School barely changed from 1920s to my time
READING through ‘The Musings of a Midlander’ by Edwin Arthur Spink, 1992, I came across an interesting description of The Mount School, Walsall, in about 1924.
I think readers of the Bugle will be intrigued, as so many schools in the area were built on the same pattern of Victorian utilitarianism.
Spink wrote: “The school was situated in the church grounds but could boast of little architectural appeal. Indeed I remember if for the proliferation of brickwork (which might have been influenced by our local proximity to the Aldridge Brickworks).
“The whole location seemed devoid of trees and greenery, except for a flowery cherry tree which intruded timorously into the Infant School playground, close to the side gate of the Presbytery wall.”
“Due to the rising ground the foundations of the school were built on three different levels. Apart from the Infants’ play area there were three other asphalt playgrounds situated in the Senior part of the school. The infants school premises had been constructed at a later date following the old design, but contained an integral assembly hall.
“The main approach was from the highest level – Glebe Street – via double iron gateways which obviated the tortuous ascent of Vicarage Walk or the school steps.
“A wide path led to the church entrance and close to the top playground, which was the boys’ territory. From this point one descended two broad flights of bluebricked steps to a middle playground which ran contiguous with the school building on one side, and a lofty dividing wall surmounted by a parapet on the other.
“This also provided buttress to the upper playground and a hazardous drop for daring youngsters. A further descent brought one to the girls’ recreation area, where three red-bricked arches gave some artistic relief to the otherwise mundane layout and support for classrooms above. A parapet overlooked the street.
“A long, low wall alongside the school steps ran parallel to the disused cemetery and extended right along the public highway and up the steep incline of the unadopted road of Vicarage Walk, almost encircling the filled-up burial ground.”
This is an excellent description of the Mount School, not only in the 1920s but also between 1950-60 when I attended. In reality nothing really changed until it burnt down in the mid-1960s. According to information from Joen Heavin, the actual year was 1967.
Eddie Spink writes about Mr Mcshane, who was headteacher at the school in the 1920s:
“He became a borough council member and later on was elected Walsall’s first Labour MP in 1924 – we were very proud of him, he spoke with fire and stressed the value of high principles of integrity and sincerity in public life.
“‘Alma Mater’ may usually refer to loftier seats of learning – I was proud to call St Mary’s Elementary mine and proud also that John Henry Carless was educated there and went on to win the Victoria Cross at the Battle of Jutland.”
The first picture is of the old Infant School – notice the red bricks and the utility of design. Above the roof is the Angelus Clock which still works and is one of four in the country.
Picture two is of the foundation stone of the Infant School, laid by Miss Mary Thorpe.
The Thorpe family were wealthy benefactors of the Mount Church, and donated a number of wonderful stained glass windows to it.
Thorpe Road in Caldmore is named after the family.