John Port Grammar School: A Grammar for just nine years

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1st X1 soccer team, L-r, standing: Roger Knight, Geoffrey Salt, Roger Church, Barry Day, Robert Kemp, John Dutson, Charles Heafield. Seated: Joe Walker, Lawrence Gordon, Allan Bradshaw, Richard Smith, Malcolm Jacobs

John Port Grammar School in 1958

Mr Hatfield, head of maths, on a school Railway Society outing in 1960

A John Port production of Twelfth Night with, L-R: Mick Appleby, Charles Henfield, Phillip Judson and John Welshman

Some students enjoying a lunch break on the trip to Hadrian’s Wall

THIS collection of pictures from the glory days of John Port Grammar School at Etwall will bring back memories for numerous old pupils of the unique school.

It was the last grammar school to open in Derbyshire when it took in its first pupils in 1956 and, despite surviving for only nine years, it was one of the most go-ahead.

Its life was cut short because, soon after it opened, the Labour Party began introducing comprehensive education for all and, in 1965, it was transformed into John Port Comprehensive when it amalgamated with Etwall Secondary School.

Seventy-five boys and girls, all 11-plus successes, plus a handful of teachers, passed through the school gates on that opening morning of the 1956 autumn term.

Allan Bradshaw, says that as a grammar John Port had a strict uniform code, a house system, an active sporting programme with inter-house competitions, school teams, a wide range of clubs and societies and an academic ethos.

“The small number of pupils at the beginning meant that everybody, including the teachers, became deeply involved in the numerous school activities and there was something on every night.

“Staff gave up weekends and holidays to introduce us to youth-hostelling, sailing, visits to theatres and art galleries and many places of interest. It was an excellent education,” said Allan.

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