04/07/2026
Hanford School, Church Lane (c. 1958–59)
A photograph of Hanford School on Church Lane, believed to have been taken around 1958–59, is reproduced courtesy of Peter Bourne, who kindly gave permission for it to be shared.
The sports teacher at the time was Mr Dale.
Peter also identified the pupils in the photograph:
Top row (left to right): Peter Bourne, Peter Mountford, Brian Wagstaff, Geoffrey Parks and Fred Roberts.
Middle row: Stanley McGaffin, Peter Turner, Alan Roberts, Terry Bailey (who later played for Port Vale and Stafford Rangers) and Michael Stanier.
Bottom row: David Moss, David Wagstaff and Trevor Cotton.
Stanley McGaffin recalled that Peter Bourne never missed a single day of school and believes he may have received a special award or gift in recognition of his perfect attendance.
Chris Altham remembered that Stan McGaffin lived just two doors away from him on Garfield Crescent. Stan later emigrated to New Zealand, where he worked as a saddler, a trade that he and his brother John had learned from their father, Stan. Looking at the surnames, Chris believes he probably attended school with some of the brothers and sisters of the boys pictured.
A Brief History of Hanford School
Historical information courtesy of Andrew Dobraszczyc.
By 1900, average attendance at Church Lane School had reached around 260 pupils.
The school’s origins date back to 1838, when a former barn was converted into what became known as the Girls’ Industrial School, supported by the Duchess of Sutherland. The original building was demolished in 1866 and replaced by a new school designed by the architect responsible for much of the Trentham Hall Estate.
The new L-shaped building contained a large classroom divided between boys and girls, together with a smaller room facing Church Lane for infants. Adjoining the school was a two-storey teacher’s house, also designed by the same architect. As Hanford’s population continued to grow, the school expanded further with a substantial extension during the 1890s.
For many years the school remained at the heart of the local community. Spare land behind the building was laid out as allotments, one of which was cultivated by the pupils themselves. The premises also became home to the Hanford Boys Club and Hanford Library.
Many former pupils remember the warmth of the coal fires that heated the classrooms during winter, and the small bottles of school milk placed around the fire by teachers to prevent them from becoming too cold.
Hanford School finally closed its doors in 1963.
Staff
* Headteacher: Mr Pitt
* Teachers: Miss Jolley, Miss Milliship, Miss Bennett, Miss Hanwell, Miss Brownall, Mr Dale and Mr Dudley
* Caretaker: Mr Merrick
* Dinner ladies: Mrs Machin and Mrs Swindalls
