School's out: But photos can take us back to Blackpool classrooms

Girls from Elmslie School visited the 'met' office at Squires Gate and took part in testing wind conditions, with the aid of a weather balloon, in 1961

A piece of Elmslie School can still be seen, as The Elms, on Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, a grade II listing building – now developed into housing. But the independent girls’ school itself closed in 2000.

The school was founded in 1918 by sisters Elizabeth, Polly and Peggie Brodie. Initially, it had just 11 pupils and three teachers. The first headmistress was Elizabeth Brodie and she remained until 1952.

In 1922, the school moved into The Elms and later expanded into other buildings on the site. The Elms was originally the family home of William and Sarah Powell, built in 1896 to a design by TP Worthington.

The Secretary of State for Education and Science, Margaret Thatcher MP chats to some of the girls, after presenting the Elmslie School, Blackpool, speech day prizes, in the Holy Trinity Church Hall, South Shore, in October 1970

Our 1988 photograph shows three women revisiting the school in 1988, who were among the first pupils at Elmslie and remembered the early days and the strong personality of founder Miss Brodie.

Mrs Audie Stafford (left) was among the first 11 children and said: “Miss Brodie was a tremendous influence on us. She became a true friend and we all used to visit her long after she had retired.”

Miss Dorothy Ford (pictured, standing), said: “The school was strongly academic – which was unusual for a girls’ school of the time”.

In 1941, the school became a day school and by 1945 had 353 pupils.

The Diocese of Blackburn’s Board of Finance ran the school from 1948. In 1987, it became an associated Woodard School.

Our archive pictures show the school throughout the last century, including some of the developments over the years – including new buildings. And even a visit from a rather famous iron lady – Margaret Thatcher! In 1970, she was pictured talking to pupils at the school’s speech day, after presenting the prizes.