Here’s to our next 100 years at Hipperholme Grammar Junior School

The school premises at Wakefield Road, Lightcliffe changed from a Liberal Club to a small preparatory school in 1915, and it was established as a centre for high quality education by three generations of the Watkins family.

Special centenary activities at the junior school have included visits from local singer/songwriter Roger Davies, who has created a new school song, and local war historian Mr Millichope, who gave the junior children an informative talk on local life during the Great War.

Mr Simon London, a former pupil, and five former members of staff were invited into School to be interviewed and brought with them a wealth of information and old photographs.

Mr Smith’s visit followed an exciting day when the whole School went back in time and dressed in Edwardian costume to experience schooling as it used to be.

The week had begun with a presentation of £100 to ‘Guide Dogs for the Blind’ and ended with flower and bulb planting in the shape of ‘100’ in the School grounds.

Head Boy and Girl at the Senior School, Kane Butler and Abigail Phillips, along with Junior School Head Boy Matthew Binns and Head Girl, Gemma Hall, helped to plant a tree and a time-capsule to mark this momentous occasion.

Many more ‘100’ themed activities took place in the classroom and out on the sports field where pupils formed the number 100 for an aerial photograph of the whole School.

Head teacher Mrs Sarah Weller said: “It has been a wonderful week and one I know the children and staff will remember for some time.

“I am very proud to be a part of our School’s history. We have made a fantastic start to our centenary year with our ‘Focus Week’.

“Every day of our Focus Week has brought something new and exciting for the children. They have enjoyed learning about the school’s evolution and have had the chance to make history themselves.

“It is an important milestone in our school history and one that will mark the start of many more proud moments to come.”