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The school opened on the 1st of September 1953. It was called Water Eaton County Junior School. There were 14 members of staff, including 9 teaching staff, 2 canteen staff, a 'school keeper' (care taker), and 2 cleaners. The head teacher was Mr William Crisp. 241 children enrolled at the school, of which 226 were present on the first day.
The school was known locally as the 'Sunshine School' ,due to the innovative designs of the school with it's many windows. |
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In September 1972 the school became The Water Eaton Combined School, and began admitting children between the ages of 5 and 7 years old. Term began with 237 children of role, of these 210 were juniors and only 27 infants. The head teacher was MR E.A King and he led a staff of 12 teachers, 1 "teacher's aid", and 1 clerical assistant. Readers of this page who the school may be surprised to know that Mr Johnson, our current school caretaker joined the staff on September 25th 1972. Last year Mr Johnson received an award from the council for his long service to the school. Another member of staff, Mrs Smith, who currently teaches Year 1, joined the school in June 1984, and has also received an award for 25 years service to the council.
The school is now known as Eaton Mill Combined School, having changed its name in September 1973. It takes children aged from 4 to 12 years old. There are 350 children on role, and 13 teaching staff, and the head teacher is Mrs M. Pawley.
Schools were required to keep logbooks on a daily basis and these give an insight into the daily routine of school life. I was surprised to find that in many ways school life has changed very little. The log books report on courses staff have attended, staff meetings conducted and the yearly rounds of Christmas plays, parties and carol concerts. One entry that maybe of interest to present teachers of the school comes in October concerns an inspection of the school:
Tuesday 21st October 1980 "Mr Daniells HMI (Her Majesty's Inspector) came unexpectedly into school....He wants to spend a day at Eaton Mill and will visit again on Thursday 6th November...
The inspector then produced a page long report after his visit, giving comments such as "plenty going on" and "would send his own children here". 20 years on to the day the school had an OFSTED inspection, but this time had 8 weeks to prepare and received a very detailed and lengthy document. As a teacher I certainly know which one I would have preferred!
The logbooks also provide information about the general history of the area for example:
April 4th 1966 "The children left school at 3p.m. in order to see H.M the queen during her north Bucks visit." |
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