BLETCHLEY & FENNY STRATFORD SCHOOLS

late nineteenth century to present day
HOLNE CHASE SCHOOL

Holne Chase School Mansion House

1948 - Holne Chase became the property of the Ministry of National Health (following the new Health Act),

1950 - Bucks Education committee purchased the property

1950 - Bletchley Branch of the County Library opened in the Holne Chase mansion and work started to adapt the rest of the building in preparation for the new school

1951 - Holne Chase County Junior School opened in the same building as the Library, Mr H. Harding was appointed Headteacher whose staff comprised Mrs Love, Mrs Keeling and Mr Hughes and there were 116 pupils on roll of which there were 107 present at the first session.

1952 - The school was officially opened by Brigadier Earle

1952 - The School Sports were held in Bletchley Park (and continued to be held there until 1954/5

1954 - A room upstairs had to be taken over as a classroom as there was serious overcrowding whilst waiting for new schools to be built

1955 - In January out of catchment children were transported to Bletchley Road School and Water Eaton County Junior School

1955 - August. The school and Rose Cottage were rewired. The cottages housed the School caretaker at that time - Mr Gibbs, and Mr Tarbox who was caretaker to Elmers School for Teacher training, opposite St Marys Rectory.

1955 - September, Saints Junior School opened - Holne Chase roll dropped to 211

1955 - October. The water supply and drainage system of both the school and the cottages again required attention.

1956 - March. The extension which had been added during the war was redecorated

1957 - The Grammar School opened. The entrance to the school was off Sherwood Drive

1959 - Mrs Littlewood joined the staff at the school. Following the appointment of Mrs Littlewood, and rising population in the area, the number of children on roll increased and it became necessary to erect a prefabricated building with 2 classrooms on the adjoining Recreation Ground.

1960 - Mrs Littlewood was appointed Head of St Marys Church of England School

1964 - 29th April work commenced on buildings for a new school on the land south of the old mansion, also plans were made to build a house for the Headteacher in the grounds. (Previously Mr Harding and family had been living in one of the flats). Rose cottages were demolished - the kitchens of the new school eventually took their place. At that time there were 278 pupils on roll in 9 classes in the Junior School.

1965 - The top two classes in the old mansion moved into the newly built school with 3 assistant teachers - still under the Headship of Mr Harding. At the same time a class of older children moved over to Holne Chase from Church Green Road School.

1965 -In September the new school opened as Holne Chase Middle School with 8 classes of 8 - 11 year olds. The rest of the pupils from Church Green Road School moved across into the old mansion with their Headteacher, Mrs Littlewood - so forming the Holne Chase Infants School for 5 - 7 year olds.

Source: ‘Fifty Years at Holne Chase - 1952-2002’ & ‘Notes on the History of Etone Manor, Church Green Road School and Holne Chase’ by Rose Hill July 1992.

For further information on Holne Chase School please visit : http://www.holnechase.milton-keynes.sch.uk/

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