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Shropshire retro: 23 photos that bring school life in the 1960s and 1970s back to life

This fantastic gallery of photos will bring back memories of school life across the county in the 1960s and 1970s.

By Tania Taylor
Published
Last updated

It features plenty of young learners – and the occasional teacher – to stir the memories, from pupils protesting after the sacking of a popular teacher, to girls making waves on the football field, and children helping to move furniture from a school building deemed unsafe in an architect’s report.

Enjoy the gallery, shuffled for your viewing pleasure, and share your own memories in the comments below.

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Hodnet County Primary School, December 1970: 'Mr Arthur Barnett, the headmaster, seen with pupils after he received a postal order for the cost of the transport.' The accompanying story told how, earlier in the month, a party of the schoolchildren had to sit three hours in the darkness of a Crewe theatre waiting to see a performance of The Owl and the Pussycat because of a power cut brought about by a work to rule by electricity workers. The performance was cancelled but they were given free tickets for another, and turned up for that but still had to pay for the coach. The headmaster, Mr A Barnett, wrote to the Midlands Electricity Board claiming £6 10s for the coach. MEB employees had a whip round and sent the money for the coach.
Hodnet County Primary School, December 1970: 'Mr Arthur Barnett, the headmaster, seen with pupils after he received a postal order for the cost of the transport.' The accompanying story told how, earlier in the month, a party of the schoolchildren had to sit three hours in the darkness of a Crewe theatre waiting to see a performance of The Owl and the Pussycat because of a power cut brought about by a work to rule by electricity workers. The performance was cancelled but they were given free tickets for another, and turned up for that but still had to pay for the coach. The headmaster, Mr A Barnett, wrote to the Midlands Electricity Board claiming £6 10s for the coach. MEB employees had a whip round and sent the money for the coach.
Children at Crowmoor Primary School, Shrewsbury, around Christmas 1960. This picture was shared by one of the children, Ian Griffiths, who said: 'The photo was taken at Christmas in the dining room at Crowmoor Primary School Shrewsbury and says c.1960 on the reverse. I am seated on the extreme right of the picture and my youngest sister Marilyn Griffiths is seated on the end of the fourth table up on the left. The rather stern looking dinner top right is Mrs Pugh, the mother of Mal Pugh the well known Shrewsbury Disc Jockey of the 1970's.'
Children at Crowmoor Primary School, Shrewsbury, around Christmas 1960. This picture was shared by one of the children, Ian Griffiths, who said: 'The photo was taken at Christmas in the dining room at Crowmoor Primary School Shrewsbury and says c.1960 on the reverse. I am seated on the extreme right of the picture and my youngest sister Marilyn Griffiths is seated on the end of the fourth table up on the left. The rather stern looking dinner top right is Mrs Pugh, the mother of Mal Pugh the well known Shrewsbury Disc Jockey of the 1970's.'
Charlton School, Wellington, an early 1960's daffodill competition.
Charlton School, Wellington, an early 1960's daffodill competition.
Ercall Junior School, Wellington, in July 1970. It looks to be in the final stages of completion. The caption read: 'This will be 'school' for children from the southern end of Wellington after the summer holidays. The low, modern lines of the new Ercall Junior School at Barn Farm contrast with the pitched roofs and chimneys of Prince's Street School which is replaces. It is the end of a long battle by many people to get a new school for the area.'
Ercall Junior School, Wellington, in July 1970. It looks to be in the final stages of completion. The caption read: 'This will be 'school' for children from the southern end of Wellington after the summer holidays. The low, modern lines of the new Ercall Junior School at Barn Farm contrast with the pitched roofs and chimneys of Prince's Street School which is replaces. It is the end of a long battle by many people to get a new school for the area.'
'The former Tong Church school stands deserted. The rhythm of the teacher's voice... the sound of playing children... all have faded into the past, as the school is now for sale.' April 1961. According to a Tong history book the school closed on July 20, 1960.
'The former Tong Church school stands deserted. The rhythm of the teacher's voice... the sound of playing children... all have faded into the past, as the school is now for sale.' April 1961. According to a Tong history book the school closed on July 20, 1960.
St Mary's Bluecoat CofE School, Hospital Street, Bridgnorth, pictured on Wednesday, December 1, 1965. The caption reads: 'The head's book store - in the roof.' So the gentleman must be the head, Mr Douglas Lawrence. The school was being described as a 'slum' because of dilapidated and decayed conditions. On Tuesday, December 7, 1965, it was evacuated following an architect's report saying the structure was in such bad condition that it could collapse or partially collapse in some circumstances. It seems that it effectively closed that day. The building dated from 1847 and was demolished in June 1970.
St Mary's Bluecoat CofE School, Hospital Street, Bridgnorth, pictured on Wednesday, December 1, 1965. The caption reads: 'The head's book store - in the roof.' So the gentleman must be the head, Mr Douglas Lawrence. The school was being described as a 'slum' because of dilapidated and decayed conditions. On Tuesday, December 7, 1965, it was evacuated following an architect's report saying the structure was in such bad condition that it could collapse or partially collapse in some circumstances. It seems that it effectively closed that day. The building dated from 1847 and was demolished in June 1970.
St Mary's Bluecoat CofE School, Hospital Street, Bridgnorth, pictured on Tuesday, December 7, 1965 - the day it was evacuated following an architect's report saying the structure was in such bad condition that it could collapse or partially collapse in some circumstances. The caption: 'Moving out day. Pupils help to move furniture out of the 'slum' school.' It seems that it effectively closed. The building dated from 1847 and was demolished in June 1970.
St Mary's Bluecoat CofE School, Hospital Street, Bridgnorth, pictured on Tuesday, December 7, 1965 - the day it was evacuated following the architect's report. The caption: 'Moving out day. Pupils help to move furniture out of the 'slum' school.'
The demolition of St Mary's School, Bridgnorth, June 1970. The caption reads: 'The end of an era! This week saw the start of demolition work at the old St Mary's School premises in Low Town nearly four years after the school was closed for safety reasons. The building dates back to 1847 when it was erected as a memorial to Thomas Whitmore of Apley. Now the school site is to be the subject of a crucial public inquiry next week. Local authorities want the land for a car park - businessmen want it for a supermarket.'
The demolition of St Mary's School, Bridgnorth, June 1970. The caption reads: 'The end of an era! This week saw the start of demolition work at the old St Mary's School premises in Low Town nearly four years after the school was closed for safety reasons. The building dates back to 1847 when it was erected as a memorial to Thomas Whitmore of Apley. Now the school site is to be the subject of a crucial public inquiry next week. Local authorities want the land for a car park - businessmen want it for a supermarket.'
Boys at Trench Boys Modern School in 1969 to 1970.
Boys at Trench Boys Modern School, Telford, in 1969 to 1970.
Fifth year boys from Wellington Boys Modern School with furniture they had made using country craft techniques as part of their CSE examinations. This picture is dated December 1970. From left: Steve Doodson, Frank Beckett, Kevin Cartwright, Stuart Leech, Andrew Williams, and Glenn Jones. After the furniture had been used to judge their abilities they were allowed to take it home.
Fifth year boys from Wellington Boys Modern School with furniture they had made using country craft techniques as part of their CSE examinations. This picture is dated December 1970. From left: Steve Doodson, Frank Beckett, Kevin Cartwright, Stuart Leech, Andrew Williams, and Glenn Jones. After the furniture had been used to judge their abilities they were allowed to take it home.
A glider comes down in the playing field at Abraham Darby School, Madeley, June 5, 1970. 'This is the sort of thing you remember from your school days. On June 4, 1970, a glider landed safely in the school field at the Abraham Darby School, Madeley. The pilot was Mr David Millett, chief instructor at Worcester Gliding Club, who was taking part in a competition, but simply ran out of lift and had to find somewhere to put down. Youngsters are watching the dismantling of the undamaged glider ready to be trailered away. Conditions must have been tricky that day, because around the same time a glider landed on Lilleshall Cricket Club's ground.'
A glider comes down in the playing field at Abraham Darby School, Madeley - 'This is the sort of thing you remember from your school days. On June 4, 1970, a glider landed safely in the school field at the Abraham Darby School, Madeley. The pilot was Mr David Millett, chief instructor at Worcester Gliding Club, who was taking part in a competition, but simply ran out of lift and had to find somewhere to put down. Youngsters are watching the dismantling of the undamaged glider ready to be trailered away. Conditions must have been tricky that day, because around the same time a glider landed on Lilleshall Cricket Club's ground.'
A demonstration by pupils of the Grove School, Market Drayton, on December 17, 1970. Over 200 children left school and ran through the town in support of sacked drama master 'Greg' Gregory.
A demonstration by pupils of the Grove School, Market Drayton, on December 17, 1970. Over 200 children left school and ran through the town in support of sacked drama master 'Greg' Gregory.
'Wellington Boys' School, 5th form unit' is handwritten on the back of this print. It has no date, possibly 1960s - 1970. A detached piece of copy paper which seems to give the correct caption reads: 'The workshop at Wellington Boys Modern School's fifth form centre, the first to be built in the country.' Picture: Rogers' Photographic Service, Shrewsbury.
'Wellington Boys' School, 5th form unit' is handwritten on the back of this print. It has no date, possibly 1960s - 1970. A detached piece of copy paper which seems to give the correct caption reads: 'The workshop at Wellington Boys Modern School's fifth form centre, the first to be built in the country.' Picture: Rogers' Photographic Service, Shrewsbury.
A presentation at Dothill Junior School, Wellington, in July 1970. The caption reads: 'Mr C Henderson, chairman of the parent-teacher association of Dothill Junior School, last night handed over to the school a film projector and accessories worth nearly £400. He presented it to the school's headmistress, Mrs J E Beard, during a social evening.'
A presentation at Dothill Junior School, Wellington, in July 1970. The caption reads: 'Mr C Henderson, chairman of the parent-teacher association of Dothill Junior School, last night handed over to the school a film projector and accessories worth nearly £400. He presented it to the school's headmistress, Mrs J E Beard, during a social evening.'
A slip of paper attached to this photo said: 'Cheswardine County Primary School, top class, circa 1960 to 1961. All the children lived in or within 2.3 mile radius, most in the parish.' It then gave following names (written here as originally spelt, reading from left): (back) Roger Beeston, Ken Lainton, John Ball, Richard Lunt, Robert Madders, Mr Thomas, headmaster. Middle: Paul Wright, Bryan Loynton, Elizabeth Nagginton, Pauline Humes, Sylvia Foster, Elizabeth Healy, Jennifer Parsons, Ian Forrester. Front: Annette Taylor, Dot Wassal, Pat Hoole, Jean Simpson, Pauline Baggott, Sara Madders, Angela Griffiths, Linda Parsons, Audrey Lea, me, Georgina Cooper, Gina Llewellyn. The 'me' i.e. the person who must have loaned the picture seems to be Georgina Cooper.
A slip of paper attached to this photo said: 'Cheswardine County Primary School, top class, circa 1960 to 1961. All the children lived in or within 2.3 mile radius, most in the parish.' It then gave following names (written here as originally spelt, reading from left): (back) Roger Beeston, Ken Lainton, John Ball, Richard Lunt, Robert Madders, Mr Thomas, headmaster. Middle: Paul Wright, Bryan Loynton, Elizabeth Nagginton, Pauline Humes, Sylvia Foster, Elizabeth Healy, Jennifer Parsons, Ian Forrester. Front: Annette Taylor, Dot Wassal, Pat Hoole, Jean Simpson, Pauline Baggott, Sara Madders, Angela Griffiths, Linda Parsons, Audrey Lea, me, Georgina Cooper, Gina Llewellyn. The 'me' i.e. the person who must have loaned the picture seems to be Georgina Cooper.
Oswestry Girls' High School schoolgirls on a trip to Much Wenlock Abbey on June 29, 1960.Picture shared by Gill Roberts, nee Hampson.
Oswestry Girls' High School schoolgirls on a trip to Much Wenlock Abbey on June 29, 1960.Picture shared by Gill Roberts, nee Hampson.
January 1974: 'When the St Mary's school football team at Westbury in Shropshire, takes the field at home or away, attention focusses on the half-back - ten-year-old Doreen Hanselman. "Signed on" at the beginning of the season, she has now secured her place among the lads... she certainly spikes the guns of the opposing strikers... Her next hope is for her own pair of football boots...'
January 1974: 'When the St Mary's school football team at Westbury in Shropshire, takes the field at home or away, attention focusses on the half-back - ten-year-old Doreen Hanselman. "Signed on" at the beginning of the season, she has now secured her place among the lads... she certainly spikes the guns of the opposing strikers... Her next hope is for her own pair of football boots...'
Children of the Blue School, St Lukes Road, Ironbridge. This picture is among memorabilia in the possession of Mr Peter Fletcher, son of the late Joe Fletcher, who was a big organiser for football, sport, and the youth club in Ironbridge for many years. About this picture he said: 'I would say it was 1950 to 1951. My sister Rosemary Fletcher is on there. She is on the back row. (There are two girls on the left with lopsided hats. Rosemary is the right hand, taller, one of the pair, with a top with visible horizontal stripes). She was tragically killed in a car crash at Battlefield, Shrewsbury, when she was 19 in 1960. She had finished her final exams as a nurse. She was a passenger.' Photo: William Haddock of High Street, Ironbridge
Children of the Blue School, St Lukes Road, Ironbridge. This picture is among memorabilia in the possession of Mr Peter Fletcher, son of the late Joe Fletcher, who was a big organiser for football, sport, and the youth club in Ironbridge for many years. About this picture he said: 'I would say it was 1950 to 1951. My sister Rosemary Fletcher is on there. She is on the back row. (There are two girls on the left with lopsided hats. Rosemary is the right hand, taller, one of the pair, with a top with visible horizontal stripes). She was tragically killed in a car crash at Battlefield, Shrewsbury, when she was 19 in 1960. She had finished her final exams as a nurse. She was a passenger.' Photo: William Haddock of High Street, Ironbridge
Wellington Girls' High School 1960-61 season, senior rounders team.' This picture was shared by historian Allan Frost.
Wellington Girls' High School 1960-61 season, senior rounders team.' This picture was shared by historian Allan Frost.
Hadley Junior School football team 1960. This picture was shared by Arthur Evans, who said: 'Hadley Junior School's football team winners of the 1960 league cup, unfortunately I can not recall all the names of my team mates I was the goal keeper in the photo, names I do recall - Kris Wilkes, Danny Tonks, Ian Wallis, Billy Sandbrook, Graham Driscall, Peter Vaughan, Rob Green. I hope this brings back memories to some of the lads.'
Hadley Junior School football team in 1960. This picture was shared by Arthur Evans, who said: 'Hadley Junior School's football team winners of the 1960 league cup, unfortunately I can not recall all the names of my team mates I was the goal keeper in the photo, names I do recall - Kris Wilkes, Danny Tonks, Ian Wallis, Billy Sandbrook, Graham Driscall, Peter Vaughan, Rob Green. I hope this brings back memories to some of the lads.'
A view of Dawley, October 1960. The houses in the foreground are in Manor Road, Dawley, and just beyond is what was then Dawley Secondary Modern School, which in 1965 became Phoenix School, a comprehensive. Centre left in distance is the Georgian-style Pool Hill Junior School, which burnt down circa July 1977. The very large building in the far distance, centre, is Horsehay Works aka the Horsehay Company, (later Adamson Alliance, AB Cranes, Adamson Butterley). On right is Webb Crescent, Dawley.
A view of Dawley, October 1960. The houses in the foreground are in Manor Road, Dawley, and just beyond is what was then Dawley Secondary Modern School, which in 1965 became Phoenix School, a comprehensive. Centre left in distance is the Georgian-style Pool Hill Junior School, which burnt down circa July 1977. The very large building in the far distance, centre, is Horsehay Works aka the Horsehay Company, (later Adamson Alliance, AB Cranes, Adamson Butterley). On right is Webb Crescent, Dawley.
St Georges CofE Junior School pupils circa 1960. This picture was shared by Roger Tranter who was sent it by his younger brother Graham, who said: ‘There are a number of people I recognise, back row, centre, Liz Storey, middle row, tall girl second from left. (I think) Martin Yates, middle row, third from left. Keith Owen, middle row, fourth from left. Barry Smith, middle row, sixth from left (in a jacket and tie). Graham Tranter middle row, seventh from left. Barry Jones, middle row, eighth from left. Paul (?), middle row, ninth from left (in the cap). Robert Phillips, middle row, ninth from left, Elizabeth Taylor, kneeling at the front, second face from the right. Meryl Holmes,- front row, kneeling, third complete face from the left. Also in the photograph but I am unable to put a face to the name: John Corkin, Susan Collins, Ashley Smith.'
St Georges CofE Junior School pupils circa 1960. This picture was shared by Roger Tranter who was sent it by his younger brother Graham, who said: ‘There are a number of people I recognise, back row, centre, Liz Storey, middle row, tall girl second from left. (I think) Martin Yates, middle row, third from left. Keith Owen, middle row, fourth from left. Barry Smith, middle row, sixth from left (in a jacket and tie). Graham Tranter middle row, seventh from left. Barry Jones, middle row, eighth from left. Paul (?), middle row, ninth from left (in the cap). Robert Phillips, middle row, ninth from left, Elizabeth Taylor, kneeling at the front, second face from the right. Meryl Holmes,- front row, kneeling, third complete face from the left. Also in the photograph but I am unable to put a face to the name: John Corkin, Susan Collins, Ashley Smith.'
Smithies (Morville) v Monkhopton School, Bridgnorth, December 1976: When the two village school football teams met in a friendly derby, both had girls as captains. The photograph shows Debra Fieldhouse (left) and Gillian Garbett (right) in front of their teams.
Smithies (Morville) v Monkhopton School, Bridgnorth, December 1976: When the two village school football teams met in a friendly derby, both had girls as captains. The photograph shows Debra Fieldhouse (left) and Gillian Garbett (right) in front of their teams.

Did you go to one of the schools pictured? Tell us in the comments below...