Banstead Village

David, thank you so much for such a remarkable trove of school images. I was at both schools until 1955, when I moved on to Picquets Way.

One point, though: would I be right in thinking this image is a rear view of the infants school in Avenue Road, not the junior school in the high street (compare with picture #762)? So far as I recall, the junior school had no green land anywhere near it - only a concrete playground, which is why the annual class photographs were always taken in the Lady Neville recreation ground.

Peter, I have the same question. I left in 1954.

I wonder if the green area was a result of the demolition of the large houses that fronted the high street. The houses were immediately behind the high brick wall to the juniors playground (circles were painted on the wall). After the wall was demolished it made room for the temporary class rooms. Hope my theory is correct.

We remember it as Infants and Juniors not first school.
I can't quite remember what the official wording was.

To be pedantic I think that high wall was alongside just the boys playground as the girls had a smaller playground abutting the infants' one. I don't recall any temporary classroms, but they were obviously after I left.

Hi Peter

I was there 1972-75. The portacabins were there when the wall you mentioned was still complete. I was in one of the portcabins in my 1st year.

I *think* the wall was opened up, maybe over Easter or summer during my 1st or 2nd year.

It was done to open up access and possibly reduce the awkward walk around the back to behind the canteen to get to the main school.

I remember seeing blokes (possibly Dads roped in) wielding sledgehammers to take out a section during one of the holidays.

Your mention of circles on the wall triggered a memory. I vaguely remember that.

But you're almost certainly right that the field was an acquisition after some old houses were replaced with those newer shop buildings.

Have a look at this link:

maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=20.0&lat=51.32307&lon=-0.19884&layers=170&right=ESRIWorld

Looks like they got the land from Downsview, the road next to it and some land behind.

Michael: The official wording in the early 70s was:

Banstead County Infants' School

www.bansteadhistory.com/village_school_feature.html#TCL002

Tim, Superb use of the maps where you have identified the grounds adjacent to the junior school, and I even recognized the drinking fountain next to the tennis courts entrance.

Tim. Thanks and Banstead County Junior School?

I remember, as a pupil of the infants school, sitting down cross-legged in the main hall, with the rest of the classes attending assembly and Miss Bates carrying out the service. At the end of assembly she would call out all those who had a birthday that day and give them a small present. I seem to remember there was a huge fireplace in the hall. I wonder if anyone else remembers? 1951 - 1954

Michael - Banstead County Junior School. But (and there's always a 'but', isn't there?) the school's log book, 1936-78, states 'Banstead County Primary Junior Mixed' and it notes two changes (though sadly not the years): 'Banstead County Junior' and, later, 'Banstead County Middle'.

However, The Beacon magazine of 1959 (see picture #699) clearly states 'A Magazine written and printed by the children of Banstead County Junior School'. So for me, as a pupil there in the 1950s, it's Banstead County Junior School beyond doubt.

The log book, incidentally, is available online to Banstead History members for research purposes. For anyone interested in the subject, I can tell you it's a good read!

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