Halesworth & District Museum boasts artefacts spanning millennia, but it is a strictly 20th/21st century exhibit that is currently drawing in a host of visitors. The display has even spawned a reunion – on Museum premises – giving local people an opportunity to share their memories:
The new exhibit, comprising memorabilia from long-closed local schools, takes pride of place in our two brand-new display cases. Visitors so far include parents with their adult children – both generations having been pupils at the old schools. A married couple called in, explaining that that had been sweethearts as schoolmates. And, as word spreads, people are visiting who have never before been to our Museum.
There is so much to jog visitors’ memories – photos, sports cups, school magazines and no-doubt loathed items of school uniform, to name just a few of the artefacts on show. Retired teacher Neil Howell has lent his scrapbooks of press cuttings, charting the sporting triumphs of the Modern School and the Middle School. There is even an old school bell to pick up and ring for old times’ sake.
From 1923 to 1958, Halesworth children aged 5–15 attended the Halesworth Area School. Those who passed the 11-plus exam went on to high schools in Bungay or Beccles. In 1958, Halesworth Secondary Modern School opened its doors to 11–15-years-olds, and the former Halesworth Area School became Edgar Sewter Primary School, for children aged 5–11. As before, those who passed the 11-plus could go on to Bungay or Beccles.
In the 1970s, Suffolk introduced a three-tier system of education. In Halesworth, this meant children left Edgar Sewter Primary School at age 9, and moved to Halesworth Middle School – on the premises of the former Secondary Modern. At age 13, they transferred to high school in Bungay or Beccles without sitting an 11-plus exam.
Then in 2010, Suffolk reverted to a two-tier system. Edgar Sewter incorporated two extra year groups, so children could stay until they were 11, then their education moved out of Halesworth when they transferred to high school. Halesworth Middle School closed in 2012. So much change – and so much history with living witnesses.
If you recognise know anything more about these photos, please contact the museum.
