1950 onwards
1950 Onwards
As the school moved further away from the war years, the children were able to go on more, exciting trips including to Whipsnade Zoo and The Science Museum in London. The school was also recognised for successes, including being the only in Hertfordshire to achieve the RSPB’s Bird and Tree Competition on 1945. The school was organised into a House structure at this time too, which allowed for more competition and sport. The Houses were Romans, Saxons, Normans and Vikings.
On 21st December 1950, the school became an ‘aided school’, supported by the Diocese. This resulted in a grant to extend the school, which meant that the newest block was built, containing 3 new classrooms and an assembly hall and, throughout the school, electrical lights were installed as was oil central heating at a cost of £27,750. Almost £8000 was raised for this by the local church, led by Sylvia Weston, who also set up a trust fund to purchase Bibles for the school – a fund which still exists today.
At about this time, a teacher of the school, Mr Dickens (a descendant of Charles) designed the school’s logo based on the logos for both local churches with which the school is linked.
Early in the 1970’s work was started to erect a new building; now our Year 1 and 2 classrooms. These replaced old, wooden storm huts which had been built in 1935. The block was opened by the Bishop of Hertford on 22nd February 1975. A gate was also added to the back of the school site so that the children could come from the Nash Green estate without having to walk along the busy main road; this is still in place today! Another notable addition to the school in the 1970’s was the open-air swimming pool!
The school management book, which was used to record key conversations and decisions made by the governors in 1973 states that “the Headteacher went on a maths course which he found most interesting and enjoyable”, there were issues with roof tiles on the old school building and checks were being made as to the safety of the play apparatus; perhaps not too much has changed, it seems!
A recount from Hilary Dominey:
“I remember having to chant the times tables up to 16. You earned a star for each table and finally a bar of chocolate. I have never forgotten my times tables.
Mr Shakleton’s pantomimes were very good and Mr Dickens painted the scenery.
The year before I left, the now classrooms and hall were being built and we were encouraged to buy a brick. After purchasing a brick for sixpence, you wrote your name onto it. There are several of mine there somewhere!”.
A recount from Gary Trent:
“I started at Nash Mills in 1969. The old junior classrooms were demolished to make way for a new open-plan infant block. The covered way between the old building and the hall was demolished too; we used to play tag here.
Mr Clarke, the new Headmaster, introduced sailing holidays on Barton Turf. I remember I was ill when the rest of the class went to learn the ropes, but Mr Clarke took me by myself one night to learn, which I appreciated.
I joined the football team in the second year juniors (Year 4) as there were few boys in the years above. The sloping pitch at the top of the hill gave us a very slight home advantage!
My days at the school were good days!”
In the 1990’s the school’s nursery was opened to accommodate younger pupils and give them the skills for the start of school. We were also the primary school of Max Whitlock who later went on to become a multi-gold winning Olympian for gymnastics. Max returned to the school in 2018 to lead a PE lesson!
