Back To School

What do you think of your education? Do you remember one person you learnt from or looked up to? We’ve included a number of objects here from different schools and clubs across the borough – it’s impossible to fit them all in! You can also see how what we learn has changed over time. Subjects and skills taught are quite different for each generation, but can you think of anything about learning that is still the same?

Exercise books

Lisa Ridgeway's drama books covered in excellent choices of wrapping paper

School Photo Contact Sheet,1957

From Barnsley Road Infants School.

Wortley School Mug, 1992

On loan from Jemma Conway, star pupil!

Cricket Cap, 1971

A black and cream cricket cap from Holgate Grammar School U13s team, worn by Jeremy Wroe. The cap has the school emblem on the front.

National Record of Achievement Folder, 1990s

Belonging to Michael Hardy, pupil at Edward Sheerien School

School Tie, late 20th century

Burgundy tie with grey and blue stripes and elastic at the top from Wombwell Park Street Primary School.

The Alan Cook Award for Science, 2007–2009

Awarded to pupils Ben Marshall, Max Adams and Natasha Dearle Shipley at Royston High School, Specialist College.

School Headband, mid-20th century

A hand-embroidered headband for Barnsley Girls High School belonging to Eva Burnett.

Wedgwood Ceramic Plate, 1930s to 1950

The picture on the plate is of Lowood School from the book Jane Eyre. This fictional book was written by Charlotte
Brontë in 1847.What do you think Lowood school was like?

Girl Guides Beret and Belt, 1970

A blue fabric beret and brown leather belt belonging to Jo Oglanby from Birdwell. Jo was a Guide Leader for the Birdwell and St Mary’s branch of the Girl Guides. The beret has the official three leaf clover logo in gold stitching and the very useful belt has its own compass. The Guide Association was created in 1909 and is now known as Girlguiding have a look at girlguiding.org.uk

Child Labour Certificate, 1906

This certificate for Adelene Mary Tolson of Ardsley confirms she has the right to leave school and start paid work as she is 13 years old.The Factory and Workshops Act of 1901 raised the minimum working age to 12 years old. Children could take a full-time job at 13, providing they had a certificate to prove they had attended school. We don’t know what Adelene’s first job was, but she appears on the 1911 census as a domestic servant in a house on Victoria Road.

Jubilee of Scouting:Souvenir Handbook, Worsbrough Park, 1957

Plimsoll Bag, 1959

Elizabeth took her PE plimsolls to Grimethorpe Infants and Junior Mixed School in this lovely homemade bag embroidered by one of her aunties. Elizabeth’s daughter, Rachel, also used it in the early 1990s.

The Totty Cup

The Totty Cup is a school football tournament in the Don & Dearne region of South Yorkshire.  The trophy was originally donated to the Dearne Association by a Goldthorpe Picture House proprietor, Russell Totty, in the 1920’s (first recorded final 1923). Originally it was a “senior school” competition but is now a primary school competition.