Comprehensive’s Class of ’81
IN the early 1960s Darlaston Comprehensive School was opened on the area of George Rose Park that is adjacent to Herberts Park Road.
This was part of a plan to streamline secondary education in the town, which resulted in the closure of Slater Street (boys), and Salisbury Street (girls) Secondary Modern Schools – do any readers remember going to these schools?
Renamed
The school was then renamed Darlaston Community Science College, part of Walsall LEA with just over 1,100 students, nearly 80 full time teachers and about 35 support staff in the 1990s.
Students actively engaged in work with adults from many agencies that were associated with the college. As a result of this work in the community, the college was awarded a School’s Curriculum Award in June 2000.
In September 2009 the school became Grace Academy, which has since expanded and taken over much of the old George Rose Park.
Crush
These photos show the Class of 1981 with myself, Mark Hill, Sarah Warren (who I must confess I had a huge crush on – and named a child after her), Michelle Peach, Jackie Wilson, Ian Sheffield and John Southam to name a few. Is there anyone still in Darlaston who recognises themselves? Why don’t you drop the Bugle a line and let us know how you are doing?
The buildings were beginning to look their age when these pictures were taken in the 1980s, with the old sixth form block and it’s blue square tiles visible.
Peeling
The poor sign for the school is peeling, but still bears the name of the headmaster Mr Gordon Harrison, who took over from the previous and long serving Mr Donithorn – apologies for the spelling if that is not correct – who left in 1977 just before I had any dealings with him.
He did used to have a cane in those days!