Description:Originally a Church of England home for 'waifs and strays' and later classified as an Industrial School, by 1938 it was an Intermediate Approved School' for boys aged 13 to 15 committed there by the legal system as being in need of care, protection or control. This postcard view of the Approved School's Technical Training block where boys would have received practical education as part of the remedial process.
The school was permanently closed in 1947 following an infamous case where a group of nine boys plotted to kill the Headmaster, Thomas Dawson, after taking rifles from the school's Cadet Armoury and ammunition from the Headmaster's quarters. En route to carry out their mission, they came across the Deputy Headmaster, Peter Fieldhouse who confronted them. In panic, one of the boys shot and mortally wounded Mr Fieldhouse. A damning report severely criticised the school regime. It was reported that two previous firearm incidents had taken place during the headmaster's period of appointment had not resulted in suitable action by him or Staffordshire Police.
This postcard was posted in 1942.