Davyhulme Juniors is an attractive school in a leafy suburb, south west of Manchester. It was built in 1939-40 and was later bordered by gardens, fruit trees and a spacious field.

Mr Edgar Shaw was the first Head. Past pupils and others will no doubt remember ‘The Nursery’, ‘The Woodwork Room’, green PE tunics, school blazers and hats, ‘Pop Shaw’ and his flower gardens with the most beautiful dahlias, that were sold to raise funds. The orchard still bears fruit but Mr Shaw’s flower garden went many years ago! There were pantomimes too – and yes, we still have some of those costumes!

Mr Shaw retired to the Lake District in the 1960s and Mr Duncan Nickson took over the headship. He was a superb mathematician, artist and woodcarver but sadly died in 1981, whilst he was still Head. You may remember trips to Paris, Chester Zoo, Chatsworth House and the Blue John Mines, together with sponsored canal walks and the huge summer fair.

Miss Hazel Dodgson was appointed in 1982 and remained the head until she retired in 1995. A smart school uniform was introduced and perhaps pupils of that era will remember sewing and weaving lessons, charity events – particularly for Save the Children, and of course the start of the Y6 Shows and Summer Fairs. Inter-house and individual tournaments were introduced, some children met the Queen and the school celebrated its 50th Anniversary. After thirteen years as Head, Miss Dodgson retired in 1995.

Mrs Liz Hankinson was Head for a brief time from 1995 until 1998. The school logo became two owls and the uniform became navy blue. She led the school through its first successful Ofsted in 1996 and in 1998 was seconded as a Trafford adviser, leaving the deputy, Mr Paul Jones, as acting head – in charge of yet another Ofsted and the re-roofing programme! He saw the school through another successful Ofsted and a most ‘interesting’ period of building, floods and portacabins!

Mrs J.Coates
(Summer 2005)

As a past pupil and teacher, I have thoroughly enjoyed putting the website together – particularly this section. Mr Shaw, Mr Jones and myself have enjoyed taking photographs over the years and Mr Jones, now retired from the school, is putting together our hundreds of images into some sort of order! If you have any amazing photos for us to view, please contact school.