Walker Technology College was founded in 1932 as two Central Schools that were designated as Technical Schools in 1946. In 1967 the present comprehensive school was formed by the amalgamation of Walker Technical High School for Girls with Welbeck Road Secondary School for Girls and Wharrier Street Secondary School for Boys. For twenty-one years it existed as a split-site school, but following a large building programme the whole school moved on to this one site in September 1988.
The School was designated as a specialist Technology College by the DfEE from 1 September 2000 and this provided an opportunity to build on the technological investment that had been made. The name was changed from Walker School to Walker Technology College from September 2000.
In September 2011 a new school was opened at the nearby Waverdale Avenue and I'd read somewhere that these old buildings were due to be demolished soon. As good a time as any to take a few photos.
Description courtesy of Walker Riverside Academy.
13th September 2011
See my other photos around Walker:
- Walker
- Walker Park
- Walker Riverside Park
- Walker, AP Appledore Shipyard (Urbex)
- Walker, Church Walk Shopping Centre
- Walker, Duncan Street, Walker Parish Church & Cemetery
- Walker, Neptune Energy Park
- Walker, St. Anthony's Estate & Welbeck Road
- Walker, St. Anthony's School
- Walker, Walker Road
- Walker, Woodside Avenue
mr jary was headmaster when I was there ken hendry
ReplyDeleteI went to this school in 1958 and at that time it was known as Middle Street Commercial School. The top half near Scrogg Road was the Girls' school and the bottom half was the boys' school. The girls school started and ended 10 minutes after the boys - I think the idea was to keep them separate - bit of a joke that really - lol.
ReplyDelete2 years later in 1960 Manor Park Technical Grammar school was built and the boys left Middle Street and went there, along with the boys from Heaton Technical School. The girls remained at Middle Street and the school’s name was changed to Walker Technical High.
Interesting that it went back to being a split school only 7 years later.
I remember it as Middle Street Commercial School for girls. I attended in the mid 50's. Hated every day but thrived very successfully regardless.
ReplyDeleteI went there 1966 it was known as Walker Technical high school for girls, we had a good education but was rather strick
DeleteI can relate to that, they most certainly were not the happiest days of my life, however, like yourself I have led a successful and very interesting life.
DeletePlease could anyone help with some information whilst sadly planning for my mams funeral - my mam was born Elsie Carr in 1944 and attended Middle Street school but we are wondering if anyone can tell us from what ages she may have attended Middle Street
DeleteI was here from 1958 to 1965.A very good school with excellent teachers. Litterature,Miss Wharrier,Geography,Mrs Stokes. Music,Mrs Peacock, Maths,Mr Talbot. History,French,Art and Biology teachers all made their mark as excellent teachers. I took 9 O levels and 2 A levels here. I could pick and choose my further career,thanks to the excellent teachers. Mrs Peacock made our choir one of the best girls choir in Northumberland. We were chosen to sing in various towns in Norway in 1962,in a trade week to boast sale of British goods.Middle Street formed me as a child and I met my future husband in Norway then. Norway was to be my home for the rest of my life thanks to Middle Street School (Walker Technical High School)
ReplyDeleteI was there at the same time. MRS stokes was my class teacher. Miss Head headmistress. I went to Norwat with Mrs Stokes and Miss Raffle I was Mavis Nixon
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DeleteIs there school photos of Stephenson from 1997/2001 or the full school as I can't seem to get one of me thanks
ReplyDeleteJames Mc,
ReplyDeleteI attended Middle Street Commercial School from mid 1950 -1960 when I left & the boys school went to Manor Park.
Mr Philip Jary was then headmaster. A very strict disciplinarian! My form master was a Mr Fawcett.
I went to Middle St school 1955 until we transferred to Manor Park School, joining Heaton Technical School . Very strict disciplinary regime under Mr Jary. Many of the instruments of punishment would not be tolerated today. Achieved 5 O levels and ended career as senior bank manager 2000. Still in touch with my school pal Geoff Potts who was also a bank manager. Happy days if somewhat stressful during double maths. Most respected teacher Tom Walker who taught English.
DeleteI attended Middle Street Commercial from 1951 to 1957. Mr Jary headmaster Stan Green sports master. Alan Swearman head boy. I represented the school throwing the discus and went on to represent Newcastle. Other teachers included Morrison,Talbot,Gordon J Gordon A Spence,Sweeney,Rickleton,
ReplyDeleteYounghusband,Steel,Madison,Atwood. Happy days!
I was there same time,great school and teachers,strict but was usually needed,I got the belt when I was out of order,another lesson learnt…Robert adams
DeleteWhat a dump hated every second of being there Alf Dobson
ReplyDeleteIt was a beautiful school with large Green areas for athletics and tennis,It was formed as an atrium(Ancient Roman design) with garden in the middle. Also playing ground for handball.We got fabulous opportunities there
DeleteWent there in there 60's was a great school for girls very strick but good education loved the uniform too, we had to wear a velour hat with a bow, very flattering haha
ReplyDeleteI remember that too . Grey and green Uniform . Velour hat . Very old fashioned !
DeleteI left there in 1995. Was the most amazing time ever. Great tirever friends nd memories. Wasnt hugely academic but i tried my best nd got a great job nd future out of teachers believing in me. Mr Dunsford, my form teacher. Mr Craggs, Nd the lovely Mr Mccann. He was so funny. Firm but fair when he wanted the best out if you. He truly did love his job nd cared about his students. Legend in my eyes!!!
ReplyDeleteI passed the 11 plus and attended there from 1963-/1969. First two years quite daunting as I came from a quite different socially different background from
ReplyDeleteThe other girls ! I was the only girl to pass 11 plus from my school
So had to get bus
Alone approx 5 miles at 11 years old
Miss Oates was head
But have to say it was very hard no support but looking back now at 70 it gave me confidence to achieve!
Totally agree . I remember Miss Oates
DeleteI started in 1959, when it was Middle Street Secondary Commercial. Mr Talbot was my form master, for 5 years. I was in 1X, and the other class was 1Y, as we were not supposed to be graded into A, B, C etc. After 1X, 2X. 3X we were split into Commercial, Secretarial, General and Academic streams, for the various National exams. Mrs Stokes became my form teacher. I embarked on A Levels, but left after a year as Miss Oates 'permitted' me to leave as I had secured a place at the RVI to study radiography. Her reason being that a profession acquired at RVI would take me anywhere around the world. I went on to get 2nd qualification as a Registered Nurse.
DeleteThe school uniform cost a lot from Raymond Barnes, but I loved the velour hat.
In 1964 I was very fortunate to go to Greece with 14 other pupils, supervised by Mrs Speed, (religious education). We travelled overland to Venice, then picked up MV Dunera down to the Aegean Sea.
The strict school set me up for life! Many thanks. Jennifer Aiston ( as was, until 1967)
I left there 1982 was in Dobson house known as Vanessa Webber then
ReplyDeleteI was at walker in 1963to 1969 loved every minute especially lower 6 year.Some exceptional teachers including Mr Golightly the biology teacher and Mr Sedgwick chemistry teacher great days.
ReplyDeleteThey were my Teachers too ! Loved Mr Sedgwick .
DeleteI was there from 1966 to 1971 teachers I remember Mr Wilson Geography,Mr Nowicki E glish, Miss Clucas History ,Miss Firth English, Mr Giles French and my form teacher in last year Mr Armstrong .
ReplyDeleteLoved that school,plus all of the teachers mentioned!...Happy Days!!!
DeleteI was there from 1971 to 1979: History: Miss Clucas for History (Tudors and the Stuarts), remember she dictated from a little red book, which was the same as the book we wrote in lol). Miss Firth for English. Chris Madge - he loved photography and still posts the odd photos on Facebook. Only remembered some of the teachers names after reading the other posts. I really enjoyed 6th Form, as it was the first time you felt as if you were treat as an adult. Who was the Headmaster again? he was very posh!
ReplyDeleteMr Corbin was the headmaster when I left in 1976, I started at Wharrier Street infants then junior then Wharrier st seniors then we all went to Middle st
DeleteMr Munden?
DeleteIt was a very strict environment . We did learn a lot though , no messing about in Class. I remember the School Dinners! The Teachers were all good and very committed as I remember . I will be 69 this Year . Anyone else from that Year ?
ReplyDeleteÌn 1967 when the school became comprehensive Mr Munden became headmaster Miss Oattes was demoted to deputy head.
ReplyDeleteSame era as myself!
ReplyDeleteWould anyone from that era be interested in a reunion?
ReplyDeleteCheryl Cole used to go here
ReplyDeleteHi my mam was Elsie Carr at school. She has sadly just passed away last week aged 80. I’m trying my hardest to get some memories or stories from school - to include at her funeral next week. Anyone able to share I would be eternally grateful - what age did girls attend - she was born in 1944 thanks in anticipation
ReplyDeleteI left in 1976 and so glad to go, Dobson House with Mr Stapleton as form teacher and can anyone remember teacher we called Charlie George, hated him, he battered me just because I called him Charlie George,☺️, Millsy
ReplyDelete