The Village School
The Village School opened in 1887 and closed in 1991. These images of the school, the children and the staff are from a variety of sources. Click on any image to see a larger version and use your computer’s scroll bars to move around it. Where known, the names of the children and the teachers are given on the larger version (apologies to all concerned for any mistakes in spelling or identification!). Any further details would be gratefully received and the item updated. Please feel free to submit any similar photos or sketches which you may have.
Photo courtesy Jennifer Dancer
Jennifer Dancer has kindly supplied this photograph of her great grandfather Albert Henry Smith, headmaster of Sulgrave School before and during the Great War 1914-18. The photograph was taken in 1913 and shows him seated outside the School House with his wife Ellen (née Malin) and four daughters Helen Jessie, Dora Amy, Edith Abigail and Lilian.
Photo: Unknown.
1909 ? Henry Smith. Headmaster.
Photo: Unknown.
1910? Henry Smith. Headmaster.
Photo: Unknown.
1911. Henry Smith. Headmaster.
Photo: Unknown (courtesy Emma Cave)
c1921. The Cave family at the School.
Photo: Unknown (courtesy Emma Cave).
c1921. The Cave family at the School.
Photo: Unknown.
Pageant. Early 1920s.
Photo: Unknown.
Pageant. Early 1920s.
Photo: Unknown.
School Pageant 1921.
Photo: Unknown.
School Pageant 1921.
Photo: Unknown.
School Pageant 1921.
Photo: Unknown (courtesy Emma Cave)..
Reverend Pakenham-Walsh, a patriarchal figure
and regular visitor to the school during
his 33 years as vicar of Sulgrave (1922 to 1955).
Photo: Unknown.
c1947 or 1948.
Photo: Unknown.
Coronation Pageant 1953.
Photo: Unknown (courtesy Carol Pirie).
c1957.
Photo: Unknown.
Late 1950s or 1960s.
Photo: Unknown.
Mothers’ Day Service in the Church 1965.
Photo: Unknown (courtesy Emma Cave).
1960s. School fete at the Vicarage.
Photo: Unknown (courtesy Emma Cave).
1960s. School fete at the Vicarage.
Photo: Unknown (courtesy Emma Cave).
1960s. School fete at the Vicarage.
Photo: Unknown.
School Pageant. c1970.
Photo: Unknown.
School Pageant. c1970.
Photo: Unknown.
School Pageant. c1970.
Photo: Unknown.
c1973 or 1974.
Photo: Unknown.
c1973 or 1974.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
c1975. School Sports Day at Sulgrave House.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
c1975. School Sports Day at Sulgrave House.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
c1975. School Sports Day at Sulgrave House.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
c1975. School Sports Day at Sulgrave House.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
c1975. School Sports Day at Sulgrave House.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
c1975. School Sports Day at Sulgrave House.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
c1975. School Sports Day at Sulgrave House.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
c1975. School Sports Day at Sulgrave House.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
c1975. School Sports Day at Sulgrave House.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
c1975. School Sports Day at Sulgrave House.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
c1975. School Sports Day at Sulgrave House.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
c1975. School Sports Day at Sulgrave House.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
c1975. School Sports Day at Sulgrave House.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
c1975. School Sports Day at Sulgrave House.
The following photographs date from 1976/8 and were taken by the then headmaster, the late Jim Critchley and members of “Friends of Sulgrave School”.
The procession ready to leave the School
The May Queen and her attendants
The procession in Manor Road, led by a USAF contingent from a nearby base
Schoolchildren in fancy dress follow Wootton Bros builder’s lorry
The procession in Little Street
The procession arrives at Castle Green
Jim Critchley, Headmaster of the Village School, opens proceedings
Village school headmaster Jim Critchley “in the stocks”.
1977
The May Queen and her attendants outside the School
Maypole dancing on Castle Green
Village School Morris Dancers on Castle Green
Maypole dancing on Castle Green
Maypole dancing on Castle Green
Country dancing on Castle Green
The Village School Morris Dancing Side
Schoolchildren on Castle Green
Maypole dancing on Castle Green
Maypole dancing on Castle Green
The Village Fête on Castle Green
Maypole dancing on Castle Green
1978
The May Queen and her attendants
The procession about to leave the School
Fancy dress in the School playground
The May Queen arrives on Castle Green
Maypole dancing on Castle Green
Maypole dancing on Castle Green
Alfred Burke, actor, opens proceedings…
Fancy dress competition competitors
Kathleen Munro prepares the crown…
The School Morris Side performs on Castle Green
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations. The handbell ringers.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
The handbell ringers.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations. The handbell ringers.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Colin Wootton.
1980. Victorian style May Day celebrations.
Photo: Unknown.
1990. The year before the school finally closed.
Local newspaper cutting. 1991.