Village Schools
Formal education in Woodford started in 1859 when a purpose built school opened in Church Street. Soon overwhelmed by pupil numbers, a second school with its own headteacher was built near the village, which became the Infants School in 1883. In early 1970's, with the two schools now amalgamated under one headteacher, plans were laid for a new school built on the village recreation field.This modern building opened in September 1974.
This page will contain extracts from the school log books which I compiled when preparing the 150th anniversary book.
A fuller history will be compiled as time permits.
1 June 1858
Foundation Stone laid
3 January 1859
School opened
1860
Mr Treagar appointed as master of the Mixed School (Junior school)
April 1862
Mr Knights appointed master of the school
1 December 1862
The school year commences under the conditions of the Review Code of March 1862. The scholars were classified to meet those conditions
10 July 1863
Feast Week Holiday (continued each year until 1916)
September 1863
Mr Albert Harding appointed Headteacher
4 January 1869
William Ellson commenced headship of Junior School
Summer 1872
Work on an extension to the school carried out throughout summer. School reopened in September with some windows missing
1 March 1878
Decision made to move infants to separate premises owing to continued overcrowding
27 September 1878
Infants moved to the approved room in the village under the management of Miss E M Manning
1May 1880
Start of School Year changed to 1st May.
27 November 1883
The new Infant School was opened. In the afternoon Rev Smyth gave the children a half holiday
5 October 1891
Education now provided free of charge
27 January 1893
Mrs E M Hughes (formerly Manning) resigned from the post of Headmistress at the Infant School, but agreed to stay until a new appointment was made.
19 June 1893
Miss Annie Walter took up duties as Headmistress of the Infant School
7 February 1895
Gave the children the afternoon off to play on the ice
21-25 June 1897
Jubilee Week holiday
9 May 1898
Mr Denham Camburn became Headteacher of the Junior School
24 June 1902
The school was closed at 4.00 this afternoon for the Coronation holiday (3 days)
9 June 1904
Miss Walter ceased duty as Head Mistress
13 June 1904
Miss J Alsop commenced duties as temporary headmistress of Infant School
29 July 1904
Miss Alsop ceased duties
23 September 1904
Mrs M E Redford commenced duties as temporary mistress of Infant School
17 February 1905
Mrs Redford resigned her position (Miss F Lightfoot (teacher) took temporary charge of Infant School)
2 May 1905
Mrs M E Hill took charge of the Infant School as Head teacher
1 April 1906
For official purposes this school will be designated in future as Woodford (Thrapston) C of E School
24 May 1909
Empire Day celebrations recorded for the first time
7 July 1913
Headteacher (Junior School) Mr Camburn taken seriously ill
4 November 1913
Mr Frederick Reed took charge as Headteacher of Junior School
2 July 1914
The boys started swimming lessons today at the shallow part called Dodson’s mill (near Ringstead Mill)
20 November 1914
Mr Reed commenced active service
24 November 1914
Mr George Cobley took temporary charge
6 July 1917
Feast holiday two days this year (until 1965)
11 November 1918
The school was closed at 11.45 and reopened on 13th at 9 this short holiday being given by the managers in celebration of the signing of the armistice
24 February 1919
Mr Reed retakes charge of school following demobilisation from Army
September 1920
New start to School year (instead of May)
Summer 1929
Mrs A E Fox became Headteacher of Infant School (until 3 August 1934)
1 October 1929
Miss Knighton commenced as an uncertificated teaching assistant
2 April 1931
Senior children aged 11 or over moved to Thrapston School
7 September 1931
The Junior School met in Mr Loasby’s room (Coach and Horses at 3 shillings per day) for the duration of building work
22 February 1932
The children assembled at the mixed school (Junior School) today after being in a temporary classroom since the August holidays
19 June 1933
Water supply from taps commenced in Junior school this morning.
1 October 1934
Miss Alice Cook commenced as Headteacher of infant School
6 May 1935
Two Days holiday celebrating King George Vs Jubilee
24 January 1936
The children went to the Infants school this afternoon for about twenty minutes to hear the Proclamation of His Majesty King Edward VIII
31 March 1936
Miss Knighton ceased duties here today as uncertificated assistant
13 July 1939
Miss E Knighton commenced duties (Junior School)
31 July 1939
Miss Gray after 42 years of faithful service ceased duty here today
11 September 1939
First evacuees arrive
7 May 1942
Mrs R Clarke commenced duties (Junior School)
September 1945
Mr Reed resigned as Headteacher owing to ill health
28 January 1946
Mr E P Drage takes charge as Headteacher
1 May 1946
First Mayday celebrations on the village green. Tea in the school followed
18 February 1947
Weather still severe classroom temperatures below 40F (5C)
20 November 1947
School closed today for wedding of HRH Princess Elizabeth and Duke of Edinburgh (LT Philip Mountbatten)
2.June 1953
Queen Elizabeth the second was crowned today. All the children watched the service on the Television from 10.30 to 2.00pm. At 4.00 a tea was given to every child attending school. After the meal every child received a Coronation Mug
18 March 1955
Miss Stainton, a teacher at the Infants School for over forty year died this morning
6 June 1955
Electric Lighting fitted to Infant School during past week
24 May 1957
Last recorded celebration of Empire Day
26 July 1960
Mrs Alice Foreman (formerly Miss Cook) retired
6 September 1960
Schools amalgamated under Mr E P Drage
6 October 1960
Managers agreed to the appointment of Mrs Drage as first secretary part time (6 hours per week, prior to this administration was carried out by head teacher or chair of managers)
8 July 1965
Last Woodford Feast Holiday (two days)
11 July 1969
Miss Knighton left the employ of the school after 30 years service
October 1970
Mr Drage taken ill, not to return, passing away 10 November 1970 having been Headteacher for over 34 years
1 November 1970
Mrs M Bird became Secretary (retired 1998)
19 April 1971
Mr Packham commences as Headteacher
19 May 1971
Junior School connected to the telephone network
7 February 1972
Telephone installed in Infant school
12 July 1974
Mrs Clark retired after 32 years service
12 July 1974
Junior and Infant School closed for summer for the last time
26 August 1974
Although Bank Holiday Monday removers moved both schools’ contents into new school during the day.
2 September 1974
New Primary School opened
September 1982
Mr P Craigie commenced as Head teacher
January 1993
Mrs A Harvey commenced as Headteacher
December 2012
Mrs Harvey headship ceased
April 2013
School opened Nursery unit for the children aged 3 years
June 2013
Mrs J Lawrence appointed as Headteacher