HIGHAMS Park School has built a glowing reputation for educational achievement since it was founded 70 years ago - but its beginnings in the midst of the Second World War were less than auspicious.

Commissioned to meet the needs of a rapidly growing local population, the school opened its doors to pupils for the first time on May 20, 1940, just days before the great evacuation of British and Allied troops from Dunkirk.

A 70th anniversary exhibition was held at the school in Handsworth Avenue this week where former pupils, teachers and members of the public were invited to view old photographs and documents including a number of handwritten headteacher's log books.

In the first entry of the headmaster's log on the day the school was opened, it is referred to as Handsworth Avenue School. It reads: "The school was opened at 9am this morning for the reception of children of school age from five years upwards.

"Transfers were effected from Selwyn Avenue School and three infants classes were formed to be under the organisation of the headmistress of Selwyn Avenue Infants' Department.

"Mr H James Ryder commenced duties as headmaster of this school."

The terror of the war was soon brought home to the new school's pupils when, at 11.47am on December 16 1940, it was caught in the middle of a bombing raid.

The log reads: "A raiding airoplane passed over the school and dropped bombs.

"Two fell on the school premises, one close to the boys' cycle store and the second in the West Court close to the south corridor.

"Classes were within their rooms, and one class on the stage of a music lesson.

"No warning had been received, and in accordance with instructions teachers directed children to lie flat under desks."

Fortunately no children were hurt in the attack.

A snapshot of school discipline in the immediate post-war period comes in an extract from the punishment book dated April 27 1949, when the names of four boys are listed next to a note reading: "The next time any of these boys touches the water at the boys end of school, he is to have a thrashing."

The school provided classes for children from infants up to the age of 14, and was eventually named after Sidney Burnell, a former director of education in the Borough of Walthamstow.

Sidney Burnell School became a 'secondary modern' in the late 1940s after Tory politician Rab Butler's Education Act, which introduced a tripartite secondary system.

The reform meant local youngsters could either attend one of the two grammar schools, Woodford County High or Sir George Monoux, a technical school like McEntee or a secondary modern such as Sidney Burnell or Chapel End - according to ability.

The school became a 'senior high' after the new London Borough of Waltham Forest introduced the comprehensive education system in 1968 - taking pupils from 14 through to 18.

Heathcote, Chapel End and later Rushcroft all became feeder schools or 'junior highs.'

Highams Park School was finally given its current name in 1974.

After yet another re-organisation during the 1980s the school began taking childen aged 11 to 16 - re-opening in September 1986.

It received grant maintained status in 1991 and reinstated a sixthform, taking in children aged up to 18.

It was the first school in Waltham Forest to be given specialist school status as a Technology College in 1997, before being designated a 'High Performing Specialist School' in 2007.

Physical Education has since been added to the school's specialisms, turning it into a combined Specialist Technology and Sports College.

Eight headteachers have served the school over the past seven decades.

For more information visit: highamspark.waltham.sch.uk

With thanks to the Highams Park Society where most of this information originated.