The Teachers of St Johns School
On the 4th May 1872, the first entry in the Head Teacher’s Log Book was made by Mrs Mary Seaman, the first Head Teacher. _ To view School Gallery Click Here
The Education Act of 1870 required provision be made for all children to have the opportunity for an education. Prior to this date few children, other than those from wealthy families, were able to attend any type of school. At Cromer Hyde there was a ‘Dame School’ run by Miss Archer for about forty children whose parents paid 2d (about 40p in today's money) per week for each child. St Mary’s School in nearby Welwyn had been established some years before but it was too far away for the children of Lemsford. In order that these children should have their own school Lord Cowper, who at the time owned the Panshanger and Brocket Estates, had a school built in 1872 and which he supported financially until 1903. The first Head Teacher was Mrs Mary Seaman 1872 - 1873 Below is a list of Head Teachers up to the present dayCLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE
| Name | Dates at school | Date of image | Donator of Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Mary Seaman | 1872 - 1873 | No Image | No Image | Miss Ellen Digby | 1873 - 1882 | No Image | No Image |
| Miss Alice Emma Sidwell | 1882 - 1888 | No Image | No Image |
| Miss Rose A. Giles | 1888 - 1890 | No Image | No Image |
| Miss Alice Aldridge | 1890 - 1902 | 1890s | WGC Library |
| Mr William C. Ladbury | 1902 - 1936 | 1908 | Shirley Knapp |
| Mr. Frederick S. Sharp | 1936 - 1946 | 1940s | No Image |
| Mr Harold E. Stanford | 1946 - 1954 | No Image | No Image |
| Mr Dennis Whittaker | 1954 - 1960 | No Image | No Image |
| Mr Dennis W. Jones | 1960 - 1962 | 1960s | Jean Dance |
| Mr Eric L. Temple | 1963 - 1979 | 1970s | St Johns School |
| Mr Desmond L.B. Dunn | <1979 - 1987 | 1982 | St Johns School |
| Mr Geoffrey Sturgess | 1987 - 1992 | 1989 | St Johns School |
| Mrs Elizabeth Reeder | 1993 - 1997 | 1993 | St Johns School |
| Mr Robin Archibald | 1997 - 2001 | 2001 | Judith Titmuss |
| Mrs Debra Massey | 2001 - 2005 | 2005 | St Johns School |
| Mrs Christine Hall | 2005 - 2009 | 2007 | St Johns School |
| Mandy Evans | 2009 - | 2014 | St Johns School |
Mrs Mary Seaman (1872 - 1873)
On the 4th May 1872, the first entry in the Head Teacher’s Log Book was made by Mrs Mary Seaman, the first Head Teacher. On that day, seventy-seven children, ranging in age from three to thirteen, were enrolled. They were divided into two classes - one being taken by Mrs Seaman and the other by her husband Walter, her assistant. They were all taught in one room, the room now used as the dining room in the oldest part of the school. The school was approved by the Government on the 16th May 1872.Mrs Mary Seaman was Head teacher from 1872 to 1873. No image of Mary Seaman is available.If you have any images or Memories of Mrs Mary Seaman then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Miss Ellen Digby (1873 - 1882)
When the school first opened, the staff consisted of the head teacher and one assistant. Miss Digby’s sister was employed as the first pupil teacher in 1874. Emma Binns served as a pupil teacher and then proceeded to Hockerill Training college in Bishops Stortford later the same year. Later intending teachers were drawn from the ranks of the pupils at the age of thirteen if they showed promise. They would receive special tuition from the head teacher before the school opened at 9am. The pupil teachers received an annual grant of one sovereign each (in 1890 £1 was worth nearly £60.00). In addition to these intending teachers, monitors were also employed to help look after the infants.Miss Ellen Digby was Head teacher from 1873 to 1882. No image of Ellen Digby is available. If you have any images or Memories of Miss Ellen Digby then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Miss Alice Emma Sidwell (1882 - 1888)
Miss Alice Emma Sidwell was Head teacher from 1882 to 1888.No image of Alice Emma Sidwell is available If you have any images or Memories of Miss Alice Emma Sidwell then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Miss Rose A. Giles (1888 - 1890)
Miss Rose A. Giles was Head teacher from 1888 to 1890. If you have any images or Memories of Miss Rose A. Giles then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Miss Alice Aldridge (1890 -1902)
Frank Lines a little boy aged eight, saved James Cochrane on 28th December, 1891, in Broadwater, Brocket Park, Hatfield. Cochrane ran after a ball on the ice and when forty five yards from the bank the ice broke.He managed to cling to the edge for some time. The other boys who were present ran away, but Frank Lines crawled to the hole and with the aid of a stick got Cochrane out. The ice again gave way and Cochrane fell in once more, but still his little rescuer made another attempt, and finally saved him’.School visited in afternoon by Col. Fellows, Rev. F.E. Coggins and Mrs Coggin, and a gentleman. Col. Fellows presented, on behalf of the Royal Humane Society, a silver medal to Frank Lines for having saved James Cochran from drowning’ Extract from Lemsford school log book March 1892. Image shows Frank on the right with a medal on his jumper (Click to enlarge). Miss Alice Aldridge was Head teacher from 1890 to 1902. If you have any images or Memories of Miss Alice Aldridge then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Mr William C. Ladbury (1902 - 1936)
Mr William C. Ladbury was Head teacher from 1902 to 1936. If you have any images or Memories of Mr William C. Ladbury then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Mr. Frederick S. Sharp (1936 - 1946)
Mr. Frederick S. Sharp was Head teacher from 1936 to. If you have any images or Memories of Mr. Frederick S. Sharp then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
1945
Mr Harold E. Stanford (1946 - 1954)
Mr Harold E. Stanford was Head teacher from 1946 to 1954.No image of Harold Stanford is available If you have any images or Memories of Mr Harold E. Stanford then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Mr Dennis Whittaker (1954 - 1960)
No image of Dennis Whittaker is available. If you have any images or Memories of Mr Dennis Whittaker then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Mr Dennis W. Jones (1960 - 1962)
Mr Dennis W. Jones was Head teacher from 1960 to 1962. If you have any images or Memories of Mr Dennis W. Jones then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Mr Eric L. Temple (1963 - 1979)
In July, 1970 two new classrooms and a new kitchen were added and various other improvements made. The latter included the removal of a chimney breast in the old building and the provisions of three plain glass windows. The heating system was renewed and hot water provided for the kitchen.The school has gone on from strength to strength and today has a high standard of education and is still popular wit local people. Image shows Frank on the right with a medal on his jumper (Click to enlarge)Mr Eric L. Temple was Head teacher from 1963 to 1979. If you have any images or Memories of Mr Eric L. Temple then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Mr Desmond L.B. Dunn (1979 - 1987)
.Herts Mr Desmond L.B. Dunn was Head teacher from 1979 to 1987. If you have any images or Memories of Mr Desmond L.B. Dunn then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Mr Geoffrey Sturgess (1987 - 1982)
Mr Geoffrey Sturgess was Head teacher from 1987 to 1992. If you have any images or Memories of Mr Geoffrey Sturgess then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Mrs Elizabeth Reeder (1993 - 1997)
Mrs Elizabeth Reeder was Head teacher from 1993 to 1997. If you have any images or Memories of Mrs Elizabeth Reeder then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Mr Robin Archibald (1997 - 2001)
Mr Robin Archibald was Head teacher from 1997 to 2001. If you have any images or Memories of Mrs Mr Robin Archibald then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Mrs Debra Massey (2001 - 2005)
Mrs Debra Massey was Head teacher from 2001 to 2005. If you have any images or Memories of Mrs Debra Massey then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Mrs Christine Hall (2005 - 2009)
Mrs Christine Hall was Head teacher from 2005 to 2009. If you have any images or Memories of Mrs Christine Hall then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
Mandy Evans (2009 - )
Mandy Evans was Head teacher from 2009 to present day. If you have any images or Memories of Mandy Evans then email them to info@lemsfordhistory.co.uk and we will load them on the Website
We are a happy, caring school which aims high in all we do. Our vision for St John’s is shaped by our shared Christian values and driven by a desire for all at St John’s to embrace challenge and grow.Read More
In 1872, Lord Cowper, who at that time owned the Panshanger and Brocket Estates, had the school built for the children of Lemsford and the surrounding areas which he supported financially until 1903.
On 4 March 1872, seventy-seven children were enrolled into two classes. The number of children on role has now risen to over 100 and the Victorian School House has been added to over the years to accommodate more children and modern education. We now have a wonderful new hall and the addition of a new classroom. Read More