Lydney Grammar School - CRAFT
Perhaps Lydney Grammar School can consider itself fortunate that, almost
form the time of its inception in 1903, it can proudly boast that it
provided
practical work for boys. This was at a time when boys practical work was
just being introduced into elementary school following the introduction
of the national system of elementary education in 1870, although some
provision
did exist for needlework and cookery for girl before this date.
The first teacher of woodwork (or Manual Training as it was then called)
at Lydney Grammar School was Mr. J. Ellison who joined the staff in 1907.
I am told by
those who knew him well and who were fortunate to have come under his influence
at school that we was a sound craftsman and a firm disciplinarian - essential
qualities if one is to succeed as a teacher of craftwork. There can be no doubt
about the quality of his teaching for it was he who was largely responsible
for establishing the connection between Lydney Grammar School and Loughborough
College
in supplying the latter with suitable candidates to undergo training to become
teachers of handicraft. This link still exists today and it is most fitting
that the present Head Boy is the last of a long line of Grammar School
pupils to be
accepted by Loughborough to train as a teacher of Creative Design.
As the school grew in numbers it became necessary to engage an additional member
of staff in the woodwork department and Mr. A. Sands was appointed in 1943.
He was an outstanding teacher and craftsman and any old pupils reading this
who
knew him will readily testify to this.
It was rare, even in the"forties" to have separate woodwork and
metal-work shops, so the task of providing another material (metal) in which
the boys could work and the facilities with which to do this fell to Mr. A, Sands
who utilised part of the Woodwork Shop for metalwork instruction. Not only was
the high standard of craftsmanship in wood set by Mr. Ellison maintained by Mr.
Sands but boys were now introduced to various processes in metalwork such as
turning, fitting, beaten metalwork and forgework. At about this time the then
present Headmaster conceived the idea of providing more practical courses in
the school. Such things as nursing, commerce and building studies were pursued
and evidence exists today at Lydney Grammar School, in the form of steps leading
from the classrooms of the"new corridor" to the field, to the efforts
of Mr. Sands and his"builders".
Consequent upon the sudden and untimely death of Mr. Sands in 1954 Mr. G. Jones
was appointed to take charge of the teaching of handicraft. At this time Mr.
Ellison had been in retirement for some six years and a change of policy within
the school had curtailed the amount of time devoted to handicraft. It was a
pity that many of the brighter pupils were compelled to discontinue handicraft
just
at the point when continuing it might have done most good. Nevertheless, both
woodwork, and, to a less extent, metalwork were still pursued (in the same
workshop), with woodwork taking on a broader dimension. In addition to the
traditional cabinet
making and woodturning, sailing boats, fibre glass canoes, musical instruments
ranging from bowed psaltery, glockenspiel and xylophone to classical guitars,
were also constructed.
A Technical Department was established in 1957 and took up its position in
the new Engineering Workshop and Drawing Office block. Its purpose was to provide
instruction for those pupils above the Third Form who desired to pursue a technical
rather than a purely academic course. It should be made clear, however, that
the course was not conceived as a parallel with practical training in industry.
The approach was to break away for the"engineering metalwork" tradition
as such, in which too many of the questions have been answered by the person
who made the drawings, and in which the article is not always tested - as it should
be- to assess its standard. Instead, the pupil was required to play a part in
planning what he made, using his knowledge of mechanics and scientific study
and looking up the rest of whet he needed to know. His skill in drawing and graphic
statics, as well as the experience he had acquired at the bench or on a machine,
was put to use. One example of the"Technical" boys work may be seen
every year during the summer months when the groundsman rolls the cricket square
with the motor roller made in the"tech. Shed" as it was so inappropriately
called. Many"old boys" who formed the chain gangs to pull the
heavy roller in the old days would have welcomed the motorised version. Other
examples
of work made by the boys of the technical forms which come readily to mind
include Go-karts and model steam engines.
The first"pioneer" teacher of technical subjects at Lydney Grammar
School was Mr. F. Stapleton who, left she school after two years. His successor
was Mr. R, E, Jones who is till responsible for the"T" Boys and
their practical education.
A new era begins in September 1973 when the comprehensive school opens. New
workshops will replace the old ones. But within the craft block (woodwork and
allied crafts)
the accommodation leaves much to be desired, both in space, storage facilities,
lay-out and design generally. It is a sad thought that the old Woodwork Shop Shop
is to be eventually demolished. In many ways it has more to offer than the
new buildings. On the credit side there is the stimulating challenge and excitement
of exploring the use of new materials and techniques so that the range of craft
work may be yet extended, not restricted.
It is not too much to ask that the more able pupils, as well as the others, be
given the opportunity to progress in craft work beyond the basic Stage, instead
of having to drop the subject before they reach the point where craft work becomes
more creative and most rewarding.
G. C. Jones
If you wish to comment on this page please click this link:
COMMENTS .
The Comments page will open in a new Tab to allow you to easily switch between this page and the comments page.
WANTED: Old photos, old postcards, ephemera and memories of the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. U.K.- please click the COMMENTS Link above to make contact.