This was the day which teachers were allowed in to collect their stuff before the school was demolished.
I was teaching a photography class nightschool on this particular evening and as I was early I had a look around. It was particularly poignant for me because I attended this very school as a pupil from 1982 to 1986 so there were a lot of memories here. When I took these photos of the interior I didn't see anyone else around. I couldn't get into a couple of blocks unfortunately as I might have missed the opportunity because they were dark and locked up.
The school opened on October 13th 1971 and the photos you'll see show a school which was built on since I was a pupil and is easily double the size. Over 47 years the school shaped the lives of tens of thousands of kids who would grow up to be the areas Business Owners, Waiting Staff, Bus Drivers, Lawyers, Doctors, Police, Teachers and of course sporting heroes - the sport played there was a high level and the rugby team were notorious in the area. There have been some other notable former pupils such as Kyle Armor who went on to play Rugby League for St. Helens, Dean Henderson played for Manchester United, Thomas Docherty went on to be a politician, and Brad Kavanagh who is an actor and musician.
Following taking these photos the school was very quickly demolished so I also took the opportunity to take some photos during the demolition also. I hope you enjoy the following photos.
This is the CDT workshop, everything was still intact like the class finished and everyone simply walked out. I think the tools and benches were saved.
St Benedicts last day 19th December 2018 (1) by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
A closer view of some of the tool cabinets.
St Benedicts last day 19th December 2018 (2) by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
St Benedicts last day 19th December 2018 (3) by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
This was my 3rd year form room. Originally just one classroom you can see it's been knocked through in to the room with the lights on - that room was one of the RE classrooms.
St Benedicts last day 19th December 2018 (4) by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
And this looks VERY different to how it did back in the day. The Languages block. To the left where the seating area is now was a boys cloakroom to the left and a girls to the right, with toilets in the corners. It's been opened up and looks light and airy, a far cry from what it was. By the door to the left was a small office which served as a tuck-shop at lunchtimes. The door on the far right led in to a classroom which also served as a canteen . There are doors ahead, just to the mid-right of the picture, following the black bin bags down the corridor where French language lab was to the left (which contained individual booths, headphones and a method whereby pupils could take instruction from the teacher and he could hear them through microphones - this was all ripped out around 1984) and the German classroom was to the right. The dark doorway ahead down the small corridor was an office.
St Benedicts last day 19th December 2018 (5) by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
This is the French room which I talked about above, looking very different to how it did when I was there, a new floor and much tidier.
St Benedicts last day 19th December 2018 (6) by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
This is the stairway leading down from the two photos above, it's been built up to the left giving new rooms which was just an open courtyard back in the day.
St Benedicts last day 19th December 2018 (7) by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
The main hall / canteen. I shudder seeing this, it just reminds me of the multitude of exams I took in here. Again, <SHUDDER!!>
St Benedicts last day 19th December 2018 (8) by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
St Benedicts last day 19th December 2018 (9) by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
This is the classroom I was using to teach my class, as you can see it was very messy this day because they were shipping everything out!
St Benedicts last day 19th December 2018 (10) by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
St Benedicts last day 19th December 2018 (11) by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
This was a classroom on the 1st floor of te English / Library / Admin block. It was later changed in to the staff area and offices, I don't think classes were subsequently taught in this block.
St Benedicts last day 19th December 2018 (12) by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
A last look through a window, this block was closed and the only lights on were in this room - an Art room which I remember throwing pottery on a wheel and doing all sorts of stuff which was very sub-standard
St Benedicts last day 19th December 2018 (13) by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
Now I will show some of the demolition photos which were taken a short time afterwards.
St Benedicts demolition 21st April 2019 by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
St Benedicts demolition 21st April 2019 by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
This is an interesting shot - you can see the scale of the school. The new (replacement) school is visible in the distance.
St Benedicts demolition 21st April 2019 by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
St Benedicts demolition 19th May 2019 by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
The sports block. I didn't go in here, I wish I had done and I'm kicking myself now...
St Benedicts demolition 19th May 2019 by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
St Benedicts demolition 19th May 2019 by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
St Benedicts demolition 19th May 2019 by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
St Benedicts school demolition by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
St Benedicts school demolition by Dave Wilson, on Flickr
I can still remember the smell of the rubber lined floors of the corridors and stairs and bring back some of the sounds and feelings I experienced while there. Proper echoes of the past....
I was teaching a photography class nightschool on this particular evening and as I was early I had a look around. It was particularly poignant for me because I attended this very school as a pupil from 1982 to 1986 so there were a lot of memories here. When I took these photos of the interior I didn't see anyone else around. I couldn't get into a couple of blocks unfortunately as I might have missed the opportunity because they were dark and locked up.
The school opened on October 13th 1971 and the photos you'll see show a school which was built on since I was a pupil and is easily double the size. Over 47 years the school shaped the lives of tens of thousands of kids who would grow up to be the areas Business Owners, Waiting Staff, Bus Drivers, Lawyers, Doctors, Police, Teachers and of course sporting heroes - the sport played there was a high level and the rugby team were notorious in the area. There have been some other notable former pupils such as Kyle Armor who went on to play Rugby League for St. Helens, Dean Henderson played for Manchester United, Thomas Docherty went on to be a politician, and Brad Kavanagh who is an actor and musician.
Following taking these photos the school was very quickly demolished so I also took the opportunity to take some photos during the demolition also. I hope you enjoy the following photos.
This is the CDT workshop, everything was still intact like the class finished and everyone simply walked out. I think the tools and benches were saved.
St Benedicts last day 19th December 2018 (1) by Dave Wilson, on FlickrA closer view of some of the tool cabinets.
This was my 3rd year form room. Originally just one classroom you can see it's been knocked through in to the room with the lights on - that room was one of the RE classrooms.
And this looks VERY different to how it did back in the day. The Languages block. To the left where the seating area is now was a boys cloakroom to the left and a girls to the right, with toilets in the corners. It's been opened up and looks light and airy, a far cry from what it was. By the door to the left was a small office which served as a tuck-shop at lunchtimes. The door on the far right led in to a classroom which also served as a canteen . There are doors ahead, just to the mid-right of the picture, following the black bin bags down the corridor where French language lab was to the left (which contained individual booths, headphones and a method whereby pupils could take instruction from the teacher and he could hear them through microphones - this was all ripped out around 1984) and the German classroom was to the right. The dark doorway ahead down the small corridor was an office.
This is the French room which I talked about above, looking very different to how it did when I was there, a new floor and much tidier.
This is the stairway leading down from the two photos above, it's been built up to the left giving new rooms which was just an open courtyard back in the day.
The main hall / canteen. I shudder seeing this, it just reminds me of the multitude of exams I took in here. Again, <SHUDDER!!>
This is the classroom I was using to teach my class, as you can see it was very messy this day because they were shipping everything out!
This was a classroom on the 1st floor of te English / Library / Admin block. It was later changed in to the staff area and offices, I don't think classes were subsequently taught in this block.
A last look through a window, this block was closed and the only lights on were in this room - an Art room which I remember throwing pottery on a wheel and doing all sorts of stuff which was very sub-standard
Now I will show some of the demolition photos which were taken a short time afterwards.
This is an interesting shot - you can see the scale of the school. The new (replacement) school is visible in the distance.
The sports block. I didn't go in here, I wish I had done and I'm kicking myself now...
I can still remember the smell of the rubber lined floors of the corridors and stairs and bring back some of the sounds and feelings I experienced while there. Proper echoes of the past....
