Remember the Days of the Old School Yard?
They say you should never go back. Well, I’m glad I just did. What a
pleasure it was to attend the open day at Dale Community Primary School,
Normanton, held as part of the celebrations to mark the school’s 100th
birthday. I was at Dale between January 1974 and July 1980, and with many talented
teachers who made lessons fun and inspiring, we looked forward to each
new day. Without doubt, it was the happiest time of my childhood.
On this open day there were lots of reminiscences about our wonderful
headmistress, Miss Clarke, and her colleagues. Of course, there was
sadness as we remembered those who’ve passed away, but mostly there was
joy at meeting familiar faces from the past, and making the acquaintance
of former pupils from other eras.
Barbara Brocklehurst, now one of Dale’s teaching assistants, used to be a
“mum at the school gate” when I was little and it was good to catch up
with her. And I was so pleased to be reunited with Mrs Bowen, one of
Miss Clarke’s deputies, without whom the annual summer fairs just
wouldn’t have been the same.
It was also lovely to have a good long chat with Mrs Fox, who, together
with Mrs Salmon, helped to run the school like clockwork. Together we
looked at old photographs gathered by former staff and pupils, and by
Living Derby. We shared memories of some of my favourite teachers like
Mrs Smith, Miss Roberts, Mrs Wilson and Mr Odell.
Mrs Fox’s most important task, as far as the children were concerned,
was taking care of our bumps and scrapes. She was always there with a
comforting word and a kind smile and, of course, a dab of “magic” –
tincture of iodine. It stung like crazy, but we all wore our
yellow-stained skinned knees with pride. No school year would be
complete without a few visits to Mrs Fox’s room.
Ian McMahon was there, as always. He joined Dale when I was in the third
year of juniors, right at the beginning of his teaching career. The
driving force behind much of the school’s sporting success, he also
happens to be a darned good teacher and, during the day, was the butt of
quite a few jokes; a sure sign of respect and affection. Present-day
Dale pupils were fascinated with tales of his platform shoes. Well, sad
to say, I am old enough to remember their debut at a school disco about
1979.
Accompanied by current headteacher Linda Sullivan, I took a tour of the
school. Going back into those little classrooms, almost 28 years to the
day since I last walked through the gates, was certainly an emotional
experience; but it was also fascinating. There’s a new dining room and
hall; an old hall divided into classrooms; blackboards replaced by
interactive white boards; and even indoor plumbing.
But it was the similarities that struck me most. There’s no doubt that
formal education is taken very seriously at Dale, but still evident
among present-day staff and pupils is that sense of shaping a new
generation of young people, socially as well as intellectually.
And that balancing act can be no mean feat. The school’s catchment area
has never been one of Derby’s wealthiest, and many of its pupils come
from homes where English is a second language. But Dale always provided
its own very close community and continues to do so. It’s a happy
school, and it was a delight to go back. I hope it won’t have been for
the last time.
Living Derby is helping Dale compile a book to mark the centenary and
encourage anyone with memories or photographs of their days there to get
in touch. They can be contacted through the school, or by emailing
info@livingderby.com.