40, or more, in classrooms of the sixties

9:45am Thursday 21st February 2008

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AS education bosses put the price of planned comprehensive schools for the Rossendale Valley at £2million, the area's primary pupils were being taught in surroundings that had changed little in more than 100 years.

Even in 1967 the bulk of youngsters under the age of 11 had to put up with cobbled playgrounds and outdoor toilets - compared to the lush playing fields, indoor gyms and modern conveniences enjoyed by pupils at big' school.

But as appeals went out for more money, the Ministry of Education insisted that secondary schools were more important!

Kenneth Hill, president of the Rossendale branch of the NUT and Arthur Casson, headmaster of the then 130-year-old Tunstead Junior School, Stacksteads, both urged more money for improved facilities.

One of the major problems at the time was overcrowding, with often 40 and more children in one classroom.

In 1967 there were 51 primary schools in the Valley, but the man from the ministry had the last word: "The comprehensive plan is more important. We must cater for the children who are about to embark on a career. It could be there will be some plan for primary education later, but that won't be for some time!"