Back in the school halls of Fylde' past

They say your school days are the best days of your life. Just take a look at these wonderful archive photographs, taken across the last century at King Edward VII and Queen Mary Schools, to be transported back to the classroom.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th May 2018, 16:06 BST
Updated 24th May 2018, 16:11 BST
Pupils in the library, at Queen Mary School, in 1951Pupils in the library, at Queen Mary School, in 1951
Pupils in the library, at Queen Mary School, in 1951

Never in their wildest dreams would the pupils pictured in the 1908 photo of the original intake of boys at King Edward’s, have dreamed of using computers in classes – as shown in our 1984 shot.

King Edward VII and Queen Mary School were funded by the Lytham charities, whose origins lay in the relief fund established after the Lytham flood of 1719.

King Edward VII School opened in 1908, with just 78 boys.

The original intake of boys at King Edward School, in 1908The original intake of boys at King Edward School, in 1908
The original intake of boys at King Edward School, in 1908
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Then in 1924, it was decided a new secondary school for girls should be built.

Eight of the 32 acres of the King Edward’s site were given over to Queen Mary School, with an extra 7.5 acres purchased for the new building.

Queen Mary School opened in September 1930, with the official ceremony performed in the November by Lord Derby. There were 153 girls, ranging in age from eight to 15.

At that time, trams would regularly travel along Clifton Drive, and a new tram stop was created opposite the schools.

Twelve-year-old Nicholas Fentiman demonstrates a terminal in the new computer room at King Edward VII School, in 1984Twelve-year-old Nicholas Fentiman demonstrates a terminal in the new computer room at King Edward VII School, in 1984
Twelve-year-old Nicholas Fentiman demonstrates a terminal in the new computer room at King Edward VII School, in 1984
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Both schools took in hundreds of evacuee pupils during the Second World War – and the large influx meant even the potting shed was used for some lessons.

Co-operation between KES and QMS started to increase in the 1940s, with the sixth-form holding shared lectures, debates and dances.

In September 1948,the foundation stone of the new joint dining hall for both schools was laid.

In 1997, the two single-sex school were merged – after the abolition of the assisted places scheme had led to a 
reduction in student numbers.

Related topics:FyldeLytham