Journey through time - Micklands Primary School

In the 1930's the Land Settlement Committee allocated land and houses to needy
families. These came mainly from Wales and Cumberland. They were provided with
three-bedroomed houses and half an acre of land. Many families kept chickens and
other livestock. The expectation was that the families could be self-sufficient.
Families, who moved in, during winter, received some coal. Mr Len Williams
remembers the excitement of moving somewhere different, where “we'll be able
to have a bath every morning". As one of the first families to move in to Woods
Road, he remembers playing with his brothers and sisters on the building site.
During the war he remembers an airplane making an emergency landing in the field
where the school now stands; it had to be removed by the R.A.F.
Before Micklands was built, school children in the area walked to Dunsden. Many
parents objected to the four journeys a day escorting their children to and from
school. Later a taxi was hired to take some of the children to school. This was
insufficient and eventually some of the families refused to take the children to
school. As a result a temporary (!) building was erected and Micklands was born.

Mr Williams remembers leaving school in April 1944 and beginning his first job at
the age of fourteen with Styles of Wimbledon, helping to build Micklands School.
There was a shed on site for storing cement, but when the builders arrived to
start work they discovered a tramp had taken up residence. Mr Williams found
him temporary accommodation in Woods Road. Both the digging of the trenches
for the services, and the cement mixing for the floors, were done by hand.
Working ten hour days, the work was completed in approximately seven months.
Whilst working on the building, Mr Williams remembers the D-Day planes going
over.
The Walker twins proudly wearing the original Micklands uniform (late 1950's)

Clive and Martin Peters wearing the uniform with the new ox symbol (1960's)
The Horsa Block (The Old Building) originally consisted of 4 classes in the same
place as the present lower junior classes. Each classroom had a coke stove
surrounded by a wire cage, which was their only form of heating. These were also
used to defrost milk in the winter and warm and dry clothes. The infant classes
also contained camp beds for a compulsory lie-down after lunch. This was much
appreciated by the children from Caversham Heights whose bus journey meant
they had a long day. The other children were not always so keen! In the early days
the children took green oval rush mats on to the playground for P.E. The first
Headmaster was Mr Cudby, his room was situated at the end of the block. It is
now a multipurpose room for small group teaching. Opposite the Head's room was
originally the Hall, which later became the

Mr Lane with one of his many successful football teams.
School meals were cooked on the premises in a kitchen which was beside the
present library. As well as producing school dinners the teachers were treated to
biscuits and cakes which were baked while the ovens were still warm. Where the
kitchen was situated there are now classrooms. The cloakrooms and toilets remain
in the original positions. Little changed at the school in the first 15 years, apart
from a new Headmaster, Mr Queen, who in turn was replaced by Mr Lane in
September 1959. In the following year the first school secretary was appointed,
Mrs Joy House. She shared the office with the Headmaster.
Pupils' memories of the time recall that there was no school uniform initially, later
a uniform was introduced. This consisted of a red blazer, cap and tie with grey
shorts and shirt for the boys and a white blouse, red tie and grey skirt for the
girls. At that time the school badge was a simple ‘M'. Pupils were later given a
choice of badge designs and voted for an ox symbol denoting Oxfordshire. Valerie
Green remembers getting a school tie for Christmas and wondering how Father
Christmas knew which colour to bring! Another of Mrs Green's memories is of
hymn singing during which her friend changed the final line from ‘God be at my
departing' to ‘God be at my tea-party'!
Mr Queen, being a Scot, introduced shinty to the school. His successor, Mr Lane,
was a football enthusiast and led successful school teams. Mr Duncan Walker
remembers being applauded in assembly after a match win. He also remembers
taking part in country dancing which Mrs Lane introduced, the footballers
demonstrating better coordination than the rest of the boys. However, football
practice took priority.

Also at this time the school choir took part in competitions including one in
Abingdon. Valerie House, not known for her singing talent, was tactfully requested
to present a bouquet, rather than participate in the singing.
Over the years the Upper Juniors have benefitted from a tradition of school
journeys. In the past they have visited Kenworthy, Wales, York, Poole and most
recently, Hastings. The children continue to enjoy the experience of residential
trips, currently using the Elizabethan mansion, Ufton Court in Year 5, and
Hastings in Year 6.
In the early 1960's the hall, kitchen and an additional classroom were built. This
was followed in 1964 by the swimming pool, which was built by the Tanner family,
with money raised by the P. T.A. Jumble sales were very successful fundraisers as
was the Tramp Shuffle. Some of the money raised was also used to set up a
library off the hall, in the present computer suite.
The present Toddlers and Playgroup buildings were built in the late 1960's and
have been used for football changing, music, and as an extra classroom.
In 1968 the present office area and Upper Junior classrooms were built, followed
by two infant classrooms. In September 1970, children from Caversham Park
Village joined the school.
• An early sports day with the original hall in the background.

• The swimming pool being built.
Early one morning in September 1973, Mrs Dorothy Hicks, the school secretary,
received a phone call asking if there was school that day. Knowing it was not a
weekend; Dorothy was rather puzzled and replied, "Yes, why, has the school burnt
down?" The answer was "Yes!"
In the early hours of that morning, an electrical fault in the hall’s false ceiling
started the fire, which was to damage the kitchen, hall and adjoining classroom
(Mrs Gerrard's Infants). That day the staff remained at school to salvage what
they could, but the children were sent home. Unfortunately the mural of the
Jabberwocky which had only been completed that summer was destroyed in the
fire. Within a few days, a terrapin was delivered to replace the damaged
classroom. After the fire the children returned to school on the Thursday, they
had to wear warm clothes as the central heating had been destroyed. As the
kitchens were unusable, the school dinners were cooked at Chiltern Edge, brought
to school in a taxi and served in the classrooms. The fire also affected the
swimming pool filtration unit and so there was no more swimming that year.
After the fire, Mr Lane felt that it was important for the children to have a
sense of hopefulness. He gathered groups of children and together they planted
daffodil bulbs around the mound area. Look out for them in the spring.

In 1977, Silver Jubilee Year, the Queen and Prince Philip visited Reading. The
staff and children of Micklands lined the route in London Street.
Unfortunately, as the royal car drew level with the Micklands children, a double
decker bus drove past obscuring most of the view.
In the mid eighties, the upper juniors were fortunate enough to have a visit from
Lord Hunt, leader of the first successful Everest expedition. He enthralled the
children with his stories and his talk included photographs of Yeti footprints.
At this time the Headteacher was Mrs Phillips who is still remembered for her
musical influence. Her concerts were always of a high standard, they included an
impressive range of instruments and music.
Mr Breavington succeeded Mrs Phillips in 1989 and is still remembered by former
pupils for his entertaining assemblies, complete with flashing tie!
Micklands School has flourished since those early days of the 'temporary'
building. We now have well over three hundred children and continue to enjoy a
rewarding relationship with the local community.
• The Jabberwocky mural which was destroyed in the hall fire

• Great concentration from young Micklands performers.
With grateful thanks to those people who have shared their memories with us in
order to bring the past to life. We apologise for any inaccuracies or omissions
that may have occurred.