Timeline

1970’s … Clapham County to Walsingham … 1980’s

The amalgamation naturally brought difficulties and the early days of transition were a testing time. The most immediate task was to decide upon a name for the new School. Faced with the prospect of a hybrid such as ‘Clapthorne ’ it was felt that a completely new name should be chosen. An old map of Clapham showed that the area where the Schools stood had been called variously, Wassingham or Washingham Common, with a Walsingham Lane nearby. The preferred name ‘Walsingham’ was chosen, put forward and accepted.

The former Marianne Thornton School occupied a low-level, bright, well planned, modern building of 1960 with clean architectural lines – the complete antithesis of ‘Broomwood’. The pupil capacity of each was much the same. Girls at Marianne Thornton followed a basic 3-year course, after which they could proceed to GCE ‘O’ Level, the new ‘SSC’ (Secondary School Certificate), or RSA Examinations which specialised in commercial skills such as typing. Although a good proportion of the girls stayed for a fifth year, few went on to Sixth Form studies. At the time of the Schools’ merger there had only been ten Sixth Formers. That was all about to change.

The teams of Staff from both Schools toiled tirelessly to ensure the smoothest possible transition with, as far as was possible, uninterrupted classes and studies. With sheer force of will and their complete dedication, it worked. Former Headmistress of Marianne Thornton School, Miss Leighs, was overall Head. The Deputy Head of the Lower School at ‘Broomwood’ was Miss Jean Holder, former Deputy of Clapham County under Miss Viner and herself an ex-pupil of Clapham.

When Miss Leighs resigned in 1978 her place was taken by a young, charismatic Mrs. Alessandra Wilson who quickly established herself within the buildings and amongst the teachers & pupils. She was loyal, hardworking, conscientious and totally committed to the new Comprehensive system of education. She had a clear vision, saw what was required and worked with Staff to produce results. She also proved herself to be an extremely capable Administrator. Miss Holder, her second-in-command, was equally industrious and committed and they made a masterful team. The new Walsingham School was well on its way - and that way was up!

Much was achieved in those early years. 1980-81 saw the School fully-fledged with a full Fifth Year. The School prospered and was oversubscribed year on year. Some of the old Clapham traditions were hard to carry on although the Summer Fete, with the Staff fancy dress competition, remained a highlight on the calendar for several years. Clapham’s reputation for fine music and drama was, however, maintained throughout the School’s existence, as was its high academic standard. A large proportion of girls went on to University and to a wider than ever range of careers.

Problems and new ideas within the Educational System, however, continued to plague Schools in general and Secondary Schools in particular with a series of concerns about their future. Walsingham was no exception and these worries came to a head in 1983 when complete reorganisation of the system was a very real threat. During the mid-1980’s there was a growing unrest in the country. It was a time of economic recession when the prospect of unemployment brought financial concerns, lowering morale and strangling motivation. Teachers' pay disputes followed by strikes became headline news but, despite their validity and public support, they took an inevitable toll resulting in many Schools, including Walsingham, suffering considerable damage. The damage grew and, once again, the School was under threat of contraction, at best, or closure at worst.

Consultations took place and decisions were finally made by the Inner London Education Authority. It was with great relief that Walsingham learned of its reprieve and was able once more to focus all its efforts where they belonged, on their pupils’ education and wellbeing.

It was fitting too that this decision against change came in 1984 - Broomwood’s 75th anniversary. Recent repairs and redecoration saw it looking magnificent for its big birthday year. The structure, designed by architect Thomas Jerram Bailey, had recently received ‘Listed Building - Grade II’ status to everyone’s great pride. This would not, however, curtail plans already underway to convert the wonderful, but now underused, Library into a Staff Room. This news was, as Mrs. Wilson knew it would be, quite distressful to girls & Staff from former times but, although sympathetic to those feelings, she felt her decision to be in the best interest of the School’s future. She pledged that the Library’s contents would be listed and disposed of in a careful and considered manner. Books would first be offered to other Schools or Colleges with her promise that any not finding safe homes would be made available to Quondam members.

The ‘William Morris’ Library table bequeathed by Miss Jones was restored to its former glory and put up for sale, fetching a handsome sum from an American buyer. A fitting resting place as, we are told, it was designed by an American known as George Washington Jack, who worked for William Morris. The proceeds paid for the equipping of the new Staff room together with the purchase and installation in both Lower & Upper Schools of microcomputers.

Peter Greenham’s lovely portrait of Miss Jones was presented to her old College, Somerville.

Walsingham continued to progress although the uncertainty of its future constantly hovered nearby. Industrial action & nationwide disputes rumbled on and their effects could not be avoided or underestimated. Teachers’ pay and Conditions of Service were still unresolved matters. It was not a time for complacency. It took a great deal of courage and perseverance on the part of Alessandra Wilson & Jean Holder to steer a steady course through those troubled times.

Despite those ongoing problems, new ideas were implemented as the School developed. On the educational front, the new year’s intake of First Year girls was moved from September to July which was called ‘intake week’. This gave girls an introduction to the School & Staff and allowed them a short while, without the normal pressures of Term-time, to allay fears and make friends. A Language Awareness Course, devised for First Years, stimulated interest in and understanding of the many languages spoken by Walsingham’s girls. The Fifth Year Work Experience Scheme was also introduced with girls undergoing one week of carefully chosen placements. This proved an invaluable benefit in affording pupils a chance to re-evaluate their career hopes.

On the ‘social’ side, a Youth Club was formed which met after school at ‘Broomwood’ on three days each week. There were classes in Art, Pottery, Creative writing, Basketball and Netball. This in turn led to the birth of ‘Production Evening’ which was a combination of Music, Dance & Drama. The Youth Club forged real links with the local community through combined projects with the Sports Council and other funded bodies. Practical help was also provided, a good example being the London Contemporary Dance School’s provision of two students for half a term to work with the junior classes. The Performing Arts were declared “very much alive & well” at Walsingham.

Students were proud of their School and of themselves. This manifested itself in hard work and good Examination results, with Scientific and Mathematical achievements well to the fore. The 1986-87 year ended with above average public Examination results, the best for many years. In September 1986 the Fourth Year girls were the first group of students to take the new General Certificate of Secondary Education, or GCSE’s.

On the one hand, Walsingham continued to forge ahead with new curriculum developments while, on the other, still suffered losses of valued Staff and disruption to administration as a result of the bitter employment disputes, often leading to pupils being sent home. The Education Act 1987 finally brought a welcome end to the disputes and offered new hope. The year ended with the changeover of the use of the two School sites. It was felt that this would enable better use of buildings and resources, leading to more efficient teaching and even better examination results.

“You cannot dip your toe twice in the same river" (Native American proverb)

1988-89

As with the river, so time and circumstance move on. The Great Education Reform Act of 1988 (‘Ger-Bill’) undid so much that had just been patched up. The reconciliation with Teachers promising stability was to be short-lived with consequences and fresh challenges closer to home.

The Inner London Education Authority had been on a collision course with the Government for many years. The new Great Education Reform Act and the break up of the ILEA would affect Walsingham in several ways. The ILEA had distributed resources across London, enabling poorer areas to compete on equal terms. The new reforms under local control, bringing drastic resource cuts, would curtail development and disadvantage, even disable, many of those Schools. While Wandsworth was a fairly prosperous area, it followed that it was an expensive area in which to live, so would soon be out of range for many Teaching Staff. Students were now expected to pay for more things than before. Funding for books and learning resources were cut. Even use of the school buildings for extra-curricular activities, including meetings of Quondam (long supported by Mrs. Wilson, its President), would have to be paid for. Sixth Forms were likely to be ‘axed’.

This whole package of cuts was a crushing blow to Mrs. Wilson’s trust in the educational system although she steadfastly maintained “I am here to serve the children, whichever political party is in power, and I look forward to serving the same community when Wandsworth takes over”. At the end of 1989, Broomwood’s 80th year, the School and a dispirited Miss Holder were once again thrown into the maelstrom when Mrs. Wilson gave up the fight and resigned from office.

1990

The new Head of Walsingham, Miss Janet Sage, took up her post in January with a warm welcome by Quondam, having agreed to follow in the footsteps of all former Headmistresses of Clapham & Walsingham in becoming its President. Alessandra Wilson, not wishing to break her ten year ties with Quondam, agreed to be Vice-President.

In December of this year came news of the unexpected death of Miss Nancie Bower, Head of Modern Languages at Clapham County School from 1945-1975. * Tributes to Miss Bower by Miss Viner, former colleagues & pupils can be found in the January 1991 Quondam Newsletter.

More bad news came when it was announced that the Local Authority’s proposals for Secondary Schools reorganisation had included the closure of Walsingham in 1993. Although it became clear that they might be prepared to reduce the number of closures in the Borough from four to three, it was also clear that a surviving school would have to be co-educational. Walsingham’s new Head and Staff were convinced that there was a place, a demand and justification for an ‘all girls’ School. They decided that their only chance of survival would be to apply for Grant-Maintained status. Governors voted unanimously in favour of this with support from a substantial majority of the teaching and support Staff. This quickly moved to the next step of balloting the parents whose vote was a crucial part of the formal application procedure.

The ‘in favour’ result of the ballot was received on December 4th but it was no surprise to learn on 5th December that Wandsworth Council was recommending the School’s closure. Official Closure Notices would be published on December 13th. With little time to spare but determination on their side, Walsingham had to ensure that their formal Application for Grant-Maintained status was published on the same day. It was a hard task but the deadline was met. Now followed a wait of two months for a decision to be made by the Secretary of State for Education & Science.

1991

The waiting period of two months seemed a lifetime, knowing that the desired decision would necessitate much preparation for the opening of a new Grant-Maintained School in the coming September. Pupil recruitment would be a priority – the School’s numbers had already been affected by the announcement of Wandsworth Council’s intentions.

The news finally came that, despite the strenuous efforts by Miss Sage, Staff, Governors, parents & other supporters, Walsingham had not been successful in its bid to retain the School. Not about to give up the fight, parents initiated action, spurring Miss Sage to seek a Judicial Review in the hope of a favourable outcome. Another wait ensued as the School Year ticked past. The date of 16th July was set for the Review to be heard in the High Court.

Miss Sage wrote her report for the Quondam Newsletter on 17th while waiting for news of the decision. Amid all the upheaval and uncertainty, she was pleased to announce that Walsingham had again had a praiseworthy year of achievements.

Sadly, the outcome of the Judicial Review did not turn Walsingham’s future around. The School was to close in September 1993.

More sad news came with the announcement of the deaths of two more ex-Staff members. Mrs. Mary Pinder, English Teacher and Head of Religious Education from 1934-71 and Miss Elsa Young, Head of Mathematics 1954-72. Fond tributes to both can be read in the August 1991 Newsletters*

1992

The year began with certain knowledge that the School Roll would greatly reduce over the coming months with the consequential necessity of the closure of one or other of the School sites. Not knowing which site this would be, contingency plans had to be made for all number of things, including the annual Quondam Reunion.

Miss Sage’s spirit in such dire circumstances was commendable. She saw to it that School life, as far as possible, continued as normal. Pupils maintained their level of achievement and were encouraged to participate fully in, and reap the benefits of, the wider school life still available to them. Miss Sage was quick to praise all their efforts and support their interests. To her, the girls’ good morale was paramount, especially in those most demoralising times. It was also important to her, as she wrote in April’s Quondam Newsletter, that “even with the sad prospect.. of having to lose a considerable number of staff and pupils in July… Walsingham ethos will prevail and we will continue to demonstrate that Wandsworth made the wrong decision about this school”.

The year moved on apace, summer came & went, GCSE Passes and Grades had been further improved to Miss Sage’s joy and satisfaction and her planned departure at the end of December was now imminent. Miss Kath Bennett was to take over as Acting Headmistress until closure. With the diminishing School Roll for the final few terms, it was obvious that Staff must also be lost. No loss was to be more poignant than that of Jean Florence Holder who had dedicated much of her working life to her old School, facing many challenges with great fortitude and pride at the side of Miss Viner and Mrs. Wilson. The tribute to her by Alessandra Wilson was richly deserved.

By the end of the summer term 1992 ‘Broomwood’ stood empty. Furniture & artefacts, not owned by the Local Authority, had been moved to the West Side building and an inventory drawn up. Quondam Members were given the first option to express their wish to purchase particular items. The precious Honours Boards were also moved to West Side. It was decided, most fittingly, that Philip Humphrey’s portrait of Miss M.E.Stoker should be presented to Surrey University whose roots were also to be found in the old Battersea Polytechnic’s Science Day School, where Miss Stoker had first taught her girls nearly a century before.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness. It was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us …” Charles Dickens : A Tale of Two Cities

1993

Early in January, sealed ‘Tenders’ for the Broomwood building were opened at the Town Hall. Thomas’s London Day Schools’ offer was the highest although it soon became apparent that they could not raise all of the necessary purchase capital. In March, after invitations to re-tender, the bids were opened and scrutinised. By May a decision had been made and announced – Thomas’s School, which already ran a Preparatory & Pre-Preparatory School on the site of Sir Walter St. John’s Grammar School, were the new owners. There was a massive sense of relief locally, and closest to home within Quondam, that fears of possible redevelopment had been allayed.

Quondam was then the happy recipient of more good news. The Principals of Thomas’s School, Mr.David Thomas and his wife, Joanna, had expressed a wish for the Honours Boards to be returned from their temporary sanctuary at Walsingham to their natural home at Broomwood.

The ‘icing on the cake’ came with the bonus news that Mr.Thomas had also offered Quondam the use of Broomwood for its Annual Reunion, which offer was immediately taken up for October.

Quondam’s delight at all this welcome news was tempered by the looming closure of Walsingham, it’s last tangible link to the progressive, sometimes wayward, education system which should have continued to produce generations of ‘old girl’ Members, the better and wiser for their experience. Quondam Membership numbers had always been well maintained but it was now clear that the ’bank’ of School-leavers from which they were drawn would, from this point onwards, be finite.

Nevertheless, there was much to be thankful for and still much to be done before Walsingham closed its doors for the last time. Staff underwent a full appraisal to benefit them in applying for new careers. Pupils were kept as busy as usual with a full schedule and attendance & punctuality were kept up to standard. The whole school was a hive of activity, working towards its final months with true pride and vigour and a desire to go out on the highest note, having performed their best. This, it was hoped, would be their benchmark for the new places of learning they would enter, the first of which was only one term away. The social side of education & school life also did not suffer and all the usual activities, including School Trips were kept up.

As the final term drew near, plans to celebrate Walsingham were well underway. Commemoration mugs were ordered, a ‘Farewell’ Newsletter was prepared and plans made for a special Open Day.

The Quondam Committee too was considering how best to keep the memory of both Clapham & Walsingham alive with an appropriate memorial and Members were given the opportunity to put forward their suggestions.

The last pieces of furniture and articles from Broomwood, residing at West Side, were set to be auctioned and all the items - copperware, vases & bookstands - went to Quondam Members. Three of the old Library carpets had survived: one was sold, the others were sent for valuation.

School Records, sample School Magazines and other memorabilia were packaged up and lodged with the Fawcett Library, later The Women’s Library. There they would be processed, catalogued and, in due course, made available to students, scholars and researchers. These records provide impressive evidence of the education of women during the first decades of the twentieth century.

A new beginning for ‘Broomwood’

1994

After all the farewell parties, when the sounds of the steel band, the laughter and tears had faded, and the school doors closed for the last time, it was realised that Quondam was left with no Head Teacher to call on as President. The Committee discussed how best to proceed and its views & proposals would be put to the AGM later in the year. Meanwhile, former Deputy Head, Jean Holder was appointed Chairman.

In March, Quondam representatives visited the newly decorated ‘Broomwood’ and were warmly welcomed by Headmistress, Mrs. Evelegh. The freshly cleaned and re-pointed façade looked like new. Inside the building was an air of it being loved and well cared for, with attractive furniture, rugs, wall hangings & vases of bright flowers. It was gratifying too to see that the Honours Boards had been restored to their place on the walls, the benches were in the Hall and the books in the Library, reaffirming its original use. It was clear that Broomwood’s new Owners were justly proud of their beautiful building and of the history they’d inherited. So proud in fact, that they had taken the trouble to use archive photographs of the building from its early years for their advertising brochure where it was described as “an excellent learning environment”.

Thomas’s, opened its doors in September 1993, providing a Preparatory & pre-Preparatory School for boys & girls from four to fourteen years of age. The rise from initial intake to full roll numbers would take between four and five years but it was good to know that this wonderful place would again be filled with the sounds of schoolchildren and fulfilling its educational purpose.

In July came news of the death of distinguished former Head of Music, Miss Margaret Stamps. She joined the School in 1946, and strove indefatigably to communicate her love of music to pupils and colleagues alike, so that it was always an integral part of school life. Girls of all abilities benefited from taking part in many instrumental & choral concerts during their school years, emerging with an appreciation of music’s wide range and a great fondness for their teacher. She had retired in 1969. Tributes to Miss Stamps will be found in the June 1995 Newsletter. *

The October AGM of Quondam produced a new Constitution which allowed for the election of an Honorary President. Senior Officers were duly elected with Miss Viner & Mrs. Wilson as joint Hon. Presidents and Jean Holder as Chair of Committee. The reassurance of their continuing interest and willingness to serve Quondam, along with the friendly support of Thomas’s School’s new Owners and Head in making us welcome to use Broomwood for Meetings & Reunions, all bode well for Quondam’s future and the year ended with a long overdue and happy sense of relief.

Alessandra Wilson too continued to support Quondam and in a very practical way, by providing facilities at Rectory School for duplication of the Newsletters, saving us considerable expenditure.

1995

The previous year’s appeal for ideas for a permanent memorial to Clapham County and Walsingham Schools had brought a magnificent response so that this could now be pursued.

This year was also the 50th Anniversary of the end of Second World War and it was fitting that copies of the temporary Quondam Newsletter, in the form of Miss Willey’s original wartime Leaflets, should be reprinted in the June 1995 Newsletter. It was very strange reading and the passage of time made it all the more remarkable that School life had been able to continue at all, let alone that it should have been nurtured through those testing years with such extraordinary ‘matter-of-factness’ to emerge triumphant and more strong at the end. Testament indeed to Miss Willey’s and her Staff’s intrepid determination and the willingness & tenacity of their charges.

1996

The favoured suggestion of a Plaque for the Broomwood building as a memorial to the former Schools, was approved by Thomas’s School and Quondam set the wheels in motion for sourcing a suitable manufacturer together with collecting the necessary funds to pay for the work.

1997

The Plaque was designed and carefully produced by specially selected craftsmen with the work overseen by Committee Secretary Pat Cox who watched with fascination as it took shape. * see her delightful account of this in the January 1998 Newsletter.

The Plaque was installed on the front of ‘Broomwood’ early in 1997 with the formal ‘unveiling’ and commemoration service taking place at the October Reunion. The occasion was well attended and addresses given by Beryl Viner and Carol Evelegh. The white wording of the Plaque, set on a blue ground, reads “To Commemorate 1909-1976 The County Secondary School for Girls, Clapham, and Walsingham School 1976-1993”. *see Quondam website’s Photograph section for pictures.

2001

This year saw a new four-floor extension being erected at ‘Broomwood’ to house a host of fresh facilities at a cost of some 1.7 million pounds. Although the new addition would be very large, the design ethic was for it to be sympathetic, in continuance of the spirit & character of the existing building in a way that would complement and not compete with the fine Victorian Architecture. This included such attention to detail as the window sizes, roof lines, the brickwork colour and stone banding, so that the new structure would blend and harmonise with the overall appearance.

2002

The new extension was opened in March, providing a lift to upper levels and new toilets, showers and changing rooms on the ground floor in place of the old toilet block. The mezzanine level houses an IT (Information Technology) Resource room and Music Technology & Instrument Practice rooms, with a special area for Percussion. On the first floor there is spacious provision for a Music Ensemble area for Orchestra & Choirs. Adjacent is a Ballet & Drama room with a special sprung floor. On the upper level is a Drama Studio.

The whole of this new space was well-planned and appropriately equipped to a high standard.

2005

A very sad year indeed with news in March that Miss Viner had passed away, at the age of 89 years. She had attended the 2004 Reunion Lunch in October and, although looking a little tired, she was her usual cheerful self, taking an interest in everyone and their progress in the world. Over the coming months much was spoken and written of this majestic lady who, whether as colleague or Headmistress, family member or friend, had touched the heart & imagination of each one as an individual. Tributes poured in with many appearing in the August Newsletter of 2005.*

2007

Now we learned that Alessandra Wilson had died of cancer early this year, aged just 63. She was the last of the long-serving and dedicated Heads who served ‘Broomwood’ School. A visionary Headmistress, who took the reins at a time of upheaval & transition for the School, she was always a strong & loyal supporter of Quondam throughout her term of office there and beyond.

2009 - Centenary Year

Looking forward with aspiration

So ‘Broomwood’ enters its second century, continuing to accommodate a progressive School, affording its pupils the best of education by those best qualified to give it. It is a happy, settled place with the feel of a large, but well disciplined, family home.

A second generation of the Thomas family now looks after the business of managing both ‘Broomwood’ and the other Thomas’s Schools in South London with deserved success.

Quondam continues to sustain itself and flourish under their kind umbrella, still receiving long-lost ‘old girls’ into our midst as new Members but, perhaps more importantly, as old friends. Whether we are contemporary with our neighbour at a Reunion Lunch or not, we find ourselves at ease, as though amongst family. We enjoyed a common experience of place, education and in many cases, shared the same Teachers despite any difference (in some cases a decade or two) in our ages. Just being there, in the familiar old building, puts us all in context.

It is hoped that ‘Broomwood‘ will remain a School for many more decades to come, centuries even, and that the young people entering this establishment will appreciate what its heritage can bestow on them.

This is not an end, nor even another beginning, it is a point in time of the continuum which is the story of ‘Broomwood’ – its history, as yet young. If we could return to Broomwood Road’s School in another century’s time, what should we find ? Based upon the past 100 years’ events and progress, we cannot possibly forecast and that must be because it will continue to evolve, suffering blows with resilience and enjoying successes with relish in serving the community of Clapham and surrounding areas as it has always done.

So, for now, we are up to date. I am sure there will be more written, by other people at other times, of Broomwood’s progress; its set-backs, its celebrations and of their experience within it.

Happy Birthday & Long Live ‘Broomwood’

In 2011 Quondam will celebrate another milestone – its own Centenary Year!

Vivat Quondam!

In closing, I must thank those writers who went before me for providing the wealth of facts & details, along with their record of so many feelings, all of which I have unashamedly plagiarised. It has been a privilege to prepare this work for Quondam’s new internet website established in celebration of the 2009 Centenary – my own small gesture of thanks to ‘Broomwood’ & its people.

My thanks too to Quondam Committee Members Pat Cox, for her infinite patience, and Cathy Rowntree for providing all the Archive material necessary for the writing of this ‘History’ not least of which was thirty years’ worth of Quondam Newsletters in her safekeeping.

Last, but certainly not least, my grateful thanks to ex-CCS Staff, Quondam Member and friend, Mrs. Vivien Clutterbuck, for spotting my errors and giving her candid opinion, as ‘proof-reader’.

* * * Hilary Shaw (Quondam) * * *

*Adapted from ‘ The County Secondary School Clapham ’ by Annie Ellis, member of Staff 1905 – 1945, the Memorial Book to Miss Jones 1966, the Jubilee Year Book 1959 and Quondam Newsletters covering three decades.