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The School
Location: Cumbria
In November 1963 a special celebration was held to mark a century of education at the three church schools at Dacre, Stainton and Newbiggin. This celebration was tinged with regret as the decision to close all three village schools and open one new one in Stainton had already been agreed by that time.
As 1964 drew to a close, so did a particular chapter in the history of these three village schools. For some time, the plan had been to open a new school in Stainton. A new, modern school building was being completed ready to receive children from the three closing schools.
The closure of any school brings about a degree of sadness and loss for those involved at the time. However, as the chapters of history of three schools came to a certain close, one new and exciting chapter was opening for the new Stainton Church of England Primary School.
Building work was carried out during most of 1964, the cost of the whole school was £26,190. A special service was held on 5th March 1964 at which the foundation stone was laid by Dr Thomas Bloomer. A huge procession marched from the existing village school to the site of the new school to see the service.
The modern school was to be well equipped for the educational needs of the day, being built in accordance with the latest recommendations of the Ministry of Education. There was one large central hall measuring 39 x 24 feet with three classrooms leading off. There were also two study bays for quieter work, and all areas were to have sinks for practical work and fitted cupboards for ample storage. An office area and kitchen were also included. This provided ample facilities for the eighty or so children expected to start at the school in January 1965.
For the children starting their new school there was a mix of excitement and anticipation as well as uncertainty about how things would work out in the new school. Likewise for the parent of the children. However, none were disappointed!
The new school built during 1964 was considered to be sufficient to meet the needs of all children, the three classrooms were expected to cater for up to 90 children, but aiming for approximately 80 children.
The school opened with 86 children (36 boys and 50 girls) in January 1965. A tentative promise was made to build two additional rooms when possible, provided the cost was not too high. After initial plans were drawn up, the extension was rejected in March 1968. However, the need did not go away as school numbers remained around the 90 level, and the school managers continued to press for the extension.
In October 1973 work began on the extension. There were just over 100 children in the school by that time, still in the original three classrooms. The extension plan provided two additional quiet rooms to the rear of the building, however, funding was only provided to add new ‘wet areas’ and ‘quiet room’, with the school being required to use this additional space flexibly. Overall, this gave space for five classes to be taught – two in each of the combined working areas, and one in the single classroom.
By 1992 the governors were eager to make some improvements to facilities offered in the school. Storage of resources and school equipment was quite an issue, and the school also had no library. After having plans drawn up, the Diocese and the Local Authority were quick to provide funding for this project later that year.
Building work began in January 1993 on the foundations, with a special event planned in February as the first bricks were put in place. The two youngest children in the school, Kayleigh Lancaster and Christopher Dawson, were involved in laying the first brick. Both children’s parents were former children at the school adding extra significance to their involvement in this special day.
The total cost of the extension was £43,000, considerably more than the original school and the 1974 extension, which reflected changes in building costs over the years.
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