KES MAGAZINE July 1950

KES 1939 — 1950

THE departure of a Headmaster normally marks the end of an epoch in a school's history and is an appropriate moment at which to take stock of changes and developments. Dr. Barton's headmastership has covered the period of the Second World War, and of the passing of the 1944 Education Act‑both of which have had important effects on the School. In addition to this, during Dr. Barton's time, several masters have retired after many years' service to the School. It has, therefore, been thought worth while to construct a brief chronicle of outstanding events of the years 1939-50 so that the development of the School and its life can be assessed. It is not yet possible to put the changes of these years into perspective, but the chronicle illustrates well two sides of Dr. Barton's administration-a great development of School games, especially within the House system, and a very high level of academic success. For the steady progress of all the established features such as music, drama and " societies ", the volumes of the MAGAZINE give ample and interesting evidence in greater detail than can be attempted in this outline. Though the fortunes of some of the societies have fluctuated considerably during the period, several have been vigorous.

1939	(S.T.) Dr. Barton took over the Headmastership. Two awards at Oxford and Cambridge. (A.T.) " Home Service " (classes in private houses, while air-raid shelters were being constructed); followed by double-shift working at K.E.S. with Nether Edge G.S. Shelters constructed in the Close.
1940	(L.T.) School Team first took part in Northern Public Schools Athletic Sports. (S.T.) Mr. F. T. Saville (Master of Junior School and founder of Lynwood as a boarding house) retired after 39 years' service to Wesley College and K.E.S. " Vacation Term " held at School in August. Commemoration Service instituted. Four awards at Oxford and Cambridge. Farming Camps started. House Water Polo competition started. (A.T.) The Blitz. School hit by incendiary bombs. Term ended early and the School was used as a Rest Centre.
1941	House Prayers and meetings on Wednesdays instituted. Fire-watching. Two languages substituted for three in the curriculum of B, C and D Forms. Air Training Corps formed. Three awards at Oxford and Cambridge. School meals service extended.
1942	School Captain of Athletics and Athletics Team, officially recognised. One language only (German) required in D Forms. Four awards at Oxford and Cambridge. Prefects' Dance re-instituted.
1943	Adoption by the School of Newhall Boys Club. Mr. L. E. B. Warner retired after 31 years' service in the Office. Six awards at Oxford and Cambridge. Mr. J. J. H. Clay, Senior English and History Master retired after 25 years' service.
1944	Remove Forms instituted. 16 awards at Oxford and Cambridge (a record for the School and thought to be the best performance for any school in proportion to size that year).
1945	Run-down of the Junior School began (effect of 1944 Education Act). Promotion examination to Senior School instituted for Junior School boys. The School first competed in Northern Public Schools Cross Country race (second place). Six awards at Oxford and Cambridge.
1946	Field events introduced in Athletic Sports. (S.T.) Mr. C. S. Wright retired after 24 years' service in the Junior School. Mr. A. W. Gaskin, Geography Master and Scoutmaster, retired after 29 years' service. Seven awards at Oxford and Cambridge. (A.T.) Wednesday afternoon, though still a games afternoon when fine, became a school session. Saturday morning school abolished; five-day week and eight-period day adopted. Holidays now conform to those of the other L.E.A. schools. Regular inter-school athletic fixtures started. The Staff goes back almost to a " permanent " basis. (67 appointments to the temporary or permanent staff-including 21 women - had been made between May, 1940 and June, 1946).
1947	(L.T.) The great " freeze-up ". Athletics Team go to London for Public Schools Championships for the first time. " Parents' Prizes " started. New branch of the Sixth Form started for specialists in Economics, Geography and History. War Memorial Fund opened. Mr. J. S. Nicholas, Senior Mathematics Master and Second Master, retired after 36 years' service. Mr. H. A. Scutt, Senior Modern Language Master, retired after 30 years' service. Mr. S. V. Carter appointed Second Master. Junior School closed. 101 School Certificates (a record). (A.T.) An entry of 120 boys, making an average of 30 per form (in place of the smaller C and D Forms). Six awards at Oxford and Cambridge.
1948	First School film produced. " St. John Passion " given by the Choir and Orchestra at St. John's Church, Ranmoor. Standard Sports started. Miss J. W. M. Copley retired after 30 years' service in the Junior School. Northern Schools Cross-Country Trophy won. Seating at dinner arranged by Houses with table prefects in charge. 56 Higher Certificates gained by 60 entrants; 98 School Certificates gained by 107 entrants. Ten awards at Oxford and Cambridge. Carol Service started.
1949	The War Memorial Tablets were unveiled by the Bishop of Oxford. Dr. C. J. Magrath retired after 42 years' service. The School won the Northern Schools Cross-Country Cup. Rugby Fives was revived. Parents' meetings (for Second and Fifth Forms) were started. Nine awards at Oxford and Cambridge. The Akroyd Scholarship was won for the tenth time in 14 years. The Second Forms started games on Thursdays and work on Wednesday afternoons. (A.T.) 112 boys in the Sixth Form, 69 in the Transitus; a total of 703 in the School.
1950	Lawn Tennis was recognised as a School game, but not played in school time. House Fives competition was revived. The awarding of House Colours for games authorised. Seven awards at Oxford and Cambridge.

(N.B.-Some of the entries which refer to a " school year " are placed in the calendar year of the Lent and Summer terms).

V. J. W.