Crewe Memories: Centenary reunion for former classmates at Ruskin Sports and Languages College

By Crewe Chronicle on Jun 17, 09 10:57 AM in 1900-1999

A CREWE school is inviting former pupils back to celebrate its centenary.

Ruskin Sports and Languages College started out as Crewe County Secondary School. It then became Crewe County Grammar School before becoming a comprehensive in 1978.

Since 1909 the school has had only six headteachers.

Current headteacher Phil Mottershead retires this summer after 15 years at the helm.
Bursar Jean Golding said: "The new building was opened on September 17, 1909, by Colonel George Dixon, chairman of the county council.

"There had been complaints in the local press about the expense of providing 'Ferromac' tennis courts and hot water and accusations the LEA was 'pampering the working classes'."

A report in the Chronicle of September 25, 1909, described the building as "the finest secondary school in Cheshire, probably in England".

It cost about £25,000, including land and furnishings.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Dr Hodgson and once the speeches were over the invited audience visited the building and took tea.

Mrs Golding said: "Ruskin is once again opening its doors to the public during a special exhibition and reunion week. Past pupils and staff are invited to return to the school during the week of June 30-July 4.

"We are looking forward to welcoming many visitors, some of whom are travelling back to Crewe from around the world."

There is an open day for pupils who attended Crewe County Secondary School between 1909 and 1944 on Tuesday, June 30; for pupils of Crewe Grammar School between 1944 and 1959 on Wednesday, July 1, and between 1958 and 1978 on Thursday, July 2; and for those at Ruskin from 1978 to the present day on Friday, July 3.

The school will be open from 2-4pm and from 7-9pm on those dates.
On Saturday, July 4, the school will be open to past pupils from any era from 2-5pm.

The picture shows Crewe Secondary School headteacher Mr McCurtain with the 1914-15 season football team: J Plant, D S Woodward, J Lees, E Wilkinson, T N Price, C Brereton, R Watson, J Wilkinson, R Kettell, W Kay, W H Smith, A Brereton and R Watson.

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