History of Castleford High School

2006/7 marks the centenary for Castleford high school. Throughout the year we are celebrating this milestone in the schools history with a number of events for past and present pupils. In October the school held an informal get together for alumni students allowing them a tour of present facilities and an opportunity to reminisce about their time spent at the school. After a turbulent beginning to the start of the year with the sports hall fire we are confident that Castleford high school is equipped with staff and pupils committed to learning and to prosperity fro the next 100 years.

In 1906 Castleford Grammar School opened in September for 450 pupils as Castleford Secondary School. To gain access to the school pupils were required to be tested in English and Mathematics and pay for the privilege of attending the school, £3 and 3 shillings per term and would stay at the site until 4 – 5 pm. The head master at the time was known as ‘toddy’ Mr T.R, Dawes who was distinguished in the community for his frightening demeanour and originality. He left the school in 1930. The chair of governors at the time was Mr. Gill JP whose name may be seen on the stone plaque at the front of the building.

1930 saw the introduction of a new Headmaster, MR J.L. Hampson MA. The school prospectus from this time shows the school frontage lush with foliage and describes the uniform as a school cap with tunics for girls and blazers for boys. Teachers were called mistresses and Masters and the school prided itself upon educating boys with female staff and girls with male staff.

Mr E Riley took over as Head of the school in 1955 in a time of great educational dispute and left the school in 1973 as the school joined forces with the boys and girls modern schools of Castleford to become a comprehensive school – the school we know today as Castleford High school.

Mr Peter Hughes was the head at the time of this transition and introduced a period of non-uniform and little record of the schools activities remain from this time period. 1981 saw Mr Malcolm Victor Butler as Head of the comprehensive school. He sadly passed away whilst in office at the age of 53 and as a commemorative gesture the Butler hall was names in his memory.

1989 – 1995 Mr David Earnshaw developed the schools links with Hickson and Welch the local chemical company and with their cash assistance developed a smart new school uniform for pupils. He also developed the school logo we see today and under his guidance the school became a technology college benefiting the pupils with updated computer facilities and better learning environments.

In the 10 years that followed Mr Mike Porter took the reins as head teacher, he was a keen sportsman and amateur photographer and spent many afternoons photographing and documenting the schools successes in drama and sports. Under his leadership the school expanded its facilities to include a new drama theatre and the learning centre which has become an invaluable resource for pupils learning.

In 2005 Roy Vaughan became the latest head teacher of Castleford High School his tennureship has seen further improvements in pupils achievements and has been effective in securing new additions to the school such as the redeveloped reception area which will provide enhanced administration facilities and a focus for visitors to the school. We are confident that the school can to build upon its past successes and with the support of parents governors and excellent team of teachers/non teachers continue to be a mainstay of a symbol of success in Castleford.

The school has contributed to the development of talent across the fields of human achievement. Ex pupils have made significant contributions at a local and international level in sports, arts, sciences and practical subjects.

Perhaps the most famous son of Castleford is Henry Spencer Moore, who was born on 30th July 1898 and attended the school from 1910 to 1915. His talent in art was evident at an early age and he developed his skills to become the greatest sculptor of his age. Many of his examples are on display in the Yorkshire sculpture park at Breton hall, one example can be seen outside the Civic centre here in Castleford and he also has a Gallery devoted to his work in the city centre of Leeds.