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Dashwood teachers and students turn back the clock 120 years
18/03/2022
The school first opened on Dashwood Road in 1902 and has a party planned to mark its anniversary
Youngsters at Dashwood Banbury Academy have been preparing for the school’s 120th anniversary celebrations next week by taking a step back in time to when the school first opened.
Pupils got a taste of how school would have been back in the early twentieth century by taking part in a Victorian dress up day. The girls went to school wearing bonnets, bustles and petticoats whilst the boys opted for top hats, waistcoats and suits.
Dashwood Primary School first opened in 1902 on a site in Dashwood Road. It is one of the oldest primary schools in the area.
Next Wednesday the school is hosting a party at their current site in Merton Street to celebrate the 120th anniversary. Former staff and pupils are set to return to reminisce and rekindle childhood memories and visit a ‘mini museum’ the school has created. This includes activity rooms and a range of displays. There will also be the opportunity to meet former principals and ex-teachers.
The current staff are keen to reconnect with past pupils. They are also seeking old photographs of school life and any sporting medals, report cards or other memorabilia which can be used to put together the displays.
Amy Rogers, Principal at Dashwood Academy, said: ‘’Our Victorian day was great fun for students and staff. Lessons were held in the style they would have been organised in 1902 when Dashwood first opened: Some had lessons where they used chalk to write, some completed drills (the Victorian term for physical exercise), others did rote learning around their times tables.
“Lessons were also split into single sex groups. It was a great experience for the students and an opportunity for them to immerse themselves into that era ahead of our 120th anniversary celebrations.’’
Anyone interested in attending the free party can obtain tickets here.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam