One of those schools, a public local district school, turned 150 years old last year—a landmark achievement that brought the whole community together. The event was a testimony to the institution’s deep heritage. It has been a publicly-funded intellectual property since the founding of the education department in the early 1870s. While the school has grown and changed over the years, the original values of the school have not wavered.
The original structure of the school was torn down in the 1960s, but the location and footprint have stayed the same. This year too Paul Baddeley, Oriel’s head teacher, underscored what this anniversary means. He has spent countless years as the school’s design champion. As Baddeley turned 51, he became aware of the school’s two-pronged mission. It now functions not only as an educational facility, but as a dynamic center for the community’s collective memories and narrative.
Clare Biddle, a Year 3 teacher at the school, who herself attended as a child from 1997. Now 32, Biddle reflects on the traumatic experiences she underwent as a young girl at the school. As a student, she acknowledges she had no idea of its deep legacy. She tells us about how the bell rings each day to signal the end of recess. It has the distinction of being a living, powerful symbol of continuity across generations.
“When you look at old photos of the school, you can recognise the location,” – Clare Biddle.
The history of the school is remarkable, dating back to the 1920’s. Archival plans reveal that it originally had cloakroom spaces for children to hang their ‘bonnets’ and ‘caps’. To see this long-standing tradition suddenly interrupted has left an indelible impact on the majority of families within the community. Biddle reflected on the special bond she had with her students, saying,
“When I take a new class as the term starts, I often say, ‘Oh, I knew your mum, dad or uncle’. It does seem strange that I went to school with their parents and relations, and now I’m teaching their youngsters.”
As the school approached its 150th anniversary, the school began its first very public fundraising campaign which has already raised almost £5,000. They intend to spend the money on constructing a £40,000 outdoor sports facility in the park. This new facility is sure to improve physical education for generations of students to come.
Baddeley emphasized the fact that the school, even if it is alternative, is still fundamentally at the center of the community. He added that it appears no one can talk about their time at the school without some type of lived experience or memory associated to it. This anniversary celebration serves as a reminder of our deeply rooted history. It welcomes a future where our institution flourishes and evolves to better serve the needs of our students and families.
