BLETCHLEY & FENNY STRATFORD SCHOOLS

late nineteenth century to present day
BLETCHLEY ROAD SCHOOLS

Bletchley Road School now Knowles Junior School 2006

Following the passing of a spate of Educational Acts, the end of the 19th century saw pressure being applied to local authorities for the new educational requirements to be satisfied. Following the railways coming to Bletchley and the subsequent population increase in the area this led to the decision to build new schools to accommodate Bletchley and Fenny Stratford children.

By the 1870 Education Act, the National Schools in High Street (situated opposite the Chequers Inn) had reached saturation point and it was decided to build new schools in Bletchley Road (now Queensway).

Click here for a link to excerpts which were drawn from the North Bucks Flying Post (researched by John Taylor) and show how the decision to build a completely new school, rather than extend the existing one, came about. It also shows how a petition from the ‘Bletchley end’ against having to continue to send their children a mile or more to school, finally won the day.

For an aerial view of Bletchley Road Schools through time click here

The first school was built and opened in 1890 to where, following the summer break, the girls and infants were transferred from High Street schools. This was enlarged in 1894.

Mr John Cowlishaw who died in 1961 at the age of 74 years, had the distinction of being the last headmaster of the High Street school and the first headmaster of the new Bletchley Road schools when they were opened in 1897 to which the boys who had remained at High Street until the Board school for boys was built were transferred.

Further expansion became necessary and in 1901 a new girls’ school was built at the rear of the site, backing on to the recreation ground. Later, a Nursery school was built in the playground opposite.

A period of consolidation then took place, but the schools were again extended in 1937 by the addition of a new main hall and more classrooms. Reorganisation followed, with the County Junior School occupying the whole of the eastern end of the site from the path by St Martin’s Hall to the main avenue leading to the recreation ground. The western side of the avenue, including the hall and new classroom block, became the County Senior School for boys and girls.

The Infants’ School was then moved to the original girls’ school by the recreation ground.

Through the years the Bletchley Road Schools have put on some wonderful productions which have entertained the community for an insight into several of these productions please click here

During the Second World War Bletchley was to host hundreds of Evacuees and Schools for more information please click here

With the return to peace in 1945, further alterations were made and a new Gymnasium built in 1956.

Many people still retain reports of their school days, to see a copy of a school report from Bletchley Road School 1955 please click here

Following the name change to Leon Secondary School and the subsequent move to the new purpose-built comprehensive school on the Lakes Estate, The school was renamed Knowles Middle School and changed to cater for children aged 7 -11 .

For more information on Leon School and Knowles Middle School please use the links at the Top of the page or Continue to Church Green Road Church of England School