Writing the story of a historic town school
Click on the book to turn its pages and explore the history of Dashwood School.
When my family moved to Banbury in 2006, we looked for a school for our son Jonathan, who was then three. Just across the road from our house was Dashwood, a town-centre school which turned out to have just the inclusive ethos we wanted.
As we got to know the staff and other families, I realised the school had an archive full of amazing photographs that dated right back to its opening in 1902.
.
Soon came the announcement that Dashwood was moving to a brand-new building on the other side of town. It would have its own playing field, lots of space and light, and room to grow.
But so many people had fond memories of the old school, from former head teachers and staff, to pupils of many generations in the same families in town, that it was time to celebrate.
The PTA organised a party, and I created an exhibition of the photographs and news clippings in the archive.
This generated even more memories, photographs and stories. I decided it would be a lost opportunity if I didn’t create a book about the school’s history. I interviewed former head teachers Ernie Underwood and Fred Riches, sought out pupils from the 1940s onwards to help identify people in photographs, and presented everything in a book packed with as much as I could manage, which was launched at the summer fair at the new school. Former pupils came to buy it which was wonderful.
Today, all the books have been sold through Banbury Museum Shop. Many thanks to those from all over the world who have bought the book, covering its production costs. You can see a digital flipbook version of the book at the top of this page.
In addition, here is a link to an audio slideshow I made about Ernie Underwood, using material from my interviews with him. This appeared on the Banbury Guardian website when Ernie died in 2013.