Description:Pupils are pictured listening to Mrs Emmerson, the School Librarian, inside Walton Priory Middle School. The School which opened during 1974 was the first purpose built middle school in Staffordshire. This photograph was taken in 1975 by Stafford photographer Tony Boydon.
The school opened on September 4th 1974, with the third year only because the building was still incomplete. On September 5th the first and second years began. There were 460 pupils and 19 staff.
The staff included Mr B. Hilton as Headmaster and Mr E. Flint, Deputy. Mr B. Williams, Miss S.Taylor, Mr J. Griffiths and Mrs K. Harris were Year Coordinators, Miss D. Lawton, Maths, Mr A Brien, Craft, Mrs P Pullen, Art, Mrs J McCandlish, Home Economics, Mrs K. Jackson, French, Mrs A Emmerson, Library, Miss J. James, P.E. and Mr M. Timmis (who retired in 2010 after 36 years) Science. Also Mrs J. Jones, Miss Y. Lodwick, Mr M. Taylor, Miss S. Baskeyfield and Miss K. Arthur were all class teachers.
No members of staff left after the first year and the second year began with Mr A. Bills, Mr S. Jones, Miss L. Morrey, Mr A. Caisley, Mrs A. Moreton, Mrs E. Fear and Mr R. Moody joining the staff.
Following the School’s opening it became the centre of national attention with educational experts visiting to see the innovative style of education being delivered. There were over 11 groups of visitors with 35 days including H.M. Inspectors and many teachers, with some from Canada.