Hewett School Open Day

On 9 November 2024, I was one of more than 2,000 people that attended an open day at the Hewett School ahead of its planned demolition. I am grateful to the school, Melita Morgan and others for having organised it and for having advertised it through various Facebook groups including Hewett School and one specific for the “reunion“.

Virtually the Whole Site was Open

Originally, my understanding was that the former Upper/Grammar School would be closed off although we would be able to go around the buildings on the outside. However, on the morning itself, a message was posted saying that Upper/Grammar School buildings would be open. I understood that that excluded the tower block, which is apparently unsafe, but even that was open and many people, including me, went up and down it without incident. Indeed, the only “incident” I had was on the ground floor of Upper School when I thought I was stuck in a room with no door handle!

Memories Triggered

I found that the day, and the photos posted afterwards, triggered a lot of memories for me. These were almost universally positive. Nevertheless, they still take a bit of processing not least because this was the first time I had been back to the school for around 45 years! Hence this post.

My Journey Through the Hewett School

I planned my visit to mirror my time at the school. So, I started in Lower School, which I first came to in 1971, and finished it in Upper School, which I left in 1978 after sixth form.

Cecil Road

For almost all of my time at Hewett, I approached the school from Cecil Road because of where I lived.

Entrances

I recall that there were strict rules about which entrance you could use. So, Lower School entrance when in Lower School, Middle School entrance when in Middle School etc. From comments I have received, it seems these rules may have been relaxed subsequently.

I don’t recall which entrance I used when in fifth form but I recall that there was a separate entrance for sixth form.

Entrance to what was Lower School and which is now the part of the school used by Hewett Academy. This was the entrance I used from 1971 to 1973. Inset are the view on entering the school (left) and a map (right) showing the current layout and four entrances to the site.

Lower School Hall

The main welcome for the open day took place in what was the Lower School hall. I think this is now the Academy’s dining room. Here, there were refreshments, a registration book, uniform displays and lots of information and books, including some excellent information developed specifically for the open day about the school, Dr Roy and the day itself. Information developed specifically for the open day can be accessed from the website established for the open day.

Photo showing a presentation about Heads of Hewett, a guest book and a remembrance book. The Heads of Hewett includes heads of the three schools prior to the merger. However, it does not include heads of the various parts of the school post-merger. We were asked to sign the guest book giving our name and the dates we were at the school. The Remembrance Book was to remember those no longer with us.

There were a number of school uniforms from different eras on display. I believe this was the uniform of my era. I hated that tie with a passion and my feelings about the blazer were not much more positive!

Plaque for the Bob Simpson laboratories which was on display at the Open Day. Mr Simpson taught me Chemistry at various stages in the school and was one of my favourite teachers. He encouraged me strongly to study either Medicine or Engineering at University and not Chemistry! In the video on the Hewett Histories website, Mr Simpson appears (at 5.53 after the rat dissection!),

One of the most interesting things I found on display in the Lower School hall was this punishment book. While not my era, it recorded formal corporal punishment delivered between 1954 and 1967. Shown are the front cover (left), the first entry (centre) and the last entry (right)

Information developed specifically for the Open Day including, from left to right, bookmark explaining which parts of the Hewett Academy were open, a summary of the day, two pages on the history of the Hewett School and two pages on Dr Walter Roy. This information can be accessed from the Hewett Histories website

History of the Hewett School

In brief, Hewett functioned as a large comprehensive school from its formation in 1970, the year before I entered the school, until it became an Academy in 2015. Prior to 1970, there had been three schools on the site. These were Lakenham Secondary Modern Schools for girls and boys respectively, which had been established in 1954-55, and Hewett Grammar School, established in 1958.

Walter Roy

Dr Walter Roy was appointed in 1969 to oversee the merger of the three schools to form one very large comprehensive school. Dr Roy was overall Head of Hewett throughout my time at the school only retiring in 1990. He was an educationalist of some renown. He was born in Austria in 1925 but fled to the UK in 1938. During the war, he worked for British military intelligence. He returned to Austria in 2002 and died there in 2012.

Visit of Queen Elizabeth II in 1977

In the hall, there was some information about the Queen’s visit to the school in 1977 as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations. I recall this visit and noted in my diary that I acted as a steward as did most of my friends. All schools in Norfolk were closed and about 2,000 schoolchildren gave a display at Hewett. My mum noted the queen’s visit and my role at school as steward. However, she seemed more impressed that my brother was a Boys’ Brigade representative at County Hall and Prince Philip spoke to him! Some pictures of the visit were published in the Lynn Advertiser and for some video footage of the visit, see here.

Brochure concerning the Queen’s visit to Norfolk in 1977. This was on display in the Lower School hall at the open day

This photograph of the Queen’s visit to Hewett in 1977 appeared in the 1978 school magazine

My Recollections of the Lower School Hall

I remember the Lower School hall and it seemed remarkably similar to my recollections. We used to have Lower School assemblies and I remember putting on plays there. From memory, the Lower School and Middle School halls connected through a back stage area. During the open day, it was possible to explore this although it has changed somewhat. But, the downstairs room where we used to change for performances is still there.

Back stage area between Lower and Middle School halls showing stairs down to what was used as a changing room for school plays and may have also been a pottery room

Photograph of me (centre) in school play in 1972. From memory, I was playing William the Conqueror in “*1066 and All That*”. I am not sure if this was in the Lower School or Middle School hall but probably the former

I am not sure if this is the same clock on the wall in Lower School hall. It seems a bit unlikely. However, the three exit doors look the same and I recall a similar clock in a similar position as someone told me when appearing in plays to “*talk to the clock*“. I am sure this was an attempt to help me hold my head up and project my voice. Interestingly, in the video “*A Hewett Day*“, there is footage of an assembly in one of the halls (2.57). The three doors look the same and there is a clock in the same position. However, that one has a brown rim and the current one looks white or silver although it is shot from a different angle

Wandering Around Lower School

Having had a look at the displays in the hall, I had a bit of a wander around Lower School which I believe is the part of the school still used by Hewett Academy.

The Head’s and Deputy Head’s Offices

I think the photos below show where the Head and Deputy Head of Lower School had their offices. This part now seems to house student services. I particularly remember the second view approaching the offices and recalling that we needed to be careful how we behaved as we walked past. It still stressed me slightly more than 50 years later!

I believe this is where the Head and Deputy Head of Lower School had their offices

Classrooms and Corridors

Unlike some others I heard as we were walking round, I don’t recall precisely which classrooms were my form rooms in Lower School. Partly, it is because it was a long time ago but also I did not spend much time in that room as we moved around different rooms for lessons. I am grateful to Joyce Hanton (née Turner), who was in the same class as me from 1R to 4R, for reminding me that our first and second year form room, with Mrs Robinson, had been upstairs next to the library. The corridors seemed familiar, particularly the view outside.

Gyms

I do remember the gyms in both Lower and Middle Schools. From memory, these were more or less identical. The Lower School gym remains pretty much as I remember it.

The view towards Lower School gym. The building is how I remember it although there were no fences and no multi-use games area when I was at school

Inside the Lower School gym. The windows are as I remember them

I believe there were some kind of climbing bars on the walls then where the writing is now (also see below)

This photograph appeared in the 1975 school magazine. It shows one of the gyms with the wall bars in the background. I believe the metal bar across the ceiling allowed climbing ropes to be used

Computers

One big difference I noted in walking round Lower School was the number of computers. Of course, there weren’t any when I was in the Lower School. By the time I reached Upper School, there was one massive computer terminal which, I believe, connected to a computer at UEA. We thought it was super-advanced at the time. There is a brilliant video clip of using the computer terminal in the video on the Hewett Histories website (6.45).

Laboratories

Because I studied sciences, I spent a lot of time in the laboratories across the school. Also, when I was in Upper School, I worked as a laboratory assistant to the technicians.

While the labs in Hewett Academy are much more modern than I recall, some things haven’t changed, such as having to put your chair/stool on top of the desk/bench and gas taps!

Lower School Library

When I walked into what is now a textiles room in Hewett Academy, I was immediately transported back to what was the library when I was at Hewett. It was located in the upper floor of the curved part of the building which is perhaps the most memorable/iconic.

Outside views (above and below) towards the curved part of the building which once housed Lower School library and which now houses a textiles room. Fences are new additions

Outside view of what was Lower School library from the other side. The fence is a new addition

A New Science Block

From memory, I think the Lower School science blocks were pretty new when I entered the school in 1971. They now house the Hewett Academy library. Based on overheard conversations, I think they may have been used to teach music at some point.

What was the Lower School science block (above) when I was at Hewett is now Hewett Academy’s library (below)

Another view of the Lower School science block

This way through past what was the Lower School science block is now fenced off as is access to the playing fields

Bike Sheds

Sometimes, I used to cycle to school and I left my bike in the bike sheds. Those in Lower School do not seem to have change much.

Exiting Lower School

I am fairly sure I spent my first two years at Hewett in the Lower School. However, I am reminded by the school magazine that there was no intake of first years in 1973. This meant that the second years were now the first years (!) and the third years were half in Lower School and half in Middle School. I am not sure why this change happened but presumably the age at which children moved from junior to secondary school went up by one year. Perhaps it was linked to the 1973 Education Act which raised the minimum age at which someone could leave school from 15 to 16.

I think 3R was one of the classes based in Middle School but I could be mistaken. However, I am grateful to Joyce Hanton for assuring me that we did move to Middle School when we moved to 3R. According to my school reports, V J Allen was 3R’s form tutor. However, I do not recall him/her. I do recall Mr Ames who was 4R’s form tutor and who also taught me Social Economics.

Another rear view of Lower School main entrance with clock tower in background

Middle School

Walter Roy Theatre

I believe the development and opening of this theatre took place after I had left Hewett. From memory, when I was there, the Middle School hall was very similar to the Lower School hall.

Banked seating in the Walter Roy Theatre. I am pretty sure the Middle School hall was not like this when I was at Hewett

Stage in the Walter Roy theatre. Again, this is quite different from how I remember the stage in the Middle School hall

Walter Roy’s Office

I recall that Dr Roy had a fairly grand office on the first floor in Middle School. I remembered the staircase leading up to it which is still there but the layout at the top of the stairs appears to have changed and the office no longer seems to be there.

Main Middle School entrance with stairs that led to Dr Roy’s office at the back

Middle School Library

I believe this photo shows what was the Middle School library. I do not recall it. Perhaps the layout changed after I left Hewett. Or possibly I did not spend much time in the library!

Corridors and Staircases

The Middle School corridors, unsurprisingly, were very similar to those in Lower School.

Above and below – corridors in Middle School

Staircase in Middle School. I am not sure if I am imagining it, but these stairs are exactly how I remember them

Eileen Ash Sports Hall

The Eileen Ash Sports Hall is a new facility, opened in 2018, located where the Middle School gym used to be. I assume it was named after Eileen Ash who was an England cricketer and who lived to be 110.

Sign for the Eileen Ash Sports Hall. Inspiration Trust is the trust that runs Hewett and a number of other academies

While the Middle School gym has been replaced by a new sports hall, the corridor leading past it (above and below) has changed little. If I recall correctly, there was a staffroom on the right.

This is the exit just by where the Middle School gym was. From memory, we spent a lot of time playing football here!!

Separated from Upper School

Whereas Lower and Middle Schools were attached to each other, they were physically separate from the Upper School, which had been Hewett Grammar.

View from Middle School along the lane/track that separated Middle School (left) from Upper School (right)

Same lane or track from outside Middle School heading in the opposite direction. I recall walking along here for outside PE activities after having changed in the Middle School gym

View from the outside of Middle School towards what is marked as exit 3 on the map. Upper School is to the right

Dining Room

The dining room, that I believe served the whole school, was located near Upper School. However, it was and is separated from Upper School by a wall. What was the school dining room now seems to be used by Spring Gymnastics.

Upper School

I remembered that there was a way to access Upper School through the wall leading down to the old dining room. So that is the way I entered into Upper School.

Swimming Pool

There is still a swimming pool in the same location as there was when I was at Hewett. However, the building enclosing it seems much more substantial than the plastic “blister” that was over it when I was there!

View of swimming pool heading back to Upper School

Full page article about the swimming pool and its “*cover*” from the 1972 Hewett magazine

Upper School Hall

The hall in Upper School is pretty much how I remember it. It was/is very different from the Lower and Middle School halls. I think we did have assemblies here. I am pretty sure that prizegiving was held here. Others remember concerts and musical events being held here.

Art Block

It was only when I attended the Open Day that I recalled that my fifth form room had been on the first floor in what I recall was an art block.

While I am not absolutely sure, I think this room, on the first floor of Upper School, may have been my fifth form classroom. I was in 5/12 with Mrs Barker from 1975 to 1976.

Labs and Maths Room

In Upper School, I think most of my lessons were in labs and the maths room which I recall being on the ground floor.

I assume this was a lab on the ground floor of Upper School. The Upper School is largely derelict now and I understand the plan to demolish it. I am extremely grateful that we were allowed access to it before that happens

Another ground floor lab. From memory, this could have been a Physics lab

Another ground floor lab. This one is beyond where the sixth form common room was. I recall studying Biology O level somewhere there when I was in lower sixth. There were two of us doing it and we sat in the back of an A level class.

Sixth Form Entrance

I recalled that the sixth form had their own entrance from Hall Road. When you entered, the sixth form common room was to the left with most of Upper School to the right. Those of us who had motorbikes used to park them here as there was, and still is, a dropped kerb. The entrance is completely overgrown now and clearly has not been used for a very long time.

Former sixth form entrance from Hall Road. It is now very overgrown.

Sixth Form Common Room

When I was at Hewett, there was a sixth form common room in the corner where there is a dark room now. However, students who were in the sixth form soon after me do not recall it. According to the video “A Hewett Day” (16.57) which I believe dates to 1982, there was a sixth form study centre. I do not recall this and wonder if it was new after I left.

From entries in my diary, it appears that the common room was run by a committee and sixth formers were expected to pay a subscription to use it. In September 1976, that went up to 20p. Another thing I noted in my diary, in July 1977, was that some teachers had objected to sixth formers spending private study time in the common room. I noted that I went to see Mr Burns about it and we could continue to go to the common room during private study until he made a ruling on it. I am not sure what that ruling was. It is possible that this concern of teachers could have been a factor in the common room closing.

This was a dark room. When I was at Hewett. I think it was part of the sixth form common room.

I believe this was the exit from Upper School that students used to get to the sixth form study centre in “*A Hewett Day*“. The path is now very overgrown.

The Tower Block

Perhaps one of the most iconic features of Upper School is the mosaic at the bottom of the tower block. It seems this is to be saved and will be incorporated into the design of the new school. I have to confess that I do not really recall it!!

Also, I don’t really have many memories of the tower block itself. I think this is probably mainly because it was largely used for humanities, languages etc. and I did not study these in sixth form. I think the Head and Deputy Head had offices at the base of the stairs leading to the tower block.

My only real memory of the tower block was that the school’s language laboratory was located here. This seemed very modern and revolutionary to me then. The language lab features in the video “A Hewett Day” (from 10.05).

Mosaic at the base of the Upper School tower block

Upper School tower block featuring the mosaic

One thing I remember from the tower block was the language lab. This picture of it in use is from the 1970-1982 anniversary brochure. The language lab also features in the video “*A Hewett Day*” (from 10.05).

Conclusions

It was a great day. I am very grateful to the school, Mileta and many others for making it happen. It triggered a lot of memories for me. Essentially, I recapped seven years of my life in a few hours!! In my case, the triggered memories were pretty universally positive. I found I remembered a lot more than I expected.

Sadly, I can understand why the school is now being demolished. It is encouraging that some of the more notable features of the old school are being retained. One thing I would have liked to have seen a little more of was plans for the new school/re-build. However, it is very possible I missed those as there was a lot to take in.

Postscript July 2025

Much of the demolition has now been carried out. At the open day, former pupils were given the opportunity to buy a brick from the old school. I did this and collected it recently.

Brick from the demolition of Hewett School with a plaque in our garden

4 responses to “Hewett School Open Day”

Caroline Sop

November 11, 2024 at 2:58 pm

Thank-you, so much the above…

l joined in 2nd year, being accommodated in Lakenham Boys ( the year the Lakenham Schools, went ‘co-ed’) 1967….

Another upheaval ensued when we joined with Hewett Grammar. (why did it then become Hewett Comprehensive, who decided upon that particular name as opposed to the geographical name of Lakenham…or an entirely new name for a new school….?).

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1. rogerdrew60
  
  November 12, 2024 at 6:02 am
  
  Thanks Caroline. I don’t know the answer to your question but am asking around. I confess that in all the years I was there I don’t think I ever wondered about the origin of the name but I did learn quickly to spell it with two Es!!!
  
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Ed Percival

November 11, 2024 at 11:38 pm

Thanks for this Roger. We were contemporaries, though I was in form B. I wasn’t able to make the journey up last weekend, so I’m grateful for all the shared pictures. Sad that such a once thriving school has been allowed to decay.

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1. rogerdrew60
  
  November 12, 2024 at 6:04 am
  
  Yes Ed, I remember you. Mostly from sixth form I think. I didn’t know that your father was architect of the Upper School,. It must be especially poignant for you seeing the photos of how it is now and knowing that it is to be demolished.
  
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