This was a private school for infant age children which was in an end terrace house in Wansbeck Gardens. Although there were a number of private schools around Hartlepool in the 1800s and early 1900s, this school thrived from at least 1940, if not before, until the mid 1960s and quite a significant number of children passed through its doors. The school was run by the Misses Frankland and at seven years of age most children went on to Elwick Road Junior School.
Donated by John Watson, this is a badge from around 1942
The end of the terrace and painted white is the house which was at one time Wansbeck School. Ward's 1935-6 directory reveals that 77 Wansbeck Gardens was the property of GR Frankland an engine driver. In the 1930 directory someone else owned the property. As the school was run by a Miss Frankland, it seems probable that she inherited the house from her father and turned it into a school.
More detail »This image is of a small place mat made by infant school aged John Watson at Wansbeck School in about 1942. What is of interest is that the card under the raffia is circular cardboard milk bottle tops one of which is just visible in the centre circle. War time resourcefulness !
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