Croxley Green History - Little Green School - Croxley Green History Project

Little Green School

. Little Green School, originally built on a five acre site, was also designed by architect David Medd. The building was constructed to reflect light and space. His design was also intended to make it possible to change the old system of desks in rows facing a blackboard.

New methods of teaching in the classroom developed by the education authorities meant that tables and chairs for the children were more appropriate. The heating and lighting systems were also very innovative. David Medd collaborated with his wife Mary, nee Crowley, also working in the Education Dept and favouring the new teaching structure.

Built on the northern part of the village close to the parish boundary with Sarratt, the school grounds retained many old trees and are set on the edge of open farmland overlooking the countryside. Little Green School with hall / stage, library, dining area plus classrooms has several areas equipped for a variety of sports facilities.

Both Malvern Way and Little Green schools opened on 6th May 1949 by the then Minister for Education, The Right Honorable George Tomlinson M.P.

William Worthy was appointed as the first Headteacher from 1949 and was succeeded in 1959 by Ron Watson who retired in 1984. Mrs Judith Exley took over for the following four years and she was succeeded by Alex Miller. Headteacher, Mr. Metcalfe was in post from January 1998 – July 2013. Mrs. Janice Tearle

The current school website can be found here www.littlegreenjuniorschool.co.uk

Extract from a January 1949 edition of the Croxley Community News - THOSE NEW SCHOOLS - At last it seems that the efforts of this Association over a period not of months - but year will soon see fruition so much so, in fact, that the authorities are now concerned in finding suitable names for the schools when opened, surely a most encouraging sign. It is felt by the Council that the school in Malvern Way might be so named as to commemorate the local connection with Gonville and Caius College and suggest the school be named after Dr. Keys who endowed the college with the Manor of Croxley Green. Regarding the school in Little Green Lane, as it would appear to be on land once forming part of Killingdown Farm, the Council recommend "Killingdown School" as being most appropriate in this instance. Perhaps members may have other views or suggestions to make. If so, we should be pleased to give them publicity or submit to the authorities for consideration.

Back Row: Raymond Payne - ?? - Stephen Clark - Keith Walker - Keith Wilson - Jimmy Washington - ?? - Christopher Fowler - Raymond Child
Second Row: Lynn Hawthorn - ?? - ?? - Rosemary Payne - Gill Marquen - Venia Noble - David Crump - Bill Simmonds - ?? - Nicolas Taylor - Andrew Stacey
Bottom Row: Joan Glass? - Jennifer Eldridge? - Lynn Patterson - Sheila Jarvey - Glynis Eyres - ?? - ?? - Christine Connibeare - Linda ? - Lynda Finn - Ann Taylor

© 1955 Are any of your family members featured here? Please can you add to the following already identified. 2nd row up 4th/5th/6th left Diane Eeles -Margaret ??- Wendy Nunn. 3rd row up 5th from the left Brian Willett

Between 1950 and 1970, the historian Andrew Saint once revealed, a new school was completed every day in England. He also said that “no more ambitious, disciplined, self-conscious or far-reaching application of the concept of architecture as social service can be found in any western country”. Postwar Hertfordshire, with a growing young population, exemplified this achievement. At a time of shortages in building materials they used standardised and prefabricated elements to produce elegant, humane, light-filled places of education. They were designed by the architects’ department of Hertfordshire county council, within which notable individuals took the lead.