This week's pictures from the past

Back to school this week! So, to celebrate (if that's the right word), we'll carry some school-related pictures in this slot over the next few days.

The original caption to this photo was: "Eleven-year-old Lorna Williams takes a nostalgic last look at her classroom in Bourton Church of England School. The old school, built 148 years ago, closed yesterday despite a fight by the villagers for it to remain open."

The picture was taken on July 21, 1971. The children went to a new school at Brockton the following term.

Almost ready... The new junior school at Madeley takes shape, as seen in this photo which dates from June 1967. As things don't look quite complete yet, presumably the school ­ the John Fletcher Junior School ­ went on to open at the start of the autumn term.

Now that's what we call real flares... This photo was taken on September 14, 1977. The caption was: "Pupils of Church Stretton Modern School proudly displaying their new uniforms, from left are: Helen Wildblood (11); Stephen Brown (11); Michaela Bull (12); and David Crowe (11)." In fact the photo coincided with educational changes in south Shropshire which included the Stretton modern school becoming newly comprehensive, changing its name to Church Stretton School.

These boots are made for... skiing. This picture was taken at Priory Boys School, Shrewsbury, on February 14, 1980. The original caption read: "Who needs skis when you've got size 12 feet? This has been the problem for 15-year-old Alistair Davies from Shrewsbury who is one of the party of 30 pupils at Priory Boys School, Shrewsbury, who are off to Italy tonight on a skiing holiday. He couldn't get a pair of ski-boots large enough, but today teacher at the school, Mr Granville Stacey, turned up with these giant boots."

Beckbury School held a celebration day in October 1973 to mark its 120th birthday. A tree planting ceremony was held with the headmaster, Mr Oliver Aston, and many of the children in Victorian costume. Also at the school was an exhibition of old books, photographs, and objects showing aspects of school and village life over the 120 years.

If you were a school pupil in the 1970s and your school dinners were prepared at this central kitchen at Lyth Hill, then you better not read on.

Salop Education Committee took the decision to demolish the building after it became infested with rats. Meals for 12 schools were prepared in the old wartime building. This picture was taken on January 11, 1974, so presumably it disappeared shortly afterwards.

Children leave Brynteg School to walk to the canteen on what was obviously a cold and wet day in January, 1974. Children at the infants school had a 10 minute walk across two busy roads to their canteen. The story which accompanied this picture when we first used it back on January 9 of that year told how plans for eight new schools in the Wrexham area had been shelved, meaning the Brynteg school would have to serve for a further period.