SIXTY-TWO years ago this week the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, the Duke of Wellington, paid a visit to Southampton to oversee the official opening of what he called “the very latest thing in education”.

On March 5, 1953, Hamble County Primary School opened its doors for the first time to welcome its initial intake of youngsters to the town’s newest seat of learning.

The two-storey building, which was fitted with enormous double windows to deaden the sound of the low-flying aircraft that continuously flew overhead back then, also featured a spacious dining hall, well-equipped medical room and, according to the Daily Echo report of the time, eight electrically air-conditioned classrooms for the comfort of the youngsters.

Daily Echo:

The school was a credit to the Hampshire Education Committee but, according to the duke (above), there was still a great deal of effort that had to be made by those in the school to ensure the school’s success.

He said: “It is up to you to see that you leave the school better educated and healthier in body and mind then your predecessors who were brought up in schools of half the size and a quarter of the light.”