ALTON Infant School this year celebrates its 150th anniversary. The school has been known by a variety of names since it was established as a boys’ school on Normandy Street through the kindness of its benefactor, Frederick Crowley, who donated the land and established the building at his own cost. In fact, the history of the school goes back further, to 1843, when the British School was started on Church Street. The records show that 29 boys and six girls were admitted on the first day.

A year later, in 1844, the school moved to a room at the rear of the Congregational Church on Normandy Street, but with increasing numbers of pupils it was decided, in January 1845, to make the British School for boys only and lessons for the girls duly moved to a room on Turk Street.

The British School appears to have been successfully established by the time of a school inspection in 1853, which resulted in a favourable report that covered both the boys’ school and the girls’ school.

The boys’ school, on Normandy Street, was formally opened in May 1867 with accommodation for 150 boys – an event that was trumpeted by the Hampshire Advertiser later that month. The girls moved from Turk Street to new buildings erected on the site of the boys school in 1878.

In 1907, the school became known as the Alton Undenominational School, but this change was shortlived, because in 1908 the name changed again to Alton Normandy Street School, by which the school is affectionately known today.

The school was transferred to the local educational authority in 1908. The official notice from the Board of Education in Whitehall stated that the school was to be known as the Alton Council School. A major change occurred in 1957 when junior pupils were moved to Anstey County Junior School, leaving the school to become Alton County Infant School, which is now known simply as Alton Infant School.

The early 1900s saw a period of expansion and reorganisation of the school into departments for boys, girls and infants to accommodate an increasing number of pupils. Early reports by inspectors from the Board of Education pointed out defects in the facilities, which resulted in a difficult teaching environment for teachers and children. It is interesting to note that an electricity supply to the school was not established until 1959. Nevertheless, the standards of teaching and the demeanour of the pupils appear to have pleased the inspectors, leading them to report good progress in both the boys’ and girls’ schools.

The school has a history of generally good reports which is a reflection of the high standards of education achieved by those who have attended the school. A recent report praised the standard of teaching and the outstanding behaviour of the pupils, and concluded that “this is a good school”.

The school log books provide a fascinating insight into day-to-day activities in the school and bring back memories which many people will recognise. Perhaps people will not remember being absent from school for hop-picking or to go to a circus, but they will remember going to the cinema to watch films about the coronation of the Queen and the conquering of Everest.

The logs also present a picture of the effects on the school of the two world wars. For example, the school was closed between November 1914 and April 1915 as it had been commandeered for the billeting of troops. In December 1939, part of the school was commandeered to provide mess accommodation for troops.

Other snippets from the log books include such gems as the children being sent home because the heating apparatus had frozen and that in January 1949 a child had swallowed a small pencil adding that it was his own (so that was alright)! A more disturbing entry stated that a child was taken to hospital suffering from anthrax.

They also provide reminders of some winters past, when weather conditions caused chaos. Records also show the first parent teacher association meeting was held in September 1980 and that its constitution was agreed. An entry for 1984 reported the arrival of new technology in the classroom in the shape of a computer, which the children were excited by.

The history of Alton Infant School has been one of development from humble beginnings, through changes which reflect the expansion of Alton to the present establishment of which pupils, teachers and townfolk should feel justifiably proud. A free exhibition celebrating 150 years of the school will be held at the Allen Gallery on Church Street, Alton, from September 2-29.