Baby boom school expansion

THE post-war baby boom saw an expansion in school places across South Devon.

New estates needed new primary schools and many opened in the 50s and 60s — like Foxhole Infants School in Paignton and Sherwell Valley primary in Torquay which are illustrated today.

dignitaries: Pupils at KEVICs in Totnes line up for the arrival of dignitaries in May, 1971, the schools official opening
first day: The official opening of Foxhole Infants School in Paignton in September, 1955, with the new pupils waiting to go in
hand in hand: Sherwell Valley Primary school in Chelston, Torquay shortly after it opened

The King Edward VI college in Totnes can trace its history back over 400 years, but the biggest change came in the 1970s when it became a comprehensive school and opened in brand new buildings nearer the river.

As at Foxhole school, the official opening was performed by dignitaries from Devon County Council.

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The picture also shows the school uniform worn in the early 1970s.

Forty years on and much has changed for these three schools. In the 1980s, temporary classrooms sprung up to cater for a new surge in pupil numbers and the make-do-and-mend approach continued for so long some South Devon schools had more outside huts than purpose-built ones.

Happily campaigning parents, teachers and governors saw their demands for proper buildings answered and many were extended. Foxhole's infant and junior schools have been on their own odyssey. In the last few years both have been demolished and money found for a brand new school called the Kings Ash Academy.

I visited this school for the first time this month and was stunned by the quality and design which has transformed the learning environment for the next generation.