Netherhall School, Cambridge

Grammar School for Boys, Netherhall School, Cambridge

Notes on the history of Netherhall School Cambridge

Information about the history of the school can be found here:

http://www.netherhall.org/school-information/history

A teacher who was at the school when it opened as the Cambridge Grammar School in 1958 recalls being taken on a tour of the building by Mr Scarisbrick and the prospective staff before the school opened when it was unglazed. A number of new staff were brought in to swell the Central School staff; the new school also absorbed the ‘Grammar Stream’ from Sawston. There were a few physical hiccups early on: a gap opened between the ceiling and the wall in the Art Room, a door frame fell down after an over-firm closing of the door, and the taps in the ground floor toilets sprang off drenching boys and a master sent to investigate.

A ‘do-it-yourself’ open air swimming pool was dug. Parents provided the technical knowhow and professionals dug the hole and poured the concrete.

(source – private letter)

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1958 06 20 — Official opening of Netherhall School

Netherhall School, the first new secondary school in Cambridge since the war, was officially opened by Lord McNair. The smaller the class, the more effective the teaching and they should do all they could to reduce sizes, he said. The 300 children under the headmaster (Mr Holden) and the same number under the headmistress, Miss Wilkinson, was correct. They should cut time spent on administration and teach as much as possible. In this way they could consolidate the staff. Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Cherryhinton Road Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, reference 58 06 20a.

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School Magazine no. 1, December  1958

 

 

Speech Day November 1959

 

 

School Magazine no. 6. July 1961

 

 

Speech Day November 1961

 

 

School Magazine no. 7 December 1961

 

 

School Magazine no. 8 June 1962

 

 

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1971

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The Grammarian 1973

The Grammarian editorial 1973

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Pat Chapman has lived in the area for most of her life. In 2016 she recalled how important the Youth Club at the school had been to her when she was a young woman:

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Netherhall School
1981 09 17 — Computer development programme

Netherhall School is to take a leap into the computer age with a £35,000 development programme. Their involvement in micro-processors began long before the current upsurge of interest shown by schools in computers. Two years ago staff began working out how they would like to see computer studies develop in the school. An extra teacher will be provided at Government expense and a programmer employed. They expect the delivery of 15 micro-computers soon.

Credit: Mike Petty Archive, Cambridge Cherryhinton Road Scrapbook 1897 to 1990, reference 81 09 17a.