Education for the Major Building Programme for 1974-5.
- The Secr. of State has made it difficult for an LEA to plan Secondary School Reorganisation where there is a conflict of interest between Direct Grant and Maintained schools.
- There is a pressing need for reorganisation in the immediate future as there is an increase in numbers in the Secondary school population which gives the area proper entitlement to additional building.
- More than half of the pupils in the County Secondary School (CSS) are in temporary classrooms
- Reorganisation cannot go ahead without adequate additional building.
- The retirement of the Head of the CSS must be taken into account.
2 December 1970
A touring XV from Chippenham, where Old Boy George Squires was head of PE, played the school and after a closely fought game, the visitors won 8-6. An inaugural meeting of the Parents Association would take place on 3 December.
3 February 1971
256 on the roll. Mr W Wilkinson, supply teacher, had been appointed teaching General Subjects to the 1st and 2nd forms, and Mr J H Shelby had joined to teach Technical Drawing part-time. Mr D Harle had been absent for a day in connection with his retirement arrangements.
3 March 1971
256 on the roll. A paper from the County Education Committee from a meeting on 14 January 1971 between the Education Committee, the Divisional Executive, the Governors and Heads of the Grammar and Secondary Schools, on the proposed Reorganisation of Secondary Education in Bideford was considered. The plan was to move to an 11 to 18 co-educational, comprehensive school, given that for a town of Bideford’s size, it was considered a waste of facilities and staff to have four separate schools (Grammar, Edgehill, Grenville and Stella Maris) each with a 6th form, as well as the County Secondary School.
The Governors were in favour of a reorganisation with Edgehill remaining as a Direct Grant School, but that there should be a 6th Form Complex under the direct control of the Headmaster of the reorganised Comprehensive School, to be sited on a neutral site between the two schools.
5 May 1971
The Colts XV won the County 7 a-side tournament at Exeter on 11 Mar, winning 9-8. Mr J M Morning would be seconded to attend a one-year course.
23 June 1971
257 on the roll. Five candidates were interviewed for the post of Deputy Head and Mr M S Ruddock was appointed from 1 September. Mr R J Prance was appointed as Assistant Master for General Subjects also from 1 September, and Mr A K Spragg was appointed to teach English in place of Mr J M Morning– absent on a one year course. Two candidates were interviewed for the post of Head of Dept for History and Mr M A Argyle was appointed. Mr R S Montague was appointed as part time Laboratory/ Workshop Technician.
6 October 1971
271 on the roll. Headmaster Mr J Dare was welcomed to his first meeting with the Governors. A slight increase in the staffing establishment had been given. Association Football would be introduced into the games programme.
1 December 1971
Part-time appointments had been given to Mr J H Shelby (Technical Drawing), Mrs G Cox (French) and Mrs M Kimber (Music). The 1st XV were enjoying a good season with double victories over Grenville and over the Town XV.
19 January 1972
A Special meeting of Governors to consider the building proposals for Bideford Comprehensive School and the Sixth Form Centre. The Governors requested:
- an immediate ministerial decision on the proposals for a joint Sixth Form Centre to be provided by Bideford Comprehensive School and Edgehill College.
- Geneva Place be closed to vehicular traffic.
- That more adequate accommodation be provided for the Fifth and Sixth Forms than proposed in the plan since the expected numbers would likely be 400 to 500, not the 150 proposed.
- That a larger activity hall be provided if a swimming pool is not provided.
- The preparation of the Moreton Park Playing Field be completed by 1973.
- That adequate car parking is provided – at least 100 spaces – and to enquire if it were possible to erect buildings with stilts above a carpark.
- Erect buildings with several storeys or strong enough for adding extra floors in order to save playing field land.
2 February 1972
273 on the roll. Nothing of note.
1 March 1972
The proposal to acquire a piece of land at Moreton Park adjacent to allotments which was now in the hands of the Devon and Cornwall Police Authority, had received the support of the Divisional Executive Committee, but a strong case would have to be made for the transfer of this land to the Education Authority.
The Borough Council had not approved the proposal to prohibit traffic in Geneva Place, but suggested either a footbridge or subway be provided.
It was planned to request further information on the total playing field area that would be required to meet the future needs of the increased school population, and the way in which the statutory area could be provided.
It would not be possible to provide a pavilion on the Moreton Park site without sacrificing essential building elsewhere.
3 May 1972
The request to purchase a piece of land at Moreton Park had not been approved and the land was to be offered back to the builder from whom it was originally purchased.
It was decided to launch an appeal fund for the provision of a pavilion to be erected on the Moreton Park playing fields and to ask the Borough Council to provide financial assistance as well.
Staff included P Scott (Lab Assistant), A K Spragg, R J Prance, C B Hosken, A G Courtney, A T W Foss, G J Norman, R J Chappell, A R Drake, D C Parry, N J Payne, W E Bartlett, G E Rice, J R Martin, Mr M S Ruddock, M A Argyle, Mrs I Devereux.
5 July 1972
274 on the roll. As part of the process of bringing the schools closer together before reorganisation, the Head reported that it was desirable that the PE and Games arrangements should be coordinated. Mr R J Chappell would do this.
Mr A Drake had resigned as from 31 August 1972.
Boys and girls due to enter school in September had spent an introductory morning on the premises.
4 October 1972
332 on the roll. Three candidates were interviewed for the post of Assistant Master/Mistress for Geography and Miss A E W Weston was appointed from 1 September.
Mr J C Dare was appointed Headmaster-elect of the proposed Comprehensive School.
Resignation of Mr R J Prance as from 31 December.
6 December 1972
The Secretary of State had agreed to include the first phase of the Reorganisation Building Project in the 1973/4 programme. This would extend the school to 1447 places.
The Chief Education Officer reported that the statutory requirement for playing fields for the school would be 25 acres, and that there would be 30.5 acres available including the Coronation Road fields. These figures were doubted and it was agreed to contact Grenville College to establish if its playing fields could be hired by the school.
The name Bideford College was proposed as the name of the new school.
332 on the roll. Mrs J Hosken had been teaching Home Economics part time to the new intake of girls. Staff members from both the BGS and Secondary School had worked together to review assessment and reporting procedures. Resignation of Mr J M Morning, Assistant Master, from 31 December.
7 March 1973
331 on the roll. It was reported that the Education Committee would be unlikely to approve the title ‘Bideford College’ since a similar proposal for another school in Devon had not been approved.
J C Dare was now submitting separate reports as Head of both BGS and of the County Secondary School.
9 May 1973
329 on the roll. A special meeting of Governors would take place on 21 May to consider staff designations under Secondary School Reorganisation.
Resignation of Mrs J Dodwell, Miss A Weston and Mr A G Courtney, Assistant Teachers, as from 31 August.
Mr M J Evatt was given approval to be seconded to study for an MA in 1973-4.
Mr P B Gale was recommended to take up the post of Head of Geography from 1 September.
11 July 1973
328 on the roll. A joint schools Senior Sports Day was held on 16 May. Staff had submitted their applications for posts in the reorganised schools at Bideford and Torrington. There is now regular contact between the two secondary schools and the primary schools for in-service training.
10 October 1973
346 on the roll. Because of the increase in numbers, the BGS was allocated a third mobile classroom. Mr S J Philp was appointed Head of Languages in place of Mr Courtney, Mr R C Clyde for English in place of Mr J M Morning, Mr P Youngs for Geography in place of Miss Weston, Mr E M Guyver for Latin (1 year) in place of Mr M J Evatt, Mrs G Cox in place of Mrs J Dodwell, and Mrs V Hodgkinson for Science and Maths.
The designation of staff posts had taken place and it was hoped that letters would be sent out shortly.
Various activities and visits took place to mark the 400th Anniversary Celebrations.
5 December 1973
345 on the roll. In a discussion on the Reorganisation of Secondary Education, there was a general plan to remove the process of selection at the earliest opportunity, on the understanding that the new buildings would be substantially ready by September 1975. But the Governors recommended that this be deferred in the Bideford area from September 1975 to September 1976, in view of the deferment of the building programme. But that it was hoped to prepare for the admission of girls in 1974 and 1975. The Chairman of the N Devon Divisional Executive agreed to meet Governors to discuss building plans for the comprehensive schools.
6 March 1974
350 on the roll. Staff from both schools were continuing with training in preparation for reorganisation and also visiting other comprehensive schools.
5 June 1974
The major building project [i.e. the new school] had been put out to tender.
4 July 1974
It was expected that work on the major building project would start in September or October.
24 September 1974
Headmaster Dare requested that in future he should submit a joint report for the two schools as so many matters were already of concern to both. His major anxiety concerned supervision of pupils at lunchtime. Other future agenda items, he suggested, should include progress on the major building project, interim improvements, the Moreton Park playing fields and pavilion, and a telephone system. Specific problems arising from insufficient space and facilities for sports [due to loss of the BGS playing fields] were outlined:
- The present pitches cannot support the number of games that have to be played.
- There will be fewer pitches the following year and they will be used for games lessons twice as often per day for House and School matches and practices.
- Consequently, they will deteriorate much more quickly.
- There will also be greater demand on the indoor facilities, yet the County Secondary gym will be lost, the Sports Hall will not always be available during games lessons, and so ‘wet weather’ games will have to be spent in a classroom.
- All athletic and cricket facilities will be lost.
- When the Sports Hall and Gym are in use for single period of PE, there will be insufficient changing space.
It was suggested that the playing fields at Grenville College or the Municipal Parks could he hired, as well as hiring the hard surface playing surfaces at Grenville.
2 October 1974
First joint report for both schools. BGS 366 on the roll, CSS 1191. This was the first year of accepting girls into the GS – but the intake was only 21. There had been an overall increase of 110 pupils in the combined school. The 4 mobile classrooms so desperately needed to absorb the rising numbers, had yet to arrive, and many classes were being taught in non-teaching spaces such as the library and dining hall. Staff designated to posts in the Comprehensive school had begun to operate in their new roles from September.
16 October 1974
A Special meeting called as a result of information on the Major Building Project. The Head outlined the history; he had been given a brief in 1972 to achieve as high a level of integration in anticipation of the reorganisation planned for September 1975. He was concerned about 3 major issues,
- The date of abandonment of the 11+ selection procedure
- The best method of organising the first year to provide proper education
- The effect of the above on the rest of the school and the need for a progressive plan for integration
At a meeting of the whole staff, the clear majority was in favour of immediate termination of the selection procedure.
The Governors, after a very full discussion, recommended immediate termination of the selection procedure but that a full and proper statement should be made to parents and the public. They also recommended to the Education Committee the need to expedite the building programme by all possible means and to ensure the prompt arrival of the mobile classrooms which had already been approved, to establish before September 1975, a first year complex big enough to accept the whole of the new intake.
4 December 1974
Heamaster’s report:
Grammar School: 271 boys, 96 girls, total 367.
CS School: 642 boys, 558 girls, total 1200.
The accommodation situation had deteriorated since the last report; 4 mobile classrooms had arrived but were without light or heating, and the 3 others present had been disconnected, re-sited and left without services. Funds had been allocated in October 1973 and the classrooms were still not in use in November 1974.
The House system has been discontinued in both schools. The senior rugby teams have had little success but the U-14 XV is having an excellent season with a crushing recent win over Shebbear.
5 February 1975
The mobile classrooms were now all in operation after work over the xmas period, but the site is very waterlogged due to weather and the earthworks.
Contractors were due to move on site for the major works on 3 February.
The main problems to be overcome before September 1975 were to:
- ensure 5 further mobile classrooms arrive promptly
- bring the Moreton Park field into use asap; major drainage work has still to be done
- convert 4 existing classrooms for science with minor conversions for gas, electricity and water.
5 March 1975
No major issues.
7 May 1975
There was an urgent need to the 5 additional mobile classrooms and mobile toilets for use on the GS site before September. Failure to provide these would prejudice the introduction of the comprehensive system.
A new telephone system was being installed, especially helpful for those in the RSLA units, but the security of the premises was causing concern, given the sporadic outbreaks of vandalism in out-of-school hours and one break-in.
The major building project was proceeding with new blocks beginning to appear above ground. Drainage at Moreton Park is vital if the area is to be used next term.
2 July 1975
The building work was proceeding according to programme and a tender for the mobile classrooms had been accepted. It was emphasised that these were absolutely vital before beginning of the new year as it would be impossible to accommodate the whole of the new intake without them.
The Head had not received notification of date for the modification of existing classrooms for science.
There had been further cases of vandalism and trespassing on the premises and members of the public were using the school grounds as a shortcut and to exercise their dogs.
There was a serious lack of technical support for science and craft teaching throughout the school.
September 1975
The admission of the new intake was delayed until 8th September due to the failure of contractors to get all 5 mobile classrooms installed. The remodelling of 4 rooms to provide extra science areas was nearly complete.
Pupils and staff have nonetheless adapted to the many changes in location and organisation, and little friction between the two former groups. The earlier policy of a gradual ‘mix’ has clearly been of benefit.
Most members of staff now have a fairly stable timetable in that they teach mainly in one room. The first year intake has settled in well, the vast majority are in school uniform, and are staying for lunch.
A full-time messenger delivery service is required.
The last known Prizegiving ceremony of ‘Bideford Grammar School’ took place on Friday 26th September 1975 at 8pm.
In addition, until July 1975 the Governors were responsible for the ‘Bideford County Secondary Schools’. From October 1975 the combined schools were renamed ‘Bideford School and Community College’ and hence the end of the summer term 1975 marked the official end of the Bideford Grammar School.
1 October 1975
More cases of vandalism, trespassing and dog fouling on the fields.
Notice boards warning of trespass were in preparation.
The Speech Day had been very well attended.
Concern that staff representation on the Governing Body had been reduced from 2 to only 1. There was an anticipated increase of 100 in the September 1976 intake which would require 3 additional teachers.
The building project was on schedule.
The installation of services in the science rooms was nearly complete.
3 December 1975
An up to date schedule of building projects including the remodelling of the old Grammar School building and RSLA units and the Geneva Place building, was requested.
Staff accommodation in the Geneva Place building was inadequate.
There was concern over the projected excess of 400 children beyond the planned accommodation of 1,600 children in Bideford School by 1980.
January 1976
The Head reported that the Bideford Gazette seemed to be taking a hostile line towards the school and its correspondence columns repeatedly carry letters directed against the school and educational establishments in general, but most of the allegations were too vague and ill-founded to warrant a reply.
4 February 1976
Notice boards about trespassing had still not been delivered.
Pupils on the roll: boys 947, girls 733, total 1,675.
The building schedule was as follows:
- Science, Arts and Admin block ready for September 1976.
- General Teaching and remodelled RSLA ready for November 1976
- First year block and remodelled Abbotsham Road block ready for January 1977.
3 March 1976
The report of Mr M J Fishleigh who visited the school on the 18 February was received and considered.
The provision of ancillary staff, especially technician help for the science labs was inadequate. The issue would become more acute when the two new teaching blocks, with 8 new science labs and 10 other teaching spaces, would come into commission.
5 May 1976
Mr W E Bartlett, Head of Physics, would be retiring at the end of the summer term. The Chairman would write on behalf of the Governing body to express thanks for his long service to the school.
7 July 1976
In addition to Mr Bartlett, Mr G J Norman and Mr J A Shelley would also be retiring at the end of the term.
It was still not certain when the new blocks would be ready and awaited a report from the contractors for their programme of works during the holidays.
340 children were expected to join the school in September.
There were still grave problems because of the shortage of ancillary staff.
15 September 1976 – Special meeting of Governors
The Headmaster Mr Dare presented two confidential reports related to a dispute with the National Association of Schoolmasters in the summer. The Governors confirmed unanimously the action taken by the Headmaster in suspending 9 members of the teaching staff for refusing to teach the timetable drawn up for the autumn term.
A further meeting would take place on 20 September 1976 to agree final actions related to the suspension of these members of staff.
6 October 1976
No fences were available for security of the site.
The County would allocate an additional 1,935 hours per year to Technical Assistance.
The new science, admin and arts blocks were working satisfactorily.
The old GS craft shop and the RSLA blocks were out of commission for remodelling until half term. All 3 temporary classrooms arrived in good time and were in use.
Governors had been informed about the sad episode of the timetable dispute and the revised timetable came into force on 27 September. As a result of the dispute, the Head was reviewing consultative procedures and communications within the school.
It was intended to reinforce the uniform regulations more firmly in the year.
1 December 1976
Numbers on the roll: 984 boys, 789 girls, total 1,773.
Operation of the general teaching block was delayed because furniture did not arrive in time so teaching was now back in the RSLA blocks.
The former Grammar School, now called the Abbotsham Road block, had been evacuated to allow extensive remodelling to take place.
Rugby teams at U12, U13, U14, U15, U16 and 1st XV have been fielded regularly, but results have been mixed.
The retirement of Mr Bartlett and Mr Norman in July 1976, represented the last direct link with the former BGS.
