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HISTORY OF THE HIGH SCHOOL 1970-1979 1970 School name is changed to “Evesham High School”. The school magazine editorial notes that the change of name made the school “one of only four schools in Worcestershire designated “High” to mark their development of sixth form work”. 11 March 1970 Mr Duffy MA (Cantab), then deputy head at Ashington County Grammar School, appointed as head teacher (to start in September). 13th March a fashion show was held in the Large Hall for the girls. 20th-21st March 1970, school production of The Corn is Green, a comedy by Emlyn Williams produced by Mr Guest.

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Junior athletics team 1970 (trophy winners).

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Senior cricket XI, 1970 7th-13th April 1970, a trip to Holland for some of the second and third years with Mr Lane, Mrs Wynniatt and Mrs Skidmore.. 24th-30th April 1970, ninety-nine pupils from across the first three school years went on a Youth Hostelling trip to the Lake District with Mrs Kemp and Mr Davies., and fourth year boys camped at Symonds Yat. May 1st-7th 1st and 2nd year Lake District youth hostelling trip with Miss Wallace, Mr and Mrs Cunliffe and Mr McKechnie Smith. Summer youth hostelling and hill walking trip to Switzerland. July 1970 volume 2 number 6 of the school magazine. Mr Cave and Mrs Cave retire. Miss Wallace wrote in a piece called “Ramblings and Reminiscences” for the school’s Golden Jubilee celebration (in part of a collection of memories put together by five former members of the school) that it felt during the early years that “Staff were all members of one big family”. She wrote that Mr Cave “knew every pupil in the School and would often speak to them personally as he flew round the School with his black gown flapping around him, which earned him the name of B̀atman´”. Pupils were in awe of him and he was respected by staff and pupils alike. Other staff who left were Mrs Chalkley (retiring), Miss Niblett (travelling to New Zealand on a sponsored “Overland to New Zealand”), Mr Mills and Mr Rimell.

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Mr Cave and staff just before his retirement. September 1970 Mr M. Duffy takes up the post of Headmaster. School term begins 3rd September.

16th September 1970, year tutor system introduced. Teaching staff 1970-1971 M. M. Duffy Headmaster Miss C. M. Wallace Deputy and Senior Mistress E. H. McKellow Senior Master Mrs C. E. Abbott P.E. Mrs M. E. Abbott English J. C. Alderson Maths Miss J. Allen Needlework Mrs J. Beaumont Cookery Mrs B. Brown Music

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C. Brown P.E. R. Craig English N. Clark French/History H. Cooke Woodwork R. Cunliffe Technical Drawing/Metalwork T. Davies Chemistry New blazer badge Miss S. Ellis P.E. A. Freeman R.E. R. Griffiths Maths T. Guest Drama/English Mrs A. M. Harrison Domestic Science N. A. Johnson Art/Craft Miss M. Jones History Mrs K. Kemp Needlework R. Lapidge Art B. Lane General Subjects (remedial) B. Lessware Rural Science N. Ley Woodwork A. Lyon Physics D. McKechnie Smith Maths Mrs Peacock General Subjects E. Pye Maths Mrs Reynolds Music D. Richards Light Craft H. Roberts Engineering R. Stone Geography L. Saffron English Mrs Skidmore General Subjects P. Skelley Biology D. J. Taylor P. E. B. Tebbutt General Science Mrs Tigwell General Subjects R. Weaver Biology Miss Wheelton History Mrs Wynniatt General Subjects Miss C. Mann General subjects Part Time Staff Mrs Cross English Mrs Gray Biology Mrs McKellow French Mrs Rourke Commerce/English 1970 Departments are:- English, Mathematics, Sciences, Practical Subjects (boys), Practical Subjects (girls), a non-academic department and the Art/Craft department. The curriculum comprises: English, Mathematics, Physic, Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Rural Biology, Religious Education, History, Geography, French, Commerce, Art, Light Crafts, Woodwork, metalwork (including engineering), Technical Drawing, Housecraft, Needlework, Music, Gardening, and Physical Education (including games). Mr Duffy’s booklet for parents of new pupils states “Teachers in charge of all departments are left free to organise their subjects, choose their books and equipment, recommend books for purchase by the library and to

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experiment with methods and syllabuses”. In addition a course was developed called Personal Relationships, “whereby girls and boys are encouraged to examine the problem of living in a family as daughters and sons, and in their final years at school to look to problems of married life and parenthood”. “Preparation for Adult Life” course for 4th years “makes extensive use of outside lectures and discussions”. Extra-curricular clubs and activities:- Foreign Travel Club, sports and athletics teams representing the school, junior and senior choirs, orchestra and brass band, Dramatic Society, astronomy Club, Chemistry Club, Stamp Club, and Bell-ringing Guild. Pupils could work towards the Duke of Edinburgh Awards or for the Voluntary Service Unit. 1970 – 126 candidates for G.C.E. (at “A” and “O” level) and C.S.E. examinations. September 1970 960 on roll, with 45 in the sixth form. Head Boy: Ashley Marshall (2nd year in post) Head Girl: Gillian Stokes. Prefects, Pauline Brazier, Patricia Bridgewater, Patricia Compton, Ruth Farrow, Susan Forrester, Lynette Godwin, Sheila Green, Sara Kitcher, Kathryn Priest, Fiona Rutherford, Helen Shore, Shirley Waters, Susan yates, David Barry, Michael Betteridge, Pau; Brazier, John Brookes, David Holloway, Peter Mytton, Jeremy Seager, Alan Walters, David Westwood, Barry Williams. A guitar club is formed – “an informal gathering of beginners and proficient players – and we hope that some public entertainment may soon be forthcoming from these meetings”. [Head’s report 1969-1970) Mr Duffy broke with tradition in December 1970 by producing a written report to parents rather than imparting the information at speech day. His reasons are given in the report: “few parents can actually attend a speech day, and fewer still enjoy listening to speeches!”. He reports that there are over 960 pupils in the school and “this number is going to grow greatly in the near future”. The sixth form numbered 45. Because of staffing restrictions, those in the first year of their sixth form were being taught alongside those who were completing it.

Construction of the new Arts and Crafts building, later called the Design Block. It also housed, for a while, the sixth form common room as well as an “intensive private study area” and a coffee bar.

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Rugby v Stourport

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1971 26th-27th March 1971, school production of The Playboy of the Western World produced and directed by Mr Guest.

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31st March 1971, two groups set off for Switzerland. One of the groups consisted of third, fourth and fifth formers who went skiing at Wangs and another senior group went walking near Wilderswil. July 1971 fifth and sixth formers go youth hostelling in Germany and Austria.

Boys’ Hockey 1970-71

Girls’ Junior Hockey 1970-71

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Hockey 1970-71

Soccer 1970-71

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Junior soccer XI, 1970-71, winners of the District Knock-out Cup. Teachers leaving summer 1971 are Miss Allen, Miss Elllis, Mrs Baker and Mrs Brown (who retired). An advertisement in the school magazine for a local school uniform supplier lists the kit that can be bought: for girls, tunics, skirts, blouses, hats, raincoats, summer Dreese, P.E. shorts; for boys, blazers, caps, ties, raincoats, shirts, trousers, senior sports jackets etc. Also, stocked were leather satchels and canvas duffle bags. School starts 7th September 1971, 1,060 pupils on roll, including 80 in the sixth form. Head Boy: D. Holloway Head Girls: Sara Kitcher and Lynette Godwin. Teachers joining the school are Mrs Boatswain, Miss Gale, Miss Parker, Mrs Willford, Mr Bradshaw, Mr Barnett, Mr Chaplin, Mr Gouda, Mr Heys, Mr Simpson, Mr Waite and Mrs Gray. There is a new Arts and Crafts building “and the former art and craft rooms have been converted to provide us with a sixth form common room and study area, specialist geography and history rooms, an additional music room and a biology laboratory. A classroom has been converted into an advanced physics laboratory, and a new rural science laboratory has been provided. The new buildings also house the Remedial department and the school careers office”. (Headmaster’s report December 1971) 22nd September 1971, Billy Freeman 1D and Ian Nicholls 2A are selected by the BBC to take part in “Screen Test” (BBC children’s programme) with Bill Freeman. “Technical stream” (the more academic) are put through the school following a “grammar school style education”. 22 subjects are offered at “O” level, 19 at C.S.E. and 10 at A-level. The streaming of pupils (other than the technical stream) ends. Instead they are organised into two broad ability bands. At this time there are four secondary schools in the area: Blackminster County Secondary School, Bredon Hill County Secondary School, Evesham High School, and Prince Henry’s Grammar School. The 1971 school magazine contains a careers supplement which is a new addition.

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1972 17th-18th March 1972, school production of Three One-Act Plays; There Will Come Soft Rains (Bradbury); A Jubilee (Chekov); The Red Velvet Goat (Niggli). 28th March- 1st April 1972, Rhineland tour of Germany. Easter exchange visit to Dreux, France with some pupils from Prince Henry’s Grammar School. 1972 First student from the school to be offered a place at Oxbridge. Head Girl Sara Kitcher took the entrance exam in the fourth term of her A-level course (most students in those days sat the exam after their A-levels) and was offered a place to read biochemistry at Girton College, Cambridge. A very successful student, Sara went on to gain a Ph.D. in 1979. 1972 nationally the school leaving age is raised to 16. Decision is made to build at swimming pool at the school (source: Jubilee Magazine p.34). Youth Hostelling trip to Zermatt,Bristen and Braunwald Switzerland. 7 boys and 7 girls from the 4th year, plus four school staff. In Bristen Youth Hostel the boys had to all sleep on one long bed and the girls in another. They were woken on the Sunday morning by the sound of a twelve foot alpenhorn (school magazine 1973). July 1972 Mr Lapidge, Mr Davies and Mr Lessware leave. Mr Webb who had been the caretaker throughout the life of the school retires.

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September 1972, Head Boy: Noel Halliwell Head Girl: Lynette Godwin. New teachers are Mr Dexter, Mr Rowan, Mr Ford, Mr Hayward, Mr Gent, Miss Humphries, Mrs Francis, Mrs Fry, Miss Nightingale, Mrs Nutter and Mr Emsley. November 1972 designs for the sixth form extension and resources area between the original school block (left) and the metalwork and engineering blocks (right).

1973 1973 11-plus selection ends in this area. Mr Duffy wrote in his report “In Year I, comprehensive reorganisation brought us our first all-ability intake and involved us in far-reaching changes in curriculum and teaching method. In Year III, some 50 pupils opted to transfer to this school from Blackminster and Bredon Secondary Schools, and these pupils had to be carefully absorbed into our existing provision. In Year V, the raising of the School Leaving Age brought with it some of the problems that we had expected and one or two that we had not…The great majority of the Vth year, however, did extremely well, and overall the examination results were the best in the history of the school.” Great deal of discussion and disquiet in the area reported in the local press over the change to a 3-tier system with the creation of middle schools. February 1973, long weekend camping visit to Edale to climb Kinder Scout and go pot-holing. This visit is such a success another weekend camping trip takes place a few weeks later, with more pot-holing. April 1973 trip to Paris and the Loire Valley. Easter 1973 skiing trip to Switzerland (Institut Fatima, Wangs). 2 sixth form girls join 82 girls from other schools on a 3-week outward bound course at Rhowniar. As well as gruelling endurance and sporting feats, the girls also took part in drama competitions. Fourth year visit to Portsmouth Dockyard and H.M.S. Victory.

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Class lists (Office file dated April 1973)

Form Teacher

Form name

No. of pupils

Form teacher

Form name

No. of pupils

Miss Parker 1A1 33 Mr Chaplin 1A2 33

Mr Gouda 1A3 34 Miss Merrick 1A4 33

Mr Heys 1B1 30 Mrs Willford 1B2 29

Mrs Haigh 1B3 28 Mr Gent 1B4 29

Mrs Kemp IIA1 35 Mrs Abbott IIA2 36

Mr Skelley IIA3 33 Mrs Peacock IIA4 34

Mrs Wynniatt IIB1 34 Mrs Reynolds IIB2 31

Mr Freeman IIB3 33 Mr Guest IIIA1 31

Mr Heyward IIIA2 33 Mr Ford IIIA3 33

Mrs Harrison IIIA4 35 Mrs Fry IIIB1 28

Mr Ley IIIB2 28 Miss Wheelton IIIB3 28

Mr Simpson IVA1 30 Mrs Nutter IVA2 30

Mr Griffiths IVA3 30 Mr Brown IVA4 30

Mr Longley IVB1 25 Mr Johnson IVB2 25

Mr Pye IVB3 23 Mr Roberts IVB4 24

Mrs Gray VA1 30 Mr McKechnie Smith VA2 28

Mr Bradshaw VA3 20 Mr Barnett VB1 16

Mr Clark VB2 18 Mr Alderson L.VI.1 18

Mr Lyon L.VI.2 17 Mr Craig U.VI.1 16

Miss Jones U.VI.2 15

A week at West Malvern Field Centre. The students report in the school magazine reads “At Cropthorne the coach had to swerve to avoid a lorry and so we ended up in a ditch but we were soon on our way again”. Summer 1973 Mr Weaver (who had been at the school since its inception) retired. Other teachers who left were: Mrs Kemp (needlework), Miss Jones, Mrs Francis, Mr Tebbutt, and Mr Griffiths.

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September 1973 Head Boy: Andrew Walford Head Girl: Penny Hill. New staff are Mr Bowring, Mr Brock, Miss Bennett, Mrs Linsdell, Mrs Cooke, Mr Norris, Miss Roberts, Mrs Johnson, Mr Cackett, Mr Leddy, Mr Slater and Mr Owen. Mr N. Clark leaves for a year in Corsica on an exchange. October 1973, go-ahead given for an outdoor heated swimming pool at Evesham High School. Funds have to be raised. Events such as flag days, fetes, dances, social evenings, barbecues and concerts take place. The school had 5 acres of ornamental gardens designed by Robert Weaver (Head of Science) which were open to the public for a time at a small cost to raise money for the pool.

An illustration from the School Magazine 1973 (no name attributed). 1974 In 1974 work begins on Evesham South Middle School (later Simon de Montfort Middle School). Comprehensive Education is introduced in this area. Summer 1974, Mr Cooke, Head of the Technical Department, and Mrs Abbott retire. Other staff leaving are: Mrs Nutter, Mr Leddy, Miss Bennett, Mr Richards (“who had built up a first-class Pottery Department”, Head’s report December 1974), and Mr Heys (who had left at Easter). September 1974. Head Boy: Stephen Sunley and Head Girl: Selina Jones. New teachers are Mr Wilkins, Miss Thorn, Mr Lythe, Mr Beekar, Miss Hobbs and Mr Parker. Mr N. Clark returns after a year teaching in Bastia, Corsica. The Head’s Annual Report to parents 1973-74 (written in December 1974) mentions the impact of the raising of the school leaving age (ROSA) in 1972. “We had, of course, expected the Vth year to throw up problems, and there was in fact a small minority of pupils who resented their extra year of school, and made themselves as awkward as they were allowed to, and took up a great deal of time that could have been spent more profitably with other pupils. In these circumstances it was particularly frustrating – and quite inexcusable – that the Authority failed to provide basic accommodation for the special courses that we had provided for such children. This was not, I must emphasise, out of a laudable desire to save the ratepayers’ money: the simple covered area that we wanted for outdoor practical courses (building and motor maintenance) would have cost only £400; the conversion of a

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classroom into a laboratory very little more. Like many other schools, however, we had to plan and teach new courses to difficult pupils without either the equipment or the accommodation we needed. And like many other schools we had to try and create a basic self-discipline in a group of young people, some of whose parents had long ago abandoned the task. I grow more and more convinced that those parents who give to their adolescent children the freedom of an adult are making trouble for their children, for themselves, and for society as a whole.” 1975 A bookshop is added to the services provided by the school. In the 1975 edition of the school magazine Martin de Vine wrote “This shop is run by the versatile Mr. Gouda aided by several dedicated students. It was originally situated next to the Reference Library but, due to its popularity, it was found necessary to move to a bigger area in the P.T.A. room where conversation is encouraged. The shop is open every dinner time from 12.30 to 1.15 and has a regular turn-over enabling students from the lower and middle sections of the school particularly to indulge their literary tastes.” It was non-profit making. Books could be ordered and book tokens could be exchanged. Saturday 22nd February 1975, the combined choirs of Evesham High School and Prince Henry’s high School together with an orchestra lead by Malcolm Tranter played Haydn’s The Creation at All Saints Church, Evesham. 24 March – 8 April 1975 trip to Corsica for a small party of fifth form and sixth form pupils (eleven boys and two girls) with Mr and Mrs Clark and Mr Lyon. Forty-four pupils go on a 10-day Easter trip to the Evesham twin town of Dreux in France. 22 May 1975 a school swimming pool fundraising fete was hit by bad weather. The dangerous conditions meant the main event, a trampolining display, had to be cancelled. Despite the rain the day raised £380, plus another £152 from a dance held in the evening. 5TH July 1975, official opening of the outdoor, heated swimming pool. 25m long, 10.5 m wide, depth going from 1m to 3m, capacity 101,600 gallons. Cost: £20,000 plus £6,000 deficit on opening. A souvenir programme of the opening of the swimming pool by the Parent Teachers Association was on sale at 10p. It was officially opened by Nr F. H. George, chairman of the school governors and the guest of honour was former teacher Robert Weaver who was at the school from its opening in 1954 until retirement two years before the opening of the pool and was the designer of the initial layout of the gardens. Official opening programme of events 2.30 School Gardens open; Sideshows, Stalls and Attractions 3.00 Opening of the Pool 3.15-4.15 Swim Spectacular 1 Sponsored swim by pupils of the school 4.15-6.30 Swim Spectacular 2 Sponsored swim by parents, pupils and friends

Changing facilities in the Assembly Block Changing Rooms. Entry to pool on presentation of sponsor card (available from pupils or from the school). Swim marshalls will be in attencance. Poolside seating is limited: please arrive early.

Strawberry teas served from 3.15 p.m. on the Sixth Form Lawn. Flower and Produce Show in the Large Hall during the afternoon. Visitors’ Car Park on Playing Field, as directed by Car Park marshalls.

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No date on these photographs

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10th July 1975, a report in the local press of the go-ahead being given for the building of a swimming pool on ground next to the Evesham College of Further Education. There is some opposition because of the close proximity to the High School pool. The opposers thought it should be built closer to the town centre but that would incur higher costs. Wychavon tried to impose conditions on the use of the school pool: it should be open to the public during school hours, the diving end should be filled in and the Headmaster should have no say on the management committee that would oversee the pool. This was deemed unacceptable by school governors, staff and parents and the school retained the right to cover the pool for part of the year to provide extra P.E. space (Headmaster’s annual report 1975). End of the summer term Mr Pye retires and Mr Roberts leaves.

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School trip to Iceland organised by the Head of Geography and officially recognised by the Young Explorers’ Trust took place 31st July – 21st August, 1975 with 10 fifth and sixth form geography students, Mr Barnett, Mr Graham and Mr Longley. Two reports were produced. The glacier and ice inventory work was subsequently used by Sheffield University and a survey of farms in Northern Iceland was placed in the library of the University of Sussex. September 1975. Head Boy: Adrian Lowe Head Girl: Rosemary Harrell. 1,200 pupils on roll. New teachers to the school are Miss Wiggan, Miss Walton, Miss Cantrell, Miss Williams, Mr Argyll, Mr Duffy Cross and Mr Jenkins. September 1975 The Art, Home Economics and Craft departments are integrated. A new Child Care course is introduced, initially for girls but with the intention of opening it to boys. Girls spent a whole morning each week helping at one of the pre-school playgroups in the area with follow up classroom follow-up lessons assisted by the Pre-school Playgroups Association. The school was running two playgroups in school on Mondays and Wednesdays and the head says in his report “we are now well used to the sight of toddlers taking over the Small Hall or playing in the jumping pits or being happily escorted among our 1200 pupils”. Winter 1975/76 there is a national potato shortage. Scarcity and high prices. Report in the local paper about Evesham High School canteen, amongst others, substituting dumplings and rice for potatoes. It is reported that the younger children don’t like rice very much. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (From the Annual Report 1975) APPENDIX IV : CURRICULUM 1975/76

All forms in year I-V take P.E. and Games in addition to the courses listed below. In the Sixth form, Games are

optional and are included in the programme of activities on Wednesday afternoons.

Years I and II: All pupils take English, Mathematics, History, Geography, French, Religious Education, Science, Design,

Craft, Music.

Year III:

All pupils take English, mathematics, History, Geography, Religious Education, Physics, Chemistry,

Biology, Music, and a Design based practical course. The majority also take French.

Year IV:

(Except where indicated*, subjects are offered at O and CSE levels)

All pupils take Mathematics, English, Social Education*. In addition they choose 5 subjects from:

Rural Science, Social Studies, Geography, Communications*, Biology, Chemistry, English Literature, Art,

Music, Service*, Everyday Science, Human Biology,, Technical Drawing, History, French, Spanish,

European Studies, Craft, Woodwork, Metalwork, Physics, Making & Doing*, Child Care*, Motor

Maintenance, Home Economics, Needlework.

Year V:

Group 1 – All pupils take English, Mathematics, French or European Studies, Social Education*

In addition they choose 4 subjects from:

Physics, Biology, Geology, Geography, History, Rural Science, Chemistry, Art, Spanish, Craft, Music,

Metalwork, Woodwork, Motor Maintenance, Home Economics, Needlework.

Group II – All pupils take English, Mathematics and Social Studies.

In addition they choose 4 subjects from:

Communications, Everyday Science, Biology, Human Biology, Geography, History, Local Studies,

Commerce (RSA), Art, Making & Doing, Rural Science, Metalwork, Woodwork, Needlework, Home

Economics, Craft, European Studies.

Year VI:

All students take a General Course and ‘Activities’. They choose their individual timetables, in consultation

with careers and teaching staff, from the following:

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A level subjects : English, Mathematics, Physics, chemistry, Biology, Geography, History, Art, Craft, Home

Economics, French, Spanish, Economics, Religious Education, Music.

O level subjects : English, Mathematics, Spanish, Human Biology, Geography, Chemistry, Home

Economics, Needlecraft, Art, History, Economics, Music, Commerce, Statistics.

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1976 1976/1977 2 new middle schools to open: Evesham North Middle School (later St. Egwin’s) and Evesham South Middle School (Simon de Montfort). This, as well as falling rolls because of the birth rate, has an impact on the high school numbers in the years to come 1976 there is a recession in Britain and a serious shortage of jobs for young people. There are also threats of huge cuts in funding in the education budget.

22nd May 1976 fundraising for the school swimming pool fund by dressing up as Monty Python characters “The Gumbys”. 7th July 1976, school Open Day from 2.00 p.m. to 3.45 p.m. and from 6.30 p.m. to 8.15 p.m. The guide for parents includes this plan. Activities and displays included Art Work, Craft Work, Metalwork/Motor Display, Needlecraft, Rural Science, Outdoor Pursuits, Library work, Careers, Commerce, Technical Drawing and the mainstream subjects you would expect to see today.

Invitation

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Part of Open Day 1976 September 1976. Head Boy: Adrian Marskell Head Girl: Helen Righton Full time teaching staff September 1976 Headmaster Mr M. N. Duffy

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Deputy Heads Miss C. M. Wallace Mr E. H. McKellow Senior Master Mr J. E. Dexter Head of Lower School Mrs N. V. Tigwell Head of Middle School Mr M. Bowring Head of Upper School Mr E. Bradshaw Head of Careers Mr N. Ley Science Mr M. W. Ford Mr J. W. Meiklejohn Mr A. W. Lyon Mrs J. Gray Mr P. Skelley Mr G. W. Howell Mr M. E. Duffy Cross Mr L. Wilkins English Mr L. Saffron Mr R. H. A. Craig Mr R. K. Guest Mrs O. Peacock Mr D. M. Gouda Mrs P. Linsdell Mr N. J. Randell Mathematics Mr J. C. Alderson Mr C. R. Simpson Mr D. McKechnie Smith (5th Year Tutor) Miss J. Z. Cooper Mr J. D. F. Chaplin Miss S. E. Wiggan Mrs H. L. Cooke Languages Mr E. Bradshaw Mr R. S. Norris Mr N. Clark Mr C. H. Brown (3rd Year Tutor) Miss V. Dugdale Art, Design and Craft Mr J. D. Rowan Mr G. Parker Mrs A. M. Harrison Mr D. I Waite Mr N. W. Argyle Miss A. M. Roberts Miss J. Beekar Miss R. Humphries Mrs J. Woollacott Mr D. Bickerton Religious Education Mr A. Freeman Remedial Mr B. H. Lane (4th Year Tutor) Music Mr T. J. C. Owen

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Mr J. Parker Commerical Subjects Mrs P. D. Tomlinson P.E. & Games Mr D. J. S. Taylor Mrs M. Durrant Mr J. J. Slater Miss J. C. Walton Humanities & Social Studies Mr D. Longley Miss D. Wheelton

Mr H. T. Graham Mr P. Hurworth Mrs S. M. Johnson Mr K. J. Cackett Miss B. L. Williams Mr S. H. Cooke Mr A. Webber

8th-10th December 1976, school performance of The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan

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December 1976 Mr Saffron (Head of English) retires. He was the last member of staff of those who were appointed at its opening in 1954. He also ran the library for many years. 1977 Mr J. R. Griffiths (formerly teaching at P.H.H.S.) is the new Head of English. February 1977 a lot of reports in the local press about proposed severe cuts to the education budget. The P.T.A. was reformed with a new constitution as the Evesham high School Association. The old association had a successful final year raising over £3,000 and reducing the £20,000 swimming pool debt to £900. Spring 1977, 5 pupils make the first visit (three weeks) as part of an exchange scheme with US students from Richmond, Virginia. In July the same year nine students from Richmond spend five weeks staying with families with students at EHS. A student from Iowa also spends a year studying in the sixth form. Over the years the school has several annual exchanges with students from Richmond. Comments in interviews with the US students for the press state British puddings are lovely but our driving is awful. The local students are jealous that US students can drive cars (and own cars) at an earlier age than British teenagers and comment that American teachers are less formal than British teachers. A 2-level diving platform is added to the pool ready for summer 1978. Some money is still outstanding on the loan for the pool. September 1977. Head Boy: L. Giles Head Girl: T. Speake

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7th-10th December 1977, a school full stage production of The Mikado with choir and soloists. Musical director Trevor Owen and Producer Michael Gouda. Tickets available from1) the Business Manager, Evesham high School, 2) The Vinecroft Tea Rooms, 3) At the Door. Adults: 75p and 50p, Children and Senior Citizens 40p and 25p. Teachers N. Clark, Hugh Graham, Norman Ley, Derek Longley and Ray Norris had to shave off their beards to play the parts. December 1977, the Head’s report tells of close to 50% cut in the school budget for teaching, books, materials and administration. [According to http://www.whatsthecost.com/historic.cpi.aspx inflation was then running at 15.8%.]. On a lighter note part of the Head’s extensive report tells us “Mr Taylor’s contribution to the Staff Cricket XI proved such a hazard to users of the swimming pool that the fixtures had to be rearranged on non-swimming evenings”. 1978 The final transition to the 13-18 age range. 6th-10th February 1978 outdoor activities course, Llanrug. 11th-18th February Spanish examination classes to Costa Dorada, Spain. 14th March-13th April 1978, Head Teacher Mr Duffy and 9 students fly from Heathrow to Washington D.C. International airport to be met by students from Trinity Episcopal High School, Richmond, Virginia, a two and a half hour road journey away for the second visit in an exchange scheme. 30th March – 8th April 1978, skiing trip to Switzerland.

12th, 13th and 14th April 1978, school Open Days.

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22nd April “Carmina Burana” joint production with PHHS.

28th April setting off to twin town Dreux until 3rd May. 18th May 9 students arrive from Trinity High School, Richmond, Virginia.

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Mr Skelley retired at the end of the summer term after 20 years of teaching (biology) at the school September 1978 Head Boy and Head Girl now called “Senior Students” and the girl’s name is listed ahead of the boy’s name. This year they were Cathy Farey and Jonathon Green. 27th October – 3rd November IV Year soccer tour, Belgium. 28th-30th November and Saturday 2nd December, 1978 school performance of H.M.S. Pinafore. Musical Director, Trevor Owen. 1979 In the Head’s annual report for 1978 (written in February 1979), Mr Duffy mentions the difficulties caused by falling rolls and the staffing quota imposed by the Education Committee. As a result, amongst other cuts, the sixth form general studies course was cut and a planned German A-level course was axed. 22nd and 23rd March, 1979, school production of The Chicken Run, by Aidan Chambers, performed by the re-formed Drama Club and produced by Mrs Roberson who was fairly new to the school at the time. Tickets: adults 60p, children and O.A.P.s 40p

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March 1979 Miss Wallace, Deputy Head retires after 21 years of teaching at the school (she was a P.E. & Games, and Geography teacher). Mr Lane, Head of the Remedial Department also retired.

40 students from a school in Melsungen, Germany visit the town as part of a tour of England. 19 July- 10 August 1979, 3-week trip to Corsica. Small group of students comprising some members of 5th year, lower sixth and upper sixth form. September 1979. Senior Students, Matthew Cassen and Deborah Cox. (A change of title from Head Boy/Head Girl). Teachers joining the school are Mr Fawbert (Deputy Head), Mr Allbut (History), Mrs Davis (Maths), Mrs Dyson (French), Mrs England (Geography and Economics), Mr Herbert (Adviser in Learning Difficulties), Mrs Morris, Mr Smith (Geography), Mrs Thomas (History) and Miss Williams (English). September 1979 Staff Handbook extract:- SCHOOL ROUTINE 8.45 Staff on Duty For all staff duties see the separate duty list on staff notice board 8.55* Registration – Form Bases All form tutors Absence slips to Vth former outside Room 5 by 9.05 9.05* Assemblies, Year and Monday: Years V & VI, Large Hall House meetings (form Tuesday: Years III & IV, Large Hall Period on days when 1st Wednesday in each month: House meetings: there is no Assembly or Bredon Boys Gym meeting Dovers P.R. (Parents’ Room) Cleeve L. Hall Malvern Girls gym Thursday: Year III, Small Hall Year V, Large Hall Friday: Year IV, Large Hall 9.20* Period 1 9.55* Period 2

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10.30* Morning Break Duty Staff with VIth form help 10.50* Period 3 11.25* Period 4 12.00* Lunch Break 12.05* Main Block doors locked by VIth form 1.05* Doors unlocked 1.10* Period 5 1.45* Period 6 2.25* Period 7 3.00* Period 8 3.35* Registration All form tutors 3.40* End of school All buses should have left by 3.55 * = Electric bell German is listed as a subject taught in the 1979-80 staff handbook . 23rd September 1979, Music and Minstrels for the Evesham Arts Centre Open Day.

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The school band performs in Evesham High Street with Mr Bennett as part of the same celebrations.

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December 1979 school production of The Sorceror by Gilbert and Sullivan.

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Rehearsals for The Sorceror.

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Teacher: Hugh Graham

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Programme cover

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December 1979, Mr Duffy announces his intention to leave Evesham High School to take up the post of Headmaster at King Edward VI School in Morpeth, Northumberland (starting September 1980). December 1979 the Head’s annual report writes “Over 200 children joined this year group in September when we welcomed our first intake at 13+ from Blackminster Middle School. In two years’ time we will receive a similar intake from the Four Pools Middle School* and our transition to a 13-18 High School will be virtually complete”. [* later called Simon de Montfort Middle School].

Staff 1979 – see Key on following page.

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Key: 1. Jack Alderson 2. Mike Ford 3. Dave Smith 4. David McKechnie-Smith 5. Jim Griffiths 6. (Science teacher un-named) 7. Adrian Webber 8. Derek Longley 9. Chris Proctor 10. John Lane 11. Roy Spears 12. Ted Bradshaw 13.

John Meiklejohn 14. Bob England 15. Peter Hurworth 16. Hugh Graham 17. David Taylor 18. Bob Herbert 19. Judy Parker 20. (unnamed) 21. David Adshead 22. Christine England 23. Sue Morris 24. John Chaplin 25. Sarah Williams 26. Nick Clarke 27. Trevor Owen 28. Jackie Cooper 29. Norman Ley 30. Ann Harris 31. Gordon Hartley-Bennett 32. Joan Gray 33. Jane Shilitoe 34. Sue Wiggan 35. John Rowan 36. Jane Walton 37. (un-named) 38. Mike Gouda 39.

Brian Allbutt 40. Colin Brown 41. Bill Stephens 42. Phil Williams 43. Anne Lampitt 44. Pam Riggs 45. Wendy Mulvihill 46. Lesley Wilkinson 47. Judy Bradshaw 48. Beryl Bennett 49. Derek Waite 50. June Armstrong 51. Tony

Lyon 52. Tony Freeman 53. Malcolm Bowring 54. Norma Tigwell 55. David Fawbert 56. Michael Duffy 57 E. H. McKellow 58. John Dexter 59. Ina Vernon 60. Doreen Hayes 61. (un-named).

I decided at the beginning of writing this history that I would include and list teachers’ names as much as possible as these are the people that former students had the most contact with and will remember the most. Every school has bands of support staff, governors and dedicated parents and I hope no-one is offended by omissions in this work. I also decided not to routinely name pupils in photographs as anyone “spotting” themselves and their friends will know who they are. There have been many hundreds of trips, visits and events run in and by the school. Not everything could be included. I have tried to give a flavour of the school, record a lot of its history and note the special, or first time events, as much as the records could provide the information for me to do so. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK:- JOHN REEVE (FORMER PUPIL) WHO SPENT MANY HOURS TRANSCRIBING HANDWRITTEN DOCUMENTS INTO MICROSOFT WORD DOCUMENTS, MAKING THE WRITING OF THIS HISTORY SO MUCH EASIER TO PUT TOGETHER. TONY LYON (FORMER TEACHER) FOR SHOWING ME LOTS OF DOCUMENTS AND PROVIDING PHOTOGRAPHS AND BACKGROUND DETAIL. MAXCINE DURRANT FOR HER PHOTOGRAPHS AND MEMORIES OF THE SCHOOL. LAST BUT BY NO MEANS LEAST, DEREK WAITE (FORMER TEACHER) WHO LOOKED AFTER AND PASSED ON THE ARCHIVE TO THE SCHOOL LIBRARY. IT IS A WONDERFUL SOURCE OF INFORMATION. Noelle Chambers Librarian 1997-2017