Mow Cop school celebrates 150-year history

PUPILS at a 150-year-old school travelled back in time to enjoy Victorian education for a day.

Woodcocks' Well Church of England Primary School, Mow Cop, was a school for boys in 1858. Scholars had classes on grammar, numbers, reading, writing, songs and sewing.

Canings were commonplace and pupils learnt to write on slates, but yesterday's themed celebrations focused on more enjoyable aspects of the era.

Former Stoke City players Terry Conroy and Jackie Marsh attended the event to reveal a commemorative plaque celebrating the milestone. Headteacher Julie Massen said: “The children have really loved researching the history of our school, getting into their costumes and dancing round the maypole. They have studied the building, which has changed very little and they all feel very proud.

“Woodcocks' Well's enduring strength is its strong links with the church, the community and all the families of the pupils.

“Many of the children's parents and grandparents have attended this school before them.”

When the school began the teacher's duty was to give children a moral and religious education. Retired Pentecostal pastor, Fred Howell, aged 79, is a former pupil who has vivid memories of these life lessons.

He was a troublesome pupil at Woodcocks' Well in the 1930s. He said: “We learned the creed and I can still recite scriptures from my school days. I remember all the boys had to wear wooden clogs and that meant the teachers could hear me coming down the road late. I used to get in trouble all the time for fighting and being a nuisance.

“I would often play truant and pinch apples. I had the cane more times than I can remember, it was almost a weekly occurrence. But we were taught a moral education and we learnt the importance of the words please and thank you.

“We were also taught things like raising your hat when you see a funeral but sadly some of these manners are lost in today's education.”

The stone-built school retains much of its original charm and character. From the outside the building has not changed dramatically. The buildings have been extended and play areas added.

Inside there are four classrooms, a hall, library, staff-room, reception area, headteacher's office, kitchen, toilets, cloakrooms and a stockroom. Outside there is a net-ball court, playing field, playground and an open hillside.

The school has 70 pupils and 18 children in the pre-school class. James Wilson, aged eight, is from Brindley Ford. He said: “My favourite part of learning about the old school has been discovering the changes in the architecture. We've been able to see where new walls have been built to make new rooms and I have a vision of what it used to be like.

“But I wouldn't have liked to go to school then because of the punishments.”