School History - 1969

In 1969, Ridgemede Junior School was built on the site of the Ridgemede Estate.  Though it wasn't officially opened until the following year, 1969 was the year it came into use.  The first headteacher of Ridgemede Junior School was Mr John Watts.

Mr Ettie's class, 1969

"I was the 1st ‘Head Boy’ at the school! The netball team photo you have from ’69, shows the team captain, Carol Shrimpton, holding the trophy. Carol was the 1st ‘Head Girl’. I only remember this because, when the school was originally opened, the grassed areas were not complete, and no-one was allowed to walk on certain areas. One of the teachers had 2 long poles made, with large metal hoops on the ends. These contraptions were used to retrieve any balls that made their way onto the newly seeded areas, and Carol and I were the custodians of these poles, and I spent most of my ‘play-times’ retrieving balls!

When the school was built, I lived at Ridgemede Rest Home, which my parents ran. There was only a field between the school, and the rest home, and I could walk to school in just a couple of minutes.

I was captain of the school football team, and have a great photo of the ’69 team. I remember we won the league that year, and the local paper published something.

Mr Watts was an awesome Headmaster, and a man I have always admired.

After one great year at the school, I passed my 11-plus, and went to Barton Peveril Grammar School."

contributed by Martyn Hill, 2008