Hidden photos reveal details of school's history

Ffion, Caia, and Emilee are among the pupils learning about their school's history, thanks to the photographs

The last thing that staff at a Telford school expected to find behind a cupboard was a piece of history.

During a clear-out at Crudgington Primary School, a collection of teacher's logs, registers, and photographs dating back to the 1800s was revealed.

The documents included a headteacher's log from the first day in September 1878, when 26 pupils were admitted - a far cry from the 131 students there today.

"When we started to have a little rummage through, it became clear, actually, the historical value of the items we found," said headteacher Hannah Gharu.

The original building was much smaller than what stands at the site today, consisting of the current school hall and one office.

Photographs date back as early as the 1920s and 1930s, showing Christmas parties and class photos.

"They all look suitably miserable," said archaeologist and historian Tom Ollivier.

Photos, as well as log books and documents, will go on display at the school on Thursday

Though it is not just the photos that are fascinating - the logs paint a picture of what going to school was actually like at the time.

Mr Ollivier said he was particularly intrigued by the tracking of illnesses. Records show that children took time off school due to tuberculosis, diphtheria and scarlet fever.

"Later in the records, you’re getting inoculations against diphtheria," he said.

"We can track that change in people no longer getting ill, they’re being cured, or when they are ill, they’re off for much shorter amounts of time."

Documents included log books and registers, dating back to the first school day in 1878

Ms Gharu added that the records also showed some similarities to schooling in the modern era.

"We think that Ofsted inspections are a relatively new thing, but actually looking through all the old headteacher logs, they were inspected and they had standards and curriculum inspections," she said.

"The headteachers were facing the same amount of pressure even all those years ago."

Pupils have been using the documents to lean more about the school's history.

They are also hosting an open evening on Thursday, where all the photographs and documents will be on display for the public.