about meden - school history...
The Meden Comprehensive School was built in 1965, housing pupils from the former Birklands Boys' and Girls' Schools. Although the school opened on September 7 1965, the official opening took place at 3pm on June 8 1966. The ceremony was held in the school hall before a large audience of invited guests. The School choir sang various songs and there were speeches from the various dignitaries including Mr Lawson (Secretary to the Education in World Citizenship), Mr Pearson (Chairman of School Governors) and the Headmaster Mr Barrie Ellis who remained in charge for 20 years until his retirement in 1985.
The School was built in the CLASP system of construction based on the maximum use of factory made components which could be rapidly assembled on site. The pin-jointed light and flexible steel framework resting on reinforced concrete slab was designed to withstand the effects of ground movement caused by local mining. Construction began in December, 1963, and was finished by the start of term 1965. The general contractors were J Searson of Sutton-in-Ashfield, and the total value of the building contract was £253,797.
When the school was opened the aim was to create and maintain a lively environment in which teachers could teach and children could learn, which is very much still evident today.
The school was designed for 630 pupils, and comprised of four courtyards grouped round a central block containing an assembly hall, library and administrative suite. Four House dining rooms served by two kitchens, with classrooms at the first level, formed the main courtyard. Another courtyard formed by the craft block, which contain two house craft rooms with a shared dining space for girls, woodwork, metalwork and technical drawing rooms surrounding a central practical area for boys.
Three science laboratories and a garden room occupied a third block, with a biology pool in the courtyard. The Fourth courtyard was formed by the physical education accommodation. The school has since under gone many transformations and will continue to do so making Meden a friendly and comfortable place to work and learn.
Meden school opened it's new computer room in June 1985 thanks to Sir John Eastwood who generously donated £5,000, to give Meden one of the most advanced computer laboratories in Nottinghamshire. His donation helped to buy 10 extra computers, a mouse digitiser and light pen. £5,000 was also raised through organised activities in school. The opening took place at 11am on 11 June 1985 when appropriately a computer ribbon was cut by Sir John himself. This was a great step forward for the school and Mr S Horne, the school's head of ICT said "The new lab caters for the the needs of the whole school".
More recently Meden gained Technology status in september 2001. This was a great achievement for this school and goes to show how much hard work was done by all staff, pupils and parents. Having Technology status brings with it many benefits, including a bigger budget, more equipment for ICT and many other departments, more teachers and support staff and many other benefits.
Mr R Poppleton took over the headship from Mr Ellis until he retired in 1997. Mr Poppleton studied biology at Nottingham University which he taught at Portland School, Worksop for 16 years, before becoming Deputy Head. Mr P Cook became Head at Meden who left at the end of the summer term 2002 when Mr J Shaw became headteacher.
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