PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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Following the transfer of education from the Devonport School Board to the Local Education Authority on June 1st 1903, Johnston Terrace Board School became the Johnston Terrace Elementary School. When the Borough of Devonport was amalgamated with Plymouth and Stonehouse in 1914, the School was, of course, transferred to the new Plymouth Local Education Authority. During the Great War, on April 4th 1917, the Royal Navy took over Johnston Terrace Elementary School in order to provide extra accommodationto relieve the overcrowding at the Royal Naval Barracks just up the road. In August 1928 the School was reorganised as a junior mixed and infants' school under Head Master Mr William Cornish and his 14 teachers. It was renamed Johnston Terrace Central School. On the afternoon of Tuesday June 23rd 1931 the School held its first open day, when parents were allowed to watch the classes on the upper floor at work. On the following Thursday, a similar open day was held for the classes on the ground floor. School outings were first introduced in June 1934, with Botus Fleming, Tamerton Foliot and Trematon Castle being among the far-flung places visited. On October 3rd 1934 the Milk Marketing Board's scheme to introduce healthy milk into the children's' lives was started, with 356 children each consuming a third of a pint a day at a cost of one halfpenny per bottle. Another innovation, the "wireless", was introduced in September 1935. In 1935 the school building was shared with Tamar Central School for Boys, under Headmaster Mr T Willcocks. On September 1st 1939 it was announced that the School would be closed until further notice, due to the worsening situation in Poland. The Second World War was declared two days later. It was to be nearly three weeks before the School was reopened. Although there were several air raids during the following weeks, it was not until the early hours of August 13th 1940 that damage was done to properties in the vicinity of the School, resulting in pieces of shrapnel being found in the playground. Things got worse and on August 26th Mr Cornish recorded in the School's log book that many children in Goschen and Hamilton Streets had lost their homes during an air raid in the late afternoon of the previous day. During the night of Monday April 21st 1941 Johnston Terrace School was completely gutted by fire as the result of an air raid. The School was closed for a month and reopened at Camel's Head Junior School, with which it amalgamated in the June. On June 27th Mr Cornish made a poignant final entry in the log book: 'Today sees the close of what, I hope, is only a passing phase in the life of my school. Thirteen years ago this child of mine was born. It grew and flourished; and at one time with nearly 700 children on the roll, it was the largest school in the city. The afternoon school is over and I relinquish my post with a heavy heart. Our old school building is destroyed and children and teachers are scattered far and wide. Only a tiny number with one Class Mistress left (Miss Davey) to carry on the school tradition. Let us hope that when these dark and bitter days are over we shall be re-united.' Drake Primary School was built on the site of the former Johnston Terrace School.
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