A short history of the school
A short history of the school site gathered from the Headteacher log
books up to 1985
(There are a couple of mysteries to solve)
1915, 8th March. Little Drayton Council School opens. The pupils’ ages range from 7-13 and there are 208 pupils on roll. The Headteacher is Mr J Appleton.
1923, September. Mr H Fowles is appointed Headteacher.
1927, February. Mr B Wignall is appointed Headteacher.
1929. Senior pupils from Cheswardine and Hinstock transfer to the school which is reorganised to under 11 and over 11 departments.
1931, July. Mr B Scoltock is appointed Headteacher.
1932, September. The younger pupils move to the Mount Lane site and Alexandra Road becomes Market Drayton Council Senior School.
1937, January. Mr H Roberts is appointed Headteacher.
1939, September. 76 evacuee seniors from Mansfield St School, Manchester and their staff join the school. They are still with the school in September 1942.
1939-45. During the war there are a number of references to an infant school sharing the site with Mrs Reed named as Headteacher. Can you share any information about this?
1957, 23rd July. The secondary modern school finishes using the premises and moves to the Grove. Mr Roberts moves with them.
1957, 6th September. The Junior School ceases to occupy Mount Lane School, the old St Mary’s School and moves into the secondary modern building in Alexandra Road which becomes Alexandra Road Junior School. The Headteacher of Mount Lane Juniors Miss E A Teague transfers with the children.
1965 – 1969. The school name becomes Market Drayton County Junior School. Do you know when?
1967, April. Mr G Bayliss is appointed Headteacher.
1968, 7th March. Foundations laid for 2 new ‘Willett’ Classrooms.
1969, 3rd September. Number of pupils falls from 650 to 515 as a new school opens at Longlands Lane.
1976 - March 1984. The name becomes Market Drayton Junior School. Do you know when the word ‘County’ was dropped from the name?