History

History of Shortwood Infant School

Shortwood Infant School is located just off the Crooked Billet roundabout in North Staines, and is a beautiful example of a late Victorian school.

The school was founded in 1890 by Sir John Gibbons of Stanwell Manor as a Church of England Infants School. The school building was as then a corrugated hut style building, and the school was know as the ’Tin Hut’ school. The present day building was built in 1900, to which then the tin hut was removed.

It seems to be that Shortwood Infants School was established for a number of reasons. There was a growth of employment in the area, with the laundry next to the school and also the Linoleum factory and mineral works nearby. The houses in the surrounding area of the school were built between 1893 and 1895 and were built to accommodate the workers and their families.

The School was also established for the children from Stanwell Moor and the North Area of Staines.

The school log books started on the 13^th April 1896, as this was when the school was transferred to Staines school board from Stanwell. It is believed to be the oldest building in Staines, still being used for the purpose it was built for.

The school back then was located in Stanwell Road, this was the main road into Staines, so back then it was in quite a promentant position, this then changed many years later to be called as it is now Stanwell New Road, this was due to the by-pass and A30 being constructed.

The name of the school has changed many times over the years, the school was originally called Stanwell Road School, then in 1947 it became Shortwood County Primary School, and in 1975 Shortwood County first School, it t

hen became its currant name it is today in 1993.

The school building itself has changed very little over the years, the original main entrance to the school building was located underneath the school bell, this was later changed in 1953 to become the School Head teachers office.

This much loved school

has seen many children pass through its doors in the many years it has been open, it is the oldest school building in Staines, and lets hope it will continue to support the children of the surrounding area for many many more years to come.

Photo of Miss Jemmett believed to be age 13 and her class, outside the ‘Tin Hut’.

Author: Emma Scott