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West Hallam

Scargill Central CofE School

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SCHOOL PIONEERS AT WEST HALLAM

WHERE “HIGHER TOP” SYSTEM WAS FIRST INTRODUCED

(Newspaper cutting November 1935. Newspaper unknown)

Cut-out“This is a Church of England School, and as such it is furnished with a ‘conscience clause,’ ” said the Archdeacon of Derby, the Ven. E. Spencer Noakes, speaking at the opening of the new Scargill Central School at West Hallam yesterday.

The Scargill's Schools Foundation was instituted by the Rev. John Scargill, Rector of West Hallam, in 1662, and is one of the oldest of its kind in England. The new school, which provides for senior scholars from West Hallam and district, has cost £9,500.

The opening ceremony was performed in the presence of a large company of parents and others interested in education by Captain H. FitzHerbert Wright, of Yeldersley Hall, vice-chairman of the Derbyshire County Council. The hallowing was performed by the Archdeacon in the school hall, where a service was held.

REMEMBERING THE FOUNDER

In his address the Archdeacon suggested that the anniversary of the opening day or some other suitable date, should' be kept each year as “Founder’s Day.”

They ought always to remember the benefits that had followed the act of the Rev. John Scargill. He had founded the school at the close of a troublesome period in history, perhaps in a spirit of thankfulness to God.

“I myself believe that education must always be on a religious basis. It is religion which largely inspires education,” said the Archdeacon.

He paid a tribute to the late Mr. E. Raby, for many years clerk to the Scargill Foundation and headmaster of the old Scargill School, who died a few weeks ago.

WORKING SIDE BY SIDE

The Rector of West Hallam, the Rev. W. T. Ratcliffe, chairman of the governors, said that by an arrangement with the Derbyshire Education Committee, scholars were being admitted from Smalley Common and Morley, in addition to those within the Scargill area.

It was a good thing when church authorities and education authorities could work side by side in that way for the benefit of children, he said.

Some people had been troubled about the Scargill scholarships money, but it would not be touched at all by the building of the school, said the Rector.

It had been necessary to borrow some money, but every penny would be paid back at the end of 30 years, and the endowment would be kept intact. No one in the district had been asked to contribute anything.

Captain FitzHerbert Wright recalled that, he had once lived at West Hallam Hall for some eight years, and he remembered the important part the school played then in village life.

During that time the Governors took a step probably unique in England. ‘They introduced a “higher top” section, or, in other words, classes for tuition in special subjects, such as science, woodwork, and cookery.

“I think that by doing so they showed themselves pioneers in the recommendations which were to come later in the Hadow Report on education,” he continued.

To the children he would say: “Do not think just of the present. Remember the past and the long chain of history; think also of the future.”

JOINING FOR COMMON GOOD

Mr. W. G. Briggs, Director of Education for Derbyshire, said that he thought, the germ of the central school idea lay even farther back than the “higher top” scheme. Evidently John Scargill himself had hit on the idea of a central school for the district.

The whole idea of such schools was that small places should join together for the sake of better education.

Perhaps the most important part of the school was its beautiful hall, for there could be brought home to the children that “sense of community” which was essential to the future of civilisation.

Mr. Briggs also spoke of Mr. Raby’s excellent work, and on behalf of the education authorities he thanked the Governors for their efforts.

Councillor G. W. Woolliscroft, chairman of the Ilkeston Education Committee, who is a Governor, also spoke. He thanked the county' education authority for its help in carrying out the scheme, and praised the work of Mr. B. Widdows, the architect, and Mr. J. Harvey, the contractor.

THANKSGIVING SERVICE

Afterwards the visitors inspected the school, and a display was given by the children. Tea was served.

There was a well-attended thanksgiving service at West Hallam Parish Church in the evening, when the preacher was the Rev. Harry Price, Vicar of Cotmanhay and a Diocesan Inspector of Schools.

Among those present at the opening ceremony were Mr. John Hunter, of Belper; the Vicar of Spondon and Rural Dean of Ilkeston, the Rev. H. C. Brocklehurst; Mr. S. R. Wood, headmaster of Ilkeston Secondary School; Mrs. Raby and the Misses Raby; Mr Paul M. Robinson, of Ilkeston, Acting Clerk to the Governors, and Mr. F. M. Brown, General Manager of the Mapperley Colliery Company, Ltd.


Scargill Central CofE School 1940


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