Brockenhurst College - History

History

Pupil Teachers’ Centre 1909-21

Brockenhurst College began its existence in 1909 as a Pupil Teachers’ Centre - a school where girls from age 13 learned to be teachers. The classes were held in the Wesleyan Church Sunday School, with only 18 children attending under the head mistress, Miss More. Although classes were first held in the church Sunday school, Brockenhurst never had any religious affiliation or received any funding from ecclesiastical authorities. It was always funded by the Hampshire Education Authority, and the Sunday school room was used simply because it offered suitable accommodation. Between 1913 and 1935 the school moved location twice and changed head mistress to Miss E C Ward. During this time the school increased further with more problems continuing for teaching space.

County School 1921-39

Taking in both boys and girls, the school was still expanding further with more pupils joining, by now numbering 150. Along with this the education board granted more funding and further building work; this was followed by a new hall, kitchen and a woodwork room. Miss Ward died in October 1935 to be replaced by the former head of Farnborough Grammar School, Mr R H May.

County High School 1939-50

The school by this time had grown even further to a High School enrolling 400 students and as young as eleven.

Grammar School 1950-53

In 1950 the headmaster decided that the school should be turned into a Grammar School and students would therefore have to pass the eleven plus examination to join. At this stage the School was still taking in both sexes and was resisting the change wanted by the local community. It was also at this time that the Headmaster changed Brocks motto to what it is today without any warning to staff or pupils.

County High School (again) 1953-60

In 1953 the Headmaster made another unexpected decision changed the name back to a High School. The name remained for seven years until the Hampshire Education Authority sanctioned the change to a Grammar School.

Grammar School 1960-70

Finally the name of Grammar School remained for the following ten years after being reinstated by the Education Authority.

College 1970-

The School was converted into a college in 1969 leaving all the surrounding schools to continue lower school education in the area.

Over subsequent years the college has seen many different changes in its structure depending on changes in courses that the college provides; the latest change being the construction of the Beacon Block.

Read more about this topic:  Brockenhurst College

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