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PLYMOUTH SCHOOLS  |  LOCAL EDUCATION AUTHORITY (PLYMOUT)

LAIRA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

On May 1st 1903 the Plymouth Local Education Authority took over management responsibility for the former Laira Board School and it became the Laira Elementary School.

The pupils moved in to their new two-storey block in Beverley Road, pictured here, on May 29th 1903.

 In 1903 this two-storey block was opened at the Laira Elementary School, Plymouth

From August 31st 1914 the School was used for accommodating troops waiting for service in the Great War and the children moved to Laira Wesleyan Chapel.  Luckily they were able to return to their building on October 7th 1914.  However, that was short lived and on Monday March 15th 1915 pupils from Hyde Park Road Elementary School were transferred to the Laira School while theirs was being used as a temporary hospital.  One school occupied the building in the mornings and the other in the afternoons.  It is not yet clear how long that situation lasted.

During the summer holiday commencing on Thursday July 26th 1917 the School was used as a holiday home for delicate and crippled children.

The Great War ended in 1918 and on Friday September 30th 1921 a flagstaff was erected in the school playground in memory of boys who fell in the War.  A plaque was unveiled on Friday November 11th 1921.

Mrs E A Osborn retired on July 18th 1924 after serving for 32 years as headmistress of the Laira Infant School.  She was replaced by Miss J C Coleman.

It is recorded in the School's log book that as from January 1927 the School was known as Laira Green Council School.

On Friday August 16th 1940 Miss J C Coleman, the head teacher, Miss F A M Hobday and Mr C B Tonkin all retired.  [1]

Miss B Pethick succeeded  Coleman as head teacher.

Many children from Laira School were evacuated to St Ives in Cornwall on May 12th 1941, followed by a further batch on October 9th 1941.

School dinners were first served at Laira School on May 18th 1942.

Sources (incomplete):

[1]  "Triple Retirement" (Photo), Western Evening Herald, Plymouth, August 16th 1940.

 

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

Page updated:  14 February 2010

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