A detailed account of a school during the Second World War has been uncovered after a headteacher’s log book was found by staff.

The entries between 1940 and 1942 were written by Sidney Burnell School’s headteacher Mr H. James Ryder.

The first entry was on May 20 1940, the opening day of the school now known Highams Park School.

Staff found the log book by chance as they cleaned out an old store cupboard.

Placed among the Mr Ryder’s diary, was a 1939 map of the area and framed photographs from the 1950s, suggesting someone had once added to the hidden material.

Amongst the dusty hand-written notes, Mr Ryder refers to the school as Handsworth Avenue, although it was officially named after Sidney Burnell, a director of education in Waltham Forest in 1920.

In the first entry, Mr Ryder writes: "The school was opened today at 9am this morning for the reception of children of school age from five years upwards.

"Transfers were affected from Selwyn Avenue School and the infants classes were formed were formed to be made the organisation of Miss Errol Cole – Head Mistress of Selwyn Avenue Infants Department."

During the first year of the war, an air raid saw two bombs hit the school while it was open on December 16 1940.

In what seems a very-rushed hand-writing note, the head teacher recalls the near-fatal incident:

He said: ‘A raiding aeroplane passed over the school and dropped bomb. Two fell on the school premises, one close to the boys’ cycle store and the second in the lowest court close to the south corridor.

"Classes were within their rooms and one class on the stage at a music lesson. No warning had been received and in accordance with instructions, teachers directed children to lie flat under desks. Children did not leave the building.

"No child was hurt in any way and teachers by example any correspondence prevented known reaction on the part of children.

"Structural damage to the school was slight. A teacher immediately phoned the incident to the education office by telephone and a message was sent to the educational architect."

Debbie Cunnew, of Highams Park School, has worked extensively with the school’s archivist, Pat Hills.

She said: “We’re chuffed to have it, and compared to other schools, we’re very lucky to have such detailed archives. Its sheer luck the log book was put away and not thrown away.

“We know that people had been aware it existed because there was newer stuff added to where it was stored, so it just a matter of time until it was uncovered fully.”