ISLE OF WIGHT MIDDLE SCHOOLS: SOMERTON – THE ISLE OF WIGHT’S FIRST EVER MIDDLE SCHOOL TO BE BUILT

In the second edition of Isle of Wight Middle Schools, Island Echo examines Somerton – which had the distinction of being the first middle school built on the Isle of Wight. Somerton Middle School was located close to the current Lanesend Primary on Love Lane. It opened in September 1970 with 212 pupils aged 9 and 10 and achieved its complete age range of all 4 years – with 11 and 12-year-olds – in September 1972, by which time the school had an intake of 420. The Middle School was completed for £143,000  (around £1,888,000 in today’s values). It officially opened in May 1971. It was built on an 8-and-a-half acre site, including 6 acres of playing fields. Somerton had a wide range of sporting facilities. These included a cricket square, football and hockey pitches, a running track and long and high jump pits. Tennis, netball and basketball were also played on hard surfaces.

The school itself – designed by county architect F. H. Booth and built by the Westridge Construction Company – was intended to emphasize space and light. There were facilities for the teaching of music, art, mathematics, science, humanities and ‘domestic arts’, together with modern languages – in this case German. In addition, there was an assembly hall including gymnastic apparatus and a variety of backcloths for drama productions. There was an administration centre, including a medical inspection room, office, staff room, waiting room and a kitchen capable of cooking 350 meals.

Somerton Middle School began with very high hopes. At the opening ceremony, Alderman Mrs M Christy (chairperson of the Education Committee) said:

“Too often, schools were wrongly regarded as just somewhere children went to be taught. They were more than this and formed a vital part of the formative growing-up period. “This was a magnificent building and a perfect vehicle for the important work it was designed to do. “The ideal school was one with an open mind, ready to look at other points of view and where pre-conceived ideas and assumptions could be queried. This would breed a generation of strong minds, and the children would find happiness and maturity in the difficult conditions of this technological age.”

Mr Draper (head teacher) added:

“Somerton School stood as a monument to the progressive and far-seeing ideas of the education authorities. It had already been described by some people as an educational palace.”

Somerton was remembered fondly by almost all pupils who went there in the 70s and early 80s. One former male student – who attended between 1971 and 1973 – has vivid recollections of the attractive female teachers: Miss Sullivan (Humanities), Miss Hannam (Domestic Science) and Miss Watson (Gym). He also recalls the end-of-the-week talent show which included a rendition of Lena Zaveroni’s chart-topping Mamma, He’s Making Eyes At Me, the camp at St Helens which included cold showers and ‘dreadful’ food, as well as the ‘yellow peril’ school buses, which he described as “the most uncomfortable vehicles known to man”.

A further female student – who attended the school between 1972 and 1975 – remembers the mint custard and treacle puddings served at lunchtime. She also reminisces about the school discos, where everyone liked the ‘new’ bands Slade, Donny Osmond, the Bay City Rollers and David Essex. A further pupil – present between 1973 and 1977 – recalls Somerton as “the best school ever”. Her memories include No 1. badges, wearing red bow ties on white elastic, the battered metal gold jugs used for serving drinks at lunchtimes and the showers students ran through without getting wet. She also remembers the ‘inspirational’ headmaster Mr Draper – whose office was always a smoke-filled zone – as well as the ‘beautiful’ golden long hair of Miss Sullivan.

A further pupil present between 1973 and 1977 says:

“I only have very good memories of Somerton. I can’t tell you how lucky we were to have such a great middle school and get hot , cooked lunches every day. The teachers were all so involved and seemed happy to be teaching. We were taught how to cook, sew, swim and play musical instruments.”

Finally, 1 further pupil – who attended between 1978 and 1982 – said:

“I was in the Road Safety Team and we went to County Hall for competitions. We did cycling proficiency tests in the playgrounds. The gym team always had to do displays at the fayres. I was also in the orchestra and the Windband. “I loved every minute of Somerton Middle School, and it is true what I now say to my kids – school is the best time of your lives.”

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Sadly, Somerton Middle – together with all other Island middle schools – closed on 21st July 2011: nearly 13 years ago. Did you go to Somerton Middle. What are your personal recollections? Let us know in the comments. Article compiled with kind assistance of Cowes Heritage Centre, Beckford Road.